Regarding the Q&A, I'll answer the questions anyone sent at a later time since I was too focused on getting the Season Two premiere out. And this actually turned out to be the longest outline that I've written yet too. I hope you enjoy.
Episode One: Terra
The season begins with a flashback. It's night. A young girl named Tara goes to the room of her older brother, Brion. She wakes him up. Brion asks Tara what's wrong and Tara said that she had a bad dream, so she wants to know if she can sleep in his room since their father wouldn't want Tara to disturb him. Brion is sympathetic and he makes room in his bed for Tara to share. He asks if Tara wants to talk about the bad dream that she had and Tara hesitates, but decides to tell him. She explains that in the dream he was gone and she was alone, that she was met with only hate from other people who drove her away. Brion listens and promises to Tara that he'll always be there for her, since their siblings. Tara reminds him that they're half-siblings with different moms, something she isn't proud of. She mentions that in her dream the other people were calling her a "bastard." And she knows that their father calls her that as well, that he sees her as an embarrassment. Brion tells Tara that he doesn't care what others think, not even their father. She's still his little sister and siblings have to watch out for each other. He then remembers something that he had gotten for her, since it reminded him of her. He was planning on giving it to her on a special occasion, but realized that she could use the comfort now. He gets something out of his dresser… a butterfly-shaped hair clip. He explains that it reminded him of Tara because he knows that one day she is going to prove everyone that doubted her wrong, that she's going to emerge from her chrysalis as a beautiful butterfly. Tara lets Brion put it in her hair and she hugs her brother, thanking him for the gift. He hugs her back and reassures her that no matter what happens, they'll still have each other...
Cut to present day. We see an older Tara with a backpack and without the hair clip that her brother had given her years earlier. She's now in Jump City and is looking for a place where she can get something to eat. She stops in front of a church after spotting a sign saying that the church runs a soup kitchen. Tara's stomach growls and this convinces Tara to enter the church.
Cut to Titans Tower. Raven is in her civilian outfit and is waiting on Beast Boy, who agreed to volunteer with her at Norman McCay's church today. Cyborg was unavailable, since he had other plans. Beast Boy finally shows up in his civilian outfit and Raven tells him that she learned a new spell that she thinks he will appreciate. She casts it, but nothing seems to happen. Beast Boy points this out and Raven tells him to look in a mirror. Beast Boy goes to the bathroom and is surprised by what he sees in the mirror. His reflection looks… normal, with no green skin or green hair. Beast Boy just stares at his reflection, awestruck. Raven explains that it was an illusion spell, so he wouldn't have to worry about sticking out in a crowd while off duty and he could blend in more. It'll last a few hours and during those few hours he'll appear normal to everyone who isn't a Titan. Beast Boy says that this is amazing and he thanks Raven, who teasingly mentions that this is a better way to maintain a secret identity than that stupid mask he wore when they first met at the beginning of season one. But she also mentions that she specifically learned this spell for Beast Boy, because she felt bad that he couldn't have a life outside the Tower like she and Starfire could due to his green skin. Beast Boy really appreciates this and she says that it's no problem before remembering where they're supposed to be. Beast Boy looks at his reflection one more time, then leaves with Raven.
Cut to Norman McCay's church, where Beast Boy and Raven are working at the soup kitchen as volunteers. McCay asks Raven if he can speak to her alone and they go to a part of the church away from the others. Raven realizes that McCay looks distressed and he explains that yesterday he found something that worried him. He took a photo on his phone and he shows the picture of the spray-painted Mark of Skath to Raven. She is, understandably, shocked and alarmed by the sight of the Mark. McCay tells Raven that he doesn't know who spray-painted the Mark and that he didn't want to keep this a secret from her because she deserved to know. Raven wonders who would know about the Mark, since it's not like the Mark is common knowledge. McCay recalls that the Mark was once used by a group of cultists that was active in Jump City, the same group of cultists that Raven's mother had fallen in with. The cult disappeared after Raven and her mother were brought to Azarath. Raven asks if this could mean that the cult is back and McCay answers that it may be too early to tell. However, they should still be wary and keep their eyes open for any more signs of the cult's resurgence. If the cult has returned, it would mean bad things for Jump City. McCay reminds Raven not to get too worked up over it now and when she says that she's worried that the cult could target McCay, he reassures her that he'll be fine. Anybody that tries to bring malice to his church quickly regrets it. McCay also mentions that there is somebody he wants Raven to talk to, a new girl that came in today who is as old as Raven. She reminded him of Raven when she first showed up on his doorstep with nowhere else to go and he thinks that Raven could help the new girl.
Tara is in the church's soup kitchen, sitting at a table and devouring her soup like she hadn't eaten in a while. Because she hasn't. Raven goes over to hit and sits down across from Tara, saying hi. She introduces herself as Rachel and explains that she's a volunteer at the church, though not too long ago this church was actually her home. Tara asks if she is the pastor's daughter, but Raven says that McCay is just a family friend. Someone that once helped her mother and was more than happy to help her. He's not her father, but he's the closest thing to a positive father figure that she has. Tara correctly guesses that Raven's real dad was a piece of shit, which is something she can relate to since her father was also an asshole. Raven mentions that McCay would definitely be more than happy to give Tara a place to stay for a while like he gave Raven a place to stay, since they both could tell that Tara has no other place to go. Tara admits that she's been homeless, which isn't something new either. It's been like this for a few years now, never staying in one place for too long. She's used to it and wasn't planning on staying in Jump City either, just a few days at most before she moved on. Whenever she did try to stay somewhere, it didn't end well. Raven tells Tara that she should consider staying for longer, since Jump City is a good place to live that's home to a lot of good people. Jump City is even where she met the people that she's currently living with, friends that she had honestly never expected to make. Raven can tell that Tara is lonely and that she could use friends. Tara asks Raven how she can tell that and Raven smiles, answering that she just has a natural gift at reading people. Tara does thank Raven for coming over to talk to her, since most people just ignore her. She'll consider staying in the church, since if other people in Jump City are like Raven then this could be a place where she could see herself living. She then tells Raven that her name is Tara, realizing that she hadn't properly introduced herself yet. Raven responds by saying that it's nice to meet her and the two smile at each other.
Later, Beast Boy and Raven are outside McCay's church. They're done with their volunteer work for the day and are now going to the mall. Someone calls out to them and they turn around to see Tara. She asks if she can come with them and hang out, which she admits isn't something she's too familiar with. Raven is more than happy and she introduces Beast Boy to Tara as Gar. Beast Boy is also happy to meet Tara and the three head off.
Cut to a park elsewhere in Jump City. Cyborg is seen in his hoodie, jogging. A voice from behind Cyborg tells him to slow down and Cyborg stops, looking back at his jogging partner... Sarah Simms. She catches up to him, breathing hard and admitting that she's struggling to keep up with him. Cyborg apologizes for running ahead and suggests that they take a break. They sit on a bench and Sarah thanks Cyborg for accepting her invitation. She isn't volunteering today at the school for handicapped children, so she figured they could just hang out as a change to mostly seeing each other when Cyborg is helping her out with her rehabilitation group. She also invited Cyborg to let him know that she doesn't hold her kidnapping against him, that she still wants them to be friends. While taking their break, Cyborg asks if Sarah wants to talk about what happened with Slade. Sarah admits that though she tried to be brave, the whole affair still scared her. She didn't sleep much last night, afraid that Slade would come for her again. Cyborg also has something to admit and he tells her that he almost didn't accept her invitation because he thought she might be safer if she didn't see her again, if he was no longer part of her life. She may not hold it against him, but she was still put in harm's way just for knowing him. Cyborg is still new to this whole being a superhero thing, so he didn't quite realize the dangers of being friends with Sarah until now. But Cyborg also knew that it would be better to talk about it with Sarah rather than just making a decision without taking into consideration what she wanted. Sarah tells Cyborg that she also hadn't quite realized the dangers of being friends with Cyborg until the kidnapping. Now they both fully understand the risks… but Sarah doesn't care. She's willing to accept the potential danger and Cyborg compliments her bravery, also mentioning how she was pretty awesome when she saved him from Cinderblock. Sarah smiles proudly and admits that it actually felt pretty good. She's even thinking of learning self defense techniques, which Cyborg encourages. He even offers to give her a few pointers and she considers it. She's ready to run again and gets a head start, Cyborg giving her a few seconds before he runs after her.
Cut to Titans Tower. Dick Grayson is in the training room, practicing with his staff. He's not wearing his Robin costume or mask, showing that he is now more comfortable with just being Dick when he's in the Tower and not fighting crime. Starfire walks in and gets his attention, mentioning how he hasn't left the training room in hours. Dick explains that he feels like he has to be ready, because when Slade shows up again he'll be coming for all of us. He sees Starfire's worried expression and he admits that he is still obsessed with Slade, which is part of why he stepped down as leader. Slade got to him like no other villain ever had and he's still out there. Despite successfully saving Sarah and recapturing Cinderblock, they failed to defeat Slade. Dick knows that his judgement has been affected due to how personal his thing with Slade has become, so he shouldn't be the one making the calls. He does feel bad for handing all the responsibilities and stress that comes with being leader to Donna, but Starfire tells him that she thinks he made the right choice. She also reassures him that if Donna does struggle with her new responsibilities, she has a great friend with experience to help her out. Dick smiles at hearing this and asks Starfire if she would like to train with him for a round of sparring. Starfire accepts and takes a staff from the weapons rack. The two begin to spar with their staffs and the round actually ends with Starfire knocking Dick off his feet, much to his surprise. He didn't know that she could fight like that and a triumphant Starfire reminds him that she was trained by the Warlords of Okaara. Even before getting her starbolts, she was a formidable warrior. She offers Dick her hand and he accepts it, allowing her to pull him up. Donna was watching the whole thing from the room's doorway and she smiles before walking away.
In an unknown location lit only by candles, a group of hooded cultists are meeting. On their robes is the Mark of Skath. The cultists stand around an altar with the Mark of Skath carved into it. One of the cultists comes forward and places something on the altar... a jar of scorpions. Another cultist opens up a book with the Mark of Skath on its cover. The cultist begins reading something from the book in a language that is unfamiliar. As the cultist reads, the altar's Mark of Skath begins to glow red. And so do the scorpions…
Beast Boy, Raven, and Tara are at the mall arcade. We see the three playing different games such as Skee-Ball, pinball machines, basketball, dancing machines, etc. They're just having a really good time, Tara especially since she can't remember the last time that she's had this much fun. They're trying to win enough tickets to afford something from the arcade's prize wall and Beast Boy gets the last tickets that they need, Raven jokingly telling him that he's made her the "happiest girl in the world." This is a call-back to the first season, but then Raven said it sarcastically and now Raven says it more playfully since they've become a lot closer since then. At the prize selection Tara has her eyes on a heart-shaped box with a mirror on the inside of the lid, but before she can pick it out the three hear screaming from outside. The cause of the screaming is three giant scorpions rampaging through the mall, destroying stuff and terrorizing people. Beast Boy and Raven aren't really phased by this, while Tara is quite shocked. Raven mentions that Jump City is a great place to live… but there is the occasional weirdness. They tell Tara to get to safety while they "go get help." Tara does start running, but then stops at the exit. She thinks about it for a moment before running back toward the scorpions. Beast Boy and Raven are in their superhero modes, each of them taking on a scorpion. Tara gets the attention of the third, encouraging it to chase her. Beast Boy and Raven defeat their scorpions just in time to see Tara seemingly cornered by the last one. But before they could do anything… Tara's eyes start to glow yellow. The entire mall fountain is ripped from the floor and is dropped onto the scorpion, crushing it. Beast Boy and Raven are amazed. They go over to Tara, asking her how she did that. Tara quickly realizes that her new friends are superheroes, which comes as quite the surprise. She sheepishly explains that she has the powers to manipulate earth, which includes the stone fountain. But she insists that she's not a superhero like the Titans are, though she does try to help when people are in danger. She's nowhere near as good as the Titans are. Raven mentions that she had no experience at being a superhero before joining the Titans, though just like Tara when people's lives were in danger she knew she had to do something and she ended up fighting alongside the other founding Titans. This is still a lot for Tara to take in and it's all happening so fast. Both Beast Boy and Raven are excited, asking Tara if she wants to come with them back to the Tower. Tara refuses at first, feeling overwhelmed. But Raven mentions that Tara doesn't have to be alone. That if she meets the other Titans and gives it a chance… she might find a home like Raven did. Tara is still unsure, but she sees Raven's encouraging smile and she agrees. She didn't expect any of this to happen… but it could end up being a good thing. Tara leaves with the two Titans and then we see something that the three hadn't noticed. A drone was nearby and it filmed everything, sending the footage back to its master.
Beast Boy and Raven have returned to Titans Tower, bringing Tara with them. Cyborg, Donna, Starfire, and a shades-wearing Robin are in the living room. Tara is quite impressed with the Tower, but is also very nervous when she meets the other Titans. Beast Boy and Raven explain themselves, how Raven met Tara at the soup kitchen and how Tara used her powers to defeat a giant scorpion. Tara mentions that she first heard of the Titans when they made their public announcement about being Jump City's new protectors, when Tara saw on a television in a diner. She admires the Titans for what they've been doing and she had hoped to maybe get a glimpse of one of them while passing through Jump City, but she didn't imagine she would actually get to visit their Tower. She finds it pretty unbelievable. The other Titans aren't actually sure what to make of Tara at first or Beast Boy and Raven's decision to bring a stranger into the Tower. But then Starfire goes up to Tara… and gives her a big hug, causing Tara to blush. Starfire proclaims that any friend of Beast Boy and Raven is a friend of hers. Cyborg and Donna also welcome Tara, saying that it is nice to meet her. Robin still hasn't said anything yet and Tara tries not to notice the looks that he's giving her. Donna tells Tara that they can offer her a bedroom if she wants to spend the night, but Tara says she's fine with just taking the living room couch. She even insists on it, feeling that she shouldn't make herself too comfortable. She does ask if the Titans have anything to eat, which Beast Boy and Starfire reply by saying they can make her dinner. Tara tries to tell them that they don't need to go through the trouble, but they're already in the kitchen before she can stop them. Tara goes over to the Tower's window and admires the view. Donna walks up next to her and asks Tara where she's specifically from. Tara answers that it's a place she doesn't like to remember and a place that she can't go back to. She also tells Donna that she doesn't have any family, not anymore. It's just been her for a while now. When asked about her powers, Tara admits that she hasn't always had them. She's a metahuman and that's why she hasn't stayed in one place for very long, because metahumans are rarely welcome in the places that she's been and when her powers are revealed people drive her away because of their fear and their hate for those different than them. Cyborg, overhearing the conversation, says he can relate to Tara. He's still not entirely used to how some people look at him as different. But that's part of why he likes being a Titan so much. Because they all get to be different together. Raven has gone over to Robin and asks him if everything is okay. Robin says that he's not sure. Something just doesn't feel right. He asks Raven if she thinks it's a bit convenient that she just happened to meet Tara. And Raven points out that sometimes fate just pulls people together, like it did with the Titans. She reminds him about Jump City's weirdness and reassures her friend that she sensed nothing malicious about Tara. Just loneliness and pain. She could tell that Tara needs help, even though she tries to hide it. She needs the Titans, just like how the Titans need each other. She's not that different from any of them. Robin says that he thinks Tara has secrets and Raven agrees. But they all have secrets, it's how we protect ourselves. Which Raven reminds is something that Robin is all too familiar with, much to his embarrassment. Raven believes that Tara will open up more in time, just like she and Robin did.
Later, Tara finishes up eating dinner. The table in front of her is covered in empty plates and the Titans are surprised by her appetite. Tara admits that she can't remember the last time that she ever ate this good or this much. The best she had before this was a bowl of soup, a piece of pie, or a burger from a fast food chain. She thanks Beast Boy and Starfire for making dinner, then asks if she could use their shower. She's overdue for a rinse. Even later, she's putting her clothes into a washing machine in the Tower's laundry room while dressed in a bathrobe and listening to some music. When she's done, she admits to the Titans that their place is awesome and that she appreciates it that they're letting her stay the night. Donna asks how long Tara thinks she's going to stay and Tara admits that she doesn't know. She does feel bad for being a burden, but Donna tells Tara that it's no problem. Helping people is what they do. Tara smiles at this and lets the Titans know that they're the coolest people she ever met. She says goodnight and goes to bed on the living room couch. The Titans then talk among themselves. Beast Boy suggests that they could make Tara a new member of the team, especially after what he saw with the giant scorpion. Donna considers this, but also knows that may not be what Tara wants. Not everyone with powers has to be a superhero. But she also doesn't have to be a superhero to live here. It's ultimately what Tara decides. Robin asks about the giant scorpions, wondering where they came from. Beast Boy theorizes that they were mutated by radiation and Cyborg tells Beast Boy that he's been watching too many monster movies. Raven is silent until Robin asks if she has any theories and Raven admits that she doesn't know. But unless they find out where they came from, there could be more in the future…
That night, Raven is unable to sleep. Whenever she tries to, she sees visions of the Mark of Skath and hooded figures. She feels like she needs some fresh air, so she decides to go outside. She's not the only one who needed some fresh air, since Tara is outside as well and using her powers to skip rocks across the water surrounding the island that Titans Tower is on. Raven sits down next to Tara and asks if she couldn't sleep either. Tara admits that she's gotten too used to sleeping on the ground and she also isn't used to people being so… nice to her. Raven can relate to this and she tells Tara that you get used to it, especially to Starfire's hugs. Tara chuckles and says that it is weird. She admired the Titans since she first saw them on television. Now she's being hugged, fed, and given a place to stay by them. They weren't what she expected, though she wasn't even sure what she was expecting. She likes them, of course. Though she isn't sure that Robin likes her. Raven promises that Robin does, you just gotta give him some time. He's kinda always like this, but he's trying to get better. Raven starts throwing a few rocks as well and Tara admits that she does want to say. But she feels like she shouldn't, because she's like a disaster waiting to happen. Raven asks why and Tara gets nervous, accidentally lifting the rock Raven was on with her powers and causing Raven to fall into the water. Tara quickly apologizes and says that she's so stupid, revealing that she can't completely control her powers. Raven tells Tara that it's not a big deal, bringing up a time when she lost control of her powers and almost ate a guy (referencing Doctor Light). Tara is surprised to hear this and Raven explains that the Titans helped her after she lost control, so they could help Tara as well. Tara considers this, but asks Raven not to tell the others until she's ready. Raven promises, since she's no stranger to keeping secrets herself. Tara thanks Raven, even though Raven doesn't think it's that big of a deal. She says Raven doesn't understand and Raven admits that she doesn't completely, but she would like to… someday. Tara smiles and says that she would like to tell Raven everything… when she's ready.
Cut to Arkham Asylum, far from Jump City. One guard is walking down a hallway and we see that the guard has an eyepatch. The disguised Slade approaches the door of a cell and we hear laughter coming from behind it…
The next day, the Titans are using an outdoor obstacle course on their island to train. Kid Flash is hanging out with the Titans today and he introduces himself to Tara, bragging that he could clear the obstacle course in seconds but he's letting the non-speedsters go first so they can have their moment of victory before he goes. Cyborg runs through the obstacle course first and clears it. Donna asks Tara if she wants to try out the course and show what her powers are capable of, but Tara is reluctant. Donna reassures Tara that it's just practice, that the point isn't necessarily to beat the course but to get better. The course will show what the others can help her with, since they are here to help her. They're not here to judge, though she still doesn't have to do the course if she doesn't want to. Tara, however, agrees to do it after listening to Donna. The Titans offer their encouragement, though Tara is still a bit nervous as she puts on her goggles and tells herself not to lose control. As the countdown begins Tara looks back and sees Raven wishing her luck, which gives Tara a bit more confidence. Tara begins the obstacle course, using her powers to either avoid or destroy the different obstacles. She does manage to beat the course faster than Cyborg and is congratulated by the other Titans while the obstacle course self-repairs itself. Even Robin is impressed and discusses with Donna that he thinks Tara does have some real talent, but is a little rough around the edges. Donna agrees and says that Tara could benefit from some real training, since she could tell that Tara is self-taught and lacking guidance. Donna asks Robin if he thinks they should ask Tara to become a Titan and Robin tells Donna that's not his call to make anymore, it's hers. Donna thinks about it, though before she could reach a decision her communicator goes off. It's an alert from Maggie Sawyer, captain of the SCU.
Donna calls the other Titans and Tara to their briefing room, where she explains that the call from Maggie Sawyer was about a hostage situation going on in a nearby diamond mine. A group of armed gunmen were trying to steal the diamonds and were threatening the miners, while the authorities have been unable to get too close because of the firepower that the gunmen are carrying. Captain Sawyer wants the Titans to stop the gunmen and rescue the miners. Before they head out though, Tara asks if she can come along. Donna is hesitant, but Tara is feeling more confident after the obstacle course and wants to prove herself to the Titans. This could be her trial mission and she wants to be useful to them because of how they want to help her. Donna asks if she's sure and Tara admits that she isn't, but she doesn't just want to do nothing when she could be using her powers to help. It was like at the mall, when she could have ran she instead went back to fight one of the giant scorpions. Donna agrees, though warns Tara to not take any unnecessary risks that could endanger herself or the miners. With the matter decided, the Titans then head out.
At the diamond mine, the miners are being terrorized by gasmask-wearing gunmen. The Titans arrive and battle the gunmen, rescuing several of the threatened miners in the process. Tara does well, though an explosive causes a cave-in that separates her from the others and almost crushes Beast Boy during the fight. She can still hear the Titans and she tells them that she's alright, promising to stay where she is until the Titans are able to get to her. One of the rescued miners tells the Titans that other gunmen took hostages deeper into the mines and have been planting explosives like the bomb that caused the earlier cave-in, likely to bring down the mine if needed. The Titans decide that they should split up in order to rescue all the miners and stop all the bombs, since there are many different tunnels that they have to cover and time is not something that they have much of.
Now by herself, Tara is frustrated with how her first mission with the Titans resulted in her being cutting off from the others. She feels helpless and even foolish for thinking she could play the role of superhero like the Titans do. She's no longer as confident as she was earlier and thinks that she can't do this after all even though she just wanted to be useful. Suddenly she hears footsteps coming farther down the tunnel she is in. She doesn't know if it's a miner or a gunman, but she realizes that this could still be her chance to prove that she can be helpful to the Titans by either rescuing the miner or stopping the gunman. She tells herself that it's not too late for her to prove that she's worth something and she starts following the footsteps, heading deeper into the mine…
Meanwhile, Robin thinks he has come across the bodies of several miners. He checks them and is horrified to see what is on their dead faces… huge, unnatural grins. He recognizes these smiles and then here's something else that he recognizes. Laughter. A figure reveals himself to Robin, tauntingly calling him "Boy Wonder" and mentioning how it's been so long since their last meeting. He misses seeing Robin in Gotham City, so he figured he would come to Jump City in order to arrange this reunion. The Joker asks if Robin has missed him and when Robin doesn't answer, the Joker mentions Jason Todd. Killing him was fun, but he says that both he and Boy Wonder know that Jason wasn't a real Robin. That Jason didn't deserve to wear the costume. Robin angrily tells Joker that he's wrong and Joker laughs, amused by Robin's anger. He notices that Robin has changed, that he's not the same Boy Wonder that he fought in Gotham. It would be interesting to see the type of man that Robin grows up to be… but Joker doesn't want to give Robin that chance. Joker gets out a crowbar, wondering what it will feel like to kill the real Robin and what it would do to Batman. And why just stop at killing one of Batman's brats? Robin attacks Joker and the fight results in Robin disarming Joker and knocking him to the ground. Robin starts beating the Joker while the clown laughs insanely, which only causes Robin to hit Joker harder so that Jason's murderer could shut up. Robin's anger, grief, and fear gets the better of him in this moment. He only stops when the Joker's bruised and bloody face… changes into Bruce's. Robin is shocked and Bruce asks in the Joker's voice if Robin enjoyed himself. Robin suddenly realizes what's going on…
Donna is going down her tunnel when she notices smoke. She follows the smoke until she is suddenly surrounded by fire. She can't see through the flames as she tries to look for an escape and she starts hearing what sounds like a baby crying. She then manages to make out the shapes of an infant somewhere in the fire with several unmoving bodies. Donna tries to reach the infant, but can't seem to get closer. Both she and the infant start to be consumed by flames, though Donna refuses to give up and she cries out to the baby.
Kid Flash has been using his super speed to rescue miners and collect explosives. But whenever he stops, he notices that a black figure is always nearby… watching him. Kid Flash eventually has enough and he confronts the figure, asking who he is. The figure reveals themselves and Kid Flash realizes that it resembles a dark corpse-like counterpart of the Flash. The figure explains that it is the one thing that Wally will never be able to outrun… death. The Black Flash roars and Kid Flash flees with the creature in pursuit.
Starfire is heading deeper into the part of the mine she is in when she hears a voice call out to her and use her real name… Koriand'r. She turns toward the voice and sees a familiar figure emerge from the darkness: Commander Trogaar. Starfire recognizes Trogaar and assumes a defensive position, asking Trogaar if he was behind this to draw her out. Trogaar says he is and reveals that Starfire is also the last Tamaranean. A shocked Starfire refuses to believe him, but Trogaar brags about how he watched his fleet destroy Tamaran and how he personally tortured Starfire's sister to death. He watched her die slowly and painfully, a process he quite enjoyed. Now he's come to Earth to kill Starfire and end the Tamaranean race once and for all. Starfire is horrified by this news and there are tears in her eyes as she angrily attacks Trogaar, wanting to kill him.
Beast Boy, meanwhile, is also trying to find anyone in the tunnels he's exploring. He feels uneasy and doesn't like this one bit. Suddenly he gets attacked by a creature that comes out of nowhere. Beast Boy is caught by surprise and tries to defend himself, but the creature proves to be too strong. Nothing Beast Boy throws at it is able to take it out. Beast Boy also isn't sure what this creature is, though it appears to be some kind of Werebeast…
Like Beast Boy, Raven is also feeling uneasy. Something about this just isn't right. Then she starts to get more visions of the Mark of Skath and the hooded figures that made it difficult for her to sleep last night. These visions are more intense than the ones she had last night and Raven tries to clear her head. She starts to hear voices chanting: "The gem was born of evil's fire. The gem shall be his portal. He comes to claim, he comes to sire, the end of all things mortal." Raven runs away from these voices while trying to block them out, but finds herself suddenly surrounded by fire and hooded figures without faces. Overwhelmed by the visions and voices, Raven falls to her knees. The chanting gets louder and the hooded figures now surrounding her begin to get closer. Raven's eyes even start to turn red…
Cyborg goes around a corner and is horrified by what he sees. Bodies. His ex-girlfriend, Marcy Reynolds. His father, Silas Stone. And Sarah Simms. He runs to them, but only Sarah Simms is still alive. Cyborg asks what she's doing here and Sarah explains that the gunmen kidnapped her and the other two in case the Titans showed up during their heist, though one of the gunmen got too trigger-happy before they could be used as hostages. Sarah tells Cyborg that this is his fault, she was brought here because she knew him and she asks him how many other people will have to die like her. Sarah then dies in Cyborg's arms and he starts crying, overcome by guilt for failing to protect Sarah, Silas, and Marcy. Cyborg then hears a familiar voice offering sympathy and Fixit emerges from the darkness behind Cyborg, offering his sympathies. He knows that loss hurts, though Fixit himself can no longer remember that feeling. He offers Cyborg a way to relieve himself of his guilt, grief, and loss. A way for him to no longer hurt or to desire connections with others that could get them killed. Cyborg seems to consider this as Fixit puts a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Robin, meanwhile, has gotten something from his utility belt and injected himself with it. The laughing Bruce/Joker vanishes, since it was just a Fear Toxin induced hallucination and Robin was thankfully carrying the cure. He pulls out his communicator and tries contacting any of the other Titans, trying to warn them that what they're seeing isn't real and that they've been exposed to Fear Toxin which manifests into their worst fears. But he gets no reply, only interference.
Back with Cyborg, we see what is really happening. There are no bodies and there is no Fixit. But there is a hand on Cyborg's shoulder and that hand belongs to the Arkham inmate behind this… Scarecrow, who still offers Cyborg a way to permanently get rid of all his pain.
Tara is still carefully following the footsteps. They lead her around a corner… and to a dead end. She's frustrated by this and wonders where the person could have gone, since she sure that she wasn't just hearing things. A voice reassures her that she wasn't and she quickly turns around as a figure emerges from the shadows: Slade. He tells Tara that he was impressed with how she handled herself against the scorpion and some of the gunmen that he hired, that he's glad they're finally getting this chance to talk. Since there is much they have to talk about. But Tara, hearing that he hired the gunmen, tries to fight Slade instead. Slade easily dodges and deflects her attacks, though holds back. He's more interested in testing her than beating her. He tells Tara that she's good, but not good enough. She lacks the discipline and the training to reach her full potential. Tara tells Slade to back off. She doesn't know who he is or what he wants with her, but she doesn't care either. Slade says he only wants to help Tara, but Tara doesn't believe him. She's already with the Titans, though Slade mentions that the Titans currently have their hands full and won't be coming for her anytime soon. And besides, the Titans don't know Tara. Not like he knows her. Tara tries to insist that Slade doesn't know her at all and that she has no reason to believe or listen to anything he has to say. Slade says she's right, so he'll give her a reason… by taking off his mask. Tara sees Slade's face and she gasps in surprise, eyes widened. Even with the eyepatch, she recognizes him. Slade smiles, telling Tara that it's been a long time and that it's good to see her again since he had worried that she didn't make it out. Slade also has something that he's been wanting to return to her and he gets out the same hair clip that we saw Brion give her in the flashback earlier. Slade explains that he kept it after she left it behind, holding onto it and the hope that he could one day find its owner. So Slade does know her. And unlike the Titans, he also knows where she's from. The life that she's running from. He knows her secret. Tara tries to grab the hair clip from Slade, but he grabs her arm and throws her back. He puts the butterfly-shaped clip in her hair himself while she flinches and Slade says that he noticed how she has grown more powerful since their last meeting. But he also noticed that she still lacks control and focus. She tries to hold back and Slade believes that if she learned how to master her gifts she could become more powerful than anyone Slade has ever met. He also believes that they could do great things together. Slade picks up a rock while explaining that right now Tara is rough around the edges. She needs a teacher, a mentor. Slade crushes the rock and reveals a diamond that was embedded inside, symbolizing how he could teach Tara to shine if she let him. He could help her prove everyone that doubted her wrong and to emerge from her chrysalis as a beautiful butterfly… just like Brion wanted. Tara actually considers this, but asks Slade what will happen to the Titans since they took her in and offered her a home. Slade points out that the Titans will have to be dealt with, since they would stand in their way. If they learned Tara's secret, they wouldn't understand. Slade tells Tara that he's the only one that would. She can help him get what she wants and he can help her get what she wants. With his help, she wouldn't need to keep running. Slade knows that Tara wants to help people… but what about the people she left behind? Slade asks what Brion would want and Tara snaps, telling Slade to shut up and not speak of her brother that way. This has enraged and stressed her out enough to start losing control of her powers, threatening to bring down the entire mine. Tara tries to regain control, but Slade tauntingly asks her how she can regain something she never had. He tells her that he'll never be far when she needs him and slips into the shadows.
Raven is also trying not to lose control, unsuccessfully trying to block out the chanting voices and visions while the hooded figures close in on her. And due to her emphatic abilities, she can sense the emotions that the other Titans are experiencing. All their grief, anger, distress, and fear. It's overwhelming. She's afraid as well, terrified of what could happen if she snaps. But she also knows that her friends need her help. So she starts an incantation: "Azarath… Metrion… Zinthos!" This clears her mind and unleashes her soul self, banishing the visions and voices. The fire and the hooded figures vanish, leaving Raven alone. She takes a moment to recover, still quite affected by the experience even though the Fear Toxin is out of her system. However, she'll have to think about it more later and she starts running down the tunnel in the direction of her friends.
Cyborg's not thinking clearly due to the Fear Toxin. He accepts Scarecrow's offer to take away the pain, since he doesn't think he'll be able to live with himself like this if the people he cares about dies because of him. Scarecrow, who still appears to Cyborg as Fixit, promises that it'll be over soon and we see him preparing to stab Cyborg's exposed areas with needles that are on one of his gloves. Cyborg seems to be ready for his fate, but before Scarecrow can go through with it the villain gets knocked back by magic and Raven tells him to stay the hell away from Cyborg. Scarecrow asks Raven if she would like to see her worst nightmare and Raven asks Scarecrow if he would like to see him, her eyes glowing red for a second. Scarecrow wisely retreats into the shadows after Raven threatens him. Raven doesn't pursue him though, her attention is focused on Cyborg. She sees that he's crying and Raven uses her emphatic/healing abilities on him, which gets rid of the Fear Toxin affecting Cyborg. From his point of view, the bodies vanish and he realizes they were never there. Raven comforts Cyborg and hugs him, letting him know that he's going to be alright. She can tell that like her, Cyborg is still going to be affected by this experience. And her powers can only do so much. She comforts him for a while longer and Cyborg thanks her before the two go to find the rest of their friends together.
Donna is still forcing her way through the flames, trying to reach the crying infant. She eventually manages to get close enough… and she sees that the baby is her. After this revelation, the baby vanishes and Donna is left in the flames. She sees no way out and feels very, very alone. She slumps onto the ground, defeated. But then she sees a figure walking toward her through the flames. From her perspective, it's Wonder Woman. But when she's close enough, Wonder Woman injects something into Donna and the scene changes from Fear Toxin hallucinations to reality. It's not Wonder Woman, it's Robin. A grateful Donna hugs Robin, crying a bit. The Toxin reminded Donna what she once was, a scared baby all alone in a burning building. But Robin reminded Donna what she now is, an Amazon hero with friends and a new family. Robin tells Donna that it will be okay and that they have to find the others before it's too late. Donna agrees and thanks Robin… for everything.
Kid Flash is racing through the mine tunnels, trying to outrun the pursuing Black Flash. But the Black Flash is always right behind him and slowly gaining. Kid Flash tries to find his way out of the mines as well, but the Fear Toxin causes the mines to appear as a maze to Kid Flash with new tunnels randomly appearing and disappearing. Kid Flash is starting to panic until he's stopped by a substance from Robin's utility belt (to ever take Kid Flash down if it was necessary like now) and Donna's lasso. Kid Flash is still freaking out and sees the Black Flash slowly advancing on him. But before the Black Flash is on him, Robin injects the Fear Toxin antidote into Kid Flash's blood. The Black Flash, just a hallucination, vanishes. Kid Flash is breathing hard and even after his friends tell him it was Scarecrow he's not immediately convinced. But he's still grateful and after a few moments runs off to make sure that everyone else gets out, since some trembling threatens to collapse the entire mine.
Starfire is trying to kill Trogaar, even threatening to bring down the ceiling on top of them while smashing Trogaar against the wall. She's screaming in Tamaranean, which means she's really pissed. Trogaar is definitely losing the fight, but before Starfire could deliver the final blow something strikes her neck. She pulls it out and sees that its a needle. The image in front of her then changes. She wasn't fighting Trogaar. She was fighting Beast Boy… and almost killed him. Beast Boy gets hit by a needle as well and the Werebeast towering over him changes to Starfire. Donna and Robin rush over, explaining what really happened. Starfire is horrified that she could have killed a friend and Beast Boy knows that she could have, which scares him. Starfire asks about the trembling and if it's explosives, but Robin doesn't think so. He thinks it's Tara…
And so does Raven, who can sense how distressed Tara is. She and Cyborg head down their tunnel until they find Tara, who is losing control and floating off the ground in the middle of what appears to be a small tornado. Cyborg is surprised that Tara is capable of this and Raven asks him to stay back while she tries to help her. Cyborg warns her to be careful, but trusts her to handle this. Raven flies into the tornado that Tara created and manages to comfort the crying Tara. With her powers, Raven manages to induce calm which helps Tara to regain control and stop the tornado that's threatening to bring down the mine. Tara apologizes to Raven. She wanted to do good, she really did. She wanted to be like the Titans. But she only made things worse. Raven tells Tara that it's okay and lets Tara hug her. Tara is worried when she sees Tara, but Cyborg tells Tara not to worry. They were all exposed to a hallucinatory Fear Toxin that made him break down as well. Upon hearing this, Tara at first thinks that Slade might have been a hallucination. But then she touches her hair… and feels the hair clip. She quickly puts it in her pocket before anybody calls attention to it. Cyborg asks Tara what the Fear Toxin made her see and Tara says that she doesn't want to talk about it, which Cyborg respects. Tara asks if they can just get out of here and the three start heading toward the exit of the mines together. Tara has a lot of her mind as they walk, but she does thank Cyborg and Raven for coming for her. They both tell her that it's no problem. They gotta watch out for each other, because most of the time no one else will. Cyborg also mentions that though this mission was kind of a disaster, so was one of his first when they tried to stop Cinderblock and he got in a disagreement with Robin. So Tara shouldn't beat herself up over it. Even now both he and Raven are still getting the hang of this superhero thing. Tara smiles at this.
The Titans regroup at the exit, none of them looking that great. They are all relieved to see each other, but Robin decides to go back into the mines after Scarecrow since he knows the villain best and has the Fear Toxin cure on him. While looking for Scarecrow, the criminal suddenly leaps out of the shadows and attacks Robin with a scythe. After a fight, Robin defeats Scarecrow and pulls his mask off. Robin demands to know who got Jonathan Crane out of Arkham and why he did this, but Crane just starts laughing. Robin is about to question Crane again when he hears something. A gunshot. He looks down at his hands and sees that they're covered in blood. His blood. Without a word, Robin falls forward and hits the ground. Standing behind him is Slade, who has pulled out a gun. Last season, Slade made a promise to kill Robin the next time they met. "And I'm a man of my word."
How's that for a cliffhanger? Don't worry, Robin isn't dead. But getting shot by Slade is a part of the arc I have planned for him this season, as well as just a way to end the Season Two premiere with a bang. That's also why I did the twist where it was revealed that the Scarecrow was the Arkham inmate busted out by Slade, not Joker like it initially appeared. I thought Scarecrow would be a good way to emotionally devastate the Titans at the beginning of the season, with the Fear Toxin hallucinations setting up storylines and themes I can develop throughout Season Two. Like everything in New Titans, what the Titans experienced will not be forgotten and they won't immediately get over it. What they saw and did is going to stick with them. There will be consequences. Since New Titans is more mature than the original animated series, I took this as a opportunity to expose their vulnerabilities and introduce new struggles. This was also the introductory episode of Terra, aka Tara. The big question of the first season was: "Who is Slade?" The big question of the second season is: "Who is Tara?" Her backstory is hinted here but will be revealed and become relevant later. And unlike the original animated series, she doesn't run away at the end of her first episode. Because I wanted to have Tara with the Titans for the entire season as a way to develop her relationships with the team and really make her feel like she's one of them, flesh her storyline out in a way that the animated series didn't. And as I mentioned in my retrospective, she and Beast Boy are not going to have any romance in New Titans. I wanted to do something different, which is why her most important interactions in this episode were actually with Raven. I was interested in writing a friendship between them, especially since they are not that different. Raven sees a lot of herself in Tara and that's a big reason why she wants Tara to stay with the Titans, since she's hoping that they can help Tara like they've helped her. Raven even has trouble controlling her abilities sometimes just like Tara has trouble with her powers, something which will come up again. But yeah, this was a long outline to write. Mostly because there was a lot that I needed to set up for the rest of Season Two. The Tara storyline, the Cult of Skath storyline, personal arcs, relationship arcs...
Please leave a review and let me know your thoughts. I'll try to get the next episode out sooner rather than later, because I don't want to leave you with that cliffhanger for too long.