WELL. If you read my author's note that I'm replacing this with, you'll see the explanation, and the nervous laughter. I'll just summarize the major points for you guys: I lost my writing, muse, trying to get it back. So sorry for the unexpected hiatus. Love you all. My friend Smiley has been feeling down. (SmileySalami.) Message her nice things or something? Also, ideas for a Red X story?

Kay, that's it. Once again, SO sorry! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: This is basically it's own story by now, branching off from the Teen Titans universe, but hey, that's where it takes place, so disclaimed.

I haven't lived very long. At least, not compared to my sister, or that girl Comet she's told me about, who's lost track of her years. No, I haven't really lived long, but believe me, I've seen too much. The tired eyes of the kids who come here, the concealed pain in my sister's. The way those abandoned kids' faces light up when someone comes in, and then how they lower their heads when the person exits. I remember how I used to lower my head like that, countless times, day after day. Our world isn't a bad place, at least not compared to others Pixie has told me about. But there are bad places in it, and I've been born, and not really raised in them.

To me, my home, the Earth, has always been just that. But according to Pixie, it's Earth 21. Earth 21 is like a metaphorical desert, stretching forever, with small oases popping up here and there. Unfortunately, most people don't live in those oases. They live in the sand, the sand represented by the dark neighborhoods with potholes, and slightly run down buildings. Not completely bad places, but a heck lot worse then white buildings in the 'oases'. Like the majority of the population, that's where I was born, and where I've stayed.

They told me my story, they told it to me so many times, as if trying to say, your family isn't here with you now, but they were. They had a part in your life. Right. And that part was to drop me off at an orphanage. Little Michi, less then a year old, asleep in her mother's arms one minute, startled, awake, and in a strange place the next. I don't remember it, and believe me, I'm glad for it, because knowing would have made it harder growing up. And growing up was hard enough as it was. It wasn't that the orphanage was bad, but there were so many kids, there was no time for the care givers to truly love any of us. Their time was spread out, and while we knew they cared for us, they never knew any of us individually. I had a few friends, not many, but a few. It wasn't a terribly bad life, and even though it wasn't great, I wouldn't classify it tragic, because it' just average on Earth 21. This was how many people lived, then when they grew up, they would leave their foster homes, orphanages, or maybe families, and find a job, perhaps marry someone. Not terrible really.

But that's not the path I took. When I grew old enough to leave, I didn't choose a normal life. There were kids out there on those streets that were never taken in. When they were abandoned, maybe they weren't given to a foster home. Maybe they were taken to an orphanage originally, but were later turned out, which happens. Earth 21 was not a perfect place by all means, but even though it wasn't horrible, it had it's dark corners. I could never forget that one girl who stumbled into our orphanage one day, dirty, and hungry, her brown doe eyes wide. But, we didn't have room, and she was pushed away. I remember watching her leave, and it's an image that's always played behind my eyelids.

Earth 21 was no utopia, and I couldn't make it one, but I could try. So, that's how the modest little building on the end of the road was built. That was how I started roaming the streets, looking for lost children. That's how the building got a upgrade to fit more kids, then another one, then another, until finally, it was one of the most recognized homes in the city. Built by none other then little Michi, the girl with the brown blond hair in the back of the room.

My life wasn't normal, but it was normal enough. At least, it was until the girl in yellow flew into it, and turned everything upside down. Once I told her this, and she laughed and said, "Funny thing. There's no such thing as upside down in space so...Maybe I just gave you a different perspective."

Comet POV

I've never wanted to be abnormal exactly. I mean sure, just like every other kid, I thought about being a demigod like in Percy Jackson, or a wizard, or a Shadowhunter, or any of that stuff. [1] But I've never actually wanted it. I had enough problems as it was living a normal life. I didn't need anymore. I watched as Pixie got starry eyes over faeries, and how Kumo started loving her creepy stories more and more by the day. I knew there was nothing wrong with it. I'd always admired their imaginations, and I knew it was a great thing to have. But maybe somehow I sensed how those imaginations would hurt us in the future.

Pixie and Kumo were always my best friends. When there was no one else to turn to, I could turn to them. I met them both in elementary, and we've been together since. Of course, except for those few years when we were separated. I don't know how long that was, but I've learned not to stress out about it. Time was relative. When we were in grade 6 we learned about space. Pixie's eyes were glowing through out the whole unit. She could go on about black holes for hours, and she once told me she loved how her brain felt like exploding when she thought about the universe.

I feel that too now. But I don't love it.

We also learned about comets then. I was amazed, and a little bit sad, because those lights in the sky were never stars after all, they were just ice. Just cold, cold ice. Ice, which was just like glass, breakable, and brittle. I had enough of ice growing up in Canada, but the lesson had made a lasting impression on me, so afterwards, I named myself after that falling space ice.

Goodbye ice, the stars said the the comet. Have fun falling.

So yes, I'm a comet, and I've always been a comet. Am I ever destined to stop falling? Who knows? I never believed in destiny, and I especially don't after seeing all these worlds. Every single choice you make has the power to split off into a new dimension. You are strong enough to branch off reality, and no 'destiny' will ever stop that. Yet, my path has always been entwined with Pixie and Kumo's. Always has, and I wonder if it always will.

I hope not, because I don't think I could stand it. They were my friends, yes, and I told them things I never thought I'd tell anyone. I remember once Pixie told us something she had hardly remembered, but as she talked, the repressed memory had bubbled to the surface, and I could tell she was inwardly crying. But we were there for her then. Now, with my knowledge of the world, I think that's why we are bound together. Sometimes you meet someone, and you just feel that little click as if the universe is saying, 'Yes good, stay together. Just stay by each other's sides.' [2]

So maybe the universe saw us, and it saw how we needed each other once upon a time, and now, it won't let us separate. Maybe it's chained us together with metaphysical chains that stretch through out time and space. While I don't think I believe in things like that, I've also learned nothing is impossible, and the idea of Kumo, Pixie and I being glued together by some upper force can't be put out of the question.

The pain comes and goes, ripping through my stomach, throat, and heart, leaving me breathless and dizzy. But I refuse to believe I'm dying. I can't be dying. I've traveled to far, and too long to go out now. I still have things to see. And when I finally see my family again, I want them to know I got the best out of life, no matter the circumstances. I lived the best way, even if it was strange, and spacey. I need them too know that. There may be another reason too...

If the universe has chained us together, what happens to Kumo and Pixie when I die?

Goodbye ice. With every shot of pain through out my body...Goodbye, goodbye, have fun falling. I don't want to fall yet, and I don't want to shatter. Goodbye from the sun, goodbye from the moon. And I don't want to drag the other two down with me.

We all deserve a chance at living, even if we hate each other.

Pixie POV

I trotted down the stairs to find the rest of the Titans talking quietly between themselves. Starfire and Kumo were missing, but I didn't think too much of it. I just tried to ignore that sinking, aching pit in my chest. Was it from the illness, or from being near the other two? I would never know. It was also that feeling I got when I was trying my hardest not to be sad. That headache and the stinging in my eyes.

I had no one to turn to anymore, and that just...Well, to put it plainly, sucked. I used to have my family, and Smile and Flower. Now, I'm alone, and being alone is the worst thing I can think of. Being alone, and being ready to fall. Kumo and Comet liked to use the metaphors of clouds and comets for themselves. [3] I had a few for myself.

For one, I was a book. I've always been a book. A story full of ups and downs, and tears and laughs, and the tale of an ordinary girl gone weird. Eventually, my ink will run out though, and the story will end. I just hope it's a happy ending. I also think of myself as a faerie. Alone, silent, a mystery to those who don't know. A faerie is powerful, but lonely, so lonely. And mischievous too, though I've never fully been that. Most often though, I've been a bird. A bird with broken wings, who wants to fly, but can't. Who falls everytime she tries to soar.

Smile would call these thoughts deep. Comet would call them a waste of time and energy. I just wish for Smile back sometimes. Flower too, and having Bird back would be nice as well. Smile, who turned into a lonely star. Flower who turned into a distant cloud. Lastly, Bird who turned into a mysterious faerie.

How did we ever get ourselves into this? Just as the choking feeling was starting to work it's way up my throat, and I was threatening to scream, the door slammed open and Comet strode in with a casual smile on her face. She spotted me by the stairs across the room and nodded in greeting.

"Alright, I met with our operative, and he's set, so I guess we're ready to go, right?" She cracked her knuckles. "Let's get this thing over with." She's such a pale shadow of what she used to be. That as all I could think when she opened her mouth.

Cyborg coughed from across the room. "Are we all getting enlightened now?"

"Because that would be great," Beast Boy added with a grin. A forced grin.

I chose to ignore their sarcasm, a skill I had perfected over the years, considering my choice in friends. "Yeah, someone just grab Kumo. I just want to finish this." I grimaced as a shock of pain surged through my chest. The breaks between them were getting shorter. I just had to hope the Titans could help us, or else, we were doomed, and I didn't want to think about that.

Raven stood, ready to go get the other two, but the effort was wasted as they came racing down the stairs.

"We heard a very loud sound!" Starfire announced, looking alarmed.

"That was Comet coming in," I clarified. "She has to work on her control."

Before Comet could retaliate, or even give me a look, a ringing filled the Tower. I remembered that the alarm sounded whenever the Titans were needed in the city. It could concern a petty thief, or Cinderblock tearing up downtown. But I could tell as I looked out the window that it was more of the latter then the former. Not Cinderblock exactly, but something just as big and urgent. And unfortunately, my doing.

It was another one of the monsters from the rifts Comet and I had created. This one, I recognized easily though, and I heard Kumo draw in her breath sharply. Comet seemed very unemotional on the outside, but I could see she was teetering between amusement and horror.

Back on Earth 16, when we went to school together, Kumo wore a rainbow Domo hat everyday. [4] It was careworn, and well loved, and she had to sew it up regularly. She was known for it in our grade, and most of the teachers didn't even bother telling her to take it off. When we started travelling she lost it. Where, we weren't sure. One of our many skips between dimensions. Now, it had turned up.

It obviously was never alive, or sentient, but somehow the energy from the rift blew it up, so it was gigantic and attached to a pair of enormous legs. Those resembled rabbit's legs. They must have fused together in the rift. A helpless bunny sucked in and torn to shreds, while it's limbs were melded together with a hat. Somehow the legs were still active, trotting around in confusion. The thought sent waves of repulsion down my spine.

Beast Boy groaned. "Seriously? Seriously? Just as they were about to tell us!"

Robin stared him down gravely. "Beast Boy, come on, it can wait. That thing is doing some harm down there."

But Kumo wasn't listening to either of them. She was staring straight through the window, her gaze locked on the monster. She shook her head in disbelief. "Why does the universe hate me?" She murmured lowly. Then she glanced up. "I got this one."

"Wait, Kumo!" Raven reached towards her. "You remember what happened last time? About an hour ago?"

"You kind of went the...Bonkers." Starfire reminded.

Kumo flashed one of her brightest grins. "Nah, I got this, don't worry about me." She skimmed over the rest of them with her eyes but settled on Comet and I. A silent agreement passed between us. We have your back if need be.

Not because we necessarily liked each other, but because that's the way it's always been. I'm there for her, she's there for me, we're there for each other. Even now, I couldn't leave them to die if I tried. And believe me, I would try.

So Kumo nodded and scampered up the stairs. A few moments later we saw her fall from the roof, summoning a cushion of clouds to catch her. Soon enough she was surfing towards the town. I almost had to smile because here she was, the sunshine girl, facing her demons. If that didn't qualify as a miracle, that I'm not sure what did. Now, if only we got up the strength to do it too.

Robin shifted uneasily. "Are you...Just going to let her go?"

Comet shrugged. "Not our call. It's yours, remember? Your team, you city?" I had a feeling it had been a long time since someone had told him that, and his face clouded for a second, but then it passed.

"Right." He cleared his throat. "Right. Well, after the last monster she fought alone, I don't think it would be a good idea for her to-"

"Going to have to stop you there." I interrupted with a small sheepish grin. "But I think it is. Let her get it out of her system."

"What happened to letting him call the shots?" Comet snapped.

I sent her a glare. "I'm just saying, maybe Kumo should-"

"I'm just saying stop being a control freak and let Robin-"

"So you want her to sock you in the jaw while we're trying to explain, because that's what's going to happen if-"

Cyborg clapped loudly, shocking us from our back and forth. "Hey, do you guys ever have a conversation without arguing?" The quick and simultaneous answer would have been no, but before we got the chance to say it, Starfire cried out.

"Look!" She called, pointing out the window. "She is losing!"

She was. Badly in fact. She couldn't seem to land a hit on the monster, but it seemed attracted to her, and landed many. I theorized it had something to do with the fact that the hat had sat on top of her head for many, many years, and the rift energy had picked up on the connection. It trotted after her wherever she went, the strings reaching out to hit her. She was quickly getting knocked to the ground.

Comet and I didn't have to look at each other. The next few minutes were made out of pure instinct, and a promise made long, long ago. We both sprinted down the hall without thinking, running into the nearest empty room. Once the door had closed behind us with a satisfying click, Comet opened the bag at her hip.

"Pocket dimension," She explained as she reached in. "I have all our old supplies in here." She pulled out a familiar yellow costume and tossed it at me. "Hurry up, and let's go. She needs us." She tugged out her own costume and eyed it with a mix of fondness and exasperation. "Well, I guess we're putting the uniforms back on after all."

"I guess," I agreed as I yanked on the outfit. "Wow, it still fits."

"Yeah, some pocket dimension effect thing or whatever. You ready?" She stood in front of me in her old costume and a strong wave of nostalgia threatened to topple me over.

I nodded with a small gulp. "Yeah, I'm ready. Let's go save her sorry life." As I got ready to summon something to bring us over Comet locked eyes with me.

"Michi was thinking of you earlier." Her stare was serious with that bizarre mix of brown and purple.

"Yeah, she usually is." I avoided her gaze, but I don't know why. Why should I be ashamed that I had moved on? "Anyway, let's go." I twirled my hand and a spray of golden dust fell over us. Along with it, a few creatures I never thought I would see again. I couldn't help but smile.

I had to say, it was good to be back.

WHHOO. I hope I wasn't too rusty! Again, I am so sorry for the delay in between chapters!

Notes:

[1]: Disclaimer on that.

[2]: Inspired by a tumblr post I saw.

[3]: As seen with Comet comparing herself to a comet, and Kumo in the first chapter comparing herself to a cloud.

[4]: Heh, disclaimer on that too. BTW, I am so sorry Flower about that monster. I just...Yeah I don't know what I was thinking.

Enjoy!

Peace and Pixies

~ Pixies Between The Pages