I never knew this could happen… Friends… No… Family was more correct. I never thought this was how my life would be… How I would be. I don't understand why… I don't care. For the first time in my life, I'm not alone… No longer running… No longer afraid.

I stood face to face with the very first person whom I could call my friend that day. His name was Robin. He wasn't like other people; No, he definitely wasn't like other people. I remember his outfit well - skin tight clothing, red, yellow, and green (like a traffic light), spiked up hair, and a harlequin mask covering his eyes.

"Run!" he said to me with a worried look on his face. I didn't understand why he was talking to me; let alone why he said it with so much force. Then I saw it - a flash of green streaking across the sky like lightning, charging straight for us. He started running in my direction.

I was frozen. I was still trying to wrestle with myself on what to do. He ran straight into me and we both fell over. I still couldn't make out what had caused the green flash, but I knew one thing. I hurt… I balled up my fists in anger towards this new face and black energy formed around my hands. My eyes glowed white from the power and I hit him square in the chest with the blast. Robin was sent stumbling backwards by the blast and quickly recovered. "Whoa!" he said as he got up. "How did -" Before he finished his sentence the green flash charged at him again and knocked him back another thirty feet from me.

"Robin!" yelled out another quite large man… well… part-man. He was a larger male with African American skin tones, but only on half his body. The other half was machine. He was tall, about 6 ft. already and very defined. He ran towards the pain stricken boy and knelt down beside him. "Are you alright?" he asked. "I'm fine." Robin replied. "Are you okay?" He looked right at me. "Yes." This was my only reply to him. "Can you help us?" he asked me. "What's happening?"

Another form came between us at this point. A green cheetah sprinted towards Robin and began to change. I stood there in awe when I saw him. What was once an animal began to shift forms into a human being. Or at least I thought he was human, he is green after all. "Dudes, this chick won't let up!" He shouted when reaching them. "I know BB, but we've got to get her under control before she wipes out the whole city." Cyborg looked back towards me, along with Robin, and Beast Boy.

I will never forget the first look he gave me. He's the reason I stepped in; the reason I am who I am today.

Beast Boy smiled at me. He looked me right in the eye and smiled. "Hey, umm… I'm Beast Boy. What's your name?" "Raven" I replied, trying to stay calm. "Sorry, I'm not used to being talked to." I quickly shied away and turned my face. "Raven, can you help us? I know that we just met, but we're outmatched here and this girl is beginning to destroy the city." Robin asked me with desperation in his voice. "Why is she acting like this?" I asked him. "We're not sure, but she came crashing down from the atmosphere and when we approached her she flipped and started flying around everywhere, crashing into things. We broke into formation and have been trying to chase her down since."

"Robin, we've got to hurry, she's not slowing down and this whole block is already a mess." Cyborg looked at me again. "Are you in?" Beast Boy asked. I could feel something around him... I thought to myself. I tried turning away again. I was afraid of this feeling in my stomach that this boy was making me feel, but I stopped myself, regained composure, and looked at the three boys standing before me. "Sure."

We headed off towards the path of destruction and eventually came up to her. She was still glowing green, but she no longer looked blood-thirsty. Her hair was a brilliant red, and her skin was perfect. I could see it. She was in pain. As an empath, I can feel what others around me are feeling. I turned to Robin who could tell something was wrong. "Don't hurt her. She's in a lot of pain right now. Try talking to her." Robin looked at me in surprise. He walked up to the glowing alien girl. "Are you okay?" He asked, not really expecting an answer. She shook her head. He looked at her again and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Please, we're here to help you." She shook her head again and her glowing green eyes faded and revealed tears behind.

Robin turned back to the three of us and said: "Cyborg, Beast Boy, Let's get her back to the tower. Raven, you are free to go. Thanks for your help." "Wait!" I blurted out before thinking. Robin looked at me with a touch of confusion in his eyes. "Can I come with you? I don't exactly have a home or a place to stay right now." Robin chuckled slightly. "Of course you can. We have plenty of room at the Tower." He looked towards Cyborg and Beast Boy who both gave him an approving nod. He stood in front of me and held out his hand - in it, rested a yellow and black device with a large "T" on the face. "Here. This is a Titans communicator; it's how we all keep in touch with each other. Congratulations, Raven, you're now an honorary member of the Teen Titans!" "Woo hoo!" "Boo-yah!" shouted Beast Boy and Cyborg, respectively. Robin turned in the direction of the tower. "Come on Titans, Go!"

The five of them raced towards the tower. Raven watched in amazement as Robin, who was donning his R-cycle, zoomed down the Jump City streets with incredulous speeds. Cyborg was being carried by a green pterodactyl, while holding a still tear-struck girl in his arms. Upon reaching the tower, Cyborg lowered the girl to her feet and was released from the green pterodactyl's claws. The green being morphed back into a boy and couldn't help but notice Raven watching him as he did.

"Pretty cool, huh?" Beast Boy grinned at Raven. With naught an emotion, she replied "I've never seen someone shape-shift before, is all." He couldn't help but frown at the lack of emotion on her face, but smiled again when he turned towards the girl.

Robin looked at her. "Do you have a name?" He asked. The girl frowned at the question, but as he spoke, he pointed to himself and said his name clearly to help her understand. "I'm Robin." He turned to the others and again pointed to each one. "This is Cyborg, that's Beast Boy, and her name is Raven."

The girl finally understood as she spoke softly while pointing to herself. "Koriand'r". Robin couldn't help but frown in distaste at the name. Beast Boy spoke up. "Koriand'r? I'm not sure that's fitting enough for you. How about... Starfire!" He exclaimed. She smiled at the changeling and nodded in agreement, as did the others. All except Raven who stood silently by while watching. Her hood was raised, and her face hidden. She smiled.

This was our beginning.