Chapter 2: Titans Reborn, Part Two

One week had passed. The Titans were gathered in their new Titans Tower, rebuilt after an attack by Plasmus and Cinderblock five days earlier. The new Tower was more modernized than the previous one, with bracket-like structures between each window. There were nine bedrooms, though Starfire and Nightwing roomed together, meaning there was enough room for ten heroes to sleep comfortably.

The Titans were gathered not to discuss crime-fighting. Rather, it was time for team tryouts. A plethora of young adventurers from around the world had arrived to try their luck at joining the Titans.

First up was an Asian-American boy named Wing Takeshi. He wore a yellow uniform with red belt, boots, glove, crest on his spandex 'helmet,' and finally, a deep crimson sun symbol on his chest. To protect his identity, he wore a domino mask that concealed his eyes. He demonstrated a great control over fire, and went by the codename of Flare.

Next was a black-haired boy with no real name, only his codename: Superboy. He possessed heat vision, freezing breath, superstrength, superspeed, X-Ray vision (his demonstration of it resulted in Starfire slapping him, sending him hurtling clear across the room), and flight.

The day's first female candidate was a blonde girl named Cassie Sandsmark, a.k.a. Wonder Girl. Her superpowers were strength and flight, though she had a tiara that doubled as a boomerang, bullet-deflecting bracelets, and a lasso that could electrocute whoever she bound with it.

After Wonder Girl was a hyperactive brown-haired kid in a red-and-white costume. Changeling recognized him from the brief period in the previous year in which he'd rejoined the Doom Patrol: the boy was named Bart Allen, or Impulse, the Flash's cousin from the future. Impulse had superspeed, which he could adapt to fit a variety of occasions.

The fifth hopeful was a demonic-looking young lad with a good heart, named Eddie Bloomberg. He called himself Red Devil, and advertised himself as Blue Devil's former sidekick. He had a variety of powers, including flight, above-average strength and durability, and the power to breathe fire.

Sixth was a green-skinned, red-haired, armor clad alien girl named Miss Martian who could shapeshift and make her body elastic, possessed superstrength, eye-beams, and flight, and carried a broadsword.

After her came the white-costumed Offspring. Like Miss Martian, he could stretch his body like rubber, and also had limited shapeshifting powers.

Next up was Black Adam, an African 19-year-old with a black costume, featuring a yellow sash and gauntlets, and two golden lightning bolt symbols descending from his shoulders. Upon calling out the word 'Shazam,' he gained incredible speed, strength, wisdom, and many other powers. However, he was very cocky and overconfident. While waiting for his audition, he bonded with a small group of fellow heroes, especially a girl named Harlequin.

The day continued like this, with such champions as Sparx, Trajectory, the Protector, Black Manta, Geist, and Empress attempting to convince the Titans to let them join the team. Finally, as the sun was setting, the Titans called all of the hopefuls into the Tower's ausitorium.

"First off, I'd like to thank you all for coming today," said Nightwing. "I applaud your courage in trying out for the main Teen Titans team. I would like to say that even if you don't make it, you can be sent to our Arctic base to receive training and be assigned to one of our numerous international teams."

"Just cut to the chase," Black Adam grumbled, hovering above the ground with his arms crossed.

"The three heroes who made the cut and will be joining the Teen Titans," Starfire announced, "are Flare, Wonder Girl, and Impulse."

The three new Titans cheered in elation. Some of the 'losers,' such as Red Devil and Miss Martian, congratulated them, some looked somewhat disappointed, and others, including Black Adam, were furious.

"This is an outrage!" Adam spat. "How dare you refuse me a place on your team! You need me!"

"With that attitude?" Cyborg laughed. "I doubt it."

Adam huffed. "Fine then," he said. "I will form my own team, and the world will know US as their protectors, forgetting you Titans ever walked this earth! Who will join me!"

Black Manta stepped forward. "I'll join," she said, her helmet distorting her voice. Harlequin also joined Black Adam, along with hopefuls Von Bach, Giganta, Devil-Bat, Breach, and Witchfire. Together, they stormed out of the Tower and into the world beyond.

Nightwing cleared his throat. "Ah, um, sorry about that," he said. "Now, if any of you want to report to our Arctic base, just follow Raven and Cyborg. They'll…"

"Sorry, but I think I'll pass," said Sam Gold, one of the participants. "I don't need any 'training.' I'm out."

"I'm with him," Jessica McGregor agreed.

Fellow hopefuls Zenmet and Shadow agreed as well, and left the Tower on their own. The rest were escorted by Cyborg and Raven to the teleporters that would take them to the Arctic base.

T T T

Black Adam and his new comrades prowled the streets of the city.

"First things first," he said. "We need a base of operations."

"I believe I can help you there," said a figure, emerging from an alley. The figure wore a trenchcoat that had a hood, so the heroes could not see his face. "Sign up with me, and I can provide you with anything you need. Adam, you are Khandaqian, correct?"

"My ancestors hailed from Khandaq, yes," Adam confirmed. "Why?"

"I will take you there," the stranger explained. "It is time for you to realize your true heritage."

"Wait a minute!" Breach cried. "How do we know we can trust you? Just who are you?"

"You don't need to know my true name as of now," the stranger chuckled. "Just call me… Deathstroke."

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Next Time: It's the newbies' baptism of fire when the Puppet King returns and takes control of the five core Titans! Remember to read and review! And I'll only be accepting a few more OCs, so get those in soon! See you next time!