Episode Eight

Secret Revealed

"How's it going?" Gadget asked Nightshade through her communicator.

"Great," said Night. "I'm glad I joined the Titans."

"I'm glad you've made some friends. Sounds like you're happier than you used to be."

"How so?"

"I noticed before you were so…closed up and angry. You were so serious when you fought demons and other creatures. Now…now you sound so lighthearted. You must be really happy."

Night thought of Beast Boy and smiled dreamily.

"You're right about that."

"Say, have you used your laptop recently?"

"To tell you the truth, no actually. The Tower or Robin usually warns us if there's some bad guy on the loose. But I've written in my journal some."

"That's good. I'm glad you like it. Take care, okay? And keep in control of your powers!"

"Yeah, yeah…I know. See ya."

Night cut off the connection with Gadget and sat down at her desk in front of her laptop.

I feel different somehow. I've been in the Teen Titans for a month now. And these are my first real friends besides Gadget. I feel…excepted normal. They don't give a shit that I am the way I am. Especially Raven. Raven's…how can I put it mildly? Mysterious. She's really mellow and calm and so down to earth. But I can say that I feel a really strong connection to her. Our powers are so similar: we share telekinesis and telepathy. We're both dark. It's so cool.

And Beast Boy. He's something else altogether. I feel I can really be myself when I'm around him. I really, really like him. And in that way, yes. I've never felt this way before; it's strange…yet so nice. I love it.

But overall…I don't know what to think of what's happening.

It all started the second or third night I stayed here in Titans Tower after the Titans rescued me after my blackout, or regeneration coma. I was sleeping, right? Well, in my dreams it was pitch black. Dark all around me. And then I heard this heavenly voice…not an angel's, though. It was so sweet it brought tears to my eyes. The voice sounded so sad it hurt me. And the voice…it spoke the strangest words in another language. I seemed to naturally understand this alien language. I don't know why, though. That's the mystery here.

The voice was singing a lovely, bittersweet lullaby that I didn't understand at first. But the words…they're familiar to me. Like I've heard them somewhere someplace before. I don't know how.

And recently in my dreams I was visited by this ethereal (the only way to really describe her beauty) and…absolutely perfectly beautiful girl with silver-white hair. She was the voice I heard in my dreams so much. She visited me and spoke to me through telepathy, or through our minds. She had the same power I did! And she spoke of her people called the Purans and how I was one of them, and she too was one of them. She told me her name was "Sherdser," or Shadowstar. Shadowstar kept calling me "Una Pura" and she knew my real name which is Galen.

And these Purans of which she spoke? Shadowstar said that they harbored the same abilities as me. It makes me question my past. Where did I really come from? Who am I really? And most of all, what is this? A joke? But she said it wasn't. And should I trust Shadowstar? I don't think I will. Not until she shows me, or tells me, something actually believable first. For now, I'll take it all in and see what I make of it. I don't think Gadget would want me to trust this…purely beautiful, ethereal stranger.

Over and out.

Questions ran through Nightshade's mind. She wanted to know more, yet her information source was only so limited. She felt so confused. Who was she really? Shadowstar appeared to be like her…so beautiful, she was. Were these "Purans" as beautiful as she? And who were they anyway?

So many questions, but Nightshade knew she had to wait only so long before Shadowstar returned to her in her dreams and explained what was really going on with her. Then maybe Nightshade's questions could be answered properly.

Night climbed up the stairs that led to the roof of Titans Tower. When she opened the door, she noticed that the sun hovered right up the faraway horizon of the ocean. The colors of red, orange, pink, and magenta painted the path the sun had taken. It was now close to sinking beneath the surface of the ocean. Night smiled peacefully and sat down on the ground.

She removed her hoodie from her body and threw it beside her, revealing a black tank top with a picture of Harry Potter on the front. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. She cleared her mind, trying to control the storm of noise within her.

And she meditated in silence.

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos…Azarath Metrion Zinthos…Azarath Metrion Zinthos…"

Night kept on chanting. She smiled, now knowing how Raven could keep her powers and emotions in check. She felt her powers bend under her control. The shadows wrapped themselves around her body lovingly. The warmth the darkness emanated was wonderful, as was the power that flowed through her veins. She felt some sort of force…maybe magic or energy fill her. It was luscious. The taste of it on her tongue and in her throat powered her to the maximum. She opened her eyes and noticed herself levitating one foot off of the ground. She looked down and descended to the ground gracefully.

Nightshade held up her hands and smiled at herself in disbelief.

"I did it! Whoo!"

Nightshade curled her fingers into fists and raised her lower arms over her face. She formed an X.

"Forces of darkness and shadow, I call to ye…come to me!"

The darkness and shadows around her bent over the ground and floated in the air. They swiftly formed a dark sphere around Nightshade's delicate figure. Meanwhile, Nightshade's eyes glowed a furious crimson red. Then, she thrust out her right hand to the ground and levitated from the ground. Her white hair flew around her head wildly.

"NAH!" she grunted. She flew straight into the air, almost jumping eagerly. She lowered her fists to her sides and flew around high in the sky. She curled them tighter and tighter and willed the shadows to make her go faster and faster and faster…

The speed was exhilarating.

"HA!"

Nightshade laughed from the adrenaline rush that buzzed within her. She spun around in acrobatic circles in the sky. Her breath came in quick, short gasps. The entire experience thrilled her to the core. The cold night air made the hairs on her skin stand up. She shivered, but with sheer excitement. She could feel the excitement buzzing in her. She loved this kind of buzz. It was just what she needed.

She finally returned to the top of Titans Tower. She took in lungfuls of the fresh night air. The buzz lingered as strong as it had been when she had begun. She ran her arm across her forehead, wiping the light sheen of sweat from her brow. Now cold, Nightshade slipped on her hoodie once more and returned inside.

She was there again, back in the void like always. But now things appeared clearer. Especially the girl in front of her.

Shadowstar floated gracefully towards her in the darkness. She seemed to glow radiantly with her magnificent white and silver clothes, silver jewelry, ivory skin, and silver-streaked snow-white hair. Her sharply sweet smile made Night's heart ache with something. Longing, perhaps?

Shadowstar bowed as elegantly as a reed would and straightened up again. Her smile was still there as she gazed at Nightshade.

So, Nightshade thought to Shadowstar, are you gonna tell me more about this…'Una Pura' you keep calling me?

Shadowstar nodded. Let me first tell you the history of it. A brief history, of course, as I do not have much time here. The Purans are always ruled by the chosen heir to the Rexim Lit throne. This heir, or heirs, are called an "Una Pura."

And…I'm an heir to a throne?

Yes.

So…I'm royalty?

In a sense…yes, you are.

Cool. What exactly does "Una Pura" mean in your language?

It translates into English as "One Pure," but it's actually "Pure One." You would be "Pure One Galen."

Interesting…

I would think so, replied Shadowstar. Her lips twitched and widened into an even bigger smile. These are your people.

I've been away from them and raised on Earth all my life. They don't exactly count as my people.

But it is in your blood. You, I believe, can speak to some extent in Puran?

Yeah…how-?

I know these things. Unlike other languages that have to be learned, memorized, and spoken constantly to be remembered, Puran is in our blood. This means a Puran person can speak the language without even have to be taught anything at all. Another thing is that magic runs within us.

And me?

Yes. Every Puran has magic in their blood. Each person, to some extent, can control a fraction of each element that exists.

Nightshade smiled in wonderment.

That's cool as heck, she thought.

It is simply natural.

You sure this isn't all a hoax or something?

No. Shadowstar shook her head. It is not. It is real. More real than you shall ever know.

Tell me…how do you know so much about me?

I knew it would come to this. Well…I was educated to find you. I have a powerful connection to you.

What do you mean?

Well…Galen, I am your cousin.

Cousin?

Yes…cousin. I am sorry I did not tell you later. Time is so limited this way. There is only so much I can tell you in a short period of time.

What does this mean? Did I have a father? A mother? An aunt? An uncle?

Yes. Your father had a sister. I am your father's sister's daughter. That makes me your cousin.

Nightshade crossed her arms and shook her head in disbelief.

It's just so hard to believe. I had family? What happened? Why didn't they want me, Shadow? What happened? Why am I alone up until now? Why?

Something happened, Shadowstar whispered from within their thread of contact. Something horrible.

What? Where are they?

A tear ran down Shadowstar's cheek.

They are…dead.

Dead? Nightshade shook her head. I have parents, and they're dead? How? How did it happen?

Shadowstar shook her head.

I can tell you no more now. Our time here together has nearly expired. I must go. Farewell, Una Pura.

COME BACK! TELL ME!

But all that answered Nightshade's mind was dead silence. She was alone. She screamed in frustration in the silence. The noise reverberated through the quiet. No one head her within her dreams.

"And now for my next trick…Mumbo Jumbo!"

Mumbo smiled and waved around his wand. Scarves appeared out of nowhere and wrapped themselves around Nightshade's black suit. She struggled to get free, but they wouldn't allow her to escape. She was trapped.

Mumbo waved his wand again, which turned into a saw. He levitated Nightshade in front of him and raised the saw high. Nightshade's eyes went wide with fear. She closed her eyes shut just as he was about to saw her in half, but she heard a thump. Then, nothing.

Nightshade opened one eye and then the other. She was no longer trapped in scarves, but on the concrete sidewalk, unharmed. Beast Boy was beside her.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

She smiled at him. "Yeah. Thanks."

Beast Boy returned her smile, helping her to her feet. They held hands unconsciously as they charged Mumbo head on. Robin and Starfire were fighting him from the front. Star blasted Mumbo with her green eye beams; Robin threw hard punches and kicks at him; Raven rose objects with her mind and chucked them at Mumbo; Cyborg knocked him over with a blast from his sonic cannon. Beast Boy and Nightshade ran at him from where he lay sprawled over on the ground. Beast Boy morphed into a wolf and Nightshade climbed onto his back and hooked her arms around his hairy green neck.

Beast Boy jumped at Mumbo and Nightshade clawed him with the nails on her black leather gloves. He pinned Mumbo to the ground; Nightshade wrapped him up with a thick sheet of metal. Beast Boy drew back and changed into his human form. The black energy of her telekinesis faded from the metal. Nightshade smirked at the look of exasperation on Mumbo's face.

"Well, Mumbo, look's like the show's over for you," she taunted.

"And he's definitely not getting an encore," Raven added as she levitated down besides Nightshade. Raven smiled at Nightshade. The trust had grown between them for the past few days. It felt like Raven was beginning to forget their past uncertainties and had become closer as friends.

The Titans smirked at Mumbo before handing him over to the police.

"I'm starved," complained Nightshade.

"Pizza?" suggested Cyborg.

"Might as well," Raven answered. "There's nothing else to eat around here."

"Pizza it is," Robin said.

"Can we-?" started BB.

"NO!" everybody exclaimed in unison.

BB crossed his arms and pouted. Nightshade wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

"Hey…how about my side of the pizza is tofu?"

"Really?" BB smiled hopefully.

Night shrugged and shoved her hands into her pockets.

"Sure. I don't see why not."

"You…don't mind?"

Night smirked up at him. "I've dealt with worse than tofu." She spit the last word out, her eyes popping out for a moment. Beast Boy smiled at her and took her right arm, pulling her hand out of the pocket of her pants. Night had changed back into her regular clothing before. He held her pale hand within his silver glove.

"Thanks."

Night cocked her head and smiled at him. "No problem, B."

Her smiled grew wider as he squeezed her hand. His hand felt nice within hers.

Her short white hair fell over her face as they walked to the not so far off pizza place in front of them. They sat down at a table on the balcony overlooking the street below. The table had an umbrella so as to keep the sunshine from glaring down in their eyes and the heat off. A nice breeze shifted the umbrella around above. It felt nice. The storm before had brought cool and calm weather. Another reason why Nightshade loved it when it rained. It was always because things were clean and clear after a raging storm. The world was washed anew, untainted by impurities.

The six argued about what toppings they wanted on the pizza.

"How about pepperoni?" Cy suggested.

"DUDE! Hello? Vegetarian here!" Beast Boy exclaimed.

"What about cheese?" Night asked. "It's not meat the last time I checked."

"Mushrooms?" said Robin.

"Fungus? Why do we not?" Starfire wondered.

"Can we please just order something?" Raven asked tiredly.

"Well, tofu on my side of the pizza," Nightshade called out. When the other Titans gave her weird looks, she added, "It's for Beast Boy. I want cheese."

Robin nodded understandingly and ordered. Within a few minutes, they got their pizza and munched on it happily.

"So…" Nightshade placed down the slice of pizza she was eating onto her plate. "There was something I wanted to ask you guys."

"Yeah?" replied Cyborg.

Nightshade hesitated, picking at the skin around her nails nervously.

"Well…I've been wondering it for a while. We are all friends, right?"

"Yeah," said Robin.

"What is wrong?" asked Starfire. Her tiny red eyebrows drew down in concern.

Night waved her hands in front of her.

"Nothing's wrong! I…just…" Night sighed, placing her chin in her hand. "How the heck do I begin?" She let out another breath and started over again.

"Okay…This will probably unnerve some of you, but…you know the room I'm staying in? The one that's all empty of color?" Some of the Titans nodded. "There's a name on the door…Terra. Who was she?"

All of the Titans looked down sadly at the name. Night drew her eyebrows up in concern.

"So…she must've been very important to you guys, huh?"

"More than you could know," said Beat Boy from beside her. Night glanced at him.

"Can you…um…tell me about her?" Night asked, addressing all of the Titans. Robin glanced at the others and they nodded. Raven, Night noted, had her hood still down. She looked somewhere in between angry and sad. Everyone's faces were contorted somewhere in between a mix of those emotions and more. It was almost unbearable for her to see.

Robin was the first one to speak.

"Terra was…someone you can't describe."

"She was our friend," Starfire said.

"Our enemy," said Raven.

"She was a Titan," said Beast Boy.

"And she was someone no one else could compare to," Cyborg said.

"Like you," said Robin, "we discovered her fighting a monster. Not a demon, but a giant scorpion…thing…"

"We befriended her," said Star.

"Took her in," said Raven.

"We gave her a home," said Beast Boy.

"We watched her practice," said Cyborg.

"We made her a Titan," said Robin. "But she ran away. She came back, saying she was stronger than she had been last time."

"That she had practiced," Starfire said.

"But she hadn't," Raven added. "Just was as worse as the first time she came."

"What powers did she have?" asked Nightshade.

"Earth," Beast Boy answered. "She controlled earth."

"Geomancer," Cyborg corrected.

"What did she look like?" Nightshade said.

"Blond hair," BB replied, "blue eyes, really delicate-looking. She was strong, though."

Night narrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

"What happened to her? Did she die or something?"

"Something like that," Raven said.

"Terra betrayed us to an enemy of ours," Robin explained. "His name was Slade and we've encountered him before. He took advantage of Terra's weakness and used it against us. She exploited everything about us to him."

"Our flaws," said Cyborg.

"Our weaknesses," said Raven.

"Everything that made us tick," said Beast Boy.

"But she did not know," Star said. "She felt like she did not have a choice. She felt that it was too late."

"But it wasn't," Robin continued. "In the end, when Slade conquered the city, Terra at his side, we came back after being defeated once. We found Slade and attempted to release Terra of his hold. In her rage to escape his influence, she triggered a volcano underneath the city. And, in a last attempt to save the city, she used her powers to seal the volcano."

Nightshade widened her eyes. "And Slade?"

"Gone…for now."

"Terra?"

"Was turned to stone," Cyborg said. "She still is. Underneath the city."

"So…now you know," said Robin.

"Yeah…" Night sighed and looked up at their forlorn faces. "I can finally understand why the subject of Terra impacts you in such a way. She was a Teen Titan, a true friend."

"Yes," said Starfire.

"Do I replace her?"

"No," murmured Raven quietly.

"You are yourself, Nightshade," Starfire spoke. She smiled a little. "Nothing shall change that."

Nightshade smiled at all of them.

"Thanks for telling me, guys. It took a lot of guts to do that."

They all bowed their heads. In memory of Terra, Nightshade guessed. She, too, bowed her head in memory of the one Titan she had never met.