"I'll be her shadow." - Amber

October 8th

Night

Insomnia

The size of Titans Tower was decieving. Encore - in a fresh costume Karen had given him - couldn't comprehend how something so large could be so far away. He had returned the old dirt bike he had 'borrowed' from Dax the pawn shop owner that morning before he went to the tournament, so he did what any other citizen would do: He took a bus instead. He ignored the queer looks he got from the few late night riders and got off at the closest stop to the bay. From there he was forced to hoof it.

He had every rite to collapse. The day felt as if it had lasted for months. He was tired, bruised and dirty, both on the outside and the inside. Yet somehow he felt a new strength inside him. It was a runner's high, perhaps, or just a second wind. Whatever it was, it gave him an energy he shouldn't have. He walked with his head held high. In the city the smell of the sea was a tantalizing afterthought. Here in the bay, however, it was sharp and fresh on the breeze; a tangy smell of salt and brine. It filled Encore with a kind of grave wanderlust. He could hear the waves lapping at the shore, creating a soft, rushing melody.

Encore couldn't shrug off the feeling that this was a new beginning. A chapter of his life was closing while another was opening. He felt regret for what he was leaving behind, yet the promise of tomorrow's adventure urged him on. He slowed his pace and craned back his neck. He meandered forward drunkenly as he looked up at the night sky. It felt like the first time in ages that he had seen the stars. It was nowhere near as clear as the Arizona sky, but it was far enough away from the city not to be drowned in smog and florescent ambiance. Titans Tower blocked the moon itself, but the stars were bright.

In the middle of Bluestone Ranch's back field, an old pickup truck was parked in the dark. On a thick, soft blanket, Jonny and Amber sat on the hood and reclined against the windshield. Jonny had his arm wrapped around Amber's shoulders and their cheeks were pressed together as the gazed upwards. Amber pointed to the sky, tracing shapes in the stars while Jonny tried to guess what they were.

Encore stopped. He put down his black canvas bag and guitar case. Then, with a slow deliberateness, he raised a finger to the sky. He closed one eye in concentration and began to drag his finger from star to star. When he was done, the shape he saw in his mind's eye was the sillouette of a young woman. He gazed up at wistfully. Then his ears began to ring. He watched in blank disbelief as every star in the sky began to gather together like fireflies inside the silouette he had made. They grew brighter and brighter and expanded into a brilliant rainbow of light. He squinted to look at it and, when the glow dimmed enough to see clearly again, he could clearly see Amber in the night sky like some kind of celestial goddess. Encore sweat and trembled as he stared up at the impossibility.

"Hey, cowpoke!" Aquagirl yelled through cupped hands. "You coming or what?" She stood at the foot of Titans Tower nearly one hundred yards away.

Encore shuddered and rubbed his eyes. He looked up again only to be met with a normal night sky. The ringing in his ears subsided. He could no longer be sure exactly what he had seen. He picked up his bag and guitar case and hurried to the tower.

"You sure took your sweet time." Aquagirl told him when he approached. "It's not like you can get lost. You can see this place from anywhere in the city."

"Sorry," Encore rubbed the back of his neck. "Something kind of came up. I had to help Karen clean up and then this place was further out than I thought."

"Karen, huh? That's who you stayed with last night? Well, my place is cooler than hers."

Encore craned his neck up to take in the giant tower behind her. "No arguement here."

"I was going to let you meet everyone, but that was before you were unfashionably late. Everyone's in bed now, so I guess it'll have to wait until tomorrow. Follow me." Aquagirl turned and punched a code into a keypad. The reinforced, vault-like door of Titans Tower opened and allowed them access. The lobby beyond was wide, tall and empty. It felt more like a cave than an actual room in a building. Encore followed Aquagirl across it to the elevator in the back. She again punched in a code and the two of them boarded.

"I want to say it again." Encore said. "I really appreciate this."

"Of course you do." Aquagirl flicked her hair. "Don't worry. I'll think of some way for you to pay me back."

Encore looked at her questioningly. She smirked and ignored him. The elevator doors opened and they stepped out into a dimly lit hallway. Encore squinted against it. "Why is it so dark?"

"Titans Tower is always dark at night. Don't ask me why." She led him to a door and, once again, punched in her code. The door slid open to reveal a neat bedroom beyond. It was blandly furnished with forgetable curtains, bed covers and a squat wooden dresser. It felt very much like a motel room. "The bathroom is through there." Aquagirl pointed. "It's got a shower, you know. I suggest you use it."

Encore was immediately self-conscious that it had been several days since he had had a legitimate shower. His skin suddenly felt creepy-crawly. "R-right. Will do."

"I'll see you tomorrow, then." Aquagirl left the room and closed the door behind her.

With Aquagirl gone, silence descended down on the room like a heavy blanket. Encore was finally alone with his thoughts. He shuddered. In all honesty, he would rather be in another tournament round. Metahumans were easier to defeat than his own memories and feelings. Still, there was one more thing he could do to occupy himself before he was forced to surrender to his mind. He stripped down, grabbed up his canvas bag and padded into the bathroom. He turned on the spigot, tested the temperature his hand and stepped inside.

Jonny flinched as the water showered over him; not from the heat but from the stinging sensation as the water made contact with the numerous cuts, scrapes and abbrasions that covered his body. He leaned forward, put his palms on either side of the shower head and bowed his head. The wet heat showered his head and cascaded down his back. The water at his feet was tinged with the disturbing rust color that was a mixture of blood and dirt. Jonny stared down at it with equal parts disgust and bemusement.

How had all of this happened? A week ago he had been a cowboy and a musician and a father. Now he was a terrorist turned spartan turned crime-fighter. Before his biggest talent was a knack for staying on a bucking bull or picking a guitar. Now he could fly and shoot fireballs from his hands. Jonny's life was changing so quickly and his mind reeled to keep up. He found himself remembering the events of the last week in a haze of unreality. He almost expected to wake up at any moment back in Arizona. He'd check on Melody, kiss her soft cheek and then find Crystal to let her laugh as he told her his crazy dream.

Jonny washed up and under the showerhead until the water turned cold before finally turning it off and stepping out. He toweled himself off and sorely shimmied into a pair of shorts and an undershirt. He pointedly avoided looking at himself in the mirror as he brushed the filmy grime from his teeth and ran a comb through his hair. He was afraid of what he would - or wouldn't - see. He wanted to tell himself he was overdramatizing, but somehow he couldn't believe. Even if his reflection was true, would he even recognize it?

Jonny sighed and faced the bedroom. His chores were done and so was the day. All there was left now was to sleep. Jonny closed his eyes and exhaled.

Please, Amber. Please just let me sleep.

TTTtTTTTTT

The second floor office at the Hunter Detective Agency was dimly illuminated by the harsh light of a computer screen. Holly sat before it with a creased, exhausted face. She was somehow able to type, smoke a cigarette and nurse her cracked ribs all at once. On the computer screen was the face of Aquagirl from the picture Holly had taken of her before the first round of the metahuman fighting tournament. She was small and petite, but Holly knew better than to be fooled by those misleading characteristics. She had seen her fight as well or better than any of the other combatants.

Holly moused over the picture, highlighted her face and double-clicked. Another window appeared beside it and faces in the Jump City Criminal Database flashflashflashed by at lightning speeds as it searched for a match. Holly puffed away as she waited and her eyes were drawn to the left picture. Aquagirl had pale, clear skin and a sharp nose Her eyes were large and dark and her bob of hair was just as black. Holly was a little surprised to find fear on her face. Anyone who fought like her and possessed the talents she did had no need to be afraid. And yet she was. Holly frowned in through.

There was a beep and the image search came to a stop.

Zero Matches Found

Holly sighed. She reached for the power button of her computer and nearly switched it off, but a sudden thought stopped her. She silently berated herself as she typed again and again double-clicked.

Running new scan.

Processing Jump City Criminal Juvenile Database.

Holly flicked ashes disinterestedly on the floor as she waited expectantly.

Scan complete.

One Match Found.

Holly studied the file before her. The girl in the file was most definetly Aquagirl, though perhaps a year or so younger. She looked as stoic and dead-eyed as most mug shots. Her hair was slightly longer and a nasty purple bruise sat just under her right eye. Holly's eyeglass'd eyes flicked away from the picture to the dossier information. Her mouth gaped open as she read the name.

"You've got to be shitting me...!" She breathed.

TTTTTTTTTT

It should be easy, Jonny thought. He was exhaused from a day of fighting. He was clean and safe with a roof over his head. All the pieces were in place to allow him to have a good night's sleep. He climbed into bed and covered himself with the nondescript blanket. He shifted, settled into the matress, found a comfortable position and closed his eyes. He breathed slow and deep and welcomed the cool darkness his eyelids provided.

His relaxed, unfocused mind began to drift.

There was a green field covered by a dark gray sky. Rain poured down in sheets and thudded into the soil. Amber was there, standing in the calf-high grass that swayed and danced in the gusting wind. Her arms were opened wide, her neck was tilted back and her mouth gaped open to catch the rain. Her hair was soaked and her drenched sundress clung to her wetly.

Then the rain suddenly stopped. The rain clouds disappeared and the sun shone down brightly. Amber's silloutte stretched out behind her like a living thing in and of itself and reached impossibly to the very horizon. She lowered her arms and looked straight ahead and, when she spoke, it was as if she was whispering into Jonny's ear.

"I'll be her shadow."

Jonny started awake. He was back in his room in Titans Tower. He shivered and looked around as if he expected someone to be there, but he was alone. He looked at the clock on the small table next to the bed and saw that only a few minutes had passed. Then he stared up at the ceiling, unsure of what to do.

This was nothing new. Ever since Amber's death, sleep had become a rare luxury. Each time Jonny tried to clear his mind and relax, Amber's memory would be there to haunt him. His only respite had been his short stint as an Undergrounder. Lying beside Kelly had somehow soothed him. Jonny missed her, too.

The night was just beginning. Jonny closed his eyes to sleep again, but he already knew it was no use. He was no longer wishing for sleep; now he would settle for simple rest. He put his hands behind his head and sank deeper into the cushions of the couch.

Sleep never came. Each time Jonny felt the sandman's tug and hoped against hope that that he would surrender to it, Amber's memory pulled him back. He lasted an hour before he began to cry. It was a silent, sobless weeping. The sorrow and frustation built up inside him past his breaking point and escaped his eyes. He didn't bother wiping his face and allowed the tears to roll uninpeded down his cheeks.

Jonny suddenly growled deep in his gut. This was pointless. There was no need to torture himself like this. He sat up and put on a brave face. Maybe he just needed to get his mind off of it. He stood up and paced around the room, but he felt like a caged animal. There was only so much room for his suddenly restless spirit. He put on his hat - replete with shades and wig - and walked barefoot out of the room.

The hallway outside was even darker than the bedroom. The shades he was forced to wear to hide his identity didn't help matters. Jonny looked around, mentally marking where his room was. Then he turned right and walked down the hallway.

There was really nothing to see. Darkness, walls and closed doors. Even so, it was better than being trapped in his bed. The hallway twisted and turned and Jonny chose his path at random. At one cross-section he stopped abruptly. He couldn't shed the feeling that he wasn't alone. He hummed under his breath and held up a fireball to illuminate the hallway. Down the hall he saw the faintest glimplse of a blue cloak turn the corner.

"Raven?" He trotted to the corner and peered around it, but there was no one there. Jonny frowned and cast it off to his imagination. He allowed his fireball to dissipate.

He continued his lonely sojourn. He stopped some time later at a door that seemed different than the others. Instead of the flat, sliding variety he had seen so many times before, this seemed a more traditional door with a push bar. Curious, Jonny opened it up and looked inside. He was inside a winding staircase that looped in on itself countless times. He was suddenly reminded of the staircase in the Gemini Building. He had no desire to repeat that. He turned to go back into the hallway, but the door clicked closed. He pulled against it, but the door wouldn't budge.

Jonny's heart sank in his chest. He couldn't have...locked himself out, could he? Panic tried to blossom in his stomach, but he pushed it back down. All he had to do was go up one flight and use the next door. The simple solution was simple. Only it turned out much more complicated when the next door was locked, too. Jonny tredged up the stairs, trying the entry door at each flight, only to find them locked. He grew more and more despondent as he climbed and climbed and climbed. After what seemed an eternity, he reached the top of the staircase and found the last door. Somewhere along the way the process had become routine and he pushed against each door with no real expectation that it would budge, so he was more than a little surprised when the final door gave way. He pushed through excitedly, only to find himself on the roof of Titans Tower.

Jonny wanted to curse and rage, but he couldn't. Even as he raised his arms to emote, he looked up to see the biggest full moon he had ever seen in minute detail. The surface shone whitely like a subtle sun and the gray craters gave it character. Jonny walked forward in a trance, looking up at the fabulous sight. His anger and frustration was ripped away to be replaced with gentle wonder.

"It is beautiful, is it not?"

In any other circumstance, perhaps, Jonny would have jumped in surprise. But under the calming effect of the moon, he simply turned. Standing nearby was a tall woman with streaming red hair and wide green eyes made glorious by the moon's light. Her skin was the color of burnt honey and she wore a lavender costume made of material Jonny couldn't place.

"Yes, it is." Jonny agreed quietly. "It's nice to meet you. Stargirl, right?"

The girl smiled softly at him. "My name is Starfire."

"Oh," Jonny awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. "Sorry."

"You are forgiven." Starfire said simply. "Your name is Encore, yes? Aquagirl has told us of you. It is we whom should thank you for your help today."

Jonny wasn't sure what to say to that. "Thanks for letting me stay here."

"You are most welcome."

Jonny was convinced that he had run across the friendliest person alive. It was so gratifying that it almost made him uncomfortable. He rocked back and forth on his heels and looked up at the moon again. "What are you doing up here so late?" He asked.

"I am much the same as you, I presume." Starfire told him. "I cannot sleep."

"Bad dreams?"

"No," Starfire shook her head. "A dream is sometimes nice and sometimes disturbing, but ultimately harmless when you awaken. It takes something much more to drive you from a comfortable bed."

Jonny breathed in deeply. "Yes, it does." He exhaled.

They glanced at each other and decided nothing more needed to be said. They craned their necks upward again and allowed themselves to be bathed in the moon's light.