Titans South
Summery – A mysterious young hero helps Raven save her friends and then disappears. An old friend long missed returns. Aqualad falls head over heals in love. And two people from Raven's past come to earth and tell of hope for Azarath.
Chapter one-Black Hawk
(Raven's PoV)
I woke about an hour before dawn to a sense of lingering evil. The feeling that something was horribly wrong tied my stomach in knots. Pulling my cloak on I walked down the hall to Cyborg's room. If something was wrong he'd know what to do. Talking to Cyborg had always calmed my emotions before.
"Cyborg, I need to talk to you." I knocked loudly. Cyborg wasn't exactly what you'd call a light sleeper. Not like Robin and me anyways.
There was no answer so I tried again. After several more tries I began to worry. Even Beast Boy would have woken up to the noise by now.
I phased through the door. The room was empty. The half cybernetic teen never left without telling someone and not even Robin would be out of his room this early.
A terrible sense of foreboding filled me and my stomach did flip flops. I went to Beast Boy's room and then Starfire's. Both were empty. At the door to Robin's room I hesitated. Did I really want to go in? I knew without a doubt that his room would be as empty as the others.
Dreading what I knew I would see and yet hoping that somehow I was wrong I walked in. Our leader's room was a shambles. Newspaper clippings, pillows and criminal files littered the floor. Obviously Robin had been awake when the kidnapper entered. I had an awful feeling I knew exactly who the man was.
On Robin's desk was a piece of paper folded in half. On the front was an "S". A symbol I had been expecting and knew only too well. Hands shaking I unfolded the note.
Raven,
As I'm sure you have already guessed I have the Titans. I will return them to you unharmed; on one condition. Remember your decision is life or death for you friends.
Slade
I walked into the living room and slumped onto the couch. Slade would send a transmission when he was ready with the condition; or conditions I didn't trust Slade to limit himself to one term. I didn't know how long it would be. Slade could make me wait just for the fun of it; or he could contact me right away, impatient to watch me surrender. Knowing Slade I was betting on the latter but one never knows with criminals.
A short while later a mechanized voice announced an incoming transmission. The TV crackled to life and Slade's masked face looked down at me from the screen.
"Well Raven I assume you are waiting for me because you received my note."
I nodded and the view moved slightly to show the Titans chained to the wall behind him.
"I will give your friends back if you will do me a favor."
"What kind of a favor?"
"In return for the life of your friends you will open for me a portal to the underworld and call forth the souls of the greatest criminals in history."
I stared mutely at Slade, surprise taking my voice. The smirk on his face told me he was sure of my surrender.
I looked at the Titans behind him. Robin and Cyborg were shaking their heads frantically. Beast Boy and Starfire were out of it.
"Contact me in an hour and I will give you my answer then."
"Very well Raven. But remember the lives of the Teen Titans are in your hands. One wrong word and your friends will find out what it's like for condemned murderers sentenced to capital punishment."
The transmission ended. I stared blankly at the screen; fear holding me captive.
Courage was my saving grace. Her voice in my mind was firm and completely in charge. "Raven you are going to get off that couch this instant and save your friends. Or would you rather take one of Slade's options?" I shook my head and stood.
A few taps of the right combination sent a transmission to Titan's East tower. Speedy appeared on the screen yawning widely and grumbling about criminals who waited until one in the morning to stage a crime.
"Speedy, Slade has the other Titans. Will you bring your group and meet me at the pizza place?"
Speedy was instantly awake. "We'll be there in five minutes."
I took off for the city; arriving scant seconds before Titans East.
"How long do we have? What does Slade want? And what happens to the Titans if we fail?"
"We have just under an hour before Slade expects my answer. He wants the souls of history's greatest criminals. And if we fail and I refuse they die. If we fail I will accept the conditions and deal with the consequences."
A voice that I didn't recognize spoke behind us. "I think I might know where your friends are."
I turned. The stranger had black shoulder length hair. His gloves, mask, and calf high boots were the same color. The style of the charcoal grey suit he wore reminded me of Red X's. On the chest was the image of a hawk, black as pitch, diving with claws extended.
"Who are you?" Aqualad's voice was sharp with suspicion. Anyone who knows where to find Slade is trouble. Sometimes being a mind reader could be a pain.
I don't sense any evil around and if he knows where the Titans are we're following him.
I'm not sure that's the greatest idea Raven.
Well do you have any better ideas? In case you hadn't noticed we have no clue where to start looking.
The boy's voice interrupted our mental argument.
"Call me Black Hawk."
He looked fully at me and I saw his eyes. I had expected them to be black. So much so that when I'd glanced at them before I'd thought they were. They were the strangest eyes I'd ever seen. Molten gold, deep as the sea. But instead of a darker ring of amber the irises were black encircled. The strange, hawk like eyes held understanding. As though he knew exactly what Aqualad and I had been telepathing. His next words told me that he had heard our thoughts.
"If you don't want my help I won't force it on you. But I know much of Slade and I won't lead you into a trap."
"Speedy?"
The leader of Titans East nodded at me.
"We will accept your help. You'd better know what you're doing."
Black Hawk ignored the barb. "Good, then let's go. By the sound of things we don't have much time."
He set off at a swift walk. We followed him towards the sea cliffs on the northwest side of town.
How did you know what we were thinking?
I didn't. I guessed.
You expect me to believe that?
You aren't the only empath in Jump.
The sky was graying, a herald to the coming dawn. We had only fifteen minutes left and fear spread black wings to darken the sun. Black Hawk took us to the edge of the cliff.
"There's a ledge down here, about seven feet below the edge. It's narrow so watch your step."
With that the boy dropped lightly down. We followed him along the cliff side for nearly ten minutes. The ledge sloped gradually down. Then small hole appeared in the face of the cliff beside us. Black Hawk ducked inside signaling us to follow.
Once through the cave widened out to become a gaping cavern nearly twelve feet high. Black Hawk, barely discernable in the dim light, took us along a tunnel. He stopped hand upheld for a halt. Before us light spilled form an archway.
Speedy, would you and your group free the Titans?
The red haired archer nodded and I continued to telepath instructions.
Black Hawk, you will help me take down Slade.
Of course Raven. There was a slightly mocking tone to the boy's reply but I ignored it. Now was not the time for an argument.
We jumped through the doorway and Black Hawk launched himself at Slade. Surprise evidenced itself in the latter's widened eyes just before the A foot slammed into his chest. Joining in the attack I hurled my power at Slade.
Black Hawk was moving swiftly enough to land three hit's to Slade's one. But the villain was hitting much harder. A particularly hard blow knocked the boy back. Given an opening Slade flipped forward. The side of his metal encased hand connected solidly with my arm, numbing it. I used the other to hurl a large rock at the man. He jumped to the side. Putting himself, as I had hoped he would, closer to Black Hawk.
The young hero's fist hit Slade in the chin; snapping his head back. An instant later I felt the familiar auras of the Titans at my side.
Slade took a flying leap backwards and ran out a tunnel opening in the far wall. I followed and slammed into an invisible force. My head rang as I drew back and touched my hand to it. A biometric energy shield. I should have known. There was no way Slade would be stupid enough to not have an escape route.
Robin's hand on my arm steadied me as I swayed slightly. "What was it?"
"Biometric energy shield; only someone with genetics close to or the same as Slade's can get through."
I turned to thank Black Hawk but he wasn't there.
"Has anyone seen Black Hawk?"
"He disappeared just after Slade escaped." Aqualad's tone implied good riddance.
"I'm starved. Let's go get tofu pizza."
"No way; we are so getting meat lover's."
"Okay, before you two start killing each other I have an idea. What if we get a medium pizza with tofu and veggies for Beast Boy and Aqualad, a large meat lover's, and a small cheese?"
"Sounds like a good idea Raven." Robin smiled for the first time in nearly a week.
Always thinking with their stomachs those two. I laughed at Robin's thought and he chuckled softly along with me.
TS
(Two hours later. At a cavern in the sea caves.)
(Delanie's PoV)
I put my hands over my ears in a futile attempt to block out the muffled thumps from the next room. I had been standing outside the door to my half brother's room for nearly an hour. Finally our father walked out. He didn't notice me slip in. I knelt next to Rillan; already two swelling purple spots on his chest testified to broken ribs. A few minor abrasions and some bruises marked his face and the front of his torso. I rolled him over, doing my best not to cause any more pain. Five lashes from a whip ran across his back like crimson ribbons. I bandaged his upper body and cleaned the minor injuries. His knees were raw and bleeding where the jean shorts he wore hadn't protected them from contact with the rough walls and floor of the cave. Shortly after I'd finished he opened his eyes.
"Thanks Del."
"You're welcome. What are sisters for?"
"Irritation mostly." He smiled, taking any sting from the comment. "You'd better go; I don't want you to get in trouble."
"Alright; Are you sure you'll be okay?"
"I'll be fine. I've been knocked around before. Worse, if you'll remember."
"I know. Take care Rillan."
I walked out of the room. And not for the first time I wished I was brave enough to kill the man who treated Rillan so. But I doubted my ability to beat him in a fight. And I had to win. The price for failure was too high to risk.
TS
Titans South
Chapter 2-Return
(Beast Boy's PoV)
When we got back to the tower Raven went straight to her room. I morphed into a cheetah and ran in front of her. She looked at me. One brow raised in silent curiosity.
"I just wanted to say thank you; for saving us. Ya know?"
"I wasn't the only one."
"I know."
"Look BB I'd love to stay and chat but I was in the middle of something important before Slade interrupted me. So if you'll excuse me I need to go finish."
With those words she flew past me and into her room.
Raven remained there for the next two days. She kept the curtains closed and the door locked. She didn't even come out for food. Those days were uneventful for the most part. Except for the fact that I finally got Mega Monkeys III; and I beat Cyborg at it. But no one besides me and Cy really cared.
On the third day she came out. It must have been early because no one saw her. Robin, always the early bird, found a note on the counter.
Robin,
I have something I have to do. I'll be back tomorrow afternoon; probably around lunchtime. DO NOT attempt to contact me. If you wreck my concentration I will give you nightmares for a month. Unless Jump is falling down around your ears or Slade has taken over the world LEAVE ME ALONE. I will be fine.
Raven
We all moped around the tower for the next day and a half. Cyborg spent the time working on his car. Robin taught Starfire how to play Chess and Old Maid and pretended he wasn't worried. I did nothing of the kind. I was almost ready to suggest we start knocking buildings down; or at least call Raven when she walked in the door.
She looked exhausted. There were dark circles under her eyes and her face was white. But she seemed to glow with a happiness I'd never seen on her before.
The minute she walked in Robin jumped to his feet. The look on his face said a lot. "Raven where were you? What-"
He stopped abruptly. I stood my heart beating so loud I was sure SHE could hear it.
"Terra?"
She smiled at me; smiled as she always had, soft and happy. Her blue eyes were full to bursting with joy.
Starfire squealed and ran to catch Terra in a bone crushing hug. The geokinetic teen hugged the Tamaranian princess. At that point the rest of us moved forward to surround our friend. Soon we were talking nonstop. We told Terra about everything, minus Trigon, that had happened while she was stone. Raven had disappeared again but she would certainly know if we told. And I personally had no doubt that her threats to Robin in the note would be at least tripled for the poor person (green boy) who slipped.
Terra looked at me, tilting her head back to see over the others. A quizzical smile lifted the corners of her lips.
"So," her blue eyes danced with merry mischief. "You guys got any food?"
We all laughed and Terra joined us. Over the heads of the others she smiled solely at me. Her eyes said she had missed me. And something else, something special. I love you.
(A/N I invented the word geokinetic. Kinetic means relating to motion and geo refers to earth or soil. So geokinetic means relating to motion of earth or soil. I know I'm insane. Making up words, even sensible ones, is a sure sign.LOL also sorry for how short it is. I'm not good w/ BB's PoV and I just couldn't think of anything else to say. )
Chapter 3-Heart on My Sleeve
(Aqulad's PoV)
I dived into the sparkling blue water. The brilliant sunlight shone like a promise. Below the surface fish in all colors of the rainbow darted about. I went deeper, the water cooling me as I shot through it.
A lone dolphin swam up to join me. Funny, where was her pod? She gamboled playfully about me; clicking softly as she swam.
I sent a wave of telepathy toward her, asking her why she was alone; attempting to communicate. She stared at me for a moment. Her bright eyes, black as jet, sparkling with laughter.
You know if you'd have just said hi I'd have answered. I don't have a pod by the way.
I stared at her. I was imagining things. A telepathic dolphin? She somehow picked up that thought and seemed to find it extraordinarily funny.
No; who's ever heard of a telepathic dolphin?
Suddenly in front of me there was a girl in the dolphin's place. One of the prettiest girls I had ever seen. Her hair was long and rippling and the color of over ripe wheat. Large sea colored eyes locked with mine. She wore a suit of the same color almost covered by the calf length cascade of her hair.
"Hi;" She offered her hand. "My name is Miriel."
I hesitated before shaking it, "I'm Aualad."
She smiled. "It's very nice to meet you."
Her smile faded and she tilted her head as though she was listening for something in the distance.
"I have to go."
She turned to leave.
"Wait!" I had no clue why I'd just called her back but I was in too deep to quit now. "Maybe you could uh come over, you could meet the Titans. Maybe eat dinner with us. We're all eating together at the Jump City Tower"
"Sounds fun. I'll meet you at the T Island in Jump's bay at six. O.K.?
"O.K. um great!"
She morphed into a shark and shot off. I sighed as the she disappeared into the endless blue of the ocean. Gosh she was pretty. There were butterflies in my stomach. But pleasant butterflies; Like I sometimes felt around Raven only stronger. (A/N LOL)
Oh great! What had I done? Dinner? The cooking in either tower wasn't exactly the kind of thing that encourages return. Beast Boy only made tofu and Cyborg's food was cardiac arrest waiting to happen. Titans East didn't have any better cooks. And we all know that Starfire's food isn't worthy of the name. There was no way. Unless… Raven. Maybe she could cook. It was doubtful that she could and even more doubtful that she would help if she could. But when it came down to it you never knew with Raven.
I swam to Titan's tower and hauled myself on shore. Raven was sitting on a rock near the water and smiled when she saw me.
"I have favor to ask of you." It may seem rude to do that but if I didn't ask right away I'd lose my nerve.
"O…kay. I help if I can what do you need?"
"I, well, I, was um,"
She raised a brow. "Come on Aqualad I can't possibly be that scary. Just tell me."
"ImetthisgirlandinvitedhertodinnerwithusbutnoneofuscancookandIwaswonderingifyoucouldcauseIdidn'tknowifyoucouldcookornotandBBandStarareoutofthequestionandCyborg'sfoodisallmeat. Please will you help me?"
(A/N Translation: (Slightly condensed version) I met this girl and invited her to dinner but no one around here can cook that great so I was wondering if you would.)
"Ummmmm; Was that English?" She smiled at me. "Sure I'll help. It's my turn to cook tonight anyways. Well according to me it is. The other Titans won't be too happy about it though. The last time I tried to cook it didn't turn out so great. Starfire compared my 'pancakes' to incinerated Glorka Roaches. But I have been practicing since then and I've eaten my own food twice with no ill effects." The last part was due largely to the rather pale green hue that I'm sure my face had taken when she told me about her pancakes.
"Thanks. I was just worried that if one of the others cooked I'd never see her again. I highly doubt that she has Terra's appetite and tastes."
Raven laughed. "Speaking of Terra, I brought her back."
"You did?"
"Yes, just thought I'd warn you so you didn't stand there gaping like a fool in front of your new friend."
I felt my face start to heat. Raven laughed again, this time at my obvious discomfort.
"Well, I'd better see what I can find to make for dinner before one of the others gets into the kitchen."
She flew off and I jumped back into the ocean; welcoming the cool water on my burning face.
TS
It was six o' clock. I sat on the sea floor about ten feet out from the island. A small barracuda swam up and eyed me curiously. As I looked it in the eye I felt slightly uneasy but did my best not to let it show. A second later Miriel shifted back to human form, laughing at my nervousness.
I took Miriel into the tower. The rest of Titans East were already there. I led my new friend over to where the teens were sitting on the floor around the big screen. Beast Boy and Terra appeared to be taking bets on whether Cyborg would beat Mas y Menos at Mega Monkeys III. I introduced the girl to my friends and they all gave polite variations on "nice to meet you" and went back to the video game. Except for Raven. She never had been interested in video games. The three of us talked until time for dinner.
The food was delicious. I and the pleasantly surprised Titans praised her until she blushed scarlet. It was about half-way through dinner when two teens in strange clothes walked in. (A/N Like the titans don't wear strange clothes. rolls eyes)
Raven stood so quickly that she knocked her chair over. It clattered unnoticed to the floor. All the color drained from her previously crimson face.
"Impossible."
TS