I am very excited to share this chapter, since I think it is probably one of my best. Please enjoy...

Episode Three: Only Human

We begin with a flashback showing an African American eight year old walking alone at night through the streets of Jump City, having sneaked out. The kid is looking around, taking in all the sights. He doesn't seem to be searching for anything specific, he just enjoys being out. He enjoys being out so much that he's not paying attention when he's crossing the road, getting caught in the headlights of an approaching car. The car honks at the kid, but he's too scared to move. The car is about to smash into the kid, but then someone else tackles the kid out of the way. It's another kid and he asks the one who was saved what he was thinking by just standing there. The rescued kid is just surprised that the other kid saved him and the other kid says he just couldn't let him splat. The other kid introduces himself as Ron Evers. When asked what he's called, the rescued kid introduces himself to Ron as Victor Stone, ending the flashback…

Cut to Titans Tower, present day. Donna Troy is in Simon LaGrieve's office, meeting up with the psychiatrist to talk about her own doubts and issues. She admits that she often feels like she has to be what other people want her to be. Friend. Sister. Hero. Leader. She sometimes feels like she's the one keeping the Titans together. And while she does understand why Dick gave leadership to her, a part of her honestly does resent Dick for handing over all the responsibilities that came with leading the Titans. She was fine with filling in temporarily while he was unavailable like a few times in season one, but a permanent position means that Donna has higher expectations for herself because people are depending on her even more. While she does have other interests, that's what Donna Troy is: the person that people can depend on. And Donna can't help but wonder who she would have been if it hadn't been for the fire. Sometimes Donna does want to be selfish, but in the end she always puts the needs of others before herself. That's what brought her to Jump City in the first place, she was following Robin. Because Donna cares about people, that's her greatest strength... but also perhaps her greatest weakness. She feels like she has to live up to her older sister, even though Donna doesn't want to be Wonder Woman. But like she said before, she feels like she has to be what other people want her to be. And if people want her to be Wonder Woman, she feels like she has to be Wonder Woman. And she feels bad for thinking otherwise, bad for resenting Dick because of a decision that she knows was good for him and the team, bad for wanting to be selfish. Because she wasn't raised by the Amazons to be selfish. She was raised to be selfless. LaGrieve tells Donna that she shouldn't be ashamed to want to be selfish, to think about herself. Because she deserves happiness as much as the people that she cares about. She shouldn't feel obligated to live up to the expectations of others and be who they want her to be. Donna is worth more than what she can give.

Elsewhere in the Tower, Beast Boy is in the living room watching Animal Planet from the couch. While watching the television he is also petting Wonder Dog, who is sitting next to Beast Boy. Tara walks in and says good morning to Beast Boy, asking if they're the only ones still in the Tower. Beast Boy says that Donna is meeting with LaGrieve, but the others are out. Cyborg went to S.T.A.R. Labs, Dick went to the Wayne Enterprises building, and Raven and Starfire are at school. When asked what he's watching, Beast Boy explains that he likes to watch nature documentaries because it lets him know his options. After all, he has the entire Animal Kingdom at his disposal and all the abilities that come with it. Beast Boy then asks Tara why she isn't at school with Raven and Starfire, since Donna would easily be able to falsify an ID so she could attend. Tara admits that school just isn't really something that interests her. And she doesn't think she could handle being in a large class. Beast Boy understands what she means and relates to it, since he feels the same. He also admits to not leaving the Tower as much as everyone else, so he thinks it will be pretty cool to have someone to keep him company during the school day. He offers her a spot on the couch and she smiles before joining him and Wonder Dog. It's a commercial, so Beast Boy decides to make breakfast for the both of them. Tara thanks him and she pets Wonder Dog while Beast Boy gets up to go to the kitchen.

While across Jump City, Dick is meeting up with Kate Kane at the Wayne Enterprises building. She asks him how he's recovering and he admits that he has been feeling much better thanks to all the rest he's gotten. Kate is glad to hear it, but she didn't just ask him to come here to check on the progress of his recovery. She lets him know that in Robin's absence, a new player has entered the picture. Kate pulls up some security camera footage and shows it to Dick, who watches some carjackers getting stopped by Flamebird. Though Flamebird does take down the carjackers, one of the criminals still manages to get a good hit on her. Dick asks who this is and Kate explains that there have been similar reports of this vigilante taking on street crime. Just minor stuff so far, like muggers and carjackers. According to eyewitness reports, the vigilante calls herself Flamebird. Dick replays the footage and notices that Flamebird's fighting style is kickboxing. However, he comments that she's clearly an amateur and her inexperience shows. She's lucky that the carjackers didn't have guns. He can tell that she doesn't nearly have the same training that Dick had before he was deemed ready and allowed to put on the Robin costume. Dick guesses that Flamebird is either a misguided fan with good intentions who is in over her head or a thrill seeker doing this just for fun. Either way, this Flamebird could easily get herself killed doing this. Kate agrees and has already figured out as much as Robin, though she is still working on uncovering Flamebird's identity. She just wanted to let Dick know about the situation and she suggests that Flamebird may be one of the fangirls that writes letters to Titans Tower. Dick just hopes that it isn't one of his creepier fangirls, because some of the mail he's gotten has been really weird. He thanks Kate for the information and tells her that he does have plans today. Plans to be Dick Grayson.

Starfire is her school's locker room, changing for cheerleading practice. Bette is with her and Starfire notices something different about Bette... a black eye. When Starfire asks about it, Bette tells her that she got it when she wasn't looking where she was going. But Starfire is unconvinced and she asks Bette if someone gave it to her. Bette's denial only makes Starfire more suspicious and Bette can tell where her suspicions are going. She reassures Starfire that her parents didn't give the black eye to her, since it's not like her parents would care enough to do so... It was just an accident and she's sticking with that. Starfire decides to let it go, though she still can't completely shake away her worries and suspicions that Bette is hiding something from her.

Raven, meanwhile, is studying in the school library. Her mind elsewhere, she unintentionally draws the Mark of Skath on her notes. She doesn't realize it until Goth, who is meeting up with her, points it out. Raven quickly tries to cross out the Mark of Skath, obviously frustrated. Goth can tell that something is wrong and he asks Raven what's bothering her, wondering if it has anything to do with the Mark of Skath. He mentions that the Mark of Skath has been showing up all over Jump City lately, left by some vandal. Raven asks Goth if he knows anything else about the Mark, like the identity of the person leaving it. Goth admits that he doesn't know, but maybe they could look into it together if it's bugging Raven so much. Raven tells him that he doesn't have to do it, that she can't really tell him why the Mark is affecting her and that it's just something very personal. Goth understands and tells her that she doesn't have to tell him anything she's not comfortable with. However, he does admit that the Mark of Skath gives off an occult vibe and that he's always suspected that Jump City may have a secret dark side. He's even done some investigation himself and has found some weird stuff connected to the occult, weird stuff that he's willing to show Raven if she's ever willing to come over to his house. He tells her that he still wants to help, his hand touching hers. Raven blushes slightly and says that she'll consider it, still insisting that the Mark isn't a problem but admitting she is curious about what Goth might know. Goth reminds Raven that she can call him anytime she wants and leaves her to her studies so she can focus, though he smirks to himself while walking away from her. He's fine with her keeping secrets, since he has secrets of his own…

Starfire finishes up cheerleading practice and sees someone waiting for her. It's Dick. She's surprised to see him and asks what he's doing here. Dick says that he meant what he said about wanting to fix her not knowing him as much as she would like. He knew that she would be free after cheerleading practice so he wants them to hang out and to do it as Dick Grayson, no costumes. He asks if she would like to go see a movie or something and she happily accepts, overjoyed to have the opportunity to spend more time with him as friends and not just as teammates. The two then go off together.

At S.T.A.R. Labs, Cyborg is training with a weight machine that increases the load as he tries to lift it. Cyborg also has a device on his arm that lets him know how much of his power he is using already. Silas Stone is monitoring and encouraging Cyborg, but when Cyborg tries to give more than 100% he fails. This frustrates Cyborg and he begins walking away in anger, but Silas chases after him and tells his son that it's alright since they were just testing his limits. Cyborg tells Silas that's exactly the problem. In the past when he was an athlete he always tried to exceed his limits, and he always succeeded, giving it 110%. But he can't do that anymore since he is now only half-human. His muscles are mechanical and limits are built in, so he can only give 100%. Silas asks Cyborg if he wants to talk about anything, especially since it's been so long since they've just sat down and talked. Both of them also need to be open with each other if they're going to take steps to repair their relationship. Cyborg agrees, sits down with his father, and just starts talking since he has a lot to get off his chest while Silas listens. He admits knowing that Silas and his mother loved him, even while they were busy. Cyborg remembers playing in their lab while they tinkered with their computers. Silas and Elinore were searching for ways to boost intelligence back then, so the young Vic came in handy. They probed him, tested him, wired him up, and God knows what else. Vic sometimes thought he was more of a guinea pig than a son to them. But Vic knew that his parents loved him and as Silas reminds him, they went places. One year it was the circus. Once or twice a ball game. However, Vic points out that those were the exceptions. He acknowledges that Silas and Elinore didn't dream that they might be hurting him. But they kept pushing and Vic kept learning and that was the way it mostly was. Silas asks Vic if he resented them. Vic honestly answers that he did... and he didn't. He didn't know what he was missing and his parents did show their love to him. Vic had private tutors so he never went to public school and never really went much out at all. But by the time that Vic was eight, he started sneaking out at night just to see what he was missing. And that was how Vic met Ron, his first friend. And to a restless withdrawn kid like Vic was, Ron seemed to be what life was about. Ron made everything fun. So whatever Ron did, Vic did. Until the cops caught Vic and his friends looting a grocery store, as Silas remembers. Vic nods and recalls that Silas didn't say a word the whole trip home, just sent him to his room. Vic had never seen Silas like that before and was so scared wondering what he might do to him…

We get a flashback showing Elinore Stone entering her son's bedroom. A young Vic says that he's really sorry and promises that he won't do it again. Elinore tells Vic that she and his father love him and that something like this is so... disappointing. She worries that they've pushed him too much, but Vic tearfully says that he doesn't want science. He just wants to do what he wants. Elinore hugs Vic, saying that all they want is for Vic to be happy and to be good. Vic points out that he doesn't know any kids and that he doesn't want a tutor, asking why he can't go to school with everyone else. That's when Silas enters the room, telling him what association with others has already done. Vic has become a hooligan. "By God, son. You've got the stuff of brilliance. Why do you insist on ruining yourself? I've had such great dreams for you."

Back in present day, Vic admits that was the first time he truly felt hate for Silas. His father had dreams, but he never once thought that Vic had dreams as well. Silas acknowledges that he was wrong and one of the things that he doesn't regret is letting Elinore talk him into letting Vic go to public school. That's when Vic got into sports and found something that gave him some inner satisfaction. That was also when Vic met Marcy. Whatever's happened between them since then, at that point they were real tight. And while Vic didn't run with Ron's gang anymore, Ron was still his best friend. But not everything was going great, which Silas remembers all too well...

Another flashback shows Silas confronting a teenage Vic about going out again, since Vic is falling behind in his studies. But Vic simply tells his dad that he doesn't care. Silas, however, forbids his son from running with those animals. He did not raise Vic to be shot down on some street corner. But Vic lets Silas know that what he says doesn't matter to him anymore. Vic is going to do things his way, so Silas can save it because Vic ain't listening. Vic leaves and Silas sits down, his face in his hands as he wonders out loud when did they lose him. Elinore overheard the fight and she tells Silas that they pushed him so hard, never once wondering if they were doing right. Silas admits to Elinore that he's so afraid of Vic. Their son is pure bundled-up energy waiting to explode. Vic hasn't any patience and Silas doesn't think that he'll ever be a scientist. Elinore reminds him that Vic is good at sports, but Silas dismisses sports as a waste of all that brilliance and all that talent. Vic, meanwhile, is on a date with Marcy when he runs into Ron, who says that he and his boys could use Vic's muscle since they got themselves a rumble going that night with another gang. Vic tries to turn Ron down, since that's not his style anymore. Ron reminds Vic that he owes him for saving his life the first time that they met and a reluctant Vic agrees to help since Ron is his friend. Later that night Vic is with Ron when his gang gets into their rumble with a rival gang. At first, it's just fists. But when one of the rival gang members pulls out a knife and slashes Vic with it. Ron, however, manages to knock the guy out and comments that Vic owes him again. That's when they hear police sirens and everyone splits. Vic manages to make it back home and his parents are horrified to see him looking like something the cat would have buried. Elinore bandages Vic's wounds, but Silas is furious. "You asked why I've been so hard on him, Elinore? I swore I wouldn't call him my son if he wound up this way... and I meant it!" Silas storms out and Elinore asks Vic why, since she thought all this was over. Vic blames his father though, since Silas is always pushing him and putting him down. But Elinore won't have it, telling Vic not to blame his father since Silas didn't cut him with a knife. Vic had freedom of choice. Nobody took Vic's hand and pushed him into this. Nobody but himself. Vic wanted public school and they gave it to him. Vic wanted sports and they didn't stop him. Vic could have gone anywhere, done anything... but Vic's problem is that he doesn't know what he wants. Silas was right, there is anger inside Vic. But Elinore tells Vic never to aim that anger at them. She tells him to aim it where it belongs, at himself for ruining every opportunity he's had.

Back in the present day, Vic remembers that Elinore was crying when she said that. It must have torn out her heart to get mad at him. But back then all Vic got was mad and, like his father, he stormed out. Both Vic and Silas fall silent, reflecting upon the things they've done and the things they've said. Things that they now regret. But before they can continue their conversation, alarms go off and loudspeakers announce that "Project Atlas" is on a rampage. Cyborg tells his father to get to safety and responds to the threat, finding security guards being tossed around by a giant robot that must be "Project Atlas." Cyborg and Atlas get into a brief fight that ends with Atlas overpowering Cyborg and blasting through the building's wall in order to escape. Cyborg is unable to stop Atlas from fleeing and decides to call the other Titans. This could be a problem...

Elsewhere in Jump City, a mechanic named Spike is working in his garage when Atlas suddenly busts in. Atlas demands Spike's services, since he needs someone to help him become battle-ready. Spike agrees to help after being threatened by Atlas and gets to work immediately, since Atlas can't afford to waste any time. Because while he's busy getting ready, so is his enemy...

The Titans have all regrouped at the Tower. Cyborg has managed to gather some data on S.T.A.R. Labs' "Project Atlas" and shares it with the others. Apparently it was being built as a weapon to use against the Titans in case they ever went rogue or were mind controlled, with Atlas' weapons meant to counter the abilities and powers of the Titans. "Project Atlas" was top secret and not even Silas knew about it. But apparently something went wrong and now Atlas has been unleashed upon Jump City. The Titans begin to make plans to find and take down Atlas, but it turns out they don't need to. Because Atlas comes to them. Having avoided the Tower's defenses, Atlas grabs Cyborg and throws him out a window. Once again, Atlas overpowers Cyborg and is hardly fazed by Cyborg's own attacks. Spike tries to stop the Titans from intervening, but they rush him regardless. Dick throws some explosive birdarangs, Tara throws rocks, Starfire throws starbolts, Raven uses her powers to cause a tidal wave, Beast Boy tries to crush Atlas as a whale, and Donna flies into Atlas, tackling him. However, nothing they throw at Atlas takes him down. The fight ends with Atlas capturing all of the Titans except for Cyborg in energy bubbles and mocking them for being "no challenge." Cyborg demands that Atlas let them go and Atlas surprises Cyborg by saying that he only wants the Titans as bargaining chips. It's Cyborg that he really wants. Cyborg asks why and Atlas tells Cyborg that he'll know soon enough. Atlas threatens the other Titans, saying that if Cyborg wants them back he should come to the Jump City stadium at sunset... alone. No tricks, no weapons, no help. What Atlas wants is a fair one-on-one fight where he can defeat Cyborg properly. If Cyborg breaks any of his conditions, then his friends will die. Cyborg realizes that he has no choice but to agree and Atlas teleports away with the captured Titans.

Cut to Cyborg sitting in Titans Tower's living room, alone except for Wonder Dog who is at his side. Wonder Dog looks at Cyborg sadly and Cyborg pets him, telling the animal that he misses the others too and that he promises to get them back. For whatever reason, this Atlas jerk targeted the Titans to get to him because of some grudge that Cyborg didn't even know about. Cyborg tells Wonder Dog how he lost all of his old friends after he became... this. Of course, true friends don't desert you because of an accident. So maybe he just never had any true friends and it took a long time before he figured out who his real friends are. And now his real friends are counting on him. Cyborg still remembers what it was like when he finally had the courage to walk outside after his accident. He remembers feeling their eyes boring into him. Fear. Hate. It hurt so much. But never so much as when kids ran away from him. He was a monster. A blasted Frankenstein. And he cursed his father over and over again for not letting him die. Finally he couldn't take it anymore.

We get another flashback showing Silas walking into Cyborg's bedroom and seeing Cyborg packing up a suitcase. Silas asks Cyborg what he's doing and Cyborg says that he's getting out of here, that seeing Silas every day makes Cyborg hate his father and himself even more than he already does. Silas tries to tell Cyborg that he's not finished with his training and there are still tells, but Cyborg tells Silas to stuff his tests. Cyborg doesn't care if his body rejects this steel garbage that Silas has turned him into. He doesn't care if he dies. And he doesn't care if he ever sees Silas again. Silas says nothing and Cyborg hates him even more for it.

Back in the present day, Cyborg admits that he might have died if it hadn't been for the Titans. The Titans saved him. They, along with Sarah Simms, also helped him get rid of all the hate that was poisoning him from the inside. Which made him willing to forgive his father before it was too late for either of them. Cyborg tells Wonder Dog that he can only give it 100%, but that will be enough. Staring out of the window that Atlas smashed, Cyborg watches as the sun begins to set. It's time.

Atlas is waiting in the Jump City Stadium, where the other Titans are held captive. He orders Spike to buff him and the frightened mechanic complies. That's when Cyborg arrives, telling Atlas that he's ready to do this. Atlas asks Cyborg if the Stadium brings back any memories from before his accident, back when he was playing football for his school? Cyborg refuses to let Atlas get to him though, since he's here to save his friends and not to listen to Atlas' taunts. Atlas has Spike remove his arsenal, since as promised this will be a fair one-on-one fight. Done talking, Atlas and Cyborg charge at each other. Unfortunately, like before Atlas seems to have Cyborg outmatched and Cyborg takes a violent beating. Cyborg still gives it everything he's got until his power meter reaches 100%. But it's not enough and despite his friends cheering him on, Cyborg loses after another powerful hit from Atlas. Cyborg concedes defeat and requests Atlas to release the other Titans, since Atlas got what he wanted. However, Atlas refuses and intends to keep the Titans as trophies. He wants Cyborg to live knowing that he failed his friends when they needed him most. Though he does point out that Cyborg should have no trouble walking away, since he's left his friends behind before. That's when Cyborg realizes who Atlas is. "Ron?" Atlas confirms this, explaining that after Cyborg left him to die his brain was saved by some scientists and put into the Atlas body. They thought that a human mind would make Atlas a superior weapon. But when they tested Atlas, they underestimated Ron's hate for Cyborg and he broke free of their control after waiting months for the right opportunity. During that entire time it was Ron's hate and a desire for the perfect revenge that kept him going. The Titans tell Cyborg that he can still beat Atlas, but Cyborg doesn't think he can. He reached his limit, while Atlas still had power to spare. He tries to apologize to Ron, but Atlas won't hear it. He didn't do all this for an apology. Defeated, Cyborg walks away.

In the Stadium's locker room, Atlas has set up a mancave of sorts that includes stolen electronics. Atlas is playing on the stolen video game console, trying to find some satisfaction in defeating opponents online. But he feels nothing. The Titans are unable to escape from their energy bubbles and Dick asks Spike why he's helping Atlas. Spike says that he just wants to be on the winning side and that he's afraid of what Atlas might do to him if he steps out of line. He has nothing against the Titans, he even admits to being a fan. But he's seen what Atlas is capable of and would rather be with Atlas than against him. It's not the right thing to do, it's the smart thing to do.

Meanwhile, a dejected Cyborg is walking through Jump City's dark streets. He stops in front of a store window and stares at his reflection, which stares back at him. He tells himself that he just couldn't do it, even with his friends counting on him. He thinks this was all his fault, especially since he had failed to save Ron in the first place...

We get one more flashback that shows after Cyborg moved out of his father's home, he turned to Ron. Cyborg tells Ron that his father did this to him, but Ron isn't surprised. He says that this is exactly what Silas' research is being used for. That Cyborg may be the first, but he won't be the last. He tells Cyborg that he has to do more than just feel sorry for himself because his father turned him into a monster. He asks Cyborg to imagine an army of monsters like him. And it'll be an army made from poor kids like Ron, forced to kill other poor kids by the government. Ron doesn't care if Cyborg does it for revenge or if he does it to stop this from happening to anybody else. But Ron tells Cyborg that he needs his help. That night, Ron and several others wearing camouflage are on the roof of S.T.A.R. Labs planting a bomb. They set the timer to give them enough time to get clear. One of Ron's companions hears something and he sees a figure climbing onto the roof. Ron reassures his companion that the figure is with him, since it's Cyborg. And Cyborg admits that Ron was right. He couldn't sit around feeling sorry for himself, doing nothing. Cyborg didn't ask for these "gifts'' that his father gave him and he'll be damned if anyone else has them. But there's got to be a better way for Cyborg to use what he has to stop that from happening. Ron's not going to just take out S.T.A.R. Labs and Cyborg is not here to help him. Cyborg's here to stop him. Ron and his companions open fire, but Cyborg quickly takes them out. During the struggle, Ron loses his balance and falls off the rooftop, barely managing to cling to the edge. Cyborg's about to save him, but then he sees that the bomb was somehow jostled during the fight and has jumped its countdown time so that it goes off in seconds instead of minutes. Ron begs Cyborg to save him, reminding Cyborg that he owes him since Ron has saved his life twice. Cyborg has to decide and he does so, telling Ron that he doesn't owe him anything. Maybe he owed the kid Ron was before he scarred himself beyond reason. But not Ron now. Cyborg grabs the bomb and throws it clear of S.T.A.R. Labs, intending to save Ron afterward. Cyborg thought he could save both, but after the bomb exploded in the air he saw that Ron was unable to hold on for that long. Ron was gone.

Back in the present day, Cyborg realizes that he has to go back. Like before, he can't just sit around feeling sorry for himself and doing nothing. Because that's not who he is. Cyborg then turns around and starts heading in the direction of the Stadium, of his captured friends, and of his former best friend.

At the Stadium, Atlas orders Spike to give him a beer. Spike hands him a drink dispenser full of beer and Atlas downs it in one gulp. But he doesn't taste anything and that pisses him off. In this body Atlas is cut off from his other senses. He can't smell, can't taste, can't touch. The only thing he does feel is his hate. Besides that... nothing. In Atlas' rage, he smashes the video game console and Spike backs away in fear. Then Atlas hears Cyborg asking him if he's down throwing a fit. Atlas turns around to face Cyborg, who once again demands that Atlas let his friends go. But Atlas is actually pleased that Cyborg is here, since it means that he'll get another chance to beat Cyborg up. The two fight and their battle takes them from the locker room to the Stadium above. Dick once again tries convincing Spike to help the Titans, reminding Spike that he does have a choice. Dick points out that Atlas needs Spike to fix him and keep him in shape, which is why he threatens the mechanic and pushes him around. Atlas wants Spike to fear him because Atlas is afraid of Spike and what would happen if Spike turned against him. Atlas requests that Spike equips him with his weapons in order to make Cyborg really hurt, but Spike finally gets the courage to stand up to Atlas and refuse. Atlas tells Spike that he'll deal with the mechanic later and Spike says that may be the case, but he'll have to deal with the Titans first. Spike deactivates the energy bubbles and the Titans are released. The other Titans quickly block off the Stadium's exits, telling Atlas that he's not going anywhere. But Donna says that they're not going to fight Atlas, that he should think of them as referees. After all, Atlas wanted a fair fight against Cyborg. And a fair fight is what he's going to get. As Cyborg reminds Atlas, it's just the two of them. And the two of them fight, brutally trading punches while Spike and the Titans cheer Cyborg on. Atlas rants at Cyborg during the fight, blaming Cyborg for what happened to him. But Cyborg tells Atlas that he only has himself to blame. Ron had freedom of choice and it was his own hate that turned him into Atlas, not Cyborg. Atlas is still overpowering Cyborg and, like before, gets him into a desperate position where Cyborg has reached 100% of his power. Atlas tells Cyborg that he can't win, but Cyborg yells that he can and his power meter breaks. Cyborg finally manages to defeat Atlas by throwing him into the ground. Atlas is shocked by his defeat, since he was made to be stronger than Cyborg. But Cyborg points out that while Atlas may have been intended to be the better robot, Cyborg is the better person.

Afterward, the SCU takes Atlas away. Cyborg tells Atlas that it's not too late to let go of his hate, but Atlas won't hear it. He didn't want Cyborg's apologies and he certainly doesn't want Cyborg's sympathies. He promises Cyborg that he'll come back and he'll make Cyborg pay, that he'll never forgive Cyborg for what happened to him. And Cyborg is fine with that, since he knows that he can't force Atlas to forgive him. That's a choice that Atlas will have to make for himself. Atlas may no longer be Cyborg's friend, but despite everything Cyborg still hopes that Ron will make the right choice. The other Titans congratulate Cyborg on his victory while someone else arrives on the scene... Silas Stone. Raven sees this and tells her friends that they should give Cyborg some space so he can talk to his father. They agree and before leaving, Raven gives Cyborg a quick hug and tells him that they'll be waiting for him back at the Tower. With Titans gone and Atlas taken away, it's just Cyborg and his father left. Silas explains that he learned about what "Project Atlas" really was and was horrified by what they did to Ron, since he may have disliked Ron but he thinks that nobody deserved that fate. He promises his son that he will make sure that this never happens again and that the scientists responsible are already being punished. Cyborg is glad to hear it and admits that fighting Ron made Cyborg remember when his hate was killing him. Cyborg had let himself hate Silas for so long, perhaps thinking that because Silas was his father he should also be an infallible god. Cyborg knows that he could have turned out just like Ron, that Silas hadn't turned him into a monster but his hate would have. But he didn't, thanks to the Titans. His true friends. Cyborg now knows that he didn't have real friends when he was growing up and he sometimes gets a bit misty-eyed because he certainly does have real friends now. So Cyborg forgives Silas and tells his father that he loves him. Cyborg is done hating and Silas couldn't agree more. Silas tells his son that hate is useless and wasteful. It only consumes and destroys you piece by piece. It destroyed Ron and Silas is relieved that it didn't destroy Cyborg. Silas notices that Cyborg's power meter is broken and offers to fix it, but Cyborg turns the offer down. "Don't need it anymore. My body may have its limitations, but if I put my mind to it there's no limit to what I can do. After all, I'm only human."

While father and son have a heart to heart, they are being spied on from an unknown location. Simon Jones, a S.T.A.R. Labs scientist, is watching the screen showing the hacked traffic camera footage. Another figure is behind Simon, their face obscured by the shadows. Simon tells the figure that he made sure Project Atlas couldn't be traced back to them, that he arranged it so that other scientists would take the fall for them. He says that it's too bad that Project Atlas was a failure, since it had so much potential. But the figure in the shadows reminds Simon that this isn't a failure, only a setback...

Later, Silas Stone returns to S.T.A.R. Labs and is greeted by Fixit, who asks Silas how Cyborg is doing. Silas tells Fixit that his son is doing fine and is in good hands. Cyborg never became the scientist that Silas wanted him to be, but he is still more than proud of the man that Victor Stone has become. And he knows that Elinore would be as well. For a moment he stumbles and has to balance himself. Fixit asks Silas if he's alright and Silas says that it's getting worse. That he doesn't know how much time he has left, but they still have much to do. The two of them walk toward a walk, which suddenly opens up to reveal a secret elevator. Silas and Fixit enter the elevator and it takes them beneath S.T.A.R. Labs, the false wall closing behind them to hide the entrance.

And somewhere else in Jump City, Cyborg's ex-girlfriend Marcy Reynolds is being led through some torch-lit tunnels by her friend Karyn. Marcy isn't feeling confident about this, but Karyn reassures her that it'll make her feel much better. The two enter an underground chamber full of hooded figures with robes bearing the Mark of Skath. Their leader greets them and pulls down his hood, revealing the smiling face of Goth. He welcomes Marcy to the Cult of Skath and asks Marcy if she's willing to become a believer. Marcy admits that she isn't sure and Goth tells her that's fine. He's confident that she will become a believer and find a place with them in time. In the end, they all do…

So... where do I begin? This has been one of my favorite chapters to write, especially since it meant revisiting the New Teen Titans comic era. The flashbacks are taken from both Tales of the New Teen Titans #1 and DC Special: Cyborg #1. I think the original episode is really good, but my biggest problem with it was Atlas. I didn't think he was a very interesting villain and at first I wasn't sure what to do with him. Inspiration then came to me like it did for the Puppet King where I combined a character from the comics with a character from the animated series. And so I decided to make Ron Evers, a character I was already considering for New Titans, into Atlas. I am quite happy with the final result, since it gave Cyborg a more personal enemy that served as a dark reflection of him and was someone I could use in later storylines. This was definitely a big chapter for Cyborg and while I am usually exhausted by the time that I finish writing outlines, when I finished this one I didn't feel exhausted. I felt... satisfied. Other things that I did in this chapter was develop a few other ongoing storylines like the Cult of Skath plot, Dick's relationship with Starfire, LaGrieve helping the Titans with their issues, the Flamebird plot, Tara bonding with other Titans, etc. I also set up a few new mysteries like the unknown individual working with Simon Jones (who appeared briefly last season to welcome Fixit to S.T.A.R. Labs) and what's underneath S.T.A.R. Labs. Mysteries that I'm looking forward to developing. Overall, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please let me know your thoughts.