CHAPTER I

Introduction:

It had been years since the Teen Titans were a solid team; fighting crime, laughing and enjoying each other's company when there was not a villain on the loose. Like the old saying, all good things must come to an end, and that good thing ceased to exist 4 years ago. After their battles in Tokyo, they had only managed to stick together as a team for 2 more rough, slow years. As they had grown into young adults, the thought of independence continued to run through Robin's mind, who is now known as Nightwing.

Being the leader, he had decided that he no longer wanted to partake in the Teen Titans. Dick was ready to grow up and go solo and that is what he is pursuing today. He left all four of them, even Starfire. He found the romance was an added annoyance after a while rather than something to embrace and enjoy. Sure, he loved her, but he was not in love with her.

Starfire was put into a deep depression that was then followed by hurt and rage. Dick was the one who stood by her side and taught her most of what she learned on Earth. After he had quit, she felt she had no purpose to stay on the planet. Without hesitation, she left for Tamaran to continue the rest of her ongoing life with her native people. Just as Nightwing, Starfire removed herself without a word to her other teammates.

Beast Boy and Cyborg tried so hard to keep their friendship alive, including Raven. She allowed herself to get rather close with the team; until she had realized the danger she could potentially put them in as she got older. She did not know what her maturing years would bring forth being part demon. After Terra had left, she got incredibly close with Beast Boy; perhaps she would have even considered him to be her best friend. Unlike the other two, she informed the boys she was to detach from what was left of the Teen Titans. It was a vague goodbye and it hurt them immensely. She set her communicator down and teleported away; no other information of Raven has come forward. Her location is unknown.

Cyborg and Beast Boy made the best of what they had. The two were always good at staying optimistic. Their relationship was inseparable; they were brothers. That is, until Cyborg got an invitation to join the Justice League. He sat down with Beast Boy, trying to explain the opportunity to his green friend. In the moment, Beast boy was angry, upset, and offended. The two fought, and out of anger, Cyborg turned around and left him alone in the tower, making his decision right there and then. Beast Boy stood alone; the Teen Titans were no more.

Present Day - Garfield

The circus performance was cancelled due to an incoming storm. Garfield put on his work boots and walked towards the animal cages with a scoop, sighing. He hated his job; it went entirely against his beliefs. Cleaning up after the circus beasts was the only thing he could grab for cash because being green, not many wanted to employ him. Working with the animals made kept him unseen and his boss believed he could help the creatures when there was a problem. That part was his favorite; when one was in need he was there to communicate.

"Alright, Gar, have a good night." Zia called. She was the only coworker who spoke to the changeling. They had become close over the past 3 years. Zia was the lion tamer and Garfield had taught her everything he knows about the two males staying at their circus. She had brought him kindness since day one.

"Yeah, I'll see you around." Gar called back, giving her a wave. He was always the first to arrive and the last to leave by choice. It was calming to work around the animals. More importantly, it gave him something to do. He missed crime fighting on a daily basis and kept in shape just in case if one day he were to get the opportunity again. A crack of thunder startled him a bit and he looked up at the sky. "They weren't kidding when they said a severe storm was brewing." He muttered to himself, gathering a couple of things before heading home.

The walk back to where he lived was not far; he just barely got hit with a couple drops of rain. He lived in an old, cheap apartment. His job paid decent, but not enough; he tried staying at the tower 3 years ago, but it was just too much for one man. As of now, it still remains abandoned. Another crack of thunder caused his lights to flicker. He looked up at his ceiling; Probably should shower before the power goes out. He walked to the bathroom and undressed in the process, tossing his manure-scented clothing into a basket.

It was routine for him to look in the mirror while the small room steamed up as the water grew hotter. He examined himself: his dark green eyes still had an underlying sadness that he just couldn't quite seem to get rid of. As he got older, now being 22, his jawline sharpened, he grew to be 5 foot 10, and his muscles were nicely toned. Beast Boy grew into a handsome young man, but he always seemed so drawn out and tired. He ran his fingers through his thick tousled hair before stepping into the hot shower. Gar stood there for a while silently, allowing the water to run down his back and soothe his aching body. This was his boring, uneventful life.

Thankfully he got into bed just as his power went out; he assumed correctly. The thunder was incredible. Jump City had not had a storm like this in ages. Gar left his communicator on his side table just for memory purposes. It had not gone off in 4 years and he did not expect it to ever again. His friends, or so-called friends, have not spoken or rekindled since. It hurt him on a daily basis; he at least wanted to know where they were as of now.

Nightwing

Morning rolled in and Nightwing stood up, reaching for his face only to fine his mask was still on. He sighed in relief. The woman he had gotten intimate with that night was still sound asleep, thankfully. He reached for his uniform and slipped it on, leaving without a word. Over the years he had gotten into some bad habits. Sleeping with the women he occasionally rescued was one of them. Perhaps he was coping with his loss of Starfire and regretting his decisions, perhaps not? Nightwing was known as one of the sexier, desirable heroes and he liked that. Would he ever admit it? Probably not. All playing around aside, Dick was still as serious and driven as ever. He was still in minor contact with Cyborg, who had joined the Justice League and worked along side Batman, Wonder Woman, and some of the other greats. It was nice to take charge of Gothman as the main hero while Batman wasn't around.

"Mr. Grayson," Alfred chimed as Dick walked into the entrance to speak with Bruce. "Mr. Wayne is not here today." Dick stopped in his tracks, his determination transformed into frustration.

"Where is he?"

"With the Justice League, sir," Alfred hesitated for a moment. "Some important news came up that he wished to tell you in person." Nightwing furrowed his brow under his shaggy black hair. "So, yes, he informed me to let you know to meet him at the Watchtower." Dick nodded his head. Why in the world would Batman need him to go to the Watchtower?

Cyborg

Cyborg released himself from his battery charger, buffing some of the upgraded, robotic armor that encapsulated parts of his body. They had areas of glowing turquoise that had given him a sleek, new look. As time went on while working with the Justice League, he had acquired more knowledge and funds to keep his technology updated.

"Victor," Wonder Woman called from down the hall. "Dick is on his way." Cyborg still couldn't believe he was going to sit and speak with Dick; he hadn't since he left the Titans. There were times when they saw each other through Batman, but they never conversed. Nightwing had turned into a self-centered asshole.

"So he actually decided to come?" Cyborg sat down at the table with Martian Manhunter, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman. There were still some empty seats. "I didn't think he'd care enough."

"I told him I had the news for him rather than you, Victor," Batman confessed. "He would be more willing to head over here."

"I knew there was more to the story." He laughed in disbelief and leaned back into the large chair, sighing and placing his robotic hands on his lap.

Footsteps came from afar, slowly getting closer. In walked Nightwing through the large entrance. Of course, he merely gave Cyborg a quick nod of the head, and then turned his attention towards Batman. "What is this about?"

"Well, Dick, to be honest I would like Cyborg to explain. We figured this was important enough for you to know about." He turned his dark gaze towards Cyborg, as did Nightwing.

"First of all, nice to see you too." Victor said rather bitterly. "Secondly," he paused for a long moment. "We have a distress call from Tamaran."