450 B C
The Dacian Kingdom
Zalmoxis picked up a fruit from the bowl and raised it to the light.
"The tree that bears this offspring, teaches and molds the seed until it is time for that seed to ripen and provide the sweetest nectar." He bit into the pear he was holding and wiped the juice from his mouth with the sleeve of his robe. He offered it to the young girl of ten, seated on the stone bench, who happily accepted the half-eaten morsel.
The girl smiled. "What you're saying, papa, is that I'm the fruit and you the tree?"
"Precisely, Galina." Zalmoxis grinned. He leaned in close and placed a peck on his daughter's forehead. "Wait, there is more."
Covering his hands on to his daughter's, the pear disappeared within their blanketed fingers. Zalmoxis mumbled a few words as small ray of slight drifted through their hands to which the Galina's father instructed the next part of the lesson.
"Now open your hands."
The pair released as the little girl held up the pear again. This time the fruit was made whole. Galina happily gasped.
"It's whole again!"
"Truly," laughed the sorcerer. "And that is a simple spell of regeneration, making what is incomplete, complete again."
Galina jumped off the bunch excitedly. "Can you teach me that too, Papa?"
Zalmoxis clapped his hands. "In time, my child. For now, let us begin with the most basic of lessons. Do you remember your teachings? What are the five fruits of goodness?"
Galina clutched the folds of her skirts and attempted to recall her father's teachings.
"Um…there is virtue."
"That is one." Zalmoxis noted.
"Kindness."
That is two."
"Compassion."
The sorcerer nodded. "That is three. And four?"
"Faith."
"Very good, Galina." Zalmoxis beamed. "Finally, the fifth?"
His daughter paused. "It's…it's…uh…" Galina frowned. "I forgot."
Zalmoxis sighed. "Do not fret, my child. We'll review our lessons again."
"But when will I get to learn magic?" The little girl pouted.
Lifting her chin, his father gave her reassurance. "In time, my daughter. In time. For now, I wish to show you something important.
Galina straightened her skirt as she followed her father to the far end of the temple.
"What is it you wanted to show me, father?"
"This!" Zalmoxis pointed to a potted urn with large plant inside, placed near the corner of the building.
"A tree?" Galina scratched her head.
"Not just an ordinary shrubbery," the sorcerer remarked. "Observe." He pulled a small piece of the leaf from the plant and held it in his palm. The greenery slithered around his fingers.
Galina was in awe of it. "It's moving!"
Her father smiled. "It can do more that." He closed his hand around the plant and muttered an incantation. Suddenly, he opened his hand to allow a dragonfly to buzz around the temple. He nodded to his daughter. "The plant has magical properties and so much more. Perhaps, you might learn about them some day."
"I want to." Galina agreed.
She embraced her father, who welcomed the hug.
6:00 A. M.
Her alarm rang. Reaching over, she shut if off and forced herself out of bed, stretching her arms wide to begin the day. Within forty-five minutes, she managed to shower, dress herself in her drab school uniform, and do something with her unruly dark curls as she opted for another ponytail look, while she grabbed her diorama, report essay, and schoolbag and headed downstairs.
Already, Ferdinand had prepared a plate of waffles and fresh berries with a side of orange juice as she took a seat at the kitchen counter and began munching down.
"Riddle for you," Ferdinand greeted her as soon as she arrived. "You ready?"
Cassie loved riddles, especially the Greek mythical kind. Ever since she could remember, Nubia and Ferdinand taught her mythology and regaled her with stories of heroes and Olympian Gods.
"Shoot," she accepted the challenge.
"What creature has one voice and yet becomes four-footed and two-footed and three-footed?"
"That's easy," Cassie snorted. "It's Man! He-who crawls on all fours as a baby, then walks on two feet as an adult, and then uses a cane in old age! It's the riddle of the Sphinx!"
"Good job!" The cook congratulated her. "For that extra syrup on your waffles!" Ferdinand poured a heavy dose on to her stack. She loved the sugary goodness, especially in the morning.
"How did you sleep?" He asked. The Sandsmark chef looked remarkably fresh and awake. Even though the man was in forties, he did not seem to age. He was still young enough to pass for thirty. Must be good genes. Come to think of it. Neither did her nanny, Nubia. Strange.
"Good." Cassie answered him. "I had this weird dream, but I can't seem to remember any of it."
Ferdinand folded his arms. "They say that dreams are sometimes a foresight of a prophecy."
She rolled her eyes. "Sure, and I'm the Long Island Medium." Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "It's probably school stress. Remember, I have my presentation due today."
"That's right." The chef remembered. "On that note, good luck. You'll do fine, Cassie."
"I hope so." Her apprehension was beginning to get the better of her.
"Cassie will do fine."
Nubia entered the kitchen, looking beautiful and elegant in a stylish, white wrap dress. Even Ferdinand noticed, stealing a glance at her alluring appearance. She crossed over to where Cassie was seated and embraced her from behind.
"Good morning, my darling." She said nonchalantly. "I apologize for last night, but your mother had me take care of a last-minute errand."
She referred to her leaving dinner abruptly and without explanation.
"It must have been something important." Cassie recalled. "Like it was a life or death situation."
"It was," Nubia grinned. "Another antiquities deal that your mother secured. She had me fax over the paperwork ASAP."
"Oh," replied Cassie. She did not buy her nanny's explanation, but she did not have a reason not to trust her. "How is Mom?"
"The same." Nubia noted. "Busy. Another million-dollar deal. She sends her love."
"I'm sure." Cassie mumbled sarcastically. By now, she had grown accustomed her mother's frequent absences for work.
"Hey," Nubia raised her chin. "Your mother works really hard to provide for you. Show her a little gratitude and appreciation."
"Yes, mam." Cassie replied apologetically. However, inside she resented the parental absenteeism.
Her nanny smiled. "That's my girl. Speaking of which, Helena sent something for you." She reached into the drawer of the kitchen counter to pull out a tiny box with a bow wrapped around it.
"What is it?" Cassie asked concerning the gift.
"Open it and find out." Nubia instructed.
Excitedly, the fifteen-year old pulled apart the ribbon and pulled off the lid of the small box. Inside, placed within the cotton, was a tiny, gold eagle pendant shaped into a W and attached to thin chain.
"It's beautiful!" Cassie exclaimed. "What does the symbol mean?"
Nubia grinned. "In some cultures, it means warrior or strong soldier. It's a charm to serve as your protector and to ward off evil. I have one." She pulled a tiny W necklace hidden in the cleavage of her dress. "And, so does Ferdinand." She pointed to the chef who yanked down his shirt to show his pendant that was attached to a leather cord. "I hope you wear it always."
Cassie nodded as her nanny took the necklace and put it around her neck. The teen beamed with pride.
"It's perfect!"
"I'm happy that you like it," Nubia remarked. "Now, it's time for school. "
Cassie agreed, quickly finished her breakfast, and loaded Nubia's car with her project.
After a few minutes, her nanny drove her to school.
Saint Elias Academy
Named after the saint of good crops and harvest, Saint Elias Academy was established during the 1950's as an institution of prestigious higher learning. Originally, a Catholic private school, Saint Elias has seen a change of ideas over the decades with becoming more non-denominational and monotheistic to allow the wealthy to send their children there for enrollment. As one of the most elite, educational institutions, it garnered quite a sterling reputation.
Cassie bid her nanny goodbye as Nubia drove away. She held her diorama tightly and crossed into the front entrance of the school. Like her peers, she was dressed in the same boring colors of the school uniforms: tans and light beige. She climbed the steps of the entrance before someone tapped her on the shoulder.
"Hey you!"
She turned around to see her bestie, Vanessa Kapetelis, looking alternative by pushing the dress code and wearing black leggings underneath her skirt, combat boots, skull and crossbones jewelry, gothic make-up, and sporting black streaks along her natural red hair.
"Hasn't the principal said anything about your appearance?" Cassie noted.
"She tries, but you know, she's a pushover." Vanessa proudly replied.
It was true. Principal Marcia Davis was passive in managing Saint Elias. If the parents paid the school's expensive tuition, she tended to look the other way.
"So, what have you got there?" Vanessa pointed to the diorama.
"My history project," said Cassie. "I have a presentation today."
Unfortunately, the pair were not in the same classes together, which was a good thing because Vanessa tended to slack off and procrastinate her schoolwork. Cassie did not want to imagine her BFF bringing her GPA down.
"Good luck," her best friend cheered. "It's not like you'll need it."
Despite their unlikely friendship, Cassie did very well in school. Thanks in large part to Nubia and Ferdinand support and pushing her, she well on her way to school valedictorian.
The pair went inside. As freshmen, no one paid any attention to them as they walked down the hall to their lockers. They were invisible. To Cassie, she really could care less, since she preferred the anonymity. Vanessa, on the other hand, craved the attention.
"Did you hear Brick Taylor dumped Stephanie Bennett?" Vanessa began gossiping.
"Who's Brick Taylor?" Cassie asked as placed her bookbag inside her locker.
"Girl, where have you been?" Her best friend clucked. "He's our senior quarterback. The guy who was dating the head cheerleader and now has the hots for a freshman."
Cassie rolled her eyes. She was not much into teenage gossip. "Why do I care?"
Vanessa scowled. "You should. Because the girl he is dating is Evie Hansen!"
Cassie exhaled. Evie Hansen was her rival. Pretty, popular and smart. The ultimate mean girl. More importantly, she was Cassie's bully. As soon as her best friend mentioned her, Evie Hansen and her crew came marching down the hall towards them.
Noting her appearance, Evie looked perfect. Strawberry-blonde hair, green eyes, and flawless skin, she pranced in the same school uniform but managed to look good wearing it. Behind her trailed her cronies. On her left, Anna Trellis, a lanky girl with long dark hair and shallow eyes. On the right, Molly Montgomery, a portly girl in curls and bushy eyebrows. Cassie wondered how the three ever became friends.
"Look, it's the freak and the dork!" Evie addressed her and Vanessa. "Apparently, they let anyone into this school!"
"They sure do," Vanessa grimaced. "Including you escapees from the zoo!"
Molly took the insult personally and was gunning for a fight, but Evie held her back.
"Fuck you, freak!" Evie hissed. "Care to say that again to my face?"
Vanessa accepted the challenge. She stomped forward, causing Evie to flinch.
Anna felt the need to protect her queen bee. Seeing the diorama in Cassie's arms, she flailed her limbs, knocking the project out of her hands, causing it crash to the ground and split into a million pieces. Adding insult to injury, Molly took her cue and stepped on the remaining structure, smashing what was left to bits.
"My project!" Cassie shrieked. She dropped to the floor in order to salvage what was left.
Tears welled around her eyes in frustration.
"You bitch!" Vanessa snapped at Evie and her minions. She balled her fists, ready to fight someone.
Just then, Evie noticed something shiny around Cassie's neck. "Oooh, pretty." She darted forward, grabbed the pendant and yanked it off the crying girl. The gold chain broke instantly, as Evie held the object tight in her hand.
"Hey!" Vanessa screamed. "Give that back!"
She lunged at the thief. Molly immediately blocked her and shoved her huge body against Vanessa, causing her to slam against the lockers.
Dazed and disoriented for a bit, Vanessa attempted to chase them, but the trio had made their escape down the hall, and around the corner. Instead, she concentrated on her distraught her best friend who was weeping over her ruined history project.
"I worked…so hard on this…" Cassie sobbed, completely forgetting her stolen necklace.
Vanessa sighed. "I know." She assisted her BFF up and led her into the nearby girl's bathroom. Pulling a couple paper towels from the dispenser, she wet them in the sink and carefully dabbed away Cassie's tears. "Look, let's go to the principal's office and explain what happened. They can't get away with this!"
"No!" Cassie protested. She whimpered. "You know Principal Davis won't do anything. She'd rather let students get tormented than miss out on the rich parents paying their kids' tuition at this school."
Sadly, Vanessa had to admit she was right. Saint Elias had no structure or consistency when it came to zero tolerance for bullying. She just had to accept that.
After gaining her composure for a few minutes, Cassie wiped her face and pretended to act normal. "I'll think up an excuse for history class, like I accidentally tripped and dropped by project. He'll understand."
"Yeah," her best friend muttered. "But this still sucks that we're letting Evie off the hook."
"I know," sighed Cassie. "It's my choice to pick and choose my battles."
Vanessa snorted. "Then, you should fight this one. You shouldn't allow them to treat you this way!"
Cassie looked at her appearance in the bathroom mirror. Her, curly dark hair was a mess. Her blues eyes were red and puffy, and she just seemed so ordinary.
"It's funny," she noted. "Nubia told me my strength is my greatest power."
"Maybe, you should follow her advice." Vanessa pointed out.
The school bell rang for the first period, as the two girls hurried out the bathroom and on to class. Cassie rushed outside to gather her broken diorama, in the hope, that her presentation still would go well.
Despite everything, she was determined to have a good day.
Titans Headquarters
San Francisco
Carrying a basket of fresh laundry from the dryer, Dawn Granger observed her fellow teammate, Rose Wilson, sitting cross-legged in a tank top and yoga pants on top of the kitchen counter with a bowl popcorn in her lap, with both eyes completely shut.
Dawn wondered if this was a meditative strategy her evil father, Slade, taught her. She did not want to know. After defeating the supervillain, Slade Wilson had been sent to Haven Security Village, a specialize maximum penitentiary, which housed meta-humans like him.
Music played in the background; Dawn shifted her focus to the vintage record player, spinning a copy of the Pet Shop Boys and their hit West End Girls. She sighed.
"I kind of like it."
Kory Anders sauntered into the room, wearing a skin-tight magenta dress and black thigh high boots. Her flaming, red hair accentuated her outfit as the layers of curls and straightened locks made her look sleek and sexy.
"It's not Donna Summer, but it's catchy."
"Why is with you and disco?" Dawn snickered.
"It's fun. It's funk," Kori explained. The alien princess stated. "Besides, Tamaran wasn't very big on celebratory festivities. I'm making up for lost time. Give me some Sister Sledge, K C and the Sunshine Band, and the Jackson 5!" She did a hip dance and snapped her fingers.
"Personally, I'm a honky-tonk girl." Dawn pointed out.
Kory scowled. "Country sucks."
"No, it doesn't!"
The voice came from Rose, who suddenly opened her eyes. She shut off the record player.
"You certainly woke up fast." Kory noted.
"Sorry," Rose apologized. "Spending quality time with my brother, Jericho."
The two ladies remembered Jericho Wilson. Slade's son had the meta-human ability of body possession and after his father murdered his physical form, he found his consciousness trapped inside the man he despised. It was only during the final battle with Deathstroke that Rose was able to free her half-sibling and transfer his spirit into her. Now the two occupy the same physical form.
"Oh, and he says hi!" Rose added. "And that his two favorite country artists are Reba McIntyre and Dolly Parton.
"Can't argue with that." Dawn commented.
Kory shook her head. "It's not weird sharing a body with your brother?"
Rose placed the bowl of popcorn aside and got off the counter. "You get use to it. It's not any weirder than discovering that your father is a dangerous sociopathic killer for hire."
"Point taken." Kory nodded. "I'm not sure if years of therapy can ever cure that." She paused at the thought. "Then again, my family is pretty fucked up."
Dawn placed the laundry basket down. "You never mention your family."
"It's complicated." Kory answered sadly.
Rose interrupted the conversation. "Speaking of family, how long are Dick and the guys going to be out on this camping trip?"
"A week." Dawn explained. "He wanted a chance for all the boys to male bond, you know, after everything that has happened."
The team recalled their fallen teammate, Donna Troy. The sacrifice she made, saving the lives of everyone at the amusement park devastated the group. Then there is the loss of their additional member, Rachel, who accompanied her body to Themyscira to better understand her powers and to control the darkness inside her. Losing both teammates brought a somber feeling into the Titans.
Their leader, Dick Grayson, thought it best to take a break as they needed to reform and reorganize.
Rose tilted her head. "I never pictured Dick as the outdoorsy type."
"Hank has a cabin out in Big Bear." Dawn informed her. "It's secluded and it'll give a chance for Conner and Gar to control their abilities. I trust Dick and Hank will be great teachers."
"If they don't kill each other first." Rose rolled her eyes.
Kory glared at her.
"What?" Slade's daughter shrugged. "You know we were all thinking it."
"I'm sure the boys will behave themselves." Dawn said, picking up her laundry basket. "This will teach them a lesson on cooperation. As for the ladies of Titans," her voice addressed her other two companions. "Kory hates camping. You're too rebellious to follow rules, Rose. And me?"
"Are a pillar of sunshine and building confidence?" Rose groaned.
"I was going to say that I've had my fill of testosterone already." Dawn pointed out. "I need a break." She carried her basket of laundry to her room.
"Then it's settled." Kory called out. "It's Girls Week. No men. No testosterone. Just plain estrogen!" She clapped her hands. "What should we do first?"
"There's a new pub that just opened around the corner." Rose suggested.
"You're underage!" Dawn clucked, coming out of her room.
"Male strip club?" Kory offered.
"No!" Dawn protested, still looking at Rose.
"Gee, you're no fun!" Rose frowned.
Just then, the monitors signaled someone near the elevator doors of the buildings lobby. The trio crossed to the computers to see a woman in a large overcoat wearing a hood. She pressed the intercom.
"Hello?"
No answer.
"Anyone there?"
Still no response.
"Look, I know Dick Grayson. I need his help."
"Should we answer it?" Rose asked.
Dawn agreed and replied to the person downstairs.
"What do you want?"
"I'm looking for Dick Grayson." The woman responded. "I know he's Robin."
The ladies hesitated.
"He knows Dick is Robin." Kory noted. "Should we trust her?"
"I don't know." Dawn paused. "But we should let her up. It might be important."
Rose agreed. "Be prepared for anything."
The trio nodded. They prepared themselves.
Rose grabbed a kitchen knife and hid it behind her back. Dawn, a frying pan. Kory, her starfire fingers.
They let the strange woman up the elevator.
A few minutes later the doors opened. The mysterious woman in the overcoat and hood stepped outside of the elevator to see the three female Titans, each exhibiting a fighting stance.
"Whoa!" The woman said calmly. "I come in peace. She pulled down her hood to reveal long black hair and piercing blue eyes staring at each of them.
"My name is Zatanna Zatara. I'm a friend of Dick and Bruce Wayne. And I need you help!"