Chapter 2: Powers
Robin walked into the living room. It had been a few days since Sapphira had come to the tower. She was using their computer and their vast resources to figure out her past. The Titans had lots of information on the planets systems, and it helped Sapphira figure out just where Garadonia was, but it didn't help her figure out who she was.
"How's the research going?" Robin asked casually.
"Not getting much further," Sapphira said shaking her head. Robin walked over to her and pulled a chair up next to her.
"Don't worry, you'll find something," Robin said.
"I know, but I hate not knowing who I am, or who I was. I mean I had to have had a family," Sapphira said.
"Well what do you know about yourself?" Robin asked.
"I know I am a witch, my proof being the books I had in my pouch. I am also from Garadonia, a few demons I've ran into have called me Garadonia trash. My name is Sapphira, or at least the name I remember is," Sapphira said.
"Good," Robin said nodding his head, "what else?" he asked.
"That's it," Sapphira said.
"You'll figure it out," Robin said encouragingly.
"I hope so," Sapphira said. Robin nodded his head.
"What are you doing up this early?" Sapphira asked looking at the time.
"Training," Robin said.
"Didn't you guys get enough last night?" Sapphira asked amazed at how intense Robin was. He trained like non stop. He had to be the best.
"I know it seems like a bit much, but I don't have powers or machines to help me fight. I've got to stay active and make sure I am the best at what I do," Robin said.
"Yeah, that seems odd," Sapphira admitted, "how can you be a super hero without powers?" she asked.
"It's not easy, but I've gotta know my limits and my weapons are just an extension of me," Robin said. He walked over to the kitchenette area. He started making himself a quick breakfast. "You're welcome to join me Sapphira," he said as he walked out of the living room.
Sapphira sat there for a moment thinking it over. She was fascinated by Robin. She really did wonder how he could fight super powered villains with no powers. She hadn't really seen the Titans in action since the night she met them. They hadn't had much activity the last few days. She wanted to see how Robin operated.
Sapphira jumped up and ran from the room after Robin. She quickly found the gym, where Robin was stretching already. Robin stood up and turned to face her.
"I got curious," Sapphira admitted.
"I thought you would, I mean you seem to depend on your powers to get you by. I mean the way you fought with the Hive Five was impressive, but I know you used your powers to knock Mammoth over," Robin said.
"How?" Sapphira asked shocked. She hadn't told the Titans about that. She had kept that to herself. It was better that they had seen her as strong. She didn't want them to think of her as weak. She needed to look strong and intimidating. She needed to seem as if she could take are of herself.
"He flew backwards a few seconds before he was about to hit you," Robin said. Sapphira's jaw dropped. "I am very aware of things," Robin said.
"You've got to have a great eye to catch that," Sapphira said impressed. She thought she had timed it right, maybe she had. Robin just had a really good eye.
"I told you, I don't have powers to rely on," Robin said shrugging.
"So what do you do in solo training?" Sapphira asked curiously.
"I work on my sparring and using my weapons," Robin said.
"Sparring? Like hand to hand combat?" Sapphira asked.
"Yes, it's what a punching bag is for," Robin said nodding his head. He pointed over to the corner where the punching bag was hanging.
"Why not spar with me?" Sapphira asked.
"Can you fight?" Robin asked.
"Probably not as good as you, but I know some moves," Sapphira said.
"No powers, just you and me," Robin said. Sapphira nodded her head. "Ok then," Robin said. He lead Sapphira away form the equipment and onto the mat. They walked to the middle and faced one another. "No holding back," Robin said.
"Agreed," Sapphira said.
"You can start," Robin said. Sapphira nodded her head and swung her leg out at Robin attempting to kick him. Robin grabbed her foot and spun her around. She fell to the ground with a thud. She sat up and looked up at him.
"Ok, you're quick, I get it," Sapphira said.
She stood up and dusted herself off. She ran at Robin this time. She swept her leg low trying to knock the Boy Wonder over, but he jumped into the air. Sapphira took advantage of him being airborne and hit him with her fist and knocked him to the ground. Robin jumped up quickly and was on the attack. He ran at Sapphira. Sapphira jumped back away from him. Robin skidded to a stop and looked at her.
"Come on Sapphira," Robin said.
"I'm not gonna take it easy on you," Sapphira said stretching her arms out in front of her and cracking her knuckles.
"I'm not scared," Robin said. Sapphira ran at Robin. Robin slid into a defensive stance and was ready to jump when Sapphira jumped over his head. Robin fell forward into the mat and Sapphira pinned him to the mat.
"Come on I was expecting a challenge," Sapphira taunted. Robin used his weight and shoved Sapphira off of him. Sapphira rolled over and pushed herself up as Robin did the same. They both stood and faced one another.
"I wouldn't get too cocky Sapphira, I'm just getting started," Robin warned. Sapphira lunged at Robin. Robin side stepped her and she fell to the ground. Robin turned and faced her. He held his hand out to her. Sapphira took his hand and pulled him down to the ground.
"You should know better," Sapphira teased.
"Come on let's go again," Robins aid jumping up. Sapphira nodded her head and stood up as well.
-The Seventh Titan-
Starfire walked into the living room and to the kitchenette. Beast Boy and Terra were eating breakfast together. Raven was sitting at the table sipping her tea.
"Morning friends," Starfire said cheerfully.
"Morning Star," Terra and Beast Boy chimed together while Raven nodded her head in acknowledgement.
"Have you seen Sapphira?" Starfire asked looking around for their new friend.
"Not since last night," Beast Boy said getting nods from Terra and Raven.
"She was working hard on the computer last night trying to find out more about Garadonia," Raven said.
"She always trying to find more out about herself," Beast Boy said.
"I get where she's coming from. It was the same with me when I first got some of my memories back. They came back slowly and then I realized just who I was," Terra said.
"And I am glad you did," Beast Boy said causing Terra to laugh.
"What do you guys think of Sapphira?" Raven asked looking at the other three.
"I don't know, I mean she seems alright, but we have to get to know her a bit better," Terra said.
"I agree," Starfire said. The doors opened and Cyborg walked into the room stretching his arms above his head.
"Morning all," Cyborg said.
"Morning Cy," Beast Boy said as he stood up and grabbed his and Terra's empty plates. He brought them over to the sink and set them down.
"Where's Robin?" Cyborg asked.
"I don't know, we haven't seen him or Saph," Beast Boy said.
"That's odd, normally he's the first one up," Cyborg said.
"Maybe Robin is in the gym, you know he's always there on days like these," Raven suggested.
"Oh god, we're going to have to have an intervention for him soon," Beast Boy said shaking his head. Terra laughed at that.
"That's a first, an intervention for working out too much," Terra said.
"I'm serious, he's got a problem," Beast Boy said.
"Beast Boy, he's not like us," Raven stated matter-of-factly.
"Yeah, he doesn't have a power to rely on like us," Terra said.
"I know that, but still he's in great shape, a day or two off wouldn't kill him," Beast Boy said.
"I gotta agree with BB on this," Cyborg said.
"Ok you guys are over reacting a bit," Terra said.
"Fine if you don't believe us let's go to the gym and I bet he'll be there," Beast Boy said. The others shared a look before shrugging. The all got up and made their way to the gym.
They reached the gym and walked into the gym in time to see Robin stop Sapphira from kicking him in the chest and spinning her around and making her fall to the ground. Sapphira jumped up and lunged at Robin. Robin sidestepped her and Sapphira stumbled. She turned and dodged the kick Robin had aimed at her. She lost her balance however, and fell to the ground with an unceremonious thud. Sapphira jumped back up and swung her arm out at Robin. Robin caught her arm quickly and spun her around and had her arm pinned behind her back.
"Having fun?" Beast Boy asked getting their attention. Robin turned around to look at his team. He let go of Sapphira and they both turned around.
"Hey, we were just sparring," Robin said.
"Yeah, he's definitely got some skills," Sapphira said holding her arm out and rubbing it lightly.
"You can fight?" Raven asked Sapphira.
"Not really, he's way better," Sapphira admitted looking at Robin. That statement did not shock any of the Titans. They all knew Robin had major skill in fighting. He knew more then they did for sure.
"What do you think Robin?" Cyborg asked looking at the Boy Wonder.
"She's decent, but she relies on her powers too much," Robin said.
"So, is that such a big deal?" Sapphira asked.
"What if something happens and you're not able to use your powers?" Robin asked turning to Sapphira. "That's you're biggest weakness right there," he said.
"Is not," Sapphira said glaring at Robin.
"You can't rely too heavily on your powers," Raven said nodding her head. She and the other Titans agreed with Robin on that.
"And why not? I mean I've got them, so why not use them," Sapphira asked her hands on her hips.
"What if something happens and you're not able to use them," Robin asked turning to face her. Sapphira stopped to think for a moment.
"Without my powers what am I?" Sapphira asked looking around at the Titans.
"You're Sapphira, our new friend," Beast Boy said walking over to her.
"Who's Sapphira?" Sapphira asked.
"You," Beast Boy said slowly.
"I mean what do you know about her? What I know about myself?" Sapphira asked her voice rising slightly in pitch. The Titans just looked at her.
"You'll figure it out, it's not gonna happen like that," Terra said.
"Without my powers I am nothing," Sapphira said shaking her head.
"That is not true, powers don't define who you are," Robin said, "it's what you choose to do with them that define who you are," he said.
"Real deep for someone who doesn't have powers," Sapphira said. She promptly walked past him and the others and out of the gym. Robin moved to go after her.
"Wait, let me," Terra said moving in front of him. Robin gave her a quizzical look. "I know what she's going through. I had to work to get back who I was," she said. Robin nodded his head.
Terra left the gym and made her way out of the tower. She saw Sapphira sitting on the shore of the island. She walked over to her.
"You know, walking out means I don't wanna talk," Sapphira said.
"Well that's ok, just listen then," Terra said as she sat down next to the blonde alien. "I get what you're going through. I went through it too. I woke up somewhere and I didn't know who I was," she said.
"Really?" Sapphira asked turning to face Terra. Terra nodded her head.
"It's a long story," Terra said.
"We've got time," Sapphira said.
Terra nodded her head and told Sapphira what she wanted to hear. She told her about meeting the Titans and about her powers and her lack of control then. She told her of her mistakes and how she redeemed herself before she froze in stone. Terra also told her about how she woke up with no memories of who she was. She told her about how Beast Boy persisted and she eventually got her memories back and how well things seemed to be working out.
"Wow," Sapphira said slowly. That was a lot to take in.
"It didn't just happen over night, but with great friends it could happen," Terra said.
"Yeah, but I don't have any friends," Sapphira said.
"You got us," Terra said, "I mean I know we don't know you that well, but if you let us in we could help."
"Maybe, I don't know," Sapphira said looking down at her reflection in the water.
"Look, we opened our home to you. We're not going to kick you out because you can't remember who you are," Terra said.
"I've been trying for almost three weeks," Sapphira said annoyed.
"It took me months," Terra said.
"It's so frustrating," Sapphira said angrily.
"I know, and at times you'll want to quit, I know I did," Terra said looking out across the bay to the city. She knew what Sapphira was going through. "If you ever need someone to talk to you know where to find me. My room is just down the hall from your guest room."
"Thanks Terra," Sapphira said giving the other blonde a small smile. "I can't be someone I'm not though," she said.
"I know, but who are you really?" Terra asked. Sapphira laughed.
"I won't stop using my powers, but it wouldn't hurt to learn some other things," Sapphira said.
"What exactly are your abilities?" Terra asked. None of the Titans had asked her that when they met. She had proved she was powerful.
"Well I can fly like all Garadonias can, and I'm a witch. I know spells and if I don't know them, I've got a book in here," Sapphira said lifting up the small pouch at her side.
"In there?" Terra asked.
"Don't let it's size confuse you," Sapphira said smiling.
"Anything else," Terra asked.
"I can control water," Sapphira said, "I learned about it when I first arrived here. I was walking down the street after it rain and a car zoomed past me and water nearly hit me, but somehow I stopped it," she said.
"I control earth," Terra said using her powers to lift a rock about the size of her fist without touching it.
"Cool, but check this," Sapphira said smiling. She lifted her hand as well and water engulfed the rock and when it fell the rock was a small pebble.
"Nice one," Terra said. The two then proceeded to have a little fun showing off what they could do. Terra showed her, her way of flying on a rock, while Sapphira surfed on a wave only to lose her balance and fall into the water. Sapphira came up sputtering. Terra looked at her and they both laughed.
-The Seventh Titan-
A few days passed and Sapphira hit a dead end with her research on Garadonia. There was nothing new she could learn. She had all the Titans information that Starfire had retrieved from Tameran. She wasn't as upset as she would've been a few days ago, but she knew things would come back to her.
There was one new thing that was happening to Sapphira. It was through her dreams. She was having a reoccurring dream. It was always the same thing. She was running away form someone. She couldn't see them, but she knew that they were dangerous. She never looked over her shoulder out of fear. They would grab her arm and the dream would be over.
Sapphira sat up in her bed breathing hard. She looked around the strange room and realized she was in Titans Tower. She tried to calm herself down. She managed to get her breathing to return to normal a bit and her heart slowed down.
"It was just a dream," she told herself. She got out of her bed moved over to the closet. She shook it off and changed into some clothes that the Titans had bought her. They all seemed to be very nice to her and she was thankful for that. The only one she really seemed to bond with at the moment was Terra. They were the same, kind of. Sapphira felt like she could really talk to Terra about anything.
Sapphira left her room and made her way to the living room. The Titans were all out there doing their own things. Starfire and Terra were watching Beast Boy and Cyborg play a video game. Robin was listening to music with headphones, and Raven was reading a book in the corner of the room.
"Hey Saph," Beast Boy said without looking away from his game.
"Hey," Sapphira said moving over to the couch and sitting down. "Who's winning?" she asked.
"Beast Boy," Terra said.
"Not for long," Cyborg said.