She was soaked.
Rain pelted mercilessly upon her torn and broken form causing her clothes to stick and the bright red patches of blood to run pink. But she didn't care. All she could feel was the overwhelming loneliness that had taken hold of her. In the back of her mind she could hear her brother's voice calling to her, the same pain and abandoned feelings radiating back from him and echoing within her mind. She could not bring herself to answer though. Why bother? Curling her body into a tighter ball she embraced her legs harder burying her bleeding, tear stained face into her knees. Below her traffic continued to rattle on even in this late hour. Car horns blared and tires screeched on the rain-slicked asphalt as they thundered by beneath her. Allowing her brain to stray into the dark reaches of her mind she pondered briefly…if she were to fall from the support she rested on…if she were to slip and plummet below into the sea of careless traffic… The fear was obviously unfounded, after all she was Jackal, she jumped and skirted across wires like a cat, she was a fucking super hero for crying out loud! This could not halt the broken sob that escaped from her lips as a cut and bleeding hand lashed out to clench beam beneath her. The fear of course was not the idea of falling but the thought of what came after…never before had she questioned it but after her father's…her mother's words…she could not hinder the contemplation that perhaps…no one would miss her…no one excluding her brother would even care. Her grip on the bridge lessened a bit as she noticed a dull almost anesthetized ache swelling from her fingers. The knuckles on this hand had been split open and her fingers were bent and swollen and most likely broken as if she had smashed it against something. Had we happened upon her 15 minutes prior we would have seen the teenager in a fit of fury take a swing at a abandoned dumpster a block or so away. After the first punch several more followed until she collapsed against in sobbing and cursing at her stupidity the blood ribboning now not just from the glass wounds but the self inflicted split knuckles. Aforementioned, she barely felt this physical throbbing, which would plague her the next day…mentally though…Anya had never hurt so much, she'd never felt so alone.
He doesn't want us…She never wanted us…they were happy…years later they were happy again and then we came up…We ruined everything.
She was so wrapped up in these thoughts she didn't take immediate notice. The rain had stopped bombarding her sensitive torn skin. She lifted her face and looked out across the water over which the bridge she sat on spanned. Strange…it was still raining there. So why not here? Slowly, she turned her glance to the side and was face to face with a pair of sneakers and denim encased legs. Following the legs she looked up to meet Zachary's face. He looked exhausted and sick with worry and his blue eyes shone with a compassion and sympathy she could never fathom. His hair fell messily into his face as the rain soaked him through. In one hand he held an umbrella, which was now being held over her head. The other was extended out to her. Blue eyes wide and confused, Anya shook her head, not able to comprehend why he came after her. Unsurely, she took his hand and stood face to face with him. Tears left old trails down her cheeks and she whispered, "Why?" He simply smiled at her and cupped her cheek brushing away her tears.
"I…I just didn't want you to be alone."
A fresh cascade of tears fell from her eyes and with a small sob she fell against him. With gentleness she never could imagine he wrapped her up tightly in his embrace whispering to her. Telling her everything she needed to hear at this moment, he seemed to know every right thing to say. All Anya could do was listen and bury her face further into his wet red hair. They stood here still and silent, beside for Zachary's comforts, for several moments before they broke apart. With a frown the red head removed his coat and wrapped her in it and led her down off the bridge supports to the street below. Anya stared at him in wonder and awe never feeling more in love or secure than in this moment. When they reach the ground he led her to the bridge's side where a car stood parked in the shoulder. Beside it standing in the rain Victor was, face etched with concern and worry. At the site of the teenager helping her to the car though his worry eased an expression of relief washing over his face. It felt as if there had been a vise on his heart, which had magically released allowing it to beat again. They made their way to the car silently and then stopped as Anya looked up and saw him. They stared, eyes locked for just a few moments before her blue orbs narrowed and a look so ugly ripped across her features. Not even giving the black man a chance to blink she ripped away from her boyfriend's grasp and raced towards him fists raised and eyes blazing. With a shriek of rage she smashed her first down against his flesh ignoring the pain searing in her hands as they cracked down again and again on the thin layer of flesh, which hid beneath it steel and wire. She sobbed and screamed punching him over and over not caring that it made not one bit of difference.
"You lied to us! You're just as bad as THEM! We hate you! We hate you! We hate you!" she bawled fresh tears streaming down her face as the wound on her fist ripped open a little more. The compassion and confusion faded from Victor's face replaced by a cold stern look as his hands flashed up and grasped her tightly around her shoulder pulling her roughly away, "That's enough!" Yet she persisted to scream now trying to pull away from his grasp her eyes hateful and wild as she screamed one final time.
"Let us go! We hate you!"
His grasp instantly went slack when that emerged from her throat, not for what she had said but for the voice she had said it with. The broken sobbing hoarse sound of her voice entwined completely with another's. Victor knew the twins' connection ran deep, but he never had questioned how far. Hearing Alexzander's voice emerging from her mouth mixed in perfect sync with her own shocked him for but a second. As minute of a chance it was Anya took it ripping herself out of his grasp rubbing roughly the tears off her face as her breath hitched and gasped. A softer expression lit Victor's face, "How long have you two been able to do that?"
"Why do you care?" she snapped her voice her own again raw from her screams. Victor stepped forward grabbing her shoulder keeping her from running back to Zak and made her face him, "Because I do god damn it! Now you listen here little miss…I've spent the last decade and a half watching out for you and your brother! I know what happened tonight hurt…I know what it feels like to be alone…I can accept you being mad at your mother…I can accept you being mad at your fathe…"
"He's not my father!" sobbed the teen as more tears began to form her voice broken and tired. Cyborg paused for a moment easing his grasp on her arm and continued, his voice far more gentle, "I know it hurts lil' dark girl…like hell probably…but you and your brother can't turn your back on her. She had reasons…she just wanted to protect you…even if it meant lying. What she said after…Princess, we all say thing we don't mean. You and Alex do…Sure as hell I have…it doesn't make it right, but it shouldn't erase all that good….all that love she has for the two of you. All of the love I have for the two of you. You may not be my flesh or blood but I that does not matter to me…and I don't think it matters much to you either…I just can't see you break like this…you're both to strong for it…"
Silence encased them; the only sound the rain pelting the wet ground around them. Her arm still in his hand no longer being grasped but held gently had caught her attention. A confused look passed over her face and then changed. A look of recognition as if some great realization had taken her. Ignoring the pouring rain she tore from Victor's hand and threw her arms around him tightly. Firmly, Victor wrapped her in his embrace as she cried against him. Together they ignored the rain as Zachary stood back, understanding this was not his place.
Anya's breath hitched and she buried her face into the android man's shirt as she had done as a child so long ago, "I'm sorry Uncle Vic." He just patted her back gently and held her closer, "Me too princess…me too…"
But all of this was in the past…Zachary let out a heavyhearted sigh steaming up the car window beside him. He dragged his index finger down the fogged glass lazily tracing a poorly drawn bird into it. His mother glanced back and frowned seeing her son's depressed face. She pasted on big smiled on her lips and in a chipper voice queried, "Is something wrong sweetie?" Her plastic grin faded when all she received in return was an ill looking glare. With a sigh she turned in her seat settling back, her son had been in this mood for the past 3 days. After he and Victor returned that night with Anya three of the teens (being as Alex still wouldn't speak to anyone) decided to sit them down and try and actually tell THEM they weren't going to stop this super hero nonsense. This of course did not go well and a new argument ignited right then in there as the sun began to rise. When it seemed that they were going to lose Malachy, Zachary, and Jamie turned their gaze on Anya as if waiting for something. The blond cast them all a glance before just resting her head on the table and whispering, "I wanna go home mom."
If ever Zachary and been angry with his girlfriend it was then. A rage unlike any other ripped through him as she averted her gaze from his own, as if somehow knowing of the disappointment that would reside there. There was no going back though. Anya had given up, the indestructible was broken, and all Zachary could hope was that she could be fixed. The cuts that littered her normally flawless face would heal with time, but the wounds over her heart and mind might never heal…because the truth was there and always would be. With a disheartened sigh Zak closed his eyes and rested his forehead against the cool pane of glass.
The car had flipped before anyone had a chance to even grasp what was going on. Kory screamed and lashed out a hand as if to shield her two sons who if not for the belts that fastened them in would have both probably flown straight through the windshield. The sound of squealing tires and broken glass was short lived replaced by an etchy silence broken only by Jonathan's frightened gasps from his seat. Tim ripped off his belt crumpling into a graceless heap before turning towards the back seat his hands and knees torn from the broken glass that littered the ceiling of the car.
"Zachary? Johnny?"
Kory was crying and trying vainly to unclip her belt before she too followed her husband's suit and ripped it clean off. Still suspended upside down neither boy said anything Zak's eyes wide and face pale while his brother began to cry. It was as if he had a mouth full of cotton, as if he'd never had a drink before in his life. Slowly, his voice returned, but it sounded entirely too weak to be his own, "W-we're ok duh-dad…"
The next few minutes past Tim and Kory both aiding their children in exiting the over turned van. Kory, still crying, clung to her youngest, who did the same in return. Zachary looked around in shock as several vehicles screeched to a stop to gawk at the accident scene. All Tim could do is stare at his car in shock trying to understand exactly what in gods name was on the bridge that could have flipped his vehicle. He didn't even see the shadow hovering above him until his older son's voice screamed to him.
A fire spread through his body causing him to scream out in agony as he collapsed to the ground in an unmoving pile. Kory shrieked and ran to his side dropping to her knees eyes reflecting her deepest fears. But Tim was breathing…in fact he seemed completely unharmed, just stiff. His eyes wide and panicked he tried to grumble from his frozen lips. Star could only shake her head in confusion not understanding?
"Hutch hut? Tim sweetie…I don't understa…"
Had Tim had the freedom to move his lips perhaps Sat would have seen the attack coming. She would have heard her husband's warning to "Watch out," and dodge the attack. Sadly this was not the case and the alien princess's sentence ended with a pained scream as a pink shot laced itself into her shoulders. She two fell to the ground atop her husband stiff as a board. Jonathan cried out and fear and ran to his older brother clinging to him now instead as the hero formerly known as Phoenix stared in horror.
Above them upon the bridge wires sat three figures. Two were instantly recognize, the imitable cackling sound that woman emitted was damn near impossible to forget, and the obnoxious grin (inherited from the woman beside him) painted across Trevor's face was something burned into his mind. However, it was not these two that Zak sought revulsion in, but the man beside them. His body was toned and well-formed muscles were hidden beneath a pair of torn up jeans and a near ancient leather jacket. And his face…it was nonexistent, in its place the face…no the entire body…of a spider. Hundred of blood red eyes narrowed as a dark chuckle grazed through the air. Kitten spoke first.
"Well well well…isn't this just the cutest lil thing? A fricking family reunion…oh Robbie-poo…you remember my husband Fang of course?" she cackled gesturing to the…thing upon her right side. Zachary growled and narrowed his eyes, "That has got to be the most disgusting thing I've ever heard." All three figures turned towards the teen and Kitten's face twisted in disgust, "Trevor…sweetie?" Her son glanced at her as her lips formed a suiting smirk, "Kill them both."
Zachary didn't even have time to shield his brother as Trapdoor pounced. With a swift push he knocked the younger boy from harm's way as the meta's legs clicked viciously against the ground his mouth pulled back into a maniacal grin, "Just you and me Bird-boy."
Now, we all know the end results of the last battle the new Titans faced against this freakish spider-teen. It had been a relatively quick fight, but a rough one all the same. It's no wonder that Phoenix got pummeled like he did. Do not frown upon him, for he did try to the best of his ability, but when you are alone, depressed, and doubting your abilities as a leader or a hero at all, fighting can become quite the task.
So it is that Zachary found himself pinned down against the concrete. Weighed down by that disgusting goop Trevor had introduced them all to earlier with a spindly leg cutting off his oxygen. Trevor's eyes flashed violently as his mother and father cackled above him, as with tears in her eyes Kory witnessed her son's imminent death.
"Say good night Birdy."
And truthfully, Zak might have, had Trevor not reared back with a pained cry a hand rushing to his back from which he dislodged a piece of paper…lined with metal. Confusion raced over his face as he raised an eyebrow, what was a playing card doing in the middle of the bridge, "The King of Hearts?"
The roar of the motorcycle was deafening, Trevor barely even had time to dodge as it came flying down the street, letting out another cry as a long chain lashed out cutting into his back. A few yards away the bike swerved and came to a screeching stop, the owner revving the engine challengingly. Trevor shook his head in disbelief as he whispered, "You bitch." The bike flew forward again the rider's helmet reflecting the racing ground beneath it. Trevor, prepared, reared up on his two furthest back legs and tried to bring them down atop the rider. As if expecting this, the mystery rider tumbled backwards flipping off the perch of its bike, which simply roared forward unscathed. With a growl of hate and anger Trevor flung himself forward lashing and jabbing at the rider's face. Unconcerned the biker ducked and weaved gracefully, finally, sliding out beneath the arachnid and with a stunning agility hooked its legs about him and tossed him over itself unto the concrete. Above the scene a mother cursed and raved as Fang just stared in shock as slowly with gloved hands the rider removed the concealing helmet. Blond hair tumbled out from beneath it and a set of lips painted scarlet pulled back into an elegant smirk. Soon, her face revealed and blue eyes dancing mischievously, the mystery was answered. Kitten's ranting did not go unheard.
"Anya! You traitorous little WHORE! RIP HER APART TREVOR!"
Anya merely smirked her eyes darting briefly to the side to see her boyfriend being aided by Golem and Cancer. So as not to allow him to notice this change Anya grinned at Trevor and with a sway of her hips tossed her helmet aside. "C'mon Trev…" she purred removing her gloves daintily, "…time for you and I to settle things." She tossed these too aside carelessly before her hand reached up and grasped the zipper on her biking suit slowly pulling it down, "…no mommy…no daddy…" Stepping out of her suit, she gave an impious smile before clasping her fingers over the brooch of her cape. With a swirl of material it too was gone Anya revealed to all exactly why she wore a cloak over her uniform. She downed a leather corset blacker then night trimmed with blood red lace. It clung to every curve and detour perfectly and to call it low cut would be modest. A pair of low black leather pants encased her legs, a delicate yet strong looking chain or two dangling from her waist. They were cut low enough so that from behind her tattoo could be viewed perfectly, the snarling jackal suiting her all to well. Completing the uniform was a pair of heavy, thick-soled black boots which fit snuggly against her legs and extended all the way up just to her knees, the silver clasps glinting light into Trevor's eyes, "...just me…" A cry came from above them as a black crow ripped through the air releasing from his talons a black fedora hat, which she grasped and fit neatly upon her head. Blue eyes began to glow in an ethereal light and her grin widened.
"…and you."
The two pounced for one another blow being exchanged, fighting tooth and nail there eyes reflecting an animalistic hate for the other. Behind them a large stone raptor lowered its granite snout and chewed away the last of the web trapping Phoenix against the ground. As soon as he was free her jumped to his feet ready to charge into the fray between his girlfriend and her ex but the raptor blocked his rush letting out a hiss. Eye confused and angry Zak reeled on its mistress about to protest when he saw the outfit she held out to him smirking in a way he now realized to be identical to her siblings. He grinned as smoke drifted lazy from the third teen's lips, "You ready to go Fearless?"
The screech of tires rang through the air as a woman jumped from the moving silver car not bothering to wait for it to stop. Her violet hair falling messily from a hastily done ponytail trailed about her faces as she sprinted towards the fallen couple. "Tim! Kory?" Behind her she could vaguely hear the shouts of her companion Victor Stone but she chose to ignore him and set herself to healing her old friends. A white glow surrounded her finger tips as she drew the pain and poison from their paralyzed forms. Slowly but surely the glassy sheen faded from their eyes and blood began to flow once again through the immobile limbs. Behind her Raven could hear they other three former titans charging towards them and just as a large green lion stilled beside her Kory managed to regain control of her voice and shout, "Raven! The children! We need to help them…we need to-to…" It took only her husband's raised hand to silence her hysterics. The adults turned and watch on in transfixed awe as above them on the bridge cables three teenagers flipped and weaved, their moves in perfect sync as they bombarded the elder of the spider like villains with attacks. With a screech of fury, Golem's granite powered bald eagle smashed into Fang's side while from above a Crow circled dive bombing and clawing at the arachnid's many eyes, blinding him. Howling in positive agony, Fang could not focus on much more than his pain and his wife's harpy like squeals. He attacked blindly, swinging his many legs and nothing but empty air.
Below on the bridge a crowd had formed and foolish naïve spectators stopped their vehicles and stared on with rapt attention as the costume clad teens fought on. A good distance away from this crowd we find Trevor now bloodied and mad as hell fighting in a similar fashion to his father, though his mistakes made out of frustration in place of pain. Cancer's smoke blinded and agitated him and he could barely make out the black shadow of the Jackal as she sped about him fang and claws glinting milliseconds before they tore and ripped at his legs. "Hold still!" he whined his eyes beginning to tear, whether from the noxious gas about him or the near tantrum he was about to throw no one could say.
Numbly the parents watched on their gazes darting from one fight to the other. Never before had any of them even thought…even considered this outcome. The greatest horror to ever dawn upon a parent flickering before their eyes in the form of sync, grace, and strategy…of claw, talon, and flame…of jackals and crows…the truth beginning to come into focus…maybe…just maybe…
…they had been wrong…
To seal this in their hearts and eyes as Fang screech hatefully and blindly swung his last blow as from beneath rising from the smoke of Cancer's cloud, just like his namesake from its own flames, Phoenix appeared fully clad in uniform, eyes set and determined behind the black eye mask. About his fingertips blue star power crackled and sparked and with a sickening crack that filled the night sky, heard above the fighting, landed a fire powered uppercut just below the spider headed abomination's jaw line. Tim felt a satisfied smirk grace across his face as a powerful sense of deja-vu gripped him. Just as he had years ago, Fang staggered for but a moment, blinking slowly and stupidly before his legs gave out beneath him and he collapsed.
Below everyone let out a gasp of horror as the villain plummeted from the bridge wires sure to slam to his death on the quickly approaching pavement. Trevor cried out and Kitten screamed. And as time stood still no one could remember just quite how to breathe. The ground came closer as the Crow landed talons and feathers replaced by flesh and fingers…and closer still as Jackal with a howl raised her muzzle to the ink black sky…and still it drew closer…
But Fang never quite reached the ground and the crowds released their long held breath. Surrounding the unconscious meta human was an aura of black energy glowing faint as both above and below the Carrion Twins chanted. Above him grasping 3 of the creature's legs was Phoenix having dive bombed down to rescue him from an unbearable death. Slowly the glow about him faded and gently he was placed upon the street. And the all was silent…
It did not come slowly or gradually, but in one instant a roar went up from the crowds. People screamed cried and cheered amazed from the spectacle they had just witnessed. The chanted though no one knew who or what they beings were. A blush fired across Golem's cheeks as she floated downwards hiding her embarrassment. Cancer raised a single pierced brow allowing his normally stoic face to stretch into a smirk as of course the twins bowed and encouraged the crowd's screams. And floating just slightly above them all Phoenix gave a small smile and bowed his head accepting it all with gracious humility.
Yet even above this all everyone could still hear the roar of indignation rip from Trapdoor's raw and hoarse throat. Anya didn't even have a chance to turn as a segmented leg smashed into her sending her sprawling, skidding over the torn asphalt. Trevor charged forward and before anyone could even think to move scooped up his father's battered form and was scrambling up the bridge wire to where his mother sobbed and cursed miserably. With a growl Jackal righted herself and leapt up attempting to scale with wire. Hate filled eyes trained about the area and Trapdoor unleashed several blast of pink hot energy. Anya did not even have to duck from its way and clinging to the wire now human again shouted, "Ha! You missed you stupid fu…"
The snap that whispered behind the demon girl stopped her banter and she turned slowly and saw the results of the blasts as horror filled her gaze. The entire squad of metas fell silent as with his father in one arm and his mother in the other Trevor chuckled darkly, "Who said I was aiming at you?" Then with a leap he took off into the night as the bridge began to tremble and quake.
Growling Phoenix's form glowed azure and he began the chase before screeching to a halt as below him a distraught Anya screamed out, "Phoenix the bridge!" Zak tore around and the anger faded from his eyes as he watched the street begin to ripple the wire supports shot out from above them. The civilians now only just realizing their foolishness began to scream and panic as chaos reigned. Quickly the half alien boy realized they had very little time and rocketing down towards his team and parents began to scream, "Get everyone off the bridge! MOVE!"
No one needed telling twice as both teen and parent alike raced towards the crowds leading, carrying, even teleporting as many as they could away from the collapsing structure. Not a second was wasted as soon, a flood of people was racing towards the closest end eyes fixated harshly on the solid ground. In the milling crowds the New Titans and Former Titans raced trying desperately to make sure all were off the bridge. Above them all Phoenix, Starfire, Crow, and Changeling hovered eyes trained across the bridge scouring for any who had been left behind.
Meanwhile on the edge of the crowds Jackal crouched in her canine form. Her tongue hung from her mouth as she panted and heaved her agile chest rising and falling rapidly. Then even through the bellowing of the crowds her delicate ears picked up a desperate plea.
"Oh god! Please let me though! My Baby! Where is my baby?"
Instantly she was on her feet ears pricked and muscles taut. She whipped her body towards the bridge and raised her muzzle once more sniffing the air in that direction. At first nothing more than oil and car exhaust…but then as the winds changed…a faint hint…not a smell…more than an evanescence of odor. The smell of fear…of poster paint and cookies…the smell of a child.
No one noticed until it was far too late and Crow landed awkwardly squawking and yelling his form shifting, "Jackal!" The Titans young and old turned and watched in horror as the black shadow raced across the crumbling bridge bounding over cracks and cars. The sound that emerged from Raven when she realized was like nothing her companions had ever heard. Excepting Cyborg…he remembered that horrified cry from the night of that fire…the night where she had almost lost her children to a grisly death. For just a moment the midnight colored hound was gone from sight before reappearing now racing back towards the bridge's edge with a young girl no more than 4, straddling her back as if she were a small horse. The childless mother cried out in relief as the crowd watched on sure the heroine would make it to the edge to reunite child and mother.
Then the final cable snapped and the section before the Jackal fell into the crashing waves below. Skidding to a halt paws scrapping the edge over which she could plummet she reversed clumsily attempting the other side only to have another section collapse in front of her. The crowd cried out as the canine ripped about eyes wide and frightened panic reflecting in the blue-black depths. Then her section to gave way and for one brief terror filled moment Anya could no longer feel the pavement beneath the pads of her paws in a final move of desperateness she whipped her head back letting out a pitiful howl as with the screaming tot gripping her fur she too began to plummet down.
Raven screamed and sobbed attempting to race to her rescue along side her now hysterical son…but they were too far…they would not reach her…never in time.
No one even saw the green pterodactyl swooping down from the moonlit night before his claws had fixed firmly yet gently about Jackal and her wards forms. Then with a cry he rose up the rest of the bridge falling to join the rest of its body beneath the thundering surf. Blue eyes locked with green and dinosaur and dog regarded one another. Confusion for one…fear and worry from the other. Then to them both acceptance.
Maybe it would be hard…maybe it would hurt…but Anya realized that even if they could not look unto him as "father"… though they had no past with this man…one day…perhaps…
…they could at least have a future with him.