|A New Beginning|

Summer 2010

Jump City

The sun had just started to settle across the bay, casting shadows throughout the city's streets. The bustle of cars zooming around the city's core- racing for home. A light breeze rolling from the ocean just past the beautiful bridge, a bridge that had seen many tragic accidents throughout its history.

A teen stood at the center of the bridge. She was mid-build with dark brown hair, navy eyes that caught every sparkle of the evenings sun. Her milky skin blending in with its rays. A sigh escaped her lips, watching the light ripples of water some 200 feet below her. A faint shadow of that strong T that gave everyone within the city limits some strain of hope. But...could they save her?

The girl shook her head, pushing her seemingly small hands off the rail and turned from the bay. All thoughts of a possible end, pushing to the back of her mind...for now.

Evenings rush hour had come and gone in no time, just a few cars trickling in and out of the city on that bridge. Stuffing her hands in her jean pockets, walking towards downtown. Every now and then catching glimpses of couples, elders, teens, or a homeless person with a sign. Maybe life isn't so complicated.

No matter how long she had lived here, she was always blown away by this city's everlasting beauty. It was a reminder of where she had been and where she could go.

She made her way to the center of the city with ease, the sidewalks mostly clear for the evening. The sun slowly sneaking beyond the horizon and leaving just a cast of a beautiful golden glow. A perfect chance to view the gardens on top of one of the tallest buildings in the city, besides that looming T in the center of the bay that is.

At the center of this beautiful botanical garden, a mighty fountain stood with a statue of a previous mayor that had left his mark on the city and beautiful roses, lilies, and various other flowers decorating the cement paths and protecting the stone benches. This place was everything she ever needed for peace of mind.

Letting out a breath of air, she slowly sat down on that very stone bench at the edge of the building. She could see the city for miles, just as the bridge, but from the highest point she could access...without causing a stir. The girl sat there in silence, admiring the quiet that came with this place. Somehow forgetting the eerie thoughts that haunted her.

As evening settled in the city, our heroes could be found celebrating a day without crime. Those days came so scarce these days. It had been about 3 years since they had returned from Tokyo. Where love was once fierce was now but a dull flame, Robin and Starfire had decided early on in their relationship that it would be best to remain friends. They recognized the love they had would always be strong, but Robin couldn't bring himself to be more than the hero he had promised to be so many years ago. Starfire loved him the same, but loved him enough to let him be the man he needed to be.

Beast Boy has much been the same, the same quirky boy or now young man. It's funny how time can do so much for someone. Though, Terra occasionally haunted his dreams- he had mostly moved on with his life. Still finding the lighthearted joke in the middle of intense battles.

Cyborg has spent much of the time improving his knowledge on technology and medicines. Always ready for the unexpected and loving on his toys.

Raven...is Raven. Spending much of the spare time she has meditating and focusing on the control of her darkening powers.

Funny how they can remain much of the same, with so much time coming and going. The Teen Titans have remained the same. But...will that change?

"Let's get pizza!" Cyborg exclaimed as the team gathered in the common room, adding in his request for a late dinner. His eyes scanning the room for approval from his teammates, no... friends. It was strange how the time had bonded all of them.

With no disapproval, the Titan's trickled their way down the tower. "Shotgun!", Beast Boy declared as he morphed into a beautiful cheetah. His favorite cat of choice. A playful call as he pounded down the corridor to the garage. Just before he could reach the T car's front door, a magical whoosh of black swooped into the air. From the speed and surprise, Beast Boy bumped into the blockade and bounced backward, morphing in the fall and landing on his behind. "Hey!" he shouted.

Raven stepped out of the black void, a straight smirk on her face and opened the front door. Beast Boy kicked and whined, climbing in the backseat with Starfire. Cyborg chuckled at his friends, "Let's go!" he told them as he swung open his door and got in. His eyes shifting quickly to the right, rolling down the bullet proof glass. "You comin'?" he called to Robin.

Robin, with his back to the car, finally cleared his throat as stepped toward his motorcycle. "Yeah, I'll follow" he said, choosing to ride alone.

"Race ya!" Cyborg spat, revving the engine, tearing out of the garage and into the underground tunnels that would lead them to the city. Robin merely shook his head.

It was surprising to him he had been here so long. He had originally come to Jump City to work on cases alone. But somehow, he had been fated to meet his friends. Time showed him that no matter how much he thought he didn't need them, somewhere deep in his chest he knew he did. A sigh escaped the fearless leaders' lips as he picked up his helmet, tugging it over his dark-spiked hair. A playful smirk suddenly breaking across his face, jumping on to his bike- zipping off behind the T-car.

The team eagerly piled into their favorite pizza joint, directly in the center of the city. Protests and whines from each one of our heroes as they debated the type of pizzas they would order. Finally, settling on a cheese and a deluxe pizza. They sat down for their dinner at one of their favorite tables on the rooftop patio. Talking about their day, hopes, and views.

Everything seemed to be flowing well for today. But things change.

As Starfire finished her last bite of mustard covered pizza, a light breeze pushed past. Picking her velvet red hair up with it and a strange sensation. Her breath caught in her throat, her head turning to overlook the city. Raven felt it too, turning her head in the same direction. A stern look quickly washing over their leader's face, "What is it?", his voice cutting through the moment.

"I'm not sure", Raven said slowly turning her head back to face her team. Starfire's green orbs never leaving the city street. Robin's brows furrowed. Right as he was about to speak, the ground began to rumble. The tables around them shaking, the umbrellas toppling from them, car alarms starting to blare in the distance. People running immediately for cover exclaiming it was an earthquake. But was it?

The team was immediately on their feet, jumping down into the city and ready to help anyone in an instant. The question of what was happening, quickly answered as a once familiar face turned the corner about six blocks from their position. Johnny Rancid, the metal head that has been known to be obsessed with his large... mechanical pets. This time was no different, they were being faced with a rather large mechanical creature with a strange power source coursing through its center. Admittedly, it was much larger and different than previous models.

"Titan's GO!" Robin's voice rang out, his cry always so familiar and daring. The team dispersed forward, ready for anything.

Robin jumped on his bike, quickly zooming down the city corridor towards Johnny. Reaching into his utility belt, throwing out a couple dozen bird-a-rangs to distract Rancid's driving. Rancid moved around them with ease on his own motorcycle, his wild hair blowing in the breeze as he drove forward. The mechanical pet screeching so loud, glass and debris shattered in its path. The force of air blowing back Beast Boy's attempt to get close. The fight was on.

In the middle of the city, the beautiful young girl breathed in the evening air. It was peaceful. Just as she stood, the ground began to shake. The water in the fountain began slushing back and forth, spilling onto the snow-white cement. Her eyes widen, quickly stumbling her way to the edge of the building just has the mechanical pet that was just as tall as this building she stood on, rang out his screech. The building rumbled and whined from the force of wind, her hair whipping behind her shoulders. Instinctively she raised her arms in front her body, the air pushing her back on her heels a few feet, dust enveloping her face from the residue.

The girl coughed loudly into her arms, the dust receding. She ran to the edge of the building once again, her eyes catching the view below. It was them. The Teen Titans. Her heart skipped a beat, admiring their grace and efforts to protect the city. As she took in the fight below, suddenly an explosion rang out from somewhere below. Bright lights and rings waving over the area, Dr. Light had some new toys and appeared to be powering Rancid's pet.

From the sky view, Robin had already pummeled Rancid to the ground and Dr. Light made his move- knowing full well Rancid was seemingly a waste of his energy. Dr. Light chuckled menacingly, blasting his energy beams from his suit towards the Titans. All blocking with ease, except for Starfire. She missed a beat moving in and out of his beams, instantly being pushed up into the air further- immediately crash landing on top of the very building the girl was on.

The girls head watched the hero soar over her head, crashing down in the water from the now leaking fountain. She gasped loudly, quickly running to the Titan's side. Starfire groaned, slowly rolling her head back and forth, fluttering her eyes open just in time to see this girl leaning over her. "Oh my gosh, are you okay!?" the girl exclaimed as she leaned down to Starfire's side, immediately noticing a severe burn to her abdomen. The girl quickly ripped off a piece of fabric of her own shirt, dipping it in the water flowing from the fountain and gently placed it to Starfire.

Starfire winced in pain as she slowly pushed herself up onto her elbows, "Sorry!" the girl claimed immediately removing her hands from the wound. "Thank You, I am the okay" Starfire stated, pushing herself up onto her feet. The girl staring up at this strong woman in awe. Starfire smiled and reached out her hand, helping the girl to her feet. "Stay here" she exclaimed with power in her voice.

Just as she flew to the air, Dr. Light had blasted his way into the air. Looking for the prey he had just injured as the Titan's dealt with the raging mechanical pet. Starfire gasped, quickly tossing beautiful green star bolts into the air, aiming for Dr. Light. With some new technology in his suit, he succeeded with moving in and out of the starbolts much to Starfire's dismay. Light blasted his energies about, connecting one or two with the strong hero. She faltered a little, dropping to a knee. Light chuckled blasting another blow at our strong hero, pushing her to the ground.

The girl watched in awe, watching this strong hero faulter. She knew she had to do something. "Hey!" she exclaimed, catching Light's attention. "Leave her alone!" she cried, her eyes slowly glazing over with a sharp shade of red. The water from the fountain rose in the air seemingly on its own, the girl's hands raising in the air and pushing the water forward- covering Light in water. His suit lit up like a Christmas tree, short circuiting and immediately collapsing from the shock. Starfire coughed, bringing the girl back to reality and immediately rushed to the hero's side. The other Titan's catching up from their battle in the streets began spilling over the roof top, running for Light and to check on their friend.

The girl was at Starfire's side first, slowly Starfire pushed herself up onto her elbows just as Robin and Cyborg made it to her side. "Starfire! Are you okay!" Robin's voice echoed in the new found quiet, a gentle nod from Starfire as she pushed herself to her feet.

"Yes..." she voiced, slowly turning to the girl "Thank you!" she said with a bright smile, her strong arms enveloping around the girl. Robin's brow immediately furrowed staring at the girl before them, Raven and Beast Boy slowly joining the circle of concern. "Who are you?", Robin asked first.

The girl breathed as Starfire let go of her, staring at the heroes that surrounded her. A moment she had only every dreamed of. She cleared her throat. "I'm Destiny..." she said with a faint smile and nodded. "You're welcome."

Starfire winced at her burn on her stomach but still kept a bright smile on her golden face. "She saved me from the Dr. Light." expressions of surprise came across the Titan's faces, turning their attention back to this...hero?

Though with surprise and stern, Robin breathed and stepped forward with his hand outstretched. "I'm Robin...and we're the Teen Titans." he pointed to each of his friends, introducing them formally- each nodding their head. Destiny nodded her head, stretching her small hand forward and shook the leader's hand. "It's hard not to know who you guys are." she smiled, stepping back from the circle. "I'm glad I could help." her eyes immediately rushing to the ground, then looking over her shoulder at the mess of the garden.

"What were you doing up here?" Cyborg's voice boomed, questioning the girl with concern. Destiny turned her head back to the team, a small smile on her face, raising her small hands in the air in shrug. "The same reason anyone else comes here, for the beauty of it." her eyes losing the sparkle, the red glaze washed over them again and enveloping her hands. Slowly the building shook and trembled, the team bracing for the outcome, but slowly the pieces and plants molded themselves back to where they once stood.

"I come here to think. I guess it's a good thing I was here." she said with a surprise in her voice, Beast Boy stepped forward with a goofy smile. "Well, we could use someone like you!" he offered; Destiny quietly cleared her throat, stuffing her hands into her pockets. The team before her exchanged glances before Robin cleared his throat.

"You can stay with us if you'd like, train with us..." he said firmly. Destiny's eyes light up immediately, studying each face. "That would be... nice."

With the quiet agreement made between our familiar heroes and this newfound hero, the team made their way 'home' for the evening.