Chapter 1~Not Again…

I walked into the tavern, making sure first that minors were allowed in. I almost turned back around when I saw the crowd, but a host walked over, "Hello sir. Table for one I presume?" I nodded and he immediately took me to a table, "I hope the community table will be alright. Otherwise it's a half an hour wait."

"This will be fine," I replied, not totally thrilled with the idea, but I didn't want to wait or look for a new place. So I shuffled into my seat and looked at the menu ignoring the people around me. I was in a place called Jump City, looking for my sister. But before I went to Titans Tower I decided to grab a bite to eat first.

"Hello there," the man sitting next to me greeted. "I'm Conan. What brings you here tonight?"

I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye and shrugged, "Just stopped in for some food. Mind telling me why it's so busy in here?" I didn't care all that much just wanted to turn the conversation off me.

"Oh…you must be new around here. Lizzie Mason came here on tour. She does cover music but she has an awesome voice. She should be on soon," the man replied.

As if on cue the lights dimmed a bit and the curtain on the stage opened revealing a band. I turned my attention to it as the stage lights turned on and a blonde haired girl stood at the mic. She looked out at the crowd and her eyes landed on me as she started singing, "I can hold my breath. I can bite my tongue. I can stay awake for days. If that's what you want. Be your number one."

I recognized the song as "Human" by Christina Perri. The man was right her voice was incredible. Her eyes would leave me for a moment but they would return. She pulled off the mic as she continued, "I can fake a smile. I can force a laugh. I can dance and play the part. If that's what you ask; give you all I am." She closed her eyes totally feeling the music now. "I can do it, I can do it, I can do it. But I'm only human. And I bleed when I fall down. I'm only human. And I crash and I break down. Your words in my head, knives in my heart; you build me up and then I fall apart, 'cause I'm only human."

I watched her completely captivated by her. I wanted to be human; I wanted to be rid of these powers and the curse that would take place in a few months, but most of all I didn't want my curse to hurt this poor human. That says a lot for a person like me. A waitress walked over and I ordered the special. Once she finished I clapped and thanked the waitress when my food was set in front of me. Lizzie took a break saying she was getting hungry, smelling all the good food. She jumped of the stage and sat right in front of me. I noticed the guy that had talked to me blinked in surprise.

"Hi there," she smiled. "I'm sorry if I seem too forward. It's just you caught my eye and I wanted to talk to you. I'm Lizzie Mason." She looked at her hands as if she now became nervous.

Not one for talking, I almost just ignored her, but I knew she would be upset if I didn't and I didn't want to appear rude. So I took a breath, "I'm Faelan. Nice to meet you, Lizzie. You have a wonderful voice."

"Thank you," she smiled. She stretched and looked around. I followed her gaze, the tavern was medium-sized, and well lit. There were a fair amount of tables, but it left enough room for easy movement. "I like it here. The atmosphere is the best that I've been in so far."

I turned to her, "I can see why." This girl was getting me to talk more than I ever had in my life. I took a bite of my food and could not believe how good it was. I actually felt calm in here which was weird for me.

All of a sudden there was a bang outside and we all looked out and saw a huge rock type thing crash into the street. Then a group of five came running at it, I guessed it was my sister's team. It was confirmed when I saw a lamppost surrounded by dark magic getting hurled at the thing.

"What is that?" Lizzie asked, her voice going high in fear. It made me want to protect her with everything I had and I didn't understand why.

"I don't know, but I will find out," I jumped up and ran out the door. I concentrated and lifted a vacant car and threw it at the thing that I wasn't sure what to call him.

"Faelan?" my sister's voice called out in surprise. She landed next to me, her hood dropped.

"Hey Raven," I smiled. "Let's beat this guy and then we'll talk." I turned back to the giant thing that looked like some kind of rock. "What is that?"

"That is Cinderblock," Raven replied. "He's fairly easy, but he gets out a lot." We moved and both used our dark magic to wrap Cinderblock in two street lamps. He fell with a thud.

I felt eyes on me and turned to look. The other four were standing there wide eyed. Then a girl with red hair and slightly orange skin, green eyes, and a purple outfit. She looked at me and then at Raven, "Who is this person who looks like you? Is he the clone?"

I raised an eyebrow as Raven answered, "No, Star. He's my brother. My twin brother." She then turned her gaze to the rest, "This is Faelan."

The girl who had spoken first waved, "I am Starfire. I do hope we can be friends." She was almost too cheery for me and I didn't understand how Raven could handle it.

You get used to it her thoughts passed into my head and I hid the smile. A boy in red and a black and gold cape stepped forward, "I'm Robin."

The guy next to him that was part robot, he was making his arm that looked like a gun-type thing back to hand. He looked at me and smiled, "Yo, I'm Cyborg. Nice to meet ya."

I nodded as a green colored boy stepped up, "Hello I'm Beast Boy, but everyone calls me BB."

I tilted my head a Beast Boy, not quite sure about him. I looked at all of them, "Nice to meet all of you. I will be back out in a minute I have to pay for my meal." They nod and I turn back into the tavern. I went back to the table and Lizzie was still sitting there. She stared at me and I lowered my gaze, feeling uneasy. Especially since the place had fallen into silence. I nibbled at what was left of my food while I waited for the waiter to give me the bill.

"That was awesome," Lizzie spoke softly. "I had no idea. I suppose you are going to talk to them. I will be here for a month." She grabbed a napkin and scribbled something on it. "Call me and we can hang out sometime." She handed it to me, then stood and went back behind the stage probably to get ready for another set. The waiter dropped off the bill and I put the exact amount plus a five dollar tip and then left.

Raven was the only one waiting when I got back outside. We hugged briefly and she looked me up and down. "Now tell me why you are here," she tilted her head slightly.

I shrugged, but knew I had to tell her. "It's almost our birthday…" I looked down, knowing that she would understand. Her hands rested on my shoulders and I looked up at her fear in my eyes. But before I could break anything because of my emotions I took a deep breath and pulled my emotions back. "I'm worried and frightened by what could happen."

"I know I was too, but my friends helped me. And I know if he can be defeated once he can be again," she said soothingly, but her tone was unsure. She sighed, "Come on. Let's go talk to the team. I'm not making the mistake and not telling them this time especially if you hang out here until then."

I kicked the ground, "Oh if you don't want me here then I will leave…" Of course I want you here, just saying her voice drifted into my head. I nodded and she levitated off I followed her and we took to the skies. Flying always calmed me; it allowed me to think away from people. We landed at Titans Tower and we went in.

"Guys we need to talk," Raven called and led me through the tower to what appeared to be the shared living space that had a large television with video games and a kitchen area. The rest of the team gathered on the couch. Neither Raven and I could sit down so she stood and I paced. "Well you know the prophecy?"

"The one that brought your father?" Robin frowned, leaning forward on the couch. She nodded. "Yeah what about it?" He was concerned now, it seemed more for her than for his sake.

"Well…Trigon wasn't stupid…so he decided to make it so he gets two chances to take control of the worlds…" she paused. "Mine was on my…well our sixteenth birthday..."

I stopped pacing and looked at the group, "Mine is on our twenty-first…and that's in a month…"

"Wait, wait, wait. You are telling us that Four Eyes will be coming back," Cyborg cried out throwing his arms out to the side.

Beast Boy's eyes widened and he threw himself back against the couch before groaning, "Not again…" I looked at him and pulled back away from the group a bit feeling guilty.