First Encounters

Robin parked his motorcycle along the side of the road in Jump city. It had been two days since he had left the Bat-cave and Gotham City behind. Two days and he still couldn't believe it. Bruce said he didn't understand his choice to go, but Robin thought otherwise.

"He understood that I'm sixteen going on seventeen and I am fully capable of fending for myself. Besides, he had this same dilemma when his parents died. Stay and weep or go and fight." Robin said. He also, though, remembered Bat-girl's face when he left. Her hurt was visible even though she made an effort to hide it, but it didn't work. He felt bad. Even though Barbra Gordon was one year older that Robin, she looked up to him in the Cave because he had been Bat-man's sidekick for about three years. He also loved her.

"I think Bat-man was sort of happy to see me go," he thought, "He was always afraid of me ending up like Jason Todd. Now he has only to worry about Bat-girl."

He restarted the engine on the R-cycle and continues his lonely sojourn. He thought that Jump city would be a terrific place to begin life anew. The crime rate was not too high, yet not too low. Robin had referred to it earlier as 'Just right,'

He reached what appeared to be a pizza parlor and parked his bike in the alley way near the entrance. "Wouldn't want to draw attention to myself quite yet." He said as the kickstand went down.

As he looked across the open eating area, he spied the resident minor heroes eating a box of half tofu, and half pepperoni pizza. One had a green pigment while the other was patched together with various electronics. "Beast Boy and Cyborg," he muttered.

"Come on Cy," whined Beast Boy, "Just try it once. You'll love it!"

"I told you once and I'll tell you again; I ain't eating that crap." Ever since they had ordered the pizza, Beast Boy had been coaxing Cyborg to try out the tofu flavored slice.
"This is your last chance, man," taunted Beast Boy waving the e slice in front of Cyborg's half robotic face.

"Good. I refuse," smiled Cyborg, "Eat it." Cyborg downed another slice of pepperoni pizza, causing Beast Boy to gag.

Beast Boy put the slice to his mouth and was just about to eat it, when someone caught his eye, "Whoa! Who's she?" The topping slid off the pizza and onto the concert floor. Beast Boy looked down, "Aw, jeez," he complained. Then he looked back up at the wondrous sight.

"What you staring at?" asked Cyborg.

"That," Beast Boy pointed at a girl in a blue cloak and boots and black tights. She was reading a book titled, The Best of Edgar Allen Poe. Her hair was blue in color and cut short. He skin color was a light gray with blue-gray eyes. "She's hot!" he began drooling, but not because of the pizza.

"Go talk to her then," said Cyborg.

"Fine," Beast Boy dismissed himself from the table and sauntered over to the girl. "Hey," he said in a suave voice.

"What?" said the girl in an agitated tone and her nose still in her book.

"I was wonderin' if you wanted to ride on my motorcycle." His all too familiar smirk was plastered on his face.

The gray girl looked up at Beast Boy and spoke, "You don't have a motorcycle."

Cyborg had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing. It's not funny, thought Beast Boy, It's like she knows exactly what I'm thinking. Even though he was a tad concerned about this girls uncanny ability to seemingly predict his thoughts, Beast Boy's expression and stance didn't show it. "So you want to go grab some pizza at the parlor? I'll buy," he asked casually.

Why is this green freak show still here? She thought. "Please go away," she answered in a monotone voice.

I don't get it. I'm the superhero in this town and she is denying me! Beast Boy!" Beast Boy reassessed the situation and decided to ask another question, "What's your name?"

The girl stared at him blankly as he boldly sat down on the chair beside her. "Raven,"

Robin sat down on the concrete and watched the exploits of the green teen. "I have to admit, that girl is quite pretty. But, girls are not the reason the reason I have come to Jump City." "Azerath Metrion Zinthos!" Robin cocked his head to one side as the girl, named Raven, muttered the strange phrase. Seeing nothing, he turned to leave when he heard a yell. He whipped out a birdrang and spun around, facing the pizza parlor to see what the source of the scream was. The sight he saw was the green boy pinned to the ground by a strange black force with the gray-skinned girl's hand fully extended towards him. The black field began to shrink rapidly and was certain to crush the boy if someone didn't intervene. Someone like him. "Whoa!" He yelled as he darted out of his hiding place.

Raven turned her attention to Robin but didn't attack. She instead tried to read his mind to find a weakness. Nothing. Thought Raven, Even the slightest clue as to what he is afraid of is hidden. As if he has his emotions up as barriers. She stared at his face. It was void of emotion. Finally someone with sense.

"Drop your hand now, Raven!" commanded Robin.

He knows my name? She thought. "Fine." The force field flickered and then dissipated.

She obeyed him! Thought Beast Boy. "You look familiar. Wait Robin!" The green boy had recognized the red-clad teen from the news from Gotham City. "What are you doing here?"

"It's a long story." Robin said. Even though the pain of the past was weighing him down, he didn't show it in his voice and kept his thoughts like Bruce had taught him years ago, like the pieces to a puzzle.

"I'd like to hear it," said Raven.

"What!" Beast Boy was outraged, "What 'bout my life?" he questioned.

"Not worth my time," muttered Raven matter-of-factly.

"Wait, we are getting of topic here." The masked teen said, "Okay, um, green guy-"

"Beast Boy," filled in Beast Boy, "My name is Beast boy."

"Fine. Beast Boy, what did you do to agitate Raven?" asked Robin.

"I don't know. I asked her if she was willing to get a pizza with me and Cy-"

"Wait Cy?" Robin's eyebrow rose.

"What?" the robotic teen approached the small group, pushing his way through people at the sound of his voice. "Huh, what's up BB and did you have any luck with the freaky Goth girl?"

"I am still here you robotic ape," cursed Raven. Her hands began to glow and dark matter began to swarm Cyborg.

"Calm down, Raven" Robin placed both his hands of the girl's hands and pushed them down to the ground, cutting off the connection. The dark matter released Cyborg.

Why do I find myself trusting this guy? Raven wondered. He is so much like me. I can't read his mind and my mind is locked up because of dearest daddy. She shook her head, scattering the thoughts.

"Look, Raven, just chill for on sec." Robin turned to Beast Boy, "Did she ask you to leave?"

Beast Boy nodded.

"Why didn't you?"

"Well," began Beast Boy, "I thought she was joking and-"

"Did it look as if I was joking?" fumed Raven. Her eyes glowed pure white.

"No," answered Beast Boy meekly.

"So actually you were the one in the wrong, Beast Boy." concluded Robin, "Beast Boy, I think you aught to stay clear of Raven for a while. And Cy, is this your real name?"

"Nope. It's my nickname. My real name's Cyborg. Cy's just shorter." Cyborg smiled a large smile. For the first time that day, so did Robin.

I like this guy. He thought. Unbeknownst to him, Cyborg was thinking the same thing. Robin's cool. I always thought he would be stuck up because he works with the Bat-man, but he is not. I wonder if he likes Mega Racers 4.

Raven and Beast Boy had other thoughts. I can't read his mind, yet he seems to be exactly like me on the outside and inside. It is uncomfortable. She shifted her weight.

She likes him over me! Beast boy thought. Well I'll get her, even if it takes me my whole life!

Robin turned his back to Cyborg and hit a button on his belt, "Now then. If you'll excuse me," the R-cycle burst out of the same alley and stopped right next to Robin. "I must be going." He hopped on the motorbike and checked the engines. Beast Boy jumped in front of Robin's path. "Wait!"

"What?" Robin removed his helmet and stared at Beast Boy.

"Where'd you get the bike? Because I've been looking for one and-" Beast Boy pointed at the R-cycle.

"A friend," replied Robin.
"Do you have a place to stay?" asked Cyborg. "Beast Boy and I have a place set up in the bay of Jump City and if you don't have a hotel room, you can stay with us."

Robin shut the engine off to thoroughly think about the kind offer. He nodded his agreement. "Fine. Give me the location." As Cyborg gave detailed directions to his home, Beast Boy gave another shot at Raven.
"So, where do you live?" he asked trying to start a conversation.

"You don't need to know where I live. The last thing I need is a stalker at my window trying to sing for me."

"Ha, ha. Don't worry . I'll turn into a songbird, no way for me to lose tune there." He chuckled at his little joke. Raven glanced at him from the corner of her eyes. She thought about using her powers but then chose another course of action.

"Robin? Beast boy's messing with me again." She said in the whiniest voice she could muster. It hurt and felt just worn got use such a weak voice, but it worked.

"Cut it out, Beast Boy." Robin told the pestering teen. Beast Boy glared at Robin. Raven nodded.

"..and just incase you don't think your there, just look for a large tower that is shaped like a 'T'."

Robin winced, " You could have told me that earlier." He commented.

"Yeah, oh well." Cyborg scratched the human side of his head.

A scream then echoed off the walls of Jump City.
"Great, just what I need another delay. Better be more important than a guy being pinned down by a girl," he said, indirectly dissing Beast Boy.

"Hey," Beast Boy objected.

Robin just shook his head and ran in the direction of the scream. Raven and the others followed. When she caught up to him he turned to her while running.

"Why are you following me?" he asked.

"You are like a leader and that is just what I need now," Raven immediately regretted the words. Great going dummy, you just let him know your biggest need besides getting rid of Trigon. Will he reject me? After all, he has always been the follower, not the leader.

To her surprise, Robin smiled a half-smile at her, "Fine. Just do as I say, and I'll help you."

"Thanks," she responded.

The two turned down and alleyway with Cyborg and Beast Boy following. "What's down here?" asked Cyborg,

"I don't know, but the source of the scream is here." Robin thought hard for a moment then an idea struck him. You're a leader, lead them, and find their strengths. Their weaknesses. They are your team. "Cyborg, can you do a heat scan?" asked Robin

"Oh, yeah I can!" the teen's index finger opened up and a small probe stuck out and beeped twice. "It sensed unintended heat signatures coming from behind the dump." Cy pointed to a large trash can.

"Good!" Robin praised Cyborg's achievements, "Beast Boy, what are your powers?"

"I can shape-shift. Any animal you know, I can be it," his face beamed with pride.

"That is why he is a vegetarian." Explained Cyborg. "You don't know how much you're missin' out, veggie-face," he teased.

Beast Boy grunted.

"Beast Boy, I want you to change into any small animal and scout out behind the dump. We'll be right behind you."

Beast Boy changed into a rat and scampered toward the intended target with Robin, Raven, and Cyborg close behind.

When they arrived at the dumpster, they heard many voices mostly male but one was a distinct female voice with a very confused version of English, "Tell her to stop squirming," said one voice, "We just caught her and she's a tough cookie,"

"True that," agreed another, "But the boss is on his way, he'll deal with 'er."

"Yeah, and I heard that if he's a good one, we'll get a turn with 'er!"

Out of the whole group, only Robin understood what they were talking about. He had dealt with many cases such as there in Gotham, but normally Bat-man had already found out how many guys they were dealing with and it was usually at night where they had the advantage of stealth and surprise. Out here in the daylight, though, was different.

Beast Boy returned, "Wow, hot chick is being held prisoner." He reported, "Six guys and they talked about their boss coming, so that makes seven,"

"Very good, Beast Boy," said Robin quietly.

"Yeah, who knew he could count?" Raven's insult was met with a very evil glare from Beast Boy.

"Forget the teasing, team. What we need is a game plan." Robin removed a birdrang from his utility belt and continued to give instructions, "Beast Boy, change into a something big, like a rhinoceros. Cyborg, I want you to ride on Beast Boy while he is the animal. Once you get around the corner, jump off and start beating the crud out of them. Raven and I will wait for their boss to come, because no doubt he'll have more men and at least a small fire arm."

The group nodded. He's a natural-born leader, Raven thought, I was correct. Bat-man was stifling his leadership skills. I'm not sure why he left, but I am glad he did.

I wonder what they plan to do to that girl, thought Cyborg.

"On my signal," whispered Robin. He held his had up. One finger went up.

"Pauley," said a voice, "can't we knife her back now?" Cyborg covered his mouth as he finally understood their plan. Another finger in the signal of a two. Beast Boy changed into the rhino and Cyborg mounted his 'steed'. Third finger, the signal for 'go'.

Cyborg and Beast Boy charged the band of men and Robin and Raven could hear bones crack and yells from the surprised enemy. "What the hell?" questioned on man before he was tossed into the air like a sack of potatoes. Raven suppressed a giggle and looked at Robin. He's so serious it's attractive. Again she shook the absurd thoughts away.

A car pulled into the alleyway and a yell could be heard from the boss. Robin squeezed Raven's hand and both teens bounded over the dumpster and flung themselves at the boss and his minions. Robin was the first tackle with the boss, but was pulled away from behind. "Hey," He swung his quarter staff around and whacked his assailant's unprotected face. A small ouch squeaked out of the man's head as he rubbed the spot of injury. Robin shoved the man into the dumpster and ran back to the boss, only to be pulled back again by a big, burly man with a missing eye.

"Go get 'im, One Eye!" shouted a thin guy before Raven landed a quarter kick in the man's chest. She turned to see if Robin needed any assistance, but found the man, named One Eye, lying in a pool of blood, his arm severely cut open and a birdrang sticking out of it. Robin shoved the boss away from his victim, a sixteen-year-old girl wearing a purple skirt with a matching tank-top shirt. Two silver arm bands stretched out from her elbow to her palm like gloves without fingers.

He ignored her costume and asked her one question, "Can you fight?" the scared girl nodded. "Good," Robin cut her bond free and she immediately began throwing green energy bolts at the attackers. He was surprised but pretended not to be.

Cyborg had flung his last attacker into the dumpster when a bullet ripped through the center of his mechanical body. His heavy body thudded on the ground and Beast Boy dashed to his aid, "Robin! I can fix him but I'll need cover!" Beast Boy removed a small, metallic box from his waist and began to fix Cyborg's chest. Robin nodded and then whispered something in the girl's ear. She nodded and went to protect Beast Boy. "There is no where to run to," called Robin. The thugs were too busy to protect their boss courtesy of the girl. Only the boss of the evil team remained and Robin and Raven were closing in fast.

"Fine, fine, you got me," the man came out of the shadow of the building and stood in front of the two teens. "I'm here alone."

Raven was about to move in for the capture, but Robin held here back, "No one gives in this easily unless they have a trick planned," he warned her. The grey-skinned girl nodded and stood still.

"What do we do?" she asked him.

"I'll try to keep him occupied with me, you sneak around and catch him in a choke hold," The plan was laid.

Robin began to walk slowly to the right, the boss's eye right on him, not on Raven. Perfect, though Robin. He stole a quick glance at Raven and saw her walk right though the wall and appear behind the man without being noticed.

The man stood there for another minute before it registered, one was missing. "Wait a sec. weren't there two of you?" the confused man asked, "Where is the other?"

"Right here!" Raven slung her arm around the poor man's neck in one fluid motion.

She can phase through walls. Got to make a note of that. Robin though.

"Open fire!" gurgled the prisoner.

Bullets poured in from cracks in the nearby buildings directed at Robin. Some nearly hitting him, but most missed him by a country mile. "Raven!" He screamed out, "I need some sort of cover!" Is armor was strong enough to protect against bullets, but it did not cover his entire body.

Raven nodded and reached out, encasing Robin in a protective shell of dark matter. "Let's go, tough guy," she told her captive.

After the police left with their prisoner, the tem of teens gathered around at a pizza table. "That was… interesting," commented Raven.

Robin nodded then turned to the purple-clad girl. "What is your name?" he asked.

The girl looked confused at first the smiled as she grabbed his hand. A stinging sensation coursed through his veins as some unknown power was sucked out of him. He hissed his teeth in pain, but once the girl let go, all signs of pain were gone.

"Hello, friends. My name is Starfire." The girl's smile was surprisingly wider than her face. "I thank you for your rescue."

"Sure… Starfire," Robin scratched his head, "Is that French?"

"No, Tamaranian."

"A tamarind?" said Beast Boy, "I thought that was a fruit."

"No you dolt. A Tamaranian is and alien species form the planet Tamaran." Raven explained. "Judging from the neck piece, I'd say she is royalty."

Starfire nodded sadly, "Yes, but I had to leave my home planet because of my sister. She banished me for a crime I did not commit."

"You can stay with us." suggested Robin. "If you're new to earth and all, you'll want some guards and helpers to explain earthen cultures until you can return home."

The alien grabbed Robin in a bear hug, nearly knocking him out. "Rule number one abut humans, Star: we need to breathe!" The girl let go.

"I am sorry. I suppose my race has more strength than humans."

Robin smirked, the first sign of human emotion since Raven had seen him.

"What about introductions?" asked Cyborg, "I'll go first; hi there Starfire, my name is Victor Stone. I'm also known as Cyborg."

Beast Boy went next, "My name is Garfield Logan, but you can call me Beast Boy."

"If I have to," complained Raven. She sighed "My name is Rachel Roth. Raven to you, though."

The group turned to Robin who turned away from the group, "My name is Robin and that is all you need to know."

"Nice to greet you all, but Friend Robin, why must your real name be a secret?" Starfire's eyes showed compassion and hurt as if he had hidden a terrible and deadly secret from her.

"It's a secret identity thing. Even though I don't fight with the Bat-man anymore, I still have enemies. Perhaps later you will know. Whether by accident or if I choose to reveal it."

"Well, I guess it is settled," Cyborg's voice boomed changing the subject. He respected and understood Robin's thought. He glanced at the group of new friends, and apparently, so does Raven. "We leave for the Titans Tower!"

Sixteen minutes later, Cyborg parked his car in the garage of the large 'T' tower. "Home sweet home!" he climbed out of the car with Beast Boy and Starfire behind him. Robin's motorcycle came up the road a few seconds later. "Wow, that's a fast bike," Cyborg said, "I've never seen anything keep up with my baby." He patted his car's hood affectionately.

"It's supposedly able to catch up with any car. Made you high speed chases." Robin looked hard at the car, "Was this made by Wayne Enterprises?" Cyborg nodded "yeah, how'd you know?"

"It has the same design as the Bat-mobile." Robin stated matter-of-factly. "It's the smaller slower version."

"If it's slower, I can't imagine the Bat-mobile." Cyborg whistled.

"Maybe I can help you. I've worked on the 'mobile before and know most of the systems."

"Sure," Raven came just as Cyborg answered.

"Is this your home?" she asked Beast Boy.

He nodded, proudly. "Yeah, what do you think?"

"It's… nice. I might stay here."

"What about you're other home?" Beast Boy inquired.

Raven lowered her head, "I don't have one." She whispered.

Beast Boy smile widened, "Then welcome home," he held his arms open wide in a welcoming manner and Raven smiled for one millisecond.

Cyborg opened the door and ushered everyone inside the tower. "This is the inside I'll give the tour later. As for now, we have to celebrate the joining of our three new members in crime-fighting-"

Raven interrupted him, "Wait that is assuming I'm going to join you…" Her voice trailed off as she caught Robin's emotionless stare. She wanted to get to know him, the real him and this could be her key to see why she felt so weird around him. It's not love. It is more of a feeling of familiarity that I've met him before. She though a second then formulated a plan. "I'll join under one condition."

"And that is?" Cyborg's human eyebrow arched.

"Robin is the leader."

The room grew quiet until Cyborg voiced his agreement, "Well, he'll have to deal with Earth-boy over the, besides that, he should be okay."

"Then it is settled. The Titans who are Teenagers have been founded and this does call for celebration!" Starfire's voice echoed throughout the soon-to-be busy corridors of the building.

But unbeknownst to them, a figure dressed in black and orange monitered their merriment. "I have followed you throughout your journey from the dank dark pit of Gotham to this semi-joyous city of Jump City. Soon, Robin, both you and that girl Raven shall discover both of your histories and your friendships with not only your friends but each other will be tested." His one eye stared eerily at the Tower, "you can't run from me forever. Everyone dies, but I can make you into a Legend. All you to have to do is join me."