In the sunny morning, Wally West was beaming excitedly as he discussed the exhilarating topic enthusiastically, in his flamboyant spandex and in his spacious living room as he was on the comfy sofa, opposite a fast asleep Elliot. He listened eagerly.
"So, the party will be at one, 'kay? I mean, all the Titans are pretty excited for our anniversary since we kicked the Brotherhood's butts, you know! Like everyone will be there, even Wildebeest and Argent!,"Beast Boy exclaimed cheerfully, giggling elatedly the whole time.
"Sure thing, BB! Oh and can I bring a friend? We are pretty close, you know and I think that you'll like him! He has ears like you!,"Kid Flash replied hopefully.
"Defo, man! If he has ears like me then we can start an elf ear club,"BB giggled estactically.
Wally chuckled amusedly,"Sure! He'll just love that."
"Well, can't wait to meet this dude! See ya later alligator!,"Beast Boy laughed merrily, cutting off the blissful call after Flash had said his entertaining goodbye.
Wally swiftly pocketed his small t-communicator and a wickedly mischievous smirk spread on his face. Oh, Elliot Knight's reaction when he found out he was hanging out with Beast Boy would be absolutely priceless. Flash smirked mischievously at the sleep purring boy on the other side, fast asleep and tucked in a tight ball as Jinx emerged again from the hygienic bathroom, raising her eyebrows at his forebodingly wicked expression on his face. She was in her flowy costume because it was the expected standard to be garbed in their own superhero attire (due to the fact it was the initial anniversary since the insidious Brotherhood Of Evil were defeated). She had clearly taken the particular effort to look better too: perfectly made hair, some light, not too ostentatious makeup and added jewelry, like small earrings and an elegant pendant. Jinx skeptically sat next to Wally, who was struggling vehemently to contain his roguish snickers.
"What torture have you set for Elliot now?,"she sighed exasperatedly.
"Well, you know how El loves parties...I'm dragging him along whether he likes it or not! And…,"Wally laughed wickedly,"I got Beast Boy hanging out with him!"
Jinx gaped in shocked horror and gasped,"Wally! You are the reincarnation of Satan himself!"
"Yep!,"Kid Flash sniggered amusedly,"It's gonna be so funny to see him freak."
Jinx shook her head disbelievingly as he darted rapidly over to Elliot's sleeping figure and leaned in closely to his sensitive demon ears. He bit his lip to contain his entertained snickers and shot one last puckish smirk to an exasperatedly sighing Jinx.
"Morning!,"he shouted abruptly.
As expected, Elliot Knight jerked fearfully with an immensely startled hiss, clamping a pale hand over his pointed ears. Wally burst into boisterous laughter and Jinx chuckled quietly, though of course she would never admit that. Elliot blinked confusedly before realizing annoyedly what had happened. He hissed frustratedly and turned the other way, hiding comfortably under the soft blanket and attempting to hopefully sleep again. Flash sighed amusedly.
"So. Get up. We're doing something exciting, and trust me, you won't want to miss out!,"Wally West goaded mischievously.
"...No…,"Elliot mumbled wearily, already settling down again.
Wally sighed and gave Jinx a roguish look, as she watched sardonically. Of course Wally takes this opportunity to bully his poor companion. The puckish speedster grabbed a fistful of Elliot's embarrassing Spiderman pyjamas and yanked playfully, wrenching him to the hard, cold floor. Elliot hissed tiredly again and groaned uncomfortably as he curled up tightly, just trying to sleep again. Even if that meant sleeping on the cold floor. Kid Flash sighed frustratedly- how could he be so insufferable in the morning? With only one more devious idea left, he leaned in closely to Elliot Knight's pointed ear, sniggering suspiciously mischievously. Elliot stiffened but didn't make any move.
"So. Ellie, do you want me to tickle you, or will, one last chance, get up?,"Flash warned mockingly.
Elliot Knight jolted up panickedly and Wally West was too distracted and bloated by his evident victory to elude him. Elliot's pale face connected brusquely with Wally's, and both of their hands shot to rub where they had hit. Elliot jumped up and and hissed irritatedly as he glared hostilely up at an amusedly smirking Kid Flash.
"What is so important you have to attack me awake?,"he snapped moodily.
"Well. There's this party and I'm making you go. So there. Oh and I'm picking what you wear, you have to look good, okay?,"Flash explained teasingly.
"You can't make me!,"Elliot hissed defiantly, crossing his arms as he turned away so that Wally saw only his back.
"Hmm...I bet that there is hawaiin pizza…?,"Wally taunted much too knowingly.
Elliot stiffened conflictedly and sighed defeatedly,"I've changed my mind. You have done nothing that made me."
"Yeah sure,"Flash teased amusedly, before hastening at the look on Elliot's pale face,"Err- anyways, I'm going to get you looking...decent, okay? C'mon, Ellie."
Elliot Knight was swiftly ushered into Wally West's unorganised bedroom, Wally eager to select his clothing for once and Elliot a little fearful to be honest.
The three were walking through the bustling streets of Jump City at half past twelve. Passing citizens gawked incredulously and exclaimed delightedly as they witnessed the famous Kid Flash, dressed in his colourful spandex and the popular Jinx, wearing her flouncy costume, both with their heads held high. The two, well-known Titans were beaming confidently, fully at ease with the bright pointing and excited exclamations. However, it was completely different for Elliot Knight. He was trailing behind Wally West, keeping his head bowed and attempting to ignore the furtive, offensive insults that, unbeknownst to them, he could hear clearly. He had his black, shoulder-length hair completely down, framing his pale, narrow facial features well, though he evidently didn't think that, as he seemed stubbornly resolved to glare uneasily at the uninteresting pavement. He looked uncomfortably tense in Wally's chosen outfit: a designer, grey turtleneck top that was only a little loose, expensive, blue Tommy jeans and flamboyant Nike trainers. Elliot loathed his vacuous appearance anyway, from his peculiar amber eyes from his pointed ears to his strange, feline antics. Therefore, he adamantly agreed with the whispered words of 'freak', 'is that a vampire?', 'what is he?' and 'weirdo'. Elliot's doleful despondency was such a striking comparison to his superpowered friends' unwavering confidence, it was almost amusing. He merely drifted fearfully behind Wally, still befuddled why they even desired to wear their too recognisable attire, not caring at all where he was being led to. After all, it was only a stupid party anyway. The only reason he was really coming anyway was because there would be hawaiin pizza. That was it. He was so deeply delved in his dolorous musings he hadn't noticed when Flash had stopped walking brightly and crashed clumsily into his back. Wally turned around, grinning mischievously.
"Someone needs to look where they are going,"Flash teased playfully, before examining his branded outfit proudly for probably the millionth time,"Huh. That turtleneck suits you, El, you should wear them more often."
Elliot fiddled tensely with the comfy neck material but managed a fickle smile, though scarcely. Flash sighed knowingly and smiled sympathetically.
"Hey, just ignore what those imbeciles are saying. And if you need...distraction, think of that hawaiin pizza, El! Oh and when we get there...don't feel you have to be mute,"Kid Flash warned suspiciously.
Elliot narrowed his amber eyes mistrustfully and warily followed as the three turned the corner.
Elliot Knight froze.
It all clicked. Jinx's clear exasperation, Wally West's more roguish demeanor than usual, his odd warning to not be mute. Everything fell into place the very moment he mortifiedly stared up at the intimidating t-shaped tower. This wasn't a small party. This was the initial anniversary since all of the countless Titans had successfully defeated the insidious Brotherhood Of Evil's heinous plot, trapping them and all of their villainous supporters in freezing ice. In fact, Elliot still anguishedly recalled the hazy reality that had invaded his disorientated mind then, only thinking of the horribly biting coolness and desperately when the supposedly noble heroes will release him from the vicious temperature. His sleeping pattern had been completely unpredictable and after a while, being stuck in his immensely, painfully awkward, caused his pained limbs to ache so horribly, agonised tears had poured down his pale face the whole time. Blearily, between his unforeseeable, deep slumbers, he recognised even a few of the victorious Titans, mainly Argent and Jericho, watching concernedly at the weeping villain. The freezing lethargy he had experienced always haunted his already troubled mind, like moths to a lamp. When his bitingly cold ice had finally been melted, he had weakly collapsed to the hard platform, with no strength left whatsoever. He scarcely remembered the blurry memory of himself sobbing vehemently with his numb body pressed against the uncomfortable floor at not only the merciless physical agony but also the heart wrenching knowledge that Jinx had shamelessly abandoned him. He had continued sobbing fervently when dark blotches had menacingly began companioning the dizzy spinning until he had eventually passed out alone. Next time he had awoken was in the middle of the eerie night as he was being carried gently by a bedraggled, lethargic Mammoth with Billy Numerous multiplied so that one copy could hold an unconscious Seemore with tear tracks on his face too bridal style and another cradling a slumberous Gizmo, who had looked as though he had instead had a disconsolate tantrum and the others to support Billy himself really. To put it shortly, they had been an emotional, languid wreck. Therefore, this little celebration may be a small party for Kid Flash and Jinx but it was an agonising remainder of the truly awful pain he had suffered and would never forget for the poor former villain.
Wally West's playful grin dispersed swiftly at the petrified look Elliot Knight had. He tenderly tugged him in a consoling embrace, feeling him tremble and then finally relax. Admittedly, Elliot felt secure pressed safely in Kid Flash's chest and wrapped tightly in his strong arms so that soon his breathing steadied gradually and he could muse coherently again.
"Hey. You good, El?,"Flash enquired soothingly.
Elliot seemed to have momentarily lost any will whatsoever to audibly reply, so he merely nodded calmly against his chest. He had to reassure himself that he wasn't a villain anymore- he needn't be concerned. With a deep, stabling breath, he pulled away from the guilty speedster and glared determinedly at the vast tower. He wasn't intimidated by a mere memory! Wally smiled proudly at his pale friend and Jinx sighed relievedly, as they began their tiring ascent to the grand doors of the impressive tower.
In the Teen Titan's spacious living room, Robin was raising his eyebrow skeptically at an excited Beast Boy. Raven had swiftly resolved that she was absolutely finished with this pointless conversation and had buried her nose in a thick volume while Cyborg merrily created the vast buffet with a random whistle and Starfire flying gracefully as she hung all the colourful decorations. Robin didn't really know what to do other than simply allow BB to chatter esctatically.
"So, Wally was all agreeing and stuff and then he asked if he could bring this dude to come! And I was all like sure, what's he like? Then Wally went on about how I'd like him and-"
"Hold up. Do you even know this person's name?,"Robin interrupted questioningly.
Beast Boy was clearly caught off guard by his abrupt question and answered brightly,"Not exactly! But he says that he has the same ears as me! And by the way Wally puts him, he's pretty cool! But anyway, can we-"
Suddenly, they heard an energetic knock on the large and in an instance, BB was pelting enthusiastically to fetch it. Beast Boy sprinted excitedly and energetically clicked the sleek button. With that, the massive doors soundlessly slid open to reveal a roguishly grinning Kid Flash, a friendly Jinx and... another boy. The boy had a ghostly pale complexion like Raven's and had odd, amber eyes. He had a narrow face with all of his slim facial features, except he seemed to have broken his nose recently as it was crooked. He had silky, black hair that went up to his shoulders and yes, pointed elvish ears like Beast Boy himself. In fact, he was actually dressed quite well: in a warm turtleneck sweater; expensive, probably designer by the looks of it, blue jeans; fashionable Nike trainers. BB grinned cheerfully.
"Hey, dude and dudettes! How is it going? You're the first here by the way,"he exclaimed brightly.
"Hey Beast Boy,"Jinx said pleasantly.
"Hi BB! So. This is my friend, Elliot,"Flash replied blissfully, nudging an unnerved Elliot.
Elliot Knight waved cautiously, hesitating apprehensively to take the green Titan's extended hand. He shook it fearfully, snatching it back straight away afterwards. Beast Boy looked up at Wally West instead quizzically.
"Can he...speak?,"BB asked tentatively.
Wally nodded and sighed exasperatedly,"Yeah. He can. Go on, Ellie."
Elliot hissed defeatedly (making BB stare curiously) and muttered quietly,"Hi."
Flash elbowed him harder than initially, nodding encouragingly. Elliot's dark, cantankerous demeanour made Beast Boy wonder if Raven would prefer his company instead.
"Hi. Beast Boy. How are you?,"Elliot asked stiffly.
"Err. Good...,"he answered awkwardly.
BB shook his head dismissively and ushered everyone through the modern doorway eagerly, pleased to have led the first arriving guests. Jinx looked ever so slightly uncomfortable but otherwise fine, compared to Wally's confidently enthusiastic stride and Elliot basically cowering behind the energetic speedster as they entered the grand interior. Beast Boy was practically skipping deightedly as they made their way to the spacious living room. The three roommates were greeted with the rest of the Teen Titans welcoming them. Yet again, Kid Flash introduced him as Elliot and they had all been very warm and friendly to him. At least for ten minutes.
Raven had advanced agogly, staring eerily intently as though she was meticulously scouring Elliot Knight's very own soul. Elliot had been immensely nervous, knowing too well that she could sense his great unease as the powerful empath she was and she was definitely suspicious. Suddenly, her eyes widened and her strong arms shot up, black magic bursting out of her pale hands. Before Elliot could even begin to react, a tight bound of black sorcery roughly clamped his arms uncomfortably tight to his side and around his torso as she flipped him upside down, smirking coldly at his futile struggling. With almost amusing ease, she blocked each desperate attempt to escape via effective teleportation. All of the entertained Titans spun around and stared incredulously at the shocking scene.
"Looks like a villain got in. Say hello to Kyd Wykkyd,"Raven spat frostily.
Elliot glared hostilely at Wally and uttered spitefully,"Damn you, Wally."
She tightened the hold around his chest momentarily, efficiently winding him and she released her immovable grip to allow him to catch his breath again. As the former villain wheezed breathlessly, Kid Flash darted away from his joking conversation with Cyborg to Raven.
"Ugh- err- he is umm...not a villain anymore, Rae,"he laughed nervously,
Robin walked forwards confusedly, hand set firmly on his metallic staff and enquired seriously,"Wally? What is going on?"
"Look. He wanted to be a civilian and I- err met him- like- like this, you know? Yeah, had no….idea that he was a- ugh, villain! But we-errr, are friends and when he, ummm, told me he was a Hive, he, ugh, said h-he wanted to just- be a -errr- civilian!,"Wally explained sheepishly, unable to meet Elliot's fiery scowl.
"Right. You sure?,"Cyborg checked disbelievingly.
"Yep! I've kept an eye on him! Can you release him now?,"Flash requested uneasily.
Starfire whizzed swiftly to the dangling villain and smiled brightly,"Friend Raven! You should let the Elliot go! The KId Flash would not hazard our safety, yes?"
Robin merely nodded and watched non-committedly as Raven grudgingly released him, simply breaking the mighty spell so that he fell on his back with an injured grunt. Starfire beamed innocently and before Elliot could say anything, crushed him in a painfully tight embrace, resulting in him gasping painedly.
"Joy! Friend Elliot, what is your favorite colour? Where do you come from? What is your favorite food? What are your powers? Oh and will you be my friend?,"she interrogated excitedly.
He teleported out of her bone-crushing embrace rapidly, wheezing breathlessly again and slowly mustered his words.
"Er- purple, dunno, hawaiin pizza, teleportation and portals, and er- yes?,"Elliot Knight replied flusteredly.
"Joy! I have the new friend!,"Starfire squealed delightedly.
Kid Flash smirked amusedly, only to be met by Elliot's irritatedly scowl. Abruptly, a small knock sounded and Beast Boy raced keenly to answer it again.
The entertaining day wasn't half as unfortunate as Elliot Knight had initially anticipated. The Titans were surprisingly welcoming even after the original incident, especially Starfire, Argent and Jericho. In fact, all experienced heroes from the bustling battle against the Brotherhood Of Evil had arrived for the cheerful anniversary, which was admittedly slightly unsettling for the former villain. Nonetheless, Cyborg's vast buffet was immensely appeasing and admittedly the raucous music played wasn't the worst Elliot had heard before. The anniversary was rather pleasant actually and he had definitely got to know them all better. It was on these enjoyable occasions that Elliot believed that he had made the correct decision.