Teen Titans © DC Comics

Brothers

If there was one thing Lightning hated, it was late night patrols. He despised the darkened streets, filled with shadows creeping around him from abandoned alleyways. Easily, a normal human would not be able to navigate his or her way through the dimming black. However, Lightning could see by simply charging up his hands and keeping them a few inches away from his face. While he did enjoy the alone time, Lightning was generally uneasy by himself. His brother was usually always with him, but not this time. He sighed to himself, flying above Iron City, New Zealand, with a yawn. There was no trouble tonight, easing his mind as he rubbed his eyes and decided to venture back home.

It was winter, but the yellow elemental still felt the temperatures to be in the fall. The wind was chilling, prickling at his sallow skin as he rounded back to Titans South's tower. A few gray clouds clumped around in the ebony night, attracting his attention as he realized they were much lighter then storm clouds he and Thunder would ride on before they were Titans. Lightning curiously gazed at them, flying towards them and cocked his head childishly. With a swift flick of his wrist, Lightning flinched at the sudden icy touch.

"Snow?" he mused quietly, parting the cloud and allowed a few trickles of snow excrements to seep forward into the wind. A cheery smile came to his face as he watched the dancing flakes descend to the world below. "How pleasing! Snow in New Zealand! My brother must know about this!"

Without a moment's hesitation, Lightning darted back home, arms at his sides eagerly. The electrical youth swerved in the sky, surfing the breeze and wheeling through the breeze. He found himself directly in front of the dark gray tower he called home, humming to himself blissfully. Stopping in front of a window, Lightning impatiently rapped on it for a few moments. Footsteps tapped over before coming close the window and stopping. The dark blue curtain moved to the left, revealing the delighted face of his brother.

"Any trouble?" Thunder questioned, opening the window as Lightning leaped inside.

"Brother, it will snow soon!" Lightning cried enthusiastically.

Thunder blinked, perplexed at Lightning's jovial nature, smiling. "Snow, you say? Allow Thunder to look."

Lightning jabbed his finger out the window, guiding his brother to where he levitated. A few, quaint snowflakes drifted nearby, and Thunder held his hand out, capturing a few. Lightning chuckled at his brother's wondered expression, finding Thunder's bed and sat on it. He noticed a notebook sitting on his bed along with some tape, glue, and photographs. On a whim, he asked what it was and flipped through a few pages of the notebook as Thunder sat by him after shutting the window.

"Wallace explained to me the wondrous art of making a scrapbook," Thunder explained as Lightning gazed in awe at the many pictures Thunder had implanted in there. "While you were on patrol, brother, I decided to put some of the photographs together."

"I remember this one," Lightning murmured, pointing to smoothed photo of Kid Flash embracing Thunder's neck. "This is where you revealed your cooking skills, and Kid Flash proclaimed he would marry you because of it, the fool."

Thunder chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "He is an exuberant one."

Lightning went back a few pages, stopping when he found a picture of the man that raised them. "Chan To! Brother, how did you acquire these?"

A blush came to Thunder's cheeks, bashfully glancing away. "W-well, while you were on your nightly mission, I dashed back to China where Chan's abode lies, and I found a forlorn camera with our precious memories of him."

"You ventured back to Chan's house without me?" Lightning blurted in shock as Thunder removed a worn, outdated camera from underneath his bed. He paused, rolling his eyes and scoffed to himself. "Oh, wait, now Lightning recalls what Jinx snapped at us when we last went off together."

"'If I ever find you two goofing off again, I will castrate you both,'" they stated in unison before breaking off in snickers.

"Would Jinx really do it?" Thunder asked in slight worry.

Lightning shrugged uncertainly, snatching the camera from him. "I remember Chan taking pictures of us when we were untrained youths. Do you remember when we set his beard on fire?"

Thunder snorted on laughter, a broad grin coming to his face. "Yes! Recall when you pushed him into the lake?"

"That was much amusement!"

The brothers burst into laughter, delighted to think of their old man. In the past, Thunder and Lightning were exiled from their mystical village of Hsuan, South Vietnam due to their different skin colors and destructive prowess. They were rescued by a man named Chan To, a Chinese elder with vast, magical power when they were separated from their mother, Cara Chi. Chan assisted the brothers in utilizing their powers until his death, leaving the stormy brothers alone to fend for themselves for a few years until they met and allied themselves with the Teen Titans.

They had gone on several journeys with their new friends, but it was not until Lightning was kidnapped by a woman named Adeline Kane, the new H.I.V.E Headmistress, where they learned of their true origins. Previously, the brothers believed they were indestructible gods, ones with the ability to create rain. However, Adeline revealed to them their father, Second Lieutenant Walter Williams, otherwise known as the true General to the H'san Natall army. Thunder met a silver-skinned, H'san Natall and human hybrid lass named Argent, one he bonded quite well with as he desperately fought to save his brother. Lightning befriended another captured Titan, Kole, and even though they did not get along at first, they soon became close friends. Walter explained to them that they were H'san Natall and human hybrids, offering them the domination of the planet if they joined him. The brothers refused, ending with Thunder dying, but encouragement from Chan in the ethereal plane of deciding death, resulted in Thunder coming back to life. They defeated their father, killing him in the end. Yet, Walter repented in his actions, and Thunder and Lightning forgave him. In the aftermath of the battle, Hsuan was under attack by rogue warriors from the village, revealing themselves to be former tormentors to Thunder and Lightning. Yet, the brothers defeated them and earned the recognition of their village. It also turned out that their mother, Cara, was still alive and living with Argent and her mother, Alfonsa Lerado. The New Zealand native offered Thunder and Lightning a home, crashing with Kid Flash and Jinx, which Thunder and Lightning gratefully accepted.

Directly after that, Thunder and Lightning were assigned to Titans South in Iron City, New Zealand with fellow Honoraries, Argent, Kid Flash, and Jinx. While they had their occasional roommate spats, they worked like a family. Kid Flash always joked at how Thunder was the glue who kept everyone together because he was the peacemaker, ending fights without the use of violence. For Thunder, Lightning, and Argent, the H'san Natall leader, King Ch'ah, desired their presence back home on his world, sending his daughter, Princess Prysm, to send them his message. Kole went with the team, volunteered through Gnarrk. Along they way, they picked up Prince Ryand'r of Tamaran, otherwise known as Wildfire, Starfire's younger brother and true heir to the Tamaranian throne. The team faced perilous challenges from threats sent by Ch'ah, but when they arrived, Ch'ah greeted them amicably. He allowed them to rest and eat, but he brought back painful memories from Thunder and Lightning's past, but one good one that sparked Thunder and Argent.

The day before their fifteenth birthdays, Thunder had saved Argent when she was still Antonia "Toni" Monetti, referring to himself as his real name, Gan, and they fell in love. Fate conspired against them to part with Toni being forced to the H'san Natall's planet, and Thunder learned what horror Argent had done there, but he did not care. He loved her too much, and she fell for him all over again. However, Ch'ah's true plan came into action when he proclaimed that he needed a general for his army, choosing Thunder to make up for his father. He had all ready captured H'san Natall and human hybrids, Hot Spot, Risk, and Fringe, making them his colonels, and soon possessed Thunder and Argent into becoming his General and Major General respectively. Lightning was forced to battle his brother in order to save him, but failed miserably the first time. Kole comforted him, ensuring that everything would be better, even though Lightning doubted it. It was not until Kole accidentally professed her love for him that Lightning truly believed in saving his brother was possible, saying three magical words to Kole as well. Lightning managed to save his brother, freeing him from Ch'ah's control, and Thunder did the same for Argent, kissing her for the first time. In the battle with Ch'ah and his army, the members of Titans South, Kole, and Wildfire only received on casualty: Risk crushed Kid Flash's ankle. The members of Titans North opened a rift to the planet with The Herald's Gabriel's' Horn, saving everyone but Thunder and Lightning as Ch'ah attacked at the last moment. Ch'ah stabbed Lightning in the back, killing him and sent Thunder into a murderous rage, nearly slaying Ch'ah if the ghostly apparition of Walter had not stopped him. Walter gave Thunder and ultimatum: kill Ch'ah and lose Lightning forever, or forgive Ch'ah and win Lightning's soul back. Thunder forgave Ch'ah, and Lightning returned to life, and the brothers could finally start over again. To think, all of that was a little over three months ago.

"Why does Wildfire have to go home?" Lightning questioned after a few moments of looking at humorous pictures of their friends.

"Will you miss him?" Thunder asked, placing his hand on Lightning's shoulder.

"His absence will be troubling. I am used to battling him over my crystal witch's heart everyday. I suppose, yes, I will miss him," he replied, sighing gently as Thunder pulled him to his chest. "We must a photograph of him before he leaves."

"Of him doing what? Hugging you so tightly that your back breaks again?"

"Shut up!" Lightning blurted as Thunder snickered into his palm.

"I will continue this tomorrow. It is nearing midnight." Thunder collected his notebook, placing it onto the table connecting their beds. Smiling at his brother, he noticed his childish gaze and asked, "Do you want to sleep on my chest?"

Lightning grinned widely, practically tackling Thunder onto the blue elemental's bed. Thunder chuckled at his affection, watching his brother cuddle into his chest and smiled, rubbing his back in comforting circles. Sometimes, his brother could be reminiscent to a little kid looking for attention. He had a sense of blissful fun that amused Thunder, knowing they has bond that could not be destroyed by anything. Yet, Thunder still had doubts about himself. Once he became General Thunder, he lost confidence in himself until Lightning reassured him that he loved him more then anything.

"Even Kole?" Thunder once slyly joked.

"Rot in an acid!" Lightning barked back furiously.

Lightning blearily stared up to Thunder, whispering, "Brother, you are awake?"

"Yes?"

"When Wildfire comes to say farewell tomorrow, may I have a photograph of him and I?"

"Of course, brother."

…

"Aw, I can't believe the kid's leaving!" Kid Flash complained on his crutches.

"I can. It's about time. The squirt tried to kiss me to learn my native Indian tongue," Jinx grumbled, standing next to her boyfriend, placing her hand onto his shoulder.

Currently, Wildfire was holding onto his duffel bags given by Cyborg and stood on Titans South's roof by the swimming pool. He had grown slightly taller, about an inch, and came up to Lightning's neck, but he was just the same in attire and personality. Wildfire sadly glanced away, searching the members of Titans South, Kole, and the regular Titans who had come to see him off. Starfire could hardly rip herself away from her younger brother, wiping tears from his eyes as well as her own.

"I will miss you, brother," Starfire whispered, smiling gently.

Wildfire sniffled. "I will miss you as well, Kory, but do not worry. I will come back soon."

"You're a great addition to the team," Robin stated, approaching the young heir and grinned. "Thanks for the help while you were here."

"Ah, thank you, Robin, please remember that if you ever break my sister's heart, you will awaken bald and dismembered from the waist down," Wildfire chirped, smiling innocently.

Robin winced, backing off behind Cyborg as the others proclaimed their goodbyes. Noting Wildfire's fiery gaze, he quickly replied, "Uh, don't worry about us, Wildfire. Star and I will be together for a long time."

Kole approached her friend, embracing him tightly, and the Tamaranian boy eagerly hugged her back, bringing up an eyebrow from a certain yellow elemental. Parting from her friend, she grinned gently. "You're gonna come back, right?"

"Of course, best friend Kole! I will always return for you, and, remember, if Lightning ever harms you, I will ensure his death to be painful," he vowed, pumping his fist into the air.

Lightning cringed, earning a snicker from his girlfriend and Kid Flash. Flicking Wildfire's forehead, he sneered, "Little alien boy, do not even try to threaten Lightning."

Wildfire gave a shout of mocking laughter, hovering close to his face. "You are the one threatening me by saying that!"

Snorting, Lightning flicked his forehead, sneering, "You could never defeat Lightning."

"You sound so strange, speaking of yourself in third person all the time," he commented, nudging Lightning's side.

Lightning crossed his arms, rolling his eyes at the excitable, hotheaded boy. "At least I have a mate."

Wildfire fumed, a dark, ominous cloud looming over his head. Kole quickly intervened, placing her hands between them to break up the imminent battle coming between them. A light, gracefully quirky grin plastered itself upon her fair face, chuckling nervously as she urged them both to settle down. Wildfire sighed, conceding as Lightning ruffled his hair, wishing him a safe trip home. The Tamaran's future monarch smiled, hugging Lightning and thanked him for his friendship.

For a brief moment, Lightning felt tears well up in his eyes. He was losing a close friend, one who was like a younger, annoying, but kind brother. Sighing, he smoothed over Wildfire's fiery hair and quickly released him, turning away. Wildfire giggled, noticing Lightning's timid posture and glanced around to his friends, hearing their goodbyes before noticing two missing Titans.

"Where are Thunder and Argent?" Wildfire questioned, beginning to hover in the air. "Do they not wish to see me off?"

"Of course they do. They're just running a little late," Cyborg stated, leering over Lightning with an annoyed expression.

Lightning winced, glaring down at the latch that popped open. He immediately heard two distinct chuckles and threw his head down, shouting, "Stop making out!"

"We weren't," Argent retorted, stepping up with Thunder, who had a noticeable blush on his face. "We were…setting up."

"For what?" Kid Flash wondered.

"A photograph," she explained, bringing out an old-fashioned camera that Lightning recognized as Chan's. "We were getting the gear ready for Wildfire to have a picture with us, but, ya know, since Wildfire's in such a hurry to leave…"

"No, no! I can wait! Galfore and Blackfire are not expecting me home early!" Wildfire swiftly flew in front of her, waving his hands like a lunatic. He noticed Lightning's balking face, watching him glance away sheepishly. However, he did not say anything when Thunder grasped his shoulder and pushed him close to his brother.

Taking the camera from his grinning girlfriend, Thunder asked with a smile, "Are you two prepared?"

Lightning and Wildfire stared at each other, the former with a rampant blush. Before either knew it, Wildfire had his arms around Lightning's neck with a peace sign. Flustered, Lightning gaped, but suddenly smiled and waved awkwardly. A flash consumed their vision, briefly blinding them. Spots danced in their eyes for a few moments as Thunder removed the photograph from the camera. The blue elemental waved it gently before grinning at it. Showing them, he crossed his arms at their amused expressions.

"I believe you two like the photograph," Thunder stated as Wildfire hugged Lightning again. "Shall I take some more?"

A few amusing faces and inappropriate gestures later, Thunder had over thirty photographs in his hand. Wildfire sighed, deciding to leave while the sun was at her finest in the light blue sky above. Starfire quickly embraced her younger sibling one more time before letting him go. Wildfire collected a few of the photographs from Thunder, placing them in one of his bags before sighing. Without a single look back, Wildfire surged off to the sky because if he glanced back, he might have cried even though tears threatened to spill from his emerald orbs.

"He'll come back," Argent murmured, leaning into Thunder's shoulder.

"Yes, he will," he gently replied as Argent inspected the photo of herself and Wildfire clinging to her back with her in mid-trip.

"This one is getting burned," she growled, making Thunder laugh.

Kid Flash snatched it out of her hand, holding it above her hand with a snicker. "I dunno, Arg. I rather like this one."

Thunder slapped him over the head, frowning. "Do not tease her."

"All right, all right. Sheesh, overprotective boyfriend," Kid Flash grumbled, handing the picture back and recollected himself on his crutches.

"Aw, man! Who am I supposed to prank with now that Wildfire's gone?" Beast Boy complained.

"Uh, what about me?" Cyborg gruffly questioned, leaning down.

"Well, yeah, but you're always screwing things up!" the changeling retorted.

"At least the annoying pranks will stop," Raven muttered, rolling her amethyst eyes. "You seemed pretty sad to let Wildfire go, Lightning."

Lightning shrugged, arms crossed. "He is a good friend. Anyone would miss an exuberant lad such as himself."

"Oh, I miss him so much, and it has not even been a minute," Starfire murmured tearfully, hands clasped to her chest. "I only wish for him a safe travel home."

"He'll be fine, Starfire," Robin reassured, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

"I only pray he will be." Starfire's eyes diverted back up to the sky, watching the purple and red dot that was her brother dash off into the sky. A gentle, lamentable sigh escaped from her as she only hoped Blackfire would not pick on him for spending so much time on Earth. While she loved her sister and brother dearly, she wished that the three of them could one day be reunited. During Wildfire's stay on Earth, Blackfire was the only member of the royal family to help Galfore, and the noble emperor still believed she was unworthy to set a foot near Tamaran's atmosphere, but encouragement from the royal siblings made Galfore reluctantly change his mind. With Wildfire returning to Tamaran, she only hoped they would not bicker for the crown.

Returning to his business-like fashion, Robin quickly turned to the members of the Titans South, saying, "Since Wildfire's going home, there's no reason for us to stick around. We need to return to Jump City before any crime gets loose."

"Aw, what's the hurry? Sure you can't stay for lunch?" Argent offered, gesturing.

"Can we, Robin?" Beast Boy eagerly asked.

"Lady said lunch," Cyborg added, holding his famished stomach.

"Sorry, but-"

"We would be delighted to stay and enjoy lunch with you all!" Starfire gleefully interjected, cutting her boyfriend off. Grasping Argent's baffled hands, she added, "And you may also inform me of all Wildfire's most adventurous stories of his times here!"

"Uh, sure, Starfire," Argent stuttered, and Starfire quickly whisked her away down the latch.

"It seems that your mate is wrapped up in Starfire's web of intrigue," Lightning sneered, snatching the photograph of himself and Wildfire from his brother.

Kole snickered, earning Lightning's rueful glare. "Aw, Zap, you're cute when you're flustered. You really wanted that picture with Wildfire, huh?"

"It is not like I will not see him again, but it will most assuredly be a while until he we meet again." Lightning stared down to the picture, showing Kole who placed her comforting hand onto her shoulder. "We will see him again…soon."

…

Wildfire was barely above the clouds of Iron City when he stopped to catch his breath. He yawned, hardly having any sleep from the anxiety he faced of flying back to Tamaran alone. He was barely thirteen, having it turned it less than two weeks ago. Wildfire had a consistent, friendly rivalry with Lightning over anything. Sparring, blasting targets, whatever sparked their interest, they would get into a contest to prove who was better. One time, they even had a thumb war that ended with Lightning electrocuted Wildfire and sent him to the hospital. Starfire ensured that Lightning could not walk for a week,

On the subject of Kole, Wildfire used to love her. He thought she was an angel sent from the heavens, delivering him a saint to protect. Her sparkling, cobalt eyes and soft, bubblegum hair screamed of a beautiful goddess in his wake. Wildfire was her first kiss, doing it only to learn English to communicate with the Titans. He meant no disrespect, only kissing her to understand what she was saying. Wildfire often thought of marrying her, but he realized that her heart belonged to his rival, accepting it because she was happy with Lightning.

Yawning again, Wildfire covered his mouth and stood on the cloud. He peeked back down to the tower, smiling gingerly. His temptation to fly back and be with his friends was enormous because life on Tamaran was filled with formalities and loneliness, not fun and crime fighting. While he had Galfore and Blackfire when she was not acting like a bully, Wildfire was by himself all the time. Galfore and his parents when they were alive forbade the young prince from venturing out into the world, believing the Gordanians would kidnap him and hold him for ransom. Wildfire thought they were crazy, going out with Blackfire to formulate a deal with the treasonous H'san Natall against their wishes. Only Blackfire was to go because she had the most experience socially, and the other members of the royal family feared King Ch'ah and Queen Miraset, renowned for their torturous ways. Wildfire could only shudder at his foolishness in following his oldest sister, shaking his head at the memory.

"Hello."

Wildfire yelped at the smooth, masculine voice, swerving around and blinked, finding no one. Charging up his hands, he barked, "Who is there? Show yourself, coward!"

"So, you're Starfire's younger brother. I thought you'd be taller."

"Do not belittle me because I am vertical challenged!"

"You sound like those idiots Thunder and Lightning."

"How dare you make fun of my friends?" Wildfire's eyes glowed a vibrant jade, shimmering in the sun. "If you don't want to be punished so harshly, come out and fight me!"

Without warning, a fist cracked across his cheekbone, effectively knocking sense out of him. Gagging, Wildfire groaned, toppling to the ground and moaned in pain. Collecting himself, he desperately searched for his assailant when a foot smacked him in the back of his skull. Crying out, Wildfire lost his footing and slipped through the cloud. With a soundless gasp, Wildfire snatched the bottom of the cloud and heaved himself back through. Shaking his head, he rubbed it and found metal feet approaching him. Gulping audibly, he fearfully looked up.

Slade stared down at him, seemingly arrogant by his cocked head and snatched his ponytail. "Prince Ryand'r of Tamaran otherwise known as Wildfire. It's nice to meet you before I take you in."

"Take me in? Who are you?" Wildfire weakly demanded.

With the swiftness of a cheetah lunging for his prey, Slade's fist gutted him, lodging into one of his nine stomachs. Wildfire gagged, guttural noises emerging from his mouth as consciousness seeped from him like a mist. A haze clouded his vision, eyes losing their shimmer as Slade dropped him. Wildfire groaned, arms lazily slinging around his body in a feeble embrace before slumping over. The last image that crossed his mind was Starfire's smiling face.

Slade grunted, pleased that capturing him was so easily and quickly pressed a button on his belt, rendering him invisible. Snatching Wildfire's ponytail rendered the prince invisible as well. Removing a small walkie-talkie from a pocket in his belt, he pressed a button, and a holographic screen popped. Familiar names flitted across the screen, reading the names of Titans South's members, Kole, Hot Spot, Risk, Fringe, and Wildfire. Pressing Wildfire's name, a large X crossed over it before closing the screen. Hoisting the boy over his shoulder, he leaped off the cloud and landed on a small, sleek jet wing that hovered underneath the cloud. Ripping the door open, he stepped inside and heaved the door shut with a grunt. Throwing Wildfire down, he watched him become visible and deactivated the invisibility on himself.

"Was the capture successful?" the woman piloting the plane questioned.

"You mean you can't see him?" Slade asked, sitting next to the woman.

Queen Miraset grinned coyly, glancing over her shoulder. "I'm very glad I teamed up with you, Mr. Wilson."

"Please. I'm changing my name," Slade bluntly interrupted. "I'm taking back my old name."

"Which was what?"

"Deathstroke the Terminator."

…

To understand this, you better read Gan and Tavis and Elementals first. Otherwise, this story might not make sense! Anyway, please review!