Hey people!
You may have noticed it in the last chapter but I'm quite a fan of Rage and I feel there is a lot you can do with her! If you found her kind of out of character then I apologise but I still feel I used her quite well.
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Finally after a three hour drive they arrived in New York. The hustle and bustle of a city of this size was incredible in comparison to Jump City. The drive there had been brilliant in the eyes of a certain green shape shifter and a certain violet eyed sorceress. Almost three hours of nonstop talking where the two did nothing but try to get to know each other even more and their plans for the future.
Raven was not in the least bit surprised when she found out that Beast Boy was a family man with the hopes of being a father one day, shock and immense levels of joy ran through the changeling when Raven told him that she too wanted a family one day after never having one when she was young. They also talked about education. Beast Boy wasn't surprised to learn that Raven had completed a college course and was part way through a university degree both of which were in ancient history. To say Raven was shocked to learn that Beast Boy had completed two college courses, one in zoology and the other in biology, would be an understatement; but she did promise to help find a suitable degree and university to make an attempt at.
The two continued to talk the whole way, much to the boredom of Garry who sat on a small perch the changeling had made for him on the back seat. Garry was still a bit annoyed about the fact he had been forgotten about the previous night but was quick to forgive when Beast Boy offered him a whole loaf of bread to munch on for the remainder of the trip.
Now in the big city most of the team were awestruck by its size. After a few reprimands Starfire finally got the point that she wasn't supposed to just fly off from the back of the Nightcycle when it was in motion. Raven, who had been brought up in a small temple, couldn't believe that places like this could be so intense. She suddenly began to fear for the amount of people in the area; after all she was a creature of solitude. Beast Boy on the other hand was fighting with every instinct he had, all of them screaming at him to get the hell out of such a crowded place that had no nature at all and no convenient hiding places.
Approaching the location of the new tower things began to change, suddenly they had to stop behind a police barricade.
"What's the problem officer?" Nightwing asked with a scowl, instantly becoming battle ready.
"Sorry kids but the road is closed while we wait for the Titans to arrive. You'll have to find another way around." The elderly officer replied.
Nightwings face dropped. In the T-car 2 Raven could only slap her face at the ridiculousness of it.
"Um but we are the Titans." Starfire chimed as she floated off the back of the Nightcycle. The officer noticing his mistake quickly came to attention.
"My apologies! Please if you like to make you way past the barricade you can proceed." The officer stated very formally.
"Err but the cars won't fit through the barricade?" Replied Cyborg from the window of the T-car. The officer looked a bit confused. Suddenly slapping his face in realisation Nightwing hopped off the bike.
"Sorry guys I forgot. We're supposed to leave the vehicles here and make our way there on foot. It's supposed to be a parade kind of thing to instil faith in the citizenry." Nightwing said looking a bit sheepish at his forgetfulness.
"Oh most joyous!" Starfire exclaimed. "What a most brilliant idea!"
"Yeah I'm game." The metal Titan added stepping out of his car. "You know I love parades, being the centre of attention just might make this the best parade ever!"
Looking at the gaping face of girl next him the changeling could only feel sorrow. He didn't like parades himself; they always left his instincts in a state of panic, so he could only imagine how his girlfriend could be feeling.
"It'll be ok Rae." He said warmly rubbing her shoulder. "I'll make sure we get through this as quickly as possible and I'll be beside you the whole time."
Raven heaved a sigh as she turned to her emerald eyed boyfriend. "Unfortunately you can't deny it's a good idea." She stated defeated. "But you can see why the boy blunder failed to mention it to us. You and I would have been scheming to get out of it from the start."
Beast Boy felt his blood boil as the realisation hit him. It was obvious that this was no slip of the memory. Nightwing knew how he disliked parades and he knew how much Raven hated them with a passion and how uncomfortable they made her.
"Come on. Let's get this over with." She stated as she exited the car. To a normal person she would have sounded like she had her normal monotone but not to him. He could hear the dread and fear in her voice that just made him angrier. Taking a second to calm himself before he got out the car he knew he had to relax. Snapping at the boy blunder now would only make Raven look bad in front of the new city and he couldn't allow that. Stepping out of the car he headed over to the others.
"Ok now remember to show off but don't give away your best skills. We want to instil faith in us but we don't want any villains that might be scouting us to go away with too much knowledge.
"I'll go along with this but I am not showing off like a performer." Raven intoned.
"I didn't expect you would, in fact I'm not asking anyone to I'm just saying that should you feel the need then just go for it." Nightwing replied. "However Star I would like you to stay airborne during this, Cyborg flex like you've never flexed before and Beast Boy give a couple of shape shifts but not everything that you use in a fight." Nightwing turned around and began walking with the others following him.
Beast Boy leant down to speak to Raven who was walking next to him. "Did you notice the contradiction there?" He whispered.
"You mean the one where he said he wasn't asking us to show off but instead asked the rest of you to instead? Yes I noticed it."
Beast Boy chuckled. "Good just making sure it wasn't just me."
Stepping through the barricade the entire area erupted in a cheers and applause. The noise was extreme. Raven instantly felt like turning back around and heading back to Jump City but you could probably still hear this there. She turned to see her boyfriend wincing in pain.
"What's wrong?" she asked unable to keep the worry from her voice.
"The noise." He replied through gritted teeth.
"Oh come on; it's not that bad." Cyborg chuckled; he had already begun soaking in the crowd as he waved at the gathering masses.
"Try having super hearing…"
"Oh… yer sorry. If we'd known we could have gotten you some ear protection.
The green skinned Titan could only glare at the back of Nightwings head. 'Is that another reason he didn't tell us?'
"Hey Gar, I'm sorry but we better start playing along before we get the same reputation as I did back in Jump City." Raven added. She felt horrible, her boyfriend was in pain but she had to think of the team. Luckily Beast Boy knew this and wouldn't hold it against her.
"Don't worry, I'm starting to adjust. I'll be fine." He said flashing her a warm smile.
The parade progressed as the Titans proceeded down the 4 mile stretch of road that led to their new tower. Nightwing walked at the head of the team with his chest puffed out as he gave small waves and a very convincing smile to the crowd who amassed against the barricades. Starfire instantly became a crowd favourite zipping across the road to thanking the fans for the warm greetings. Cyborg was also a big hit, strutting his stuff confidently whilst smirking at all the ladies in the crowd; to be fair it is hard not be impressed by a 6 foot 3 man in huge titanium armour. Raven struggled but tried her absolute best. Levitating down the road beside Beast Boy she looked at amongst the crowd trying her hardest to make her smile seem genuine. The reaction to Beast Boy however was slightly different. The people who recognised him where fanatical about him, adoring him as he walked by. On the other hand the people who didn't recognise him weren't so flattering to him.
"Hey green dude! What can you do? Is being green with a tail enough to get you into the Titans!" and obnoxious looking teen shouted at the changeling. A mischievous looking smirk crossed his face as he looked at the teen. Sensing what was coming Raven took a few steps to the side.
'Ok Nightwing.' He thought. 'You want us to show off? Then I'll show you what a show off I can be." Suddenly standing before the previously arrogant teen was a huge green T-Rex. Taking a step back and raising his head to the sky the prehistoric beast gave a monumental sounding roar aimed at the heavens. The whole crowd when silent. The green changeling returned to his human form and looked around at the gaping mouths of the crowd. Just as suddenly as it stopped it came back, only louder. The crowd roared their approval over the green shape shifter. Beast Boy looked back at the now shocked face of the teen who'd questioned his credentials. Smirking Beast boy merely shrugged at the teen before walking back to his girlfriend and continuing down to road to their new tower.
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Now standing outside the tower the five could only stare up on awe. On the outside it was an exact replica of the tower back in Jump City only much, much bigger. The tower stood on the bay, just as all Titan towers do, looking out over it. It was close to the statue of Liberty but not so close as to distract tourists from it.
"Whoa…" Cyborg breathed still in awe.
"About time you showed up." Came a booming and empowering voice from the towers entrance. Frozen solid in awe the Titans could only stare in amazement at the imposing figure before them.
"Superman…" Nightwing spoke as if he too was breathless. Superman chuckled.
"Come on; take a look at your new home." He spoke with a gentle voice that still commanded respect as he ushered them inside. Taking a lift to the top floor they exited into what seemed exactly like their old common room only with a bigger computer arrangement in the corner. The kitchen area also seemed bigger and much better equipped. But that wasn't what got their attention. Standing in the middle of the room were even more imposing figures. Batman, Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, Red Tornado, Zatanna and The Martian Manhunter all stood before them in their own confident stances. Silently Batman approached Nightwing.
"Dick, it is a pleasure to see you again." He spoke in a monotone similar to Ravens but a lot more foreboding that must have even the others in the League guessing as to his moods, only Beast Boy with his sensitive ears could pick up the respect and admiration that the Batman had for his old protégé.
"It's always a pleasure Batman." Nightwing said shaking his old mentor's hand. Slowly the others approached.
"Princess Starfire we are both very honoured that you would allow us to add to your already formidable training." Wonder Woman said as she approached Starfire with Hawkgirl.
"Please; the honour is all mine." The alien girl responded with a respectful bow.
"It is agreeable to make your acquaintance master Cyborg." Red Tornado spoke in his synthetic voice that sounded like nails on a chalk board to the sensitive ears of the changeling.
"More than agreeable to meet you." Cyborg replied as he offered his hand to the red clad android who graciously returned the gesture.
Raven and Zatanna exchanged similar greetings but Beast Boy couldn't catch it as he was approached by the only other green shape shifter he had ever seen.
"I look forward to working with you Beast Boy, I have often expressed great interest in you powers and your abilities." The Manhunter said in a very comforting and almost warm voice that reeked of knowledge and wisdom.
"Sir you have no idea how much that means to me; you have always been a huge inspiration." Beast Boy spoke truthfully which the Manhunter was almost humbled by.
"Please there is no need to call me sir, John will do fine."
Beast Boy couldn't help but gasp at that. 'First name basis with the Martian Manhunter! Holy shit I must have died!'
"Thank you; most people call me BB your welcome to do so as well." Beast Boy replied humbly.
"Not for long they won't." Came a deep voice from the corner that Beast Boy instantly recognised. Spinning around to face the location of the voice he quickly noticed Mento and Elasta-girl in the corner almost looking proud.
"Steve? Rita? Wow is it good to see you guys!" Beast Boy exclaimed as he walked towards his adoptive parents.
"It's always good to see you boy." Mento replied in an uncharacteristically kind voice, Beast Boy could have sworn he could actually hear pride dripping from his words.
"Wow you really have grown." Rita stated in slight shock, it was the first time either of them had seen him in person since the hibernation.
"Hehe yer just a bit. But what did you mean they wouldn't be calling me BB for long?" Beast Boy asked confused by the strange statement. Steve and Rita both turned to each other with smirks on their faces.
"Do you remember a while ago you asked for a new uniform that wasn't the Doom Patrol one and I refused?" Steve asked. Beast Boy only nodded. "Well there was actually a reason as to why I refused you see we had actually already designed a new uniform for you and were waiting for the right occasion to give it to you and this seems to be it." Beast Boy looked on in shock as his adoptive mother used her stretching powers to grab and a white box from atop the kitchen counter and retrieve it. Holding it out she placed it in the hands of Beast Boy.
"Now there are two uniforms in there." Rita began. "One is a new Doom Patrol uniform that we would like you to hang onto in case we ever need you in the future and don't worry it doesn't have that ridiculous mask anymore."
"There is nothing ridiculous about that mask." Steve grumbled. "Masks are cool." Rita could only chuckle at her husband as she looked upon his own slightly ridiculous mask/helmet combo.
"Now this new uniform means that 'Beast Boy' is gone. So I hope you have a new name picked out." Steve spoke with more authority this time.
"I do." Beast Boy answered as if talking to a superior officer.
"Good now go put it on."
"You got it." The shape shifter replied with a grin. Stepping out for a second he entered the hall just outside the common room to quickly get changed. The rest of the heroes gathered in the common room waited expectantly; they had listened in on every word. Suddenly the common room door opened to reveal the new uniform. As he stepped in everyone could only marvel. The suit was almost the same pattern as the old Doom Patrol one but instead of black there was white and where there was purple originally now there was read. The suit was also a lot more form fitting and showed of the changelings impressive physique that few ever realised he had. The sleeves only came down to his forearms just below his elbows and he had no gloves instead he head thin purple and black bands around his wrists obviously in homage to his Doom Patrol beginnings. Looking up the green skinned 19 year old looked upon the approving faces of the male League members as well as the more sultry approving looks from the females in the room. Slowly he made his way over Steve and Rita who could not have looked more proud.
"Mum, dad… thanks." He said with obvious gratitude layering his voice.
"Mum and dad? You two are his parents?" Superman asked bewildered. The faces of everyone in the room, apart from Raven, looked on in shock.
"Um… adopted." The changeling admitted.
"You are welcome." Mento said bringing his sons attention back to him. "But what name have you decided on?"
"Changeling." He replied confidently.
"Not bad at all." Mento chuckled.
"Excellent choice. But you'll always be my little boy." Rita added with tears in his eyes.
The others in the room quickly returned to their own discussions leaving the family to their own business.
"We're very proud of you son." Mento said directly into Changelings head.
"Thanks dad, I know."
"I can't believe the League offered you a place in their ranks."
"Well actually they haven't, we're still the Titans. Even if they did I don't think I'd take it."
Mento looked visibly shocked at that. "Why not?"
"Dad I'm a founding member of one of the greatest hero organisations on the planet, I'm very proud to be a Titan. Would you give up the Patrol of the League offered you a place?"
Mento's eyes screamed with joy as he looked into the eyes of his adopted son. "It is a damn good thing you dropped the mantle of Beast Boy because you are most definitely a man!"
Changeling couldn't supress the look of pride upon his face. "You don't know what that means to me dad." He was glad they were talking telepathically using Mentos power because doing so meant that the green skinned Titan could hide the emotion that would have made his voice almost unintelligible.
Steve looked around the room and then sighed. "I'm sorry son but it is time that we leave. There is only so long we can leave Cliff and Larry in charge before they do something ridiculous."
After some heartfelt good byes and even more words of gratitude from Changeling, Steve and Rita finally headed out. Returning to the centre of the common room Changeling arrived just as the League members were ready to pull out.
"Now we would ask that you don't go out exploring too far as of yet. Please just take the time to enjoy yourselves and get used to the new tower." Superman addressed the Titans. For the first time since meeting him Changeling began to feel uneasy. He could hear it in his voice that he was not talking to them as equals no matter well Superman tried to hide his voice. Changelings uneasiness did not go unnoticed by the violet eyed sorceress standing beside him.
"Nightwing I do have one last piece of homework for you." Batman spoke to his former partner. Nightwing just nodded. "You have personnel files on all of your teammates and I would like you to improve them. I would like you to include not just their powers and skill levels but more on their personality but nothing so personal as to make them uncomfortable. When done please forward yours to me, Starfire's to Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl, Cyborgs to Red Tornado, Ravens to Zatanna and Bea- Changelings to the Martian Manhunter.
"I'll get that done." Nightwing responded. Batman merely nodded in recognition. After a quick farewell the League members were transported back up to the Watchtower.
"Alright team next thing to do is to get comfortable, pick out a bedroom and stake your claim."
"Boyfriend Nightwing will we be sharing a room or should I get my own?" Starfire asked very innocently.
"Do you even have to ask Star? Of course we will." Nightwing responded smirking.
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A few minutes later Changeling and Raven, with Garry perched on the shape shifters tail, were wondering through D level of their new tower which had a few bedrooms on offer.
"I like your new uniform, it suits you." Raven stated in her signature monotone, never breaking stride to look at him.
"Thanks, I think it's pretty cool. And it was really nice of them to put so much thought into it." Changeling replied. "But do you wanna talk about what you're really thinking?"
Raven decided that she needed to stop being surprised that he could read her like a book no matter how hard she tried. "I'm just curious what that feeling you had was when Superman was talking at the end of the meeting."
"You couldn't tell?"
Raven shook her head.
"I could hear it in his voice. He does respect us but he doesn't feel that we're his equals which I can understand. I mean look at the things he's done compared to us; we do have an impressive record but his is out of this world. Still it kind of makes me wonder.
"You're worried that he may not change his mind?"
"I'm more worried he may be unwilling to change his mind. But it also makes me feel that maybe he thinks of us as subordinates."
Raven went quiet to mull over his words. "Would it matter if he does? We know we're not, so isn't that enough?"
"Depends." Changeling added now deep in thought. "It might not matter, but what if someone on the team starts to think it may be an easy way into the League to just go with whatever it is they tell us to do?"
"Another valid point." Raven stopped in her tracks. She knew she had to ask something but was unsure of how to go about it. Stopping as well Changeling looked into her eyes as if giving permission to ask whatever it was she wanted to. "Is it Nightwing your worried about?"
Changeling looked down to think for a moment before answering. "Not sure." He said shrugging. "After the stunt he pulled this morning with the parade I kinda have some doubts. But that being said I'd still follow him into hell and back without him needing to ask me to."
"Can I ask what is up between you two?" She asked; there was no point hiding the trepidation in her voice, she knew he would have heard it anyway.
Changeling shrugged again. "I'm really not sure. We've never got on great but good enough to be friends. I think it may have something to do with me not being such a push over anymore but I could be wrong. I don't usually have anything against him it's just every now and then he rubs me the wrong way. But don't worry about it, I'll never start anything. Oh, and I do know why you and Star didn't let us share a room last night; not that I'd trade our time together for anything."
Raven could only blush. She looked at him with a small smile before stepping to him and giving him a small peck on the cheek. "I love you."
He grinned back at her. "I love you too."
"Sheesh, get a room!" Garry interrupted.
'Kill the bird!' Rage screamed in her head, obviously annoyed that he would interrupt the moment.
"That's a good idea; let's go find us some rooms." He said cheerfully.
"Um… I don't suppose you'd want to… I don't know… share one?" Raven asked bashfully.
'Jeez Brave you are working overtime today!' Rude noted in her head.
'Not just me, Timid is hanging back at the moment.' Brave replied.
'Do you mind? I'm trying to have a moment here.' Raven scolded her emotions.
"Are you sure Rae? I wouldn't want to annoy you?" Changeling replied sweetly.
"I don't think you could anymore." She almost whispered. "And besides the two nights we have spent together have been the best sleeps I've ever had… even if I did wake up with a monstrous hang over on the first one."
"I'd love to Rae." He said honestly. "But I'll set my stuff up in a different room so the other guys can't really tell, I'm sure they might not approve."
Raven frowned at this. "Why not? Nightwing and Starfire are."
"Yes but they've been dating for three years now whilst we haven't even been together a week. Not to mention that I still haven't taken you out on a real date yet." He stated; it was obvious he wanted to drop all sense of reason and just jump at the opportunity but Raven had to agree that he had a point.
"You don't think we're moving too fast do you?" She asked, dreading the answer.
"Not at all." He stated with confidence. "For most new couples yes, but we've known each for years and we are best friends and we know that we really do love each other."
Raven couldn't help but shed a few tears, she was just too happy. "Like I said before; you really are too good for me."
"And like I said before; that's a load of bullshit. Now come one lets go find us a room and a room I can pretend to live in."
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An hour later the team was assembled in the common room.
"Alright guys now I just need to know what rooms everyone is in." Nightwing said confidently, he was standing at the computer terminal so that he could type down the information. "Star and I are in room B112 which is on the level just beneath this one."
"F218." Cyborg spoke next.
"Why so far away Cy?" Nightwing asked.
"It's pretty much in the centre of the tower so I can get to both the garage and the common room pretty easily."
"Ah good idea. Raven?"
"D401." She intoned in her normal monotone.
"Ok and Bea- err Changeling?"
"D403." (Couldn't resist the shameless self-promotion, but this was the number of my first flat at University)
"You sure Raven won't try and kill you if you're that close to her? Might put an end to you relationship pretty quick." Cyborg joked chuckling to himself. He stopped when he noticed Ravens death glare.
'He dares joke about our relationship ending?' Rage growled.
'Kill the nonbeliever!' Happy giggled.
'We're not going to kill him.' Raven admonished. 'But if he makes a joke like that again we may rough him up a bit.'
'Can I do it?' Rage asked hopefully.
'We'll see.' Raven replied.
"Alright gang now that that's sorted we can just relax for a bit now. How about we order some pizza and then sit down and watch a movie or something because we are going to need an early night tonight as we do start our one-on-one training tomorrow." Nightwing said as cheerfully as the boy wonder can be.
The rest of the night was spent just as their leader had planned. After a quick good night they all headed off to bed. The good thing about having a floor to themselves was that no one noticed a green shape shifter enter the same room as a violet haired demoness. Crawling into the queen sized bed together and snuggling in close they quickly began drifting off to the world of dreams.
'I thought we were going to… well, you know… with him.' Lust asked hopefully but defeated.
'We will; but tonight I just want this.' Raven replied wearily.
'But we said we're ready.' Lust whined like a small child.
'Give it a rest Lust.' Love purred happily. 'This is quite nice as well.'
'Spoil sport.'
'Shut it!' Rage growled.
'I thought you wanted it as well? It's pretty much all you talk about.' Lust responded confused.
'I said shut it.' Rage whined, she knew Lust had a point but even she couldn't deny that even just cuddling with the green skinned shape shifter was nice.
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Little less romance in this chapter but I've got to start moving towards the action at some point. Still there should be more romance in coming chapters so for those who are more interested in that have no fear!
Also thanks so much for the great reviews! It really makes writing this story worthwhile!
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