Take me down to your paradise
I lose my words every time I try
To make sense on why I lose my mind
You're every wrong that I need at night
I'm a desert, you're an ocean
It's your motion that I need
But without you I am broken
Left to thirst out in the heat
- The Heat, The Score
Apache cocks her head, her ears and eyes alert. It had been an uneventful month and a half since they had went to the park. She had caught on that is was now sometime around mid February, and the weather proved it. It had rained off and on, and was overcast with dark clouds half the time. The Titans had been working overtime the last few weeks, dealing with Dr. Light, the H.I.V.E., Cinderblock, the sludge monster she couldn't remember the name of that was basically a DC version of the Hulk to her, and every other Meta that decided to make a negative scene in the city. They even had to attend every criminal that they capture preliminary and sentencing court hearings! Those she never got to attend those and the Titans never said much about them, so she only really knew that was where they went.
There was something she felt she was missing in particular about the beginning of this month, but she couldn't pinpoint it. It was something she knew was supposed to be important, if not to anyone else then to her, but she couldn't remember so she ended up dropping it.
Most of the last month she had been glued to Raven's hip whenever absolutely possible. She rarely strayed, unless Raven needed a shower or simply wanted to be completely alone. Apache found Raven frequents that little coffee shop around once a week. Raven had thus far taken Apache with her every time, and Apache loves it. Val would always slip her a donut, and it was always quiet there.
Cyborg on occasion would track Apache down and have her hang around him for a few hours. Their activities ranged from working on the car, chilling and watching TV or him playing video games, which would often involve Beast Boy, and even when he needed to make a pit stop in town and he didn't want to go by himself. Apache could tell he enjoyed her presence, and she enjoyed his likewise. He thought her a clever dog that perhaps had some service training due to her level of understanding and cleverness. She could retrieve him tools, the remote and various other things. Of course he, and every other Titan, still had no clue about her and she still had no way to inform them of the situation.
The Titan's last two days had been occupied by court hearings, but this morning, as Raven had kicked Apache out of the bathroom so she could shower, Apache found that Cyborg and Beast Boy had had enough of the courtroom, and were ready to burn off some steam.
Its nine in the morning and they're sprinting down the hallway pelting wads of rotten smelling laundry at each other.
She ducks back in the perpendicular hallway and watches wide eyed as they speed past, screaming and laughing, Cyborg's foot falls thundering throughout the hallways.
She yelps, giving a jump when a foul smelling pair of underwear smacks her in the face.
She gags at the smell, pawing at her nose and giving a three legged hop away from the olfactory insult that is that nasty pair of underwear.
Giving her head a shake, she trots down the hall after the two heathens.
Following the smell of rotten laundry, she weaves through the maze of halls, finding herself doubling around until the smell leads her to the common room.
The door swishes open and she inches through. The room appears empty. She gazes around as the door swishes shut behind her.
She's startled at a battle cry as Beast Boy jumps over the back of the couch, charging over toward the kitchen before catapulting over the bar to shove a nasty ball of laundry in Cyborg's face. Cyborg seen it coming, and easily grabs his wrist, forcing Beast Boy to shove the ball in his own face.
"Hey! Illegal move!" Beast Boy gags, hitting the linoleum of the kitchen floor.
"It's completely legal, grass stain," Cyborg grins, a ball of laundry in his hand.
"It is not! Check the rule book!" Beast Boy has a blasphemous tone. Apache sits, tilting her head as she gazes at the two teens. This is it? This is Stank Ball?
Its highly amusing.
She wants Raven's referee cloak and to referee for them. She flicks her ear in amusement, a bi colored gaze shining with mirth.
"We don't have a rule book," Cyborg cackles.
"WHAT?! You said you were going to write it!" Beast Boy gripes, moving very animatedly.
"I am! I just haven't got around to it," Cyborg grins from ear to ear. They're silenced when a communicator goes off with a chime. "Oooooooooooh, it's your giiirrlfrieeeeend," Cyborg drawls out in a teasing tone.
"Oh, shut up," Beast Boy's face flushes as he pulls his communicator from his belt, flipping it open. His face instantly lights up. "Nicole wants to go out for pizza tonight."
"Nice. What're ya gonna say?"
"Is that even a question? Hell yeah!" Beast Boy stands on his toes, before sitting back on his feet as he types away.
Apache inwardly laughs, pulling herself up to meander over to the two boys, her tail dusting the air.
"He-hey, Apache! When'd you get in here?" Cyborg greets before roughly rubbing her head. "If only you could referee for us, eh?"
"Dude Apache would probably make the best referee."
"Of course she would," Cyborg chuckles. Apache just wags her tail, leaning against Cyborg's robotic leg. "Hey, ya up for a video game before I head to town?"
"When aren't I?"
Apache leisurely follows them to the TV, hopping up on the couch to watch as they set up a game of Black Ops on the playstation.
She loves to watch them play. Its amusing in and of itself how into it and animated they get. It even gets so far as them grabbing the controllers from one another and throwing them across the room. The shrill screaming she could do without, but other than that, it's the greatest past time.
They wrap the game up in about an hour before saving it and turning it off. It faintly occurs to Apache that Raven had most likely been done with her shower long ago, but she pushes that nagging thought down in favor of hanging with Cyborg for a little while. Raven would be just fine without her for awhile. Besides, she enjoys the car rides when it's just her and Cyborg.
They split ways with Beast Boy in the hall, Cyborg turning down the flight of stairs to the elevator.
"You comin' with me today, little mama?" Cyborg grins when he hears the click of her nails fallowing him down the stairs. "I could use the company."
She follows him into the elevator, sitting at his feet as the doors slide shut. She yawns as the elevator descends, all the way to the garage level. They step off of the carpet of the elevator and onto the dull concrete of the garage. Apache's nails click as she follows the robotic man.
He opens the passenger side door of the T-Car, giving a little bow to her. "After you, m'lady."
She hops up into the passenger seat, watching her tail as Cyborg closes the door. Her bi colored gaze follows him as he walks around the car to reach the driver's side. He climbs in, starts the car, and they're off.
The steel door lifts to reveal the access tunnel; they're shrouded in darkness as they enter the inky blackness. Apache watches as Cyborg flips a switch next to the rear view mirror, causing ghostly blue lights to ignite on the edges of the bottom of the tunnel, just enough to drive safely.
Cyborg flicks the radio on at a comfortable level. A rock station, as per usual. Apache is a fan. She'd be happy with alternative and R&B as well but that's beside the point. She flicks her ears at the familiar cacophony of The Pretty Reckless, giving her tail a small wag.
"Now Apache, don't let me forget to pick up some extra screws and washers, I forgot to put those on the list," Cyborg confides in all seriousness. Apache glances at him, her ears perked and a doggy smile upon her lips before she glances back to the dark path.
Cyborg is going anything but slow. It's hard to tell with the overly smooth surface they're driving on mixed with the enclosed tunnel, but a quick glance at the speedometer proves they're going close to fifty miles an hour. What had taken Apache almost five hours to swim, takes them a twenty minute drive.
They sit in a comfortable silence until they reach a lit up platform large enough to fit the car. The car slows to a stop. Cyborg flips another switch.
A trap door slides open overhead, the car beginning to ascend upward. The trapdoor leads to an alley. Tall buildings surround them on two sides.
When Cyborg drives off the platform and into traffic, the opening is once again hidden, no one would be able to tell it was ever there.
Apache thinks it busy for a Friday at ten o'clock in the morning as they turn out into rushing traffic, but reminds herself it is Jump after all. It's not as bad as San Francisco's traffic, so that was of course something.
She stares out the window as they stop and go, watching the city go by and watching the passing people. They pull into a full parking lot, a chain of eight various stores running the length of the large block. Their destination sits on the far right of the lot. It's a very small hole in the wall electronic and hardware shop, Cyborg's favorite place to frequent.
If there was ever anything Cyborg needed that they didn't have, they would rush order it for him with no charge. Apache always thought that was nifty. They were actually doing very decent for a small private owned shop.
Cyborg finds a parking space a few rows away from the shop, between a beaten up Honda and dull colored mini van. Cyborg squeezes out of his door after switching the car off, careful to not scrape against or hit the rusty silver Honda with his car door. "C'mon, Apache," Apache hops over the center console and out the door, clearing the way for him to shut and lock the door before shimmying out into the lane. Apache looks both ways as Cyborg does before they both move toward their destination, Apache having to trot to keep up with Cyborg's long strides.
She looks up at him, wondering if he'd ever wanted to be a football or basketball player. He has the build of a football player no doubt. She thinks this is the better career path.
With her tail sweeping, she darts across the road after glancing both ways and hops up on the cement under the overhang of the store, turning around to balance on her hind legs in front of Cyborg, pawing the air at him. He laughs, gently pushing her down before rubbing her head fondly.
They finally reach the door, and Cyborg turns to her.
"Apache, sit," she sits just as she's done every time before. "Stay," She tilts her head after he rubs the back of her neck before turning to enter the store.
She watches him through the glass window, plucking items off the shelves before moving to the front counter. There are only a few people milling around inside. He talks to the older man at the counter for a moment. The man types something into his computer before going into the back.
With a huff, Apache turns her attention to the group of teenagers rounding the corner, laughing and talking loudly to one another. Three girls and two boys. She tilts her head, an ear falling back.
"Oh!" a chubby yet pretty blond headed girl gasps as she spots her. Apache's other ear falls back. "Look! Isn't that that dog that the Titan's picket up?" Her four companions turn their attention to Apache.
"Woah, it looks like it," a dark haired and skinned boy says as he pulls his phone from his pocket, tapping away at the screen.
"Ooh, I wonder if the original owner ever got her or if Robin is around here somewhere," the other blond haired girl says. Apache can tell her hair is bleached blond due to the light brown roots showing through. She becomes confused at the Robin comment. Of course he has fans, she realizes. And many would gladly drop their panties for him.
She shudders at the thought.
"Oh, Robin Robin Robin. Give it a rest Gizelle, you've went on and on about him for how long? Its never gonna happen," The other boy, this one sandy haired with irritable brown eyes, gripes at her.
"I don't give a damn. Robin is smokin', I wish I could have a chance at him," She says airily, brushing him off.
"Dude, same," the third girl, who is Latina looking, drapes her arm over the bleached blond girl's shoulders, her being taller.
"Look at this guys! It is the same dog!" the first boy exclaims, turning the screen of his phone to face his four counterparts. They all huddle around to compare.
Apache is becoming extremely uncomfortable. She shifts in her spot, wishing Cyborg would hurry.
"Same eyes 'n everything," the other boy compares, glancing back at her.
"Dude!" the bleached blond girl is excited. She pulls her phone from her pocket, practically flinging it into the Latina girl's grasp. "Yesi, take a picture for my Instagram!"
"Uh, ookay, but if the dog bites you, that's your fault," the girl draws in a light Spanish accent, angling the phone as the girl kneels down next to Apache, draping her arm over Apache's back. Apache's heart rate kickes up, along with her fight or flight reflex. She really fucking wishes Cyborg would hurry.
"Smile," The Latina girl says.
"Wait, its ears should be up, so it doesn't look so scared, ya feel me?" the blond says. Apache can feel the irritation bubbling in her belly. The blond begins whistling in a high pitch tone. She recognizes the attempt, as she'd whistled in a similar manner at her own dog for pictures when her dog refused to raise its ears.
She decides to give them what they want to hopefully speed this process along and shoves her ears forward. There is instantly a flash from the phone, signaling the capture of a picture.
"Lemme see!" the bleach blond girl jumps up and rips the phone from her friends grasp.
"Calm down," the Latina girl rolls her eyes.
"Oh! It looks great, dude! Thanks!" She types away at the screen of her phone.
"Lets go, my dudes, I'm hungry," the first boy says, slipping his phone back in his pocket.
"You're always hungry," the other boy rolls his eyes. Apache gives a sigh of relief as they walk past her. She looks back through the window to see Cyborg striding toward the glass door, a box and plastic bag in his arms. He pushes the door open gently with his shoulder, staring after the group of kids with a raised brow.
Apache stares up at him in relief. He looks down to meet her eyes. He kneels down in front of her.
"You alright?" he asks. "You're such a good girl," he sets his bags down to rub at the sides of her face. She hops up, bopping her nose to his and giving his cheek a lick before landing back on all fours. He laughs, rubbing at her fondly as her tail goes a mile a minute. He rises, picking his bags back up. "C'mon little mama," Cyborg watches for cars as he strides back to where they had parked with Apache not a step behind, the blue detailing of the car standing out in the parking lot.
He puts the bags in the back seat before opening the driver's side door, this task being easy as the Honda is no longer there. "In ya go," He says to Apache. She jumps in and over the center console to rest in the passenger's seat once more. She watches as Cyborg gets in, turning the car on. They pull out of the parking lot, their arrand complete.
Apache leans against the seat, gazing out at the traffic ahead of them. It had thinned out slightly. It wouldn't stay like that for long. It's almost time for the lunch rush.
Apache flicks her ears at the sound of the Goo Goo Dolls playing on the radio. One of her favorite bands. Its Slide that's playing, one of her favorite songs. She sighs, feeling nostalgic for what feels like no reason.
She again people watches as they make their way back toward the access tunnel to go back to the island. Since the first time she'd went with them through the access tunnel she'd always wondered if it went beneath the ocean floor or if it was a pipeline type thing through the ocean itself. She was betting on it going through the ocean. She didn't think any people would really see it. California waters are far from the best place to dive. The water is cold and the fish are boring. It's just a wonder to her how they built it.
A twenty minute car ride later, Apache is stretching herself out in the Titan's garage. She gives a shake, looking up at Cyborg as he deposits his goods on his work bench. She gives a bark, catching his attention.
"Gonna head back to Raven?" he asks, a gentle smile on his lips. She gives another yip. He strides a few steps over to her, giving her head a rough pet. She gives his hand a lick before bolting up the stairs that lay parallel to the elevator. "Say hello to her for me," he calls after her with a laugh.
After a few flights, she slows down to a brisk trot, her breath heaving. By the time she's half way there, on the floor the gym resides on, she can't run anymore.
Every.
Time.
She's so out of shape it isn't even funny.
She curses the tower for being so big as she finally reaches the top floor, heading straight for the bedrooms. She huffs, trotting down the hallway until she resides in front of a very familiar door. She scratches at the metal as she pants lightly. It swishes open without missing a beat.
She walks in, her tail sweeping the air as the door shuts behind her. Raven is sitting cross legged on her bed reading a very thick and very old looking book. Apache scans the clean and tidy room, nothing seeming to be out of place.
She calmly walks over to Raven's bed, hopping up on the plush comforter. She lays down, leaning against Raven's exposed thigh. The girl takes no notice of her. She lays her head down, closing her bi colored eyes with a sigh. She's surprised when a nimble hand weaves its way through the longer fur of her ruff, scratching lightly. She gives a content wag if her tail.
Apache is the epitome of irritation.
She has just about as much patience as a jaguar. And it's not helping that's she's stalking the length of the huge window in the common room like one. Her hackles are risen, muscles tense and strung. The Titans got a call, and the only thing she's smelt since they left is the smell of singed hair.
Just last night Beast Boy had went on his date, and he'd recounted the tale this morning to the rest of the team. He'd had a great time and had even kissed Nicole for the first time. Everyone congratulated him. Apache congratulated herself for a matchmaking job well done. Then Robin had killed the mood to tell everyone he'd made an appointment for her to get a checkup and be spayed next month on the fifteenth.
Then the alarm rang and it's been hell for her ever since.
She's terrified, but is masking it with anger. She's unsure if its the correct way to go, but anything is better than fear, she's sure.
The damned thing hadn't showed itself yet, and Apache has no clue what to do if it does and decides to come after her.
Her muscles are overheated and becoming sore by the time the Titans are back, it's been four hours of her rigidly pacing, smelling that smell. It immediately disappears as soon as the door swishes open. She snarls in irritation, flicking her tail like an irritated cat.
She's too shaken up to be anything other than irritated.
She holds her head low, giving the five teens a death stare, her blue eye blazing against black fur. They're worn out and battered, obviously a tough day. Her heart is nevertheless racing from her amount of stress over the last four hours. She's jittery and uneasy, though she does feel sympathy for the worn out teens.
"Hey, Apache," Beast Boy greets thirdly as he plops on the couch and stretches himself out. "No excited hellos today?" She flattens her ears. This draws the attention of all the Titans. They give her confused looks.
Her eyes fall on Raven, who is scrutinizing her more than she ever has before, her eyebrows furrowing together. Apache growls.
"Hey, what's wrong, little mama?" Cyborg asks with a confused tone, taking a few steps toward her.
Y'all better step the fuck off me and quit staring at me, she snaps in her head. Raven's eyebrows lift, she looks almost thoughtful, more so than usual.
Raven floats over to her, and kneels down in front of her, completely unafraid of Apache's foul mood. Apache can only stare with her ears held back, feeling uneasiness rise in her gut.
"Whats gotten into her?" Robin mumbles, watching warily as he shifts slightly.
"She was fine before we left," Star trails off.
"Azarath, matreon, zinthos," Raven says calmly after placing her right hand over Apache's chest and her left on the center of Apache's head, thumb on the center of her muzzle. Apache is confused, but allows her to do whatever she's doing anyway.
A black light glows brightly. Apache's body is enveloped in a searing pain so bad she can't even gather the breath to yelp.
Four different gasps sound.
A red haired girl with a bi colored gaze stares up at the five of them with watery pain filled eyes, Raven's hands still on her chest and face radiating searing pain into her frail, bruised, clotheless body. A surge of memory causes a scream to bubble in the girl's throat.
Raven herself is so shocked she rips her hands back, and a black dog with a white chest is once again among them, shaking fiercely with wide eyes. She slumps forward, all but falling completely over as her memories again fade, leaving no trace, like leaves blown away on a windy day.
Its quiet for a long while. Apache's head is ringing, her body aching.
"Raven...?" Beast Boy nervously calls from where he sits on the couch.
"What... Was that?" Robin asks.
"I don't know," Raven says quietly, her hands over her mouth.
"That was..." Cyborg trails, shock and something else building in his throat.
"What were you trying to do?" Robin asks with a monotone.
"I... She..." Raven takes a deep breath. "There's been a... Demon i guess you could call it, around and she was so strung... I thought maybe it had messed with her and I was going to take a look at her memories." Raven drawls, almost scared as she gazes down at the slumped over dog, her limbs twisted almost painfully under her.
"Wait, a demon?" Beast Boy asks, becoming terrified.
"You mean from Hell? Like one of your crazy dads lackeys?" Cyborg questions.
"And you didn't say anything why?" Robin's voice is becoming increasingly stern.
Raven whips around to give him a glare. "None of you had said anything about it and I didn't want to worry any of you. There was no point in saying anything, not to mention I took care of it."
"What do you mean 'took care of it'?!" Robin is angry now.
"I mean I set hexes and spells around the tower to keep them out." Ravens voice is dangerous, dripping venom. Something in Apache's fuzzy mind clicks. Maybe... That's why it smelt different this time? The hexes and spells were working as a repellent?
Star jumps right into the middle of the confrontation. "This is not the point right now. The point is Apache."
"Star's right, guys. We have to figure out what that was and figure out if we're in any danger." Cyborg almost sounds disappointed. It makes Apache's stomach twist painfully. They gather around her slumped over body, and she feels fear and an overwhelming sickness stir in her belly. She gazes up at Cyborg, wanting to break down in disgusting sobs at his angry and disappointed face.
"You can understand us just fine, can you?" Cyborg asks. No shit, Sherlock she gripes, feeling wetness build in her eyes. As if how she acted over the last two months suggested she ever acted like she didn't.
She attempts to lift her heavy head, to no avail. Her body is still searing, her stomach twisting painfully as all of her will drains from her body. She whines lightly, her gaze falling on Raven, who was still seated in front of her. The five teens exchange glances.
"We're going to ask you some questions. Blink once for no and twice for yes, understand?" Robin says sternly. She blinks twice, eyes still on Raven. Couldn't Raven just read her mind or something? It occurs to her that maybe Robin is forgetting that or he wants to question her himself.
"You're human?" Two blinks.
"Can you give us a name?" One blink.
"You're being uncooperative?" One blink.
"You don't remember a name?" Two blinks. They exchange more glances.
"Are you working for someone?" One blink.
"You're telling the truth?" Two blinks. Four sets of eyes turn to Raven, and she nods.
"Do you know how you became a dog?" One blink.
"Are you from around here?" One blink.
"Did you originally come here for help?" Two blinks, then a third after a slight hesitation. They take it as a yes and no.
"Well, I don't know how to go about this." Robin finally says. "She wasn't lying at any time?" Raven shakes her head.
"I can do some research, see if I can find something in a spell book. We're not going to get the answers we need with yes and no questions." Robin nods in agreement.
"In the meantime, Apache is not to be left unattended. Until the situation has been fully assessed, she will be viewed as a threat. Every night-"
"I'll continue to keep an eye on her at night." Raven interrupts, looking defiantly up at Robin. Apache's heart swells. She feels a few tears escape her eyes. They merely disappear into her black fur.
"I don't think that's the best idea." Robin is stern again, his arms crossed.
"I promise you, its fine."
"If she is kept contained."
Raven simply nods.
All Apache could do for three hours was lay in that spot, slumped over with her body aching. She couldn't deny that she was scared about what would happen now that the Titans considered her a threat.
All five of them continued to cast her wary glances as the sun set and dinner was cooked and served, which is killing her inside more than she could explain or comprehend. She wanted nothing more than to scream at them, throw a tantrum, call to the heavens until they understood that she was the farthest thing from a threat to them in this universe. She wishes she could explain everything to them, if she could even remember.
A sick feeling settles in her stomach.
Raven casts her a raised eyebrowed glance at that thought. Robin must have told her to probe her mind. Not that she particularly cared. She has nothing to hide. Maybe beside her sexuality and all the cringey moments from her childhood but that's beside the point.
Hey if Raven wants to probe her mind and see how cringey of a person she is, who is she to judge? Then again she should probably force herself to stop thinking in case something weird or inappropriate popped into her head. It's not like Raven was ever going to find any malicious intent, 'cause Apache has none.
And there it goes. She should not have mentioned inappropriate to herself.
Eugh, why...
She squeezes her eyes shut trying to banish that distasteful thought and image. She opens one eye to glance at Raven. She lowers her ears at Raven's slightly disturbed look. Great.
Think about something else, damnit.
Her eyes lose their glassy stare and her ears perk. That's right! Her favorite cartoon!
Raven gives Apache a funny look with her eyebrows creased, causing Robin to look at her too as he had noticed Raven's glance. Apache's tail twitches back and forth for a moment, then she loses it and her eyes glaze over again. Right. They'd never let her watch it. And there's no telling if it exists here. Teen Titans Go certainly didn't. That was more of a blessing than a curse if she had any say in it.
Images flit through her mind from her favorite moments, disappointment bubbling in her belly. She heaves a sigh.
She finally picks herself up and shakes her body out, stretching some of the tension away. She gives the huge flat screen a longing look, before lowering her head and going straight to lay at Raven's feet. All five had their eyes on her on account of the noise of her shaking.
Her body tenses, her ears flat. She looks up at Raven with a steely look in her bicolored gaze. 'You can hear me, can't you?'
Raven tenses, glancing up at Robin before nodding stiffly. 'Tell Robin I will tell you what I can, I have nothing to hide. And Why can you hear me now but not before?'
"She says she'll tell us what she can." Raven's voice captures everyone's attention. "And I wasn't trying before." Apache nods, skeptical. There has to be so much more to it. Raven just doesn't seem like the type of person to let something like this slide for two months without so much as a hint.
Robin clears his throat. "Why didn't you make it known that you were human?"
'What the fuck did you honestly expect, I'm a fucking dog at the moment.'
Raven crosses her arms and reiterates word for word.
Beast Boy snorts.
"Where did you come from?"
'I wish l knew. All I know is that I'm from a different universe.'
That really captures their attention.
'What do you mean by 'different universe'?" Raven asks this.
'I mean just that. I'm from a different universe, and I know because you guys and superheroes don't exist there,'
"You've got to be joking," Beast Boy sounds flabbergasted.
'I'm not. I wish there were heroes there, but I live in the most boring universe ever,' Apache sounds sore about that, it doesn't transfer to Raven's voice, however.
"Then did you know we were heroes or did you assume?" Robin perks up slightly.
'Oh no, I knew,' Apache sounds matter of fact.
"How?" Robin gets slightly defensive again.
'Cause Teen Titans was a cartoon I watched when I was little along with Dexter's Laboratory, Yogi Bear and whatever else was on Cartoon Network and Boomerang. The comics came out in the 80's but I never could get my hands on those. You guys have a theme song, isn't that great?'
"Are you being serious right now?" Cyborg quips.
'Dead. I know every one of your full real names, along with many of the things you've been through. Though in the comics, Raven was the one to bring the Titans together. DC was never big on female heroes but Raven is by far the best. Harley Quinn is great too but she's not a hero. Was there an actual Suicide Squad?" Raven hesitates before translating. Apache had by now jumped up on a vacant chair and looked expectantly at Robin, excitedness radiating off her frame, her tail going a mile a minute despite herself.
"What? What do you mean you know our real names?"
'Suicide Squad first, dude. That's your ticket to the information I hold.'
"That is classified information."
'You're tight with Batman, i know you know.'
"Fine, yes. Now how do you know our names?"
'Did you know you were supposedly killed by the Joker and Harley Quinn in the Suicide Squad movie?'
"What? No, that's not the point, answer my question."
'Any fan in my universe knows them or they're not a fan, its as simple as that. There's a huge list of DC and Marvel heroes and villains.'
"We have Marvel, but what's DC?" Beast Boy interrupts, ever the one to be interested in that type of thing.
'DC competes heavily with Marvel in my universe. DC is known for Batman, Superman, the Justice League. It's basically this universe. I personally prefer Marvel myself. Marvel is just more practical than DC when it comes to superheroes in my opinion. And movies.'
"Thanks a lot dude. Good to know you're on the opposing team if what you say is the truth." Beast Boy sounds mildly offended. Apache puts her paws up on the bar and barks.
'Just because i think the Avengers are great doesn't mean I don't support you!'
"This can't be possible." Cyborg mumbles, his arms crossed.
"I do not understand. How can we be "comic book and cartoon" characters?" Star asks. Apache looks to her. She'd been quietly taking in all of the information being filtered through the room. Star is anything but stupid. She's actually down right clever. She's just still being immersed in Earth culture. It's hard enough for someone in one country to go to another with a vastly different culture, let alone a totally different planet.
"Guys, there is such a thing as alternate dimensions. Azarath is an alternate dimension." Raven says.
"So you think there's truth to this?" Robin inquires, sounding skeptical.
"Yes, but I'm not sure how her getting turned into a dog happens. This is where my spellbooks are going to come in. I need to find a memory spell and a transformation spell." She turns to the dog. "How much do you remember?"
'Basically nothing. The only thing I remembered when I got here was things about DC and Marvel. Things got triggered as the weeks went by but not much.'
"It must be hard not being able to remember anything," Star consoles.
'Eh, its irritating but i certainly don't miss it. What is there to miss when you don't know what you're supposed to be missing.'
"You really can't remember your name?" Robin asks.
The dog shakes her head.
"Are you even okay with Apache?" Beast Boy asks. Robin gives him a disbelieving look. Of everything going on right now that is the least of everyone's worries.
'More than okay with it, but what's important now is figuring out what time frame I'm in.'
"What do you mean?" Cyborg eyes her.
The dog hesitates, looking down at her paws. 'Has Slade came to give Raven the 'mark' yet?'
Raven stalls, her eyes wide. She's quite for a few moments.
"Yes," She grumbles as she puts her hood over her head, shielding her face.
"What is it?" Star asks.
'Are you eighteen yet, Raven?'
"No," Raven answers, stiffly.
"What's she saying'?" Beast Boy asks.
'Slade will be back with Trigon. And I think I might know why I'm here.'
"We figured he'd be back."
"Raven." Robin uses his leaderly tone. Raven reiterates the information with distaste.
'I don't understand why I'm here when you all handled the Birthmark and The End episodes just fine...' Apache hops down from the chair and begins pacing, her shoulders and hips audibly popping and sore as she went. Man, she could really use a Tylenol or something.
The five Titans converse amongst themselves.
"I'm skeptical of this entire story." Robin confides. "Comic book and cartoon characters?"
"I admit, it does sound very far out there." Cyborg contemplates.
"You can not rule out that she is telling the truth." Star, ever the one to give the benefit of the doubt. Apache feels gratitude toward the Tamaranian. She promises herself that she will let Star do whatever to her makeover wise for a day.
"Star, people lie. This has some kind of scheme written all over it." Robin grumbles. Apache bristles at his words. Granted Robin has reason to be suspicious, but he needs to be a little more forgiving.
Her fire dies at that. Terra destroyed any chance of that for her. She's going to have to work double time to earn their trust and prove she won't be trading sides any time soon. She has to admit she'd be the same way in his situation.
"But at the same time is she not a dog?"
"We'll figure it out. We always do. Weather it works itself out or not." Raven. Apache's heart swells again. She's getting unbelievably attached to Raven.
"I think we just need to throw her in containment and leave here there." Apache stops abruptly with a growl, glaring daggers at Robin. The attention turns back to her.
'I didn't ask to come here that I know of! I believe wholeheartedly that everything happens for a reason. If you all choose to not believe me, that's fine, but i can't stand liars, thieves, or anything of the sort. I have a very good sense of right and wrong and if I'm here to help, that's damn well what I'm going to do. It's up to you to have faith in me and accept the help I'm willing to give. I've already helped with Control Freak. If i had ill intentions, they would have already been played out. I'm telling you, I haven't lied, and i haven't hidden anything. I want nothing other than to help." Raven half heartedly relays the message.
"You have one chance, Apache. If you blow it, that's it." Robin warns.
'That's fine, I'll take whatever I can get. But you're going to have to let me do my thing at the same time so I can play my part to the best of my ability. Even if it's to an extent. A middle ground.'
"A middle ground to an extent." The Boy Wonder and Pitbull cross nod at each other in agreement.