It was a nice, quiet afternoon in Jump City. A group of kids were playing football in the park, birds were singing, and friends were laughing among themselves. No one would have known that there was a robbery taking place, if not for the ear splitting scream coming from the Jump City Bank.
There were four robbers, each of them armed to the teeth with blades. The lead thief demanded for the money in the vault.
"Open the safe!" His rough voice sounded. "Or else, someone's going to get hurt." The female bank teller was trembling, but frozen with fear. The leader held up a machete. "Looks like it's going to be you, sweetheart." He took a step towards her, but was swept away by a sudden gust of wind.
"Looks like you were wrong about that one." A girl in a mask said. She was dressed in skinny, acid-washed blue and white jeans, that had holes in the knees. She was wearing bright blue sneakers, with bone-white laces. Her shirt was a long-sleeved, white blouse, that was lacy at the shoulder blades. Her mask covered just her eyes and stopped at the bridge of her nose and had a braid of gold outlining it. She had pearl-white hair, that stopped at her waist.
"Who are you?" One of the henchmen thieves demanded. The girl smirked and turned to him.
"Wouldn't you like to know." She replied. She made a gesture, then the man was pinned him to the wall with another gust of air. After he was subdued, the mysterious girl rushed to the teller. "Are you alright?" She asked. The teller nodded.
"Yes, but there are two more robbers. I think they went to the vault." She pointed in the direction of the safe, which was just around the corner.
"Okay. Call the police if you haven't already hit the silent alarm." The heroine directed and hurried to the back of the bank.
"Hurry up!" A second minion said in a hushed and quickened tone. "We need to get as much loot as we can!"
"Good idea." The young girl said. "You could use the money to hire a lawyer after I haul your sorry butts to jail." The one that hadn't spoken lunged at her, but she grabbed his wrist and punched him in the stomach. He regained his balance and tried to hit her once more, but he was thwarted, yet again. She eventually decided to get rid of him more quickly, so she punched him in the nose and he fell to the ground.
"You're going to pay for that!" The henchman that had previously spoken promised. He didn't get very far, before she quickly disposed of him by kicking him in the groin.
"I hoped that would be a challenge." She sounded disappointed. She began to put the money back in the vault, after she propped the unconscious robbers against the wall. She was holding a bag of money in her hands, when an explosive disc blew her away. "Gah!" She was slammed against a wall, disoriented. When the smoke cleared, she saw who was in the same room as her.
Robin, Starfire, Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Raven; all members of the infamous Teen Titans. Robin had more of his discs in his right hand, Starfire's eyes were glowing green, Beast Boy was in wolf form, Raven had a desk encased in her energy, and Cyborg had his laser cannon out.
"You picked the wrong city to mess with." Robin said intimidatingly. "It's bad enough that you're stealing money from my city, but you attacked the civilians, too? Big mistake." The white-haired girl glanced at the two motionless bodies on the floor, then back at the super heroes.
"N-No. You don't understand..." She began to stand up and Robin tensed his stance. "They were the ones robbing the place." She pointed at the fiends. "Not me." Cyborg scoffed.
"Likely story." He said and charged with a raised fist. The girl gasped and ducked out of the way, just in time. She flipped across the room, only to be confronted by a girl with pink hair. Starfire thew a few star-bolts at her. The masked hero held up her hands in a defensive manner, but was still blown away by the force. She landed on her side near a window.
"Make this easy on yourself and give up now, so you don't get hurt." Raven offered in a monotone voice. She got up and shook her head.
"I didn't do anything! Talk to the bank teller!" She pleaded, but it was futile and the Titans didn't believe her. She started to back away from them and bumped into the glass. She glanced over her shoulder.
"Don't even think about it." Robin warned. She whimpered and shut her eyes tight. "What are you doing?" The spiky haired one pushed. She opened her eyes, which were filled with intent and determination.
"You won't believe my innocence? Fine." She cracked her neck. "But I will not go down for a crime I did not commit. I didn't want to have to hurt any of you, seeing as you're all my idols, but I must do what is necessary."
"Wait a sec." Beast Boy said. "We're your idols?" The girl in the white mask closed her eyes again and was slowly encased in a ball of air. She opened her eyes and ran through the group of five. Robin threw more of his discs at her, but they were only successful ion hitting the ball she was encased in. Beast Boy got into ape form and tried to smash his way into the force field, but failed.
In a matter of seconds, the girl in the ball was out of the bank, leaving the Teen Titans dizzy and lightheaded. She dismissed the ball and ran as fast as she could. She eventually found herself four blocks away from the bank, sweating and out of breath. Her panting was so loud, she didn't hear when she was approached by a tall figure.
"Hey." It said. The tired girl snapped her head up and got in a fighting stance. Cyborg took a step away from her. "Chill, girl. I know you didn't do it." He held up his hands in a defensive way. "We talked to the bank teller and she confirmed you story." The girl relaxed and slid down the wall, still breathing heavily.
"Well, if you would ask questions first and shoot later, we wouldn't be in this situation." She said bitterly. Cyborg pursed his lips. "Sorry. It's just that, I don't like fighting people I actually like." She glanced and the tall being before her.
"Yeah. We really should be the ones apologizing." Cyborg agreed. He took out his communicator. "Cyborg to Titans; I found her. Report to my location." He put the small yellow and black device back in his pocket.
In a matter of minutes, the other Titans arrived. The hero dressed in white had finished panting and was now leaning against a building, waiting for them with Cyborg. Robin, being the leader, was the fist to speak.
"I, on behalf of the Teen Titans, sincerely apologize." He said humbly. "We didn't realize that you were the hero, not the enemy. It was a bad call, not getting the facts straight and that's on me. So if you're mad at anyone, let it be me, not my team." His voice was noble and meaningful. The nameless girl took a few steps towards him, until she was directly in front of him. Every one expected her to attack, but instead, she stuck out her hand.
"That's all I wanted to hear. Consider yourselves forgiven." She said with a huge grin. Robin smiled and shook her hand. She chuckled. "And I'm not really a hero." She put air quotes around 'hero'. "I just... wanted to help. That's all." She put her hand on the back of her neck.
"Well, for someone who just wanted to help, you did a great job at it." Raven complimented.
"Yeah." Beast Boy chimed in. "The teller told us all about how you knocked out the two guys without breaking a sweat! That's awesome!"
"So I'm guessing your power is directing the flow of air currents and bending them to your will?" Cyborg asked for confirmation. The girl chuckled again and nodded. "Sweet."
"Please, what is you name?" Starfire asked politely. The girl's eyes widened, but then relaxed and she smiled.
"My name... is Aria." Aria looked at the group, seeking approval. "But, you can call me-"
"A!" She was interrupted by a deep, aggravated voice that was a bit hostile. "Get over here!" The group of six looked behind Cyborg and saw a man, wearing a tank-top and tattered jeans, with his left arm sleeved with tattoos. He also had black hair and combat boots on. "Didn't you hear me? Get over here!"
Aria smiled. "Excuse me, guys." She hurried over to the man and he stopped walking, just as she stopped before him. "Hi, Donovan! You won't believe what happened! I-" She was interrupted again, when the man called Donovan grabbed the collar of her shirt.
"I don't care what happened." He growled. "All I want to know is why the hell you left without permission. You have chores and last time I checked," He lifted her off the ground. "You aren't even allowed to step out of the house." The Titan exchanged looks of worry.
"I-I'm sorry, Donovan. I was listening to the police scanner and there was a robbery and I thought I could-" He slammed her onto the brick wall and she whimpered in pain. "I'm sorry!"
"Sorry isn't going to cover it anymore. You've screwed up too many times, A, and there's only one more thing I can do to make sure you learn." He raised his free hand, which was balled into a fist. Aria shut her eyes tight as Donovan prepared for the wind up. He was just about to swing, when he was knocked to the ground.
Aria was caught, just before she hit the ground. She opened her eyes and saw Robin looking down at her. She looked for Donovan and found him, face down on the pavement. Panic surged through every part of her body.
"Are you okay?" The other masked hero asked with concern. "Are you hurt?" He pressed. Aria looked at him again and scrambled to get out of the safety of him arms. When she was free of his grip, she rushed to the man lying on the pavement.
"Donovan!" She rolled him over on his back. He had a small cut on his face. "I'm so sorry! Please! This isn't my fault! I am so sorry, I-" He slapped her across the face and she fell back. She was holding the side of her face as he stood up and towered over her. He pointed a single finger at her.
"Don't even bother coming home." He said and walked away from her. Aria recovered and stood to chase after him. She was right behind him when she spoke.
"You don't have to do that! Please, I-" He slapped her again and she fell back for a second time. She rubbed her cheek, which was pink at this point, and tried to find the man that assaulted her, but he was gone. She slowly rose, trembling and wrapping herself in her arms.
"I'm sorry." Robin approached her. "I didn't know. I just didn't want him to hurt you." She turned to him and let a tear roll down the side of her face. She opened her mouth, but couldn't form words. She just looked at the ground and let the tears flow. Robin pulled her her for a hug and he wrapped his arms around her. "You can stay with us, at the Titans Tower." He offered and she nodded into his shoulder.
"We should go home now." Raven said. "It's going to get dark pretty soon." Cyborg nodded in agreement. Robin slowly pulled away. He looked at the young, crying girl before him and she looked at him. They held each other's gazes, until Aria tore her gaze and walked over to the other four. Robin rubbed his neck as a form of guilt.
"Um, can you guys lead the way?" She asked softly, but loud enough for everyone to hear her clearly. "I've seen it, but I don't really know how to get there." Starfire nodded. She offered her hand, which Aria took, and she soared into the sky, taking her to her knew home.
"I messed up, didn't I?" Robin asked his three remaining teammates.
"Kinda, dude." Beat Boy agreed, then phased into a hawk and flew home. Robin groaned.
"Don't listen to him, Robin. You didn't know." Raven tried to comfort him. "You protected her. Just imagine all the other things she went through, living with... him. You probably saved her life." Robin nodded and walked towards the T-Car, which Cyborg had summoned during their conversation. Raven gave an exasperated sigh and flew home, to meet with the others.
"Whoa." Aria said in astonishment when she stepped into the living room of the Titans Tower. "This is... whoa." Beast Boy chuckled at her. She walked around the huge, black, C-shaped couch that wrapped around an equally huge table. The glided her fingers across the upholstery and felt the fabric. Beast Boy watched her study the room in silence.
As she walked around, Beast Boy was called to exit the room.
"I'll be right back." He promised and left the room. He met his teammates in the hallway. "What's up, guys?" He asked them.
"Aria needs to sleep in one of the rooms." Cyborg told him. Beast Boy raised an eyebrow.
"Well, duh." The green one said. "Which room is she staying in?" Everyone shifted their weight.
"Terra's room." Starfire said cautiously. All eyes were on him.
"Oh, I get it. You all think I would be upset if Aria slept in Terra's room and you want to know if I'm okay with it, right?" Everyone nodded. Beast Boy sighed. "Look, it's not like I can ever be done with Terra, but she is in the past and Aria is in the present. She needs what Terra didn't want." He looked at the ground as he spoke.
"So... It's okay if she sleeps in her room then?" Robin asked and Beast Boy nodded. Robin stood up straight. "Alright, then. We should take her there." Everyone nodded and they walked into the living room to see Aria playing with a ball of air, about the size of her hand, while sitting on the couch.
"Hi, guys." She said, not taking her eyes off of the ball- literally. "What's up?"
"It is getting late and we thought we should show you to your room." Starfire explained. The ball vanished and Aria snapped her attention to the five heroes standing before her.
"My... room? I get a room? To... myself?" She asked, standing up. All of them nodded and she cracked a smile. "Sweet."
They led her upstairs, where they passed multiple rooms that were labeled 'CYBORG', 'ROBIN', 'RAVEN', 'STARFIRE', 'BEAST BOY', until they reached the end of the hall, where a room with no label was. Cyborg grinned and opened the door slowly. Aria gasped when she saw the interior of her room.
The ceiling was black, but had shiny specks, which resembled stars. The walls looked like desert sunsets, with shade of orange and purple. The closet door was a huge mirror. There was a white desk with books, paper, pens, pencils, and colored markers already there. The room also contained a dresser that had the necessary hygiene products a young girl needs. There was a balcony there, too.
"Oh my gosh." She said as she slowly stepped in. "This is incredible!" She said, giggling. Everyone smiled, but Beast Boy's was a little forced. He didn't think he would be this uneasy when he saw Terra's room again. "I can't thank you guys enough." She went on.
"It's the least we could do." Robin said. "Get some rest. One of us will wake you in the morning." She nodded and Robin closed the door.
"That went well. Did it not?" Starfire was smiling hugely. This was an opportunity for her to make a new friend. She yawned. "I am going to bed." She waved to them all and floated to her room.
"I'll be the one to wake her up in the morning." Beast Boy offered. "Unless anyone else wants to." The rest of them shook their heads. "Alright, then." Beast Boy strode to his room, which was right next door. He went inside and tried to sleep, along with the others.
Jazz- I know, I know. It's different from my other story.
Raven- Really? I hadn't noticed.
Robin- There's no need for that, Raven.
Cyborg- Can I do the disclaimer? Pretty please, with waffles on top?
Jazz- Go for it, dude!
Cyborg- BOOYAH! Jazz doesn't own anything from the Teen Titans. I feel accomplished.
Beast Boy- I bet you do, buddy. I bet you do.
Aria- Can I be in the disclaimer, too?
Everyone- No!
Aria- Why not?
Jazz- Because you're an OC and I don't like it when my OCs are in disclaimers.
Aria- But Aurora-
Jazz- 'BUT AURORA' NOTHING! THAT WAS A DIFFERENT SITUATION! *Ahem* Excuse that outburst. Enjoy the story!