Sorry for the delay, everyone. But I finally finished the rest of the episode and I'm ready to share it. Please enjoy.
Episode Eleven: Fracture (Part Two)
Cut to later. Beast Boy in his civilian outfit is waiting outside of a burger place where he agreed to meet with someone. The other person is running late and Beast Boy considers leaving before Jay finally shows up. Jay apologizes for keeping Beast Boy waiting, explaining that he had something he needed to take care of first. Beast Boy says that it's fine, but then notices some of the bandages that Jay is trying to hide and he asks if Jay is hurt. Jay reassures Beast Boy that he's fine, he just got into a bit of a scuffle last night and he doesn't want to bore Beast Boy with the details. They head inside together and are soon eating. Beast Boy jokes that Jay is really taking his time savoring that burger. Jay just offers Beast Boy some advice: never take a good burger for granted. It's the little things in life that he appreciates. Beast Boy acknowledges this and after a few moments of silence, he tells Jay that he has a proposal for him. Jay never told Beast Boy where he sleeps, but Beast Boy is smart enough to realize that it can't be anything ideal. Jay has told him about how he distanced himself from his family to find his own path alone, just like Beast Boy once did. However, Beast Boy doesn't think that Jay has to be alone. Jay has had people tell him that he's a screw-up, but Beast Boy knows a place where nobody will tell him that. Jay realizes what Beast Boy is implying and he doesn't think that he's serious. Beast Boy says he is very serious, suggesting that Jay come with him to Titans Tower. He's sure that he can talk the Titans into letting Jay stay, especially since they've taken in people who weren't members and just needed a home before. And Beast Boy knows that the other Titans would like Jay, mentioning that Robin would even probably enjoy sparring with him. Beast Boy doesn't see Jay's hands becoming fists underneath the table after he says this. Jay admits that sounds nice, but he doesn't think that he would belong in the Tower. Beast Boy disagrees, since Jay is not that different from him before he met the others. Jay is silent at first, then says that he honestly would very much like to believe that what Beast Boy is proposing could work out. But he can't. It would only result in more pain. Beast Boy asks that Jay at least think it over and consider it, which Jay says he will. Jay thanks Beast Boy for the offer, calling him a good friend. Beast Boy tells Jay that he's a good friend as well and that he just wants to watch out for him. Jay nods before wanting to know if he can ask a favor from Beast Boy. He's doing something that night and he could use someone to watch his back, someone that he can trust. He promises Beast Boy that it isn't anything illegal, but he doesn't want the cops or the other Titans involved since Jay trusts neither. Beast Boy wonders if this has anything to do with the bandages and Jay confirms that it does, explaining that he occasionally does some "community service" similar to Beast Boy's line of work. Jay has found out about an arms deal going on tonight and he wants to put a stop to it. They don't need anyone else, just the two of them proving their worth together. Beast Boy is reluctant, but Jay is trusting him to keep the Titans out of this. So despite his better judgement, Beast Boy agrees to help Jay out by himself. Jay grins, promising that this will be great despite his friend's doubts.
Cut to someone driving a motorcycle through the streets of Jump City, shooting street lights and sending people running inside out of fear. The cyclist laughs. "That's right, run and hide. The street belongs to Johnny Rancid." He's intentionally doing this to lure out Flamebird, who is soon attracted to the scene that he's causing. The first thing that Flamebird does is disarm Johnny Rancid with a Bird-A-Rang, but he isn't phased. He was expecting Flamebird, since by looking at her reported sightings he was able to get a good idea of when and where the amatuer vigilante goes on patrol. Flamebird mockingly calls Johnny a fan who was hoping for a meeting, but Johnny corrects her by explaining that he considers himself a businessman. And it's business that brings him to Jump City, not pleasure. Which he mentions is a shame because he would love to get to know a pretty blonde like Flamebird more… intimately, much to Flamebird's disgust. Johnny starts to explain why he's really here, but then he suddenly pulls out another gun and fires it at Flamebird. The young heroine manages to find cover, while Johnny promises that this isn't personal. It's just that she managed to piss off the wrong kind of people while playing dress-up. His client expects results and Johnny Rancid always gets results, so he's here to end Flamebird's delusions. Flamebird throws down a few gas grenades before attacking Johnny, managing to disarm him. She lands a few hits, but Johnny actually seems to be enjoying her attempts to hurt him. He catches her fist and then it's his turn. Johnny begins whaling on Flamebird, brutally beating her to the ground while saying she should have quit when she had the chance but now it's too late and she's in over her head. After pounding her for a good while, he takes some chain from his motorcycle and ties it around the wounded Flamebird. He attaches the chain to the end of his motorcycle and then drives down the street on it, dragging Flamebird behind him while he laughs at her pain. By the time that he stops, Flamebird is bruised and bleeding but still conscious. Part of her mask is broken, revealing Bette's face beneath. Johnny admits that he's impressed Flamebird is still clinging to consciousness and he grabs her face as he mocks her. In brave defiance, Flamebird spits on Johnny Rancid. The hitman chuckles, amused by Flamebird's spirit. He then lets go of her face and kicks her in the ribs for good measure, causing Flamebird to groan in agony. Johnny says that while he originally intended to kill Flamebird, he thinks that leaving her broken like this is enough. Johnny tells Flamebird that he wants her to be his message: kids shouldn't wear costumes. "You wanted to be a hero, like the Titans or the League? Well, you were living in a fantasy. Welcome to reality." He laughs one last time and drives off on his motorcycle, leaving Flamebird still tied up in chains and wearing a now damaged costume. She weakly tries calling for help and is able to stay awake long enough to see an approaching police car before finally passing out from her injuries.
Cut to Dick and Starfire leaving the movie theater together. Dick asks how Starfire enjoyed her first movie theater experience and Starfire admits that she loved it, another thing that she can appreciate about Earth culture. Dick is glad that Starfire enjoyed it, but then he gets a call on his phone from Kate. When he answers it and asks Kate what's up, we don't hear what Kate is saying but we see Dick's expression change from a smile to a look of concern and worry as he listens to her. He promises that he'll be there right away and ends the call, Starfire seeing the look on his face and wanting to know what's wrong. Dick says that it was about Bette. She's in the hospital and they need to be there now.
Cut to Jump City's hospital. Bette Kane is lying unconscious in a hospital bed and hooked up to a vital signs monitor, no longer wearing the Flamebird costume. Jacob Kane is by her side, gently caressing his niece's hand. A member of the hospital staff checking up on Bette asks if Jacob is her father and Jacob sadly responds that he's only her uncle. Kate is just outside the room, glancing in at her father and Bette while she waits for someone. That someone is Dick, who has Raven and Starfire with him as he arrives. Kate thanks them for coming on such short notice and they ask how Bette is. Kate says that Bette is thankfully going to live, but she's going to have to spend several nights in the hospital while she recovers. Honestly, Bette is lucky that it's not worse than that. While the three teens go into Bette's room, Captain Maggie Sawyer walks up to Kate. She offers her condolences to Kate and promises to keep quiet about how Bette was found in her Flamebird costume. Bette doesn't need the attention if that information was to become public or make it to the press, it could ruin Bette's life or put her in more danger. The "official" story is that Bette was a victim of a brutal mugging and Maggie made sure that anyone who knew otherwise agreed to keep it secret, since the poor kid was already in the hospital. Maggie is even willing to let Bette's vigilante activity slide, for Bette's sake and for Kate's. But no more Flamebird. Maggie already had the costume burned, despite it being evidence. She was willing to go around the rules like this, but only this one time. Kate understands this and thanks Maggie for everything, she really appreciates it. Maggie sighs, admitting that she didn't like doing it but Kate's family had already suffered a lot and Bette is just a kid. Maggie asks if Kate knew about what Bette was doing and Kate admits that she did, but didn't stop her. Maggie doesn't approve of this, though she guesses that letting kids run around in costumes runs in Kate's other family. Kate is alarmed by this and quickly pulls Maggie out of the hallway into another room where they can talk alone. Here Maggie reveals that she knows Kate is Batwoman. She figured it out after learning about what happened to Kate's mother and sister, which would have definitely given someone like Kate the motivation to become Batwoman. There was also the time that Maggie met Batwoman in Jump City last year, which happened after Kate's move to Jump City and Batwoman hadn't been seen in Gotham in months. Kate's West Point education also gave her the skills to pull off being Batwoman. Kate, knowing that Maggie has found out the truth, doesn't deny it and admits that she is Batwoman. Though she does clarify that she's trying to spend more time as Kate Kane and less time as Batwoman, which was part of why she came to Jump City in the first place. She wants to know what Maggie is going to do with this information and Maggie says that she's going to keep it a secret, because she respects superheroes too much to betray one's secret identity. Kate is grateful for this, but Maggie says that it's no problem. Kate asks if this will change their friendship and Maggie admits that she doesn't know. Maybe it'll stay the same, maybe it will change for better or for worse. Maggie says that they'll just have to see what comes next and Kate agrees.
Cut to when Bette is awake in her hospital bed. With a weak smile, she thanks Raven, Starfire, and "John" for being here for her. She would like to talk to "John" alone though, so she asks if Raven and Starfire can leave the room with Jacob Kane. They agree, leaving Dick with Bette. After some awkward silence, Dick tells Bette that he's really sorry this happened to her. Bette admits that she thought she was going to die when she passed out and she knows that the only reason that she's still alive is because her assaulter chose to not kill her like he originally intended. Dick wants to know who did this to her and Bette explains that it was someone named Johnny Rancid. She assumes that he's a hitman hired by someone she managed to piss off as Flamebird. Dick promises Bette that Johnny won't get away with this and Bette says that she knows. "Because you're him, aren't you? You're Robin." After a moment of hesitation, Dick confirms to Bette that he is and that he feels like he failed her. Bette says that Dick did fail her, but not for the reasons he's thinking. She suspected that Dick (she's figured that "John" probably isn't even his real name) was Robin because of how well he fought and how he looked kinda like what Bette would imagine Robin would look like without the mask. The only thing that kept Bette from being sure was that she didn't want to think that Robin was a coward. This surprises Dick, who asks Bette what she means. Bette explains that Robin hasn't been seen since he was hospitalized. She assumed that Robin was still recovering, but she's seen Dick fight and she knows that he would be ready to resume being Robin. But he hasn't, instead Dick has stayed on the sidelines while the rest of his team did the fighting for him. And what Bette wants to know is why Dick hasn't gotten back into the field yet, why he's letting the rest of the world only speculate what happened to him. Is he too scared? Too embarrassed? Dick admits that he retired the Robin identity and costume, it was something he had outgrown. He has been developing a new identity and costume, though Bette is right that he could return to the field right now if he wanted to. But he hasn't. And Dick admits that it is because he was scared. It wasn't so long ago that he was in a hospital bed like Bette is now, that he nearly died after a man named Slade shot him. Dick knows that when he does return to the field, it will only be a matter of time before he's forced to face Slade once again. That's something that Dick doesn't know if he's ready for. He's scared that he won't be good enough to defeat Slade when the moment comes, that he'll lose more than that fight. Dick explains that Slade has threatened everyone that he cares about, including his team. If Dick can't stop Slade, then he's failing them as well. And Dick has already failed the people that matter to him too many times. Bette, listening to this, asks if him being Robin means that "Kory" and "Rachel" are Titans as well. Dick doesn't answer, but he doesn't need to. Bette then says that she understands where Dick is coming from, but she points out that part of why she admired Robin in the first place was because he was a normal guy in a world of superbeings. That should have been terrifying, but he didn't let that stop him from doing the right thing or trying to help people. Then again, according to Dick he isn't Robin anymore. Whatever he is now, Bette hopes that he figures it out. Because she misses her hero. She suspects that her vigilante days may be over, at least for now. But she doesn't want them to be over for Dick, who has done so much good for others. Honestly, she thinks that he knows exactly who he is. He just needs to be it. Dick considers this and he promises that Bette will be the first to see who he becomes next. Bette says that she'll hold him to that promise, then tells him to go. Because he has another promise to keep first. Dick nods and leaves the room, finding Kate in the hallways. He has a determined look on his face as he tells Kate that they have a hitman to hunt down.
Cut to the Wayne Enterprises building. Dick is pacing while Kate is on a computer looking up information about this "Johnny Rancid" that Bette says attacked her. Kate has found out that Johnny was apparently once in the entertainment business as a controversial punk rocker before he became a punk motorcyclist and hitman. Dick asks what caused him to change careers and Kate says that Johnny apparently just decided one day that he liked hurting people. He's since grown a reputation for himself. Dick says that they have to take this guy down and Kate agrees, hoping that he hasn't already left the city. She's started checking the traffic cameras, hoping to find Johnny's ride since it's custom-made. Find the motorcycle and you find Johnny. While Kate looks for it, Dick admits that he feels responsible for what happened to Bette. Not only did he let her continue her vigilante career, he encouraged it by training her. If she had gotten killed, it would have been his fault. Kate says that it's not just his fault, it's hers as well. She could have stopped Bette, though both of them know that Bette wouldn't have given up Flamebird easily. And honestly, neither of them wanted to force her to give it up because it mattered to her and she felt like she was doing something that mattered. Bette's heart was in the right place, but she wasn't ready. This was nearly Jason Todd all over again, which was the last thing that Dick and Kate wanted. Fortunately, Bette survived unlike Jason. Kate finally finds what she's looking for and even knows where they can find Johnny if they move quickly enough. Dick and Kate hurry out, wanting to catch Johnny before they lose him.
Cut to some bodyguards stationed outside of a garage, one of them commenting to the other that it looks like it's going to rain. The other guard agrees, mentioning that he hopes this deal goes through before the rain starts. He has a bad feeling about this job and wants it to be over with as soon as possible. An owl passes by in the dark sky overhead, looking down at the men in front of the garage. Because it's night, the bodyguards wouldn't be able to see that the owl was green as it flies to a nearby rooftop and lands. Jay is waiting for the owl and asks for a report as the owl shape-shifts into Beast Boy. While putting his hoodie back on, Beast Boy tells Jay what he saw. He admits that he didn't see Galtry, which means that the arms dealer is either inside the garage with his merchandise or hasn't arrived yet. Though Jay is frustrated that they don't know for sure, he decides that they have to make their move soon because it looks like it's going to rain and that wouldn't be ideal. Beast Boy says that he's ready when Jay is, as long as nobody dies. Jay thanks Beast Boy again for being here, since he honestly wasn't sure if Beast Boy was going to show up like he said he would. Beast Boy says that Jay should be glad that he did show up, because he grabbed something from Robin's gear that he thinks will help them out greatly… smoke bombs. Jay grins and tells Beast Boy that they got this, that it'll be just like when they took down those thugs together. They share a nod and then climb down from the roof. Using the smoke bombs to cover their entrance, the duo quickly and efficiently take down Galtry's bodyguards. Beast Boy stays in his human form, saving his shape-shifting abilities for only when he needs it. Once they make sure that all of the guards outside have been taken care of, both Beast Boy and Jay are in front of the garage door. Jay tells Beast Boy to be ready to handle anyone that may be in with the merchandise before opening the garage door, revealing… nobody inside. Beast Boy and Jay still look around, making sure that they don't miss anything. Jay is even more frustrated that Galtry isn't here, though Beast Boy points out that they'll at least stop him from selling these arms. Jay does consider this and he inspects the weapons that Galtry was selling, noticing that they feel a lot lighter than they should. Then he realizes that they're fake and his eyes widen in horror as he tells Beast Boy that they need to get out of here now. He grabs Beast Boy and runs out of the garage with him… just as the garage explodes behind them, which sends both boys flying into the air and crashing onto the ground. As he regains his senses, Jay hears Galtry's laughter. Galtry tells Jay that he was hoping the teen would show up again and he sees that Jay even brought a friend, which is even better. Galtry thought the explosion was only fair, since Jay destroyed his stuff the same way last time. Beast Boy didn't know that Jay had already ruined a previous arms deal and he frustratedly asks Jay why he was kept in the dark about it. Jay doesn't answer Beast Boy, instead telling him that they can't be out in the open like this. They duck behind a car for cover while Galtry explains that he wasn't the only one unhappy about what Jay did. The weapons manufacturers that he has an arrangement with weren't happy either and they even gave Galtry a prototype that he was more than happy to test in the field for them. Galtry says that he's taken a liking to the prototype as well and he thinks that he's going to keep it. Suddenly, the car that Beast Boy and Jay are using for cover gets lifted off the ground… by Galtry, now wearing a red metal battlesuit. Galtry is grinning, clearly enjoying the power that the battlesuit gives him. From now on, he's Adonis.
Beast Boy and Jay dive out of the way as Adonis throws the car down at them. Beast Boy tells Jay to get out of here and that he'll handle Adonis, but Adonis hears this and before Beast Boy can change the shape-shifter gets hit hard. Jay sees Beast Boy go flying and he cries out in concern, especially when Beast Boy doesn't get up right away after getting the wind knocked out of him. That concern turns into anger as Adonis mocks Jay, promising to make Jay watch as he crushes his friend's skull in front of him. Jay throws several sharpened shurikens at Adonis, but they are harmlessly deflected by Adonis' body armor. This forces Jay on the defensive, staying quick on his feet so that he can avoid Adonis' attacks. Jay tries to formulate a plan and his eyes land on a gun that belonged to one of the bodyguards he knocked out. The gun is now laying on the ground and Jay dives toward it, just barely dodging another attack from Adonis. Jay makes it to the gun and picks it up. He is in a good position… but he hesitates before pulling the trigger. Something inside makes him unable to go through with it, something subconscious. His hands start to tremble and his reluctance to fire the gun allows for Adonis to take the firearm from Jay, crushing it in his metal grip. Adonis tells Jay that he shouldn't have froze before grabbing Jay's arm and lifting him off the ground. Jay struggles, but Adonis' hold on him is too tight. However, Jay doesn't look afraid. Just determined. He tells Adonis that if he's going to kill him, then just to get it over with. Adonis says he would rather test how slowly he can kill someone in this suit, but he doesn't get that chance. Beast Boy has recovered and he slams into Adonis in the form of a charging bull, causing Adonis to drop Jay. Beast Boy changes into human form and Adonis addresses him, shocked that Jay's friend is actually a Titan. He asks if Jay is a Titan as well, Robin perhaps, but Beast Boy denies this and says that Jay is just a friend. Adonis says he would have thought that someone like Beast Boy would choose his friends better. He also mentions that while he didn't intend to fight a Titan tonight, he's still going to enjoy taking the green freak out. "You're overrated, kid." Beast Boy then changes into a gorilla and the two charge at each other. Jay watches in awe as Adonis and Beast Boy fight, the latter eventually overpowering the former. Beast Boy beats his chest triumphantly after making sure that Adonis is down for the count, then shape-shifts back and spits on the arms dealer's unconscious face for good measure. Jay tells Beast Boy that was amazing, though the Titan hasn't forgotten about how Jay kept information from him about ruining Galtry's previous arms deal. But they can talk about that later, since Beast Boy thinks that they should contact the police if the cops aren't already on their way. However, Jay says that he doesn't think that will be necessary at all and he suddenly pulls out his kris dagger. Jay tries to swing the dagger toward Adonis' exposed face, but Beast Boy stops Jay by grabbing his arm and asking what the hell Jay thinks he's doing.
It's starting to rain as Jay pulls his arm out of Beast Boy's grip and tells him that he was doing exactly what it looked like he was doing: killing Adonis. Beast Boy objects to murder, since it's not what he does and they need to be better than the criminals. Jay scoffs at this, pointing out that Galtry is an arms dealer. He sells death. Jay asks Beast Boy how many countless innocent people he thinks have been killed by Galtry's weapons. Jay doesn't call it murder, he calls it justice. Beast Boy comes to a realization and he asks Jay how many people he's killed. Jay doesn't deny that he's killed, but he argues that he's only killed those who deserve it. Jay reminds Beast Boy of what he once told him, that they're not the real freaks. Guys like Galtry are. It's not right for Beast Boy to be ashamed of what he looks like while Galtry isn't. Jay wanted Beast Boy here to show him that he didn't need the Titans. That Beast Boy doesn't need to follow the system, which would just use taxpayer money to lock Galtry away and give him three meals a day if they're lucky. Jay doesn't think that sounds like justice, especially not to the families who have lost loved ones because of Galtry's deals. Beast Boy admits that it's not perfect, but they are not above the law. They are not judges, jury, and executioners. Because when would it stop, as long as they kept trying to justify their killings? It's a narrow line and one that Beast Boy is not willing to walk on. Just because the world is cruel doesn't mean that they need to be cruel in return. They have to reflect the world that they're fighting for, not the world that they've got. Jay rolls his eyes and tries to snap Beast Boy out of what he sees as nativity. "Did Dick Grayson tell you that?" Beast Boy is in shock at this and Jay realizes too late what he accidentally let slip. Beast Boy's shock quickly becomes anger. "How do you know that name?!" He grabs Jay's arm again, this time with the intent of taking Jay in. To which Jay reacts to by punching Beast Boy in the face. He doesn't stop either. As the rain continues to pour down, Jay attacks Beast Boy with a series of quick punches and kicks. Beast Boy instinctively tries to block a few of the hits, but Jay isn't giving him the chance to transform. Jay lets his frustration get the better of him, to the point where Beast Boy is on the ground and Jay is still hitting him. Jay does eventually snap out of it and regretfully realizes what he's done. He starts to apologize, but is suddenly flung off the ground and sent flying. After he hits the ground, Jay realizes that Beast Boy has… changed. Beast Boy now towers over Jay and when Jay looks into the Titan's eyes, he no longer sees his friend. Just a beast. And Jay becomes afraid. Beast Boy growls as he looms menacingly over Jay, but stops when he notices his reflection in a rain puddle. In that reflection, he sees the same Werebeast that he saw when he was exposed to Scarecrow's Fear Toxin. Except now the Werebeast is him. Horrified, Beast Boy backs away and tries to transform back into his human form. At first, he can't. While he strains, Jay uses this opportunity to get up and escape into the shadows. After some effort, Beast Boy does change back and his breathing is heavy as he lies on the ground. He asks himself what was that, trembling. He checks his reflection in a puddle, to make sure that he's back to normal. He is, much to his relief. Beast Boy sees that Jay is gone and he glances over at where the defeated Adonis was. He's vanished as well and Beast Boy groans. The sound of police sirens get louder as they're drawn to the scene by the earlier explosion. By the time that they do arrive, Beast Boy is no longer sticking around.
Cut to a bar where Johnny Rancid is waiting for Galtry to show up like they had earlier discussed. But Galtry is running late and Johnny is getting impatient, because he doesn't want to stick around any longer than he has to. Johnny tries to call Galtry on his cell, but gets no answer. He's finally had enough of waiting, so he decides to leave and finish his business with Galtry later. Johnny downs his beer first ("one for the road") and heads outside to get his bike… only to find it completely trashed. Johnny is shocked by this and he angrily demands to know who messed with his bike. He hears a voice and he turns to see Dick standing there, claiming to have been the one who wrecked Johnny's ride. Johnny asks if Dick knows who he's dealing with and Dick says that he does. He calls Johnny a vandal, a violent thug, and a murderer. He also says that Johnny hurt a friend of his. Johnny responds by telling Dick he has to be more specific, because he's hurt a lot of people over the years. Then Johnny realizes that this might be about Flamebird and he asks if the pretty blonde was Dick's girlfriend or something. If so, Johnny compliments Dick's tastes. Because she was cute and had spirit, at least before Johnny put her in the hospital. Dick says that she was stronger than Johnny knows, but Johnny doesn't care. He tells Dick that it was just business, nothing more. Dick acknowledges that, then says that this is personal. Johnny rolls his eyes, not taking Dick seriously. He doesn't have time for this, so he pulls out a gun and aims it at Dick… only for Kate to suddenly appear and grab Johnny's arm. The gun is twisted out of the hitman's hand, causing him to hiss in pain and annoyance. Kate just steps back and tells Dick to do what he needs to do. Dick nods and fights Johnny hand-to-hand while Kate watches. Though Dick does take a few hits, he doesn't seem to notice them even when his lip starts bleeding. He remains focused on giving Johnny a beating, the fight quickly turning in his favor. Even when Johnny is bleeding and on the ground, Dick doesn't think that he's had enough. Dick only stops after Johnny loses consciousness. Kate asks Dick, who is breathing hard now, if he feels better and Dick says that he does. Kate left Captain Sawyer a tip, so the police should be here to pick Johnny up soon enough. Dick acknowledges this, saying that it is probably more than someone like Johnny deserves. But it's still justice and that's enough. Dick is ready to go and Kate puts her hand over his shoulder as they walk away together.
Cut to Titans Tower, where Cyborg has gathered everyone in the meeting room. He explains to them that he may be taking a leave of absence from the team at some point. He doesn't know when exactly, but he knows it will be soon. He needs to take some personal time, since he just learned that his dad is dying and he wants their last days together to matter. If the Titans really need him, Cyborg promises to be here for them. But he has thought about it a lot and he wants to prioritize spending time with his father before it's too late. The Titans completely understand, Donna telling Cyborg to take as much time as he needs. They all sympathize with Cyborg's situation and they don't hold it against him to focus on being with his dad. They also reassure Cyborg that if there is anything that they can do for him, he just needs to ask. If he's here for them, then they're here for him. Cyborg knew that they would react like this, but it's still great to hear and he thanks the team for understanding. It makes dealing with all this a little bit easier. After the Titans comfort their friend, they start heading to bed. Beast Boy stops Dick in the hallway, asking if they can talk in private. There's something he needs to get off his chest.
Cut to Beast Boy in Dick's bedroom with Wonder Dog, explaining what happened with Jay and the arms deal while petting the canine. Beast Boy tells Dick everything that he knows, including that Jay somehow knew that Dick was Robin. Beast Boy admits that he feels like an idiot for letting Jay use him and he worries about what Jay may have learned from him, apologizing to Dick for screwing up. He should have let Dick and the others know about the arms deal after Jay told him about it, but Beast Boy ignored his better judgement because he wanted Jay to trust him in the hopes that the Titans could help him like they helped Tara. Now Beast Boy wonders how much Jay told him was a lie. Wonder Dog can tell that Beast Boy is upset and tries to make the teen feel better by nuzzling him. Dick has been listening is silence and Beast Boy, ashamed, is unable to look him in the eyes. Dick is troubled by what Beast Boy has told him and it seems like he's realized something, but he doesn't say what. Instead, he puts a reassuring hand on Beast Boy's shoulder and tells him that it's not his fault. There's nothing wrong with giving people a chance, which is what Beast Boy tried to do with Jay. It's just that sometimes people choose to waste that chance. Dick doesn't blame Beast Boy for what happened and he tells Beast Boy that he shouldn't blame himself either. After all, he's only human and he's not the only one on this team who has slipped up. Dick does thank Beast Boy for telling him this rather than keeping it a secret and he promises that if this "Jay" really is a threat, they'll deal with him when he pops up again. But Dick understands Beast Boy's desire for a friendship outside the Tower and he's sorry for Beast Boy that it ended as poorly as it did. However, he doesn't want Beast Boy beating himself up over it. The bad guys do enough beating for them. Beast Boy smiles a little at this and even hugs Dick, a gesture that the former boy wonder returns. After their embrace ends, Dick comments that it has been a long day for both of them and that they should get some sleep in the hopes that tomorrow will be better. Beast Boy agrees, thanks Dick for hearing him out, and then leaves with Wonder Dog trailing behind him. Once Beast Boy is gone, Dick frowns and goes over to his mirror. He goes over the implications of what Beast Boy told him in his head and he doesn't like them at all. "It can't be…" He tries to reason that it must be a trick, has to be a trick. Some scheme meant to get to him. Dick refuses to believe that "Jay" is who he thinks it could be, refuses to give himself false hope. Because as much as he would want it to be true, if Jason was still alive he would have come home. "Jay" can only be an imposter trying to screw with him, the scheme of some villain like Slade to use the memory of Jason against Dick. But it won't work. Whatever is being planned, Dick swears to stop it.
Cut to Tara in front of the door to Raven's room. She takes a deep breath to gather up her courage before knocking. Raven answers and she tell that there's something on her friend's mind, inviting her in. Tara begins explaining that there has been something she's been meaning to tell Raven for a while and though she hasn't yet out of fear of hurting their friendship, she knows that Raven deserves to know and that keeping it a secret will only end up hurting her more. It begins to dawn on Raven what her teammate is rambling about and she guesses it out loud with a surprised tone as she figures it out: "You have feelings for me." Tara confirms this by burying her face in her hands, before acknowledging that Raven is currently in a relationship with Goth and that she doesn't expect Raven to return her feelings nor is the empath obligated to. Tara just wants Raven to be happy and she's fine with whatever Raven chooses as long as they can keep being friends, she just needed to get that off the chest first. Tara seems afraid to look Raven in the eyes, but Raven reassures her that they are friends and this won't change that. She admits that she needs time to process this revelation and that she isn't sure how to feel about it, but she does appreciate that Tara told her. Though both girls are feeling pretty awkward right now, they also understand where each other are coming from. Tara is relieved, thanking Raven for her response. They share a smile and Tara confesses that though it still hurts, she knew that it would. She believes that the pain will pass and she does feel good about the future, which has looked brighter ever since the Titans came into her life. "You don't need to return my feelings, because if you just want to be my best friend… that's more than enough for me." And that's the truth.
Cut to Galtry, no longer in the Adonis body armor, waking up in an unknown location. While sitting up on a cot he asks out loud what happened and a voice answers that he got his butt handed to him by a thirteen year old changeling. Galtry turns toward the voice and recognizes the speaker: Simon Jones, S.T.A.R. Labs scientist and co-worker of Silas Stone. Galtry defends himself, arguing that he had no idea that he was going to fight a metahuman when he tested S.T.A.R. Labs' battlesuit. Simon points out that even though Galtry lost, he's still thankful to Galtry for testing it because what they learned from the fight they can use to upgrade the Adonis battlesuit that they recovered along with Galtry. Because unlike the weapons that Galtry has been selling for S.T.A.R. Labs, the battlesuit was made specifically as a countermeasure to the Titans. Galtry asks why S.T.A.R. Labs is creating countermeasures to the Titans, especially after they helped build that stupid t-shaped Tower. Simon explains that the Titans are useful as long as they do their part. If they step out of line or are no longer useful, then S.T.A.R. Labs must be prepared to deal with them. Galtry says that he still doesn't get it and Simon tells him that he's not expected to. However, Galtry can still be useful to S.T.A.R. Labs and that is why he has been kept around. Simon mentions that when the Adonis battlesuit is upgraded, it'll still need someone in it. He asks Galtry if he would be interested in a second round with Beast Boy. Galtry grins and tells Simon that he's in. That green freak deserves what's coming to him. At another location, a figure is watching the conversation between Simon and Galtry on a monitor. The figure's face remains hidden in shadows, but we see their hands fold as they go deep into thought…
Cut to Johnny Rancid angrily sitting in a holding cell. He swears under his breath to make the kid who landed him here pay. Though not before killing his blonde friend, just to make the kid suffer even more. Of course, he has to find a way out of here first. But he can be patient. A voice says that he's hoping Johnny can be open to some help as well and the hitman is suddenly not alone, since the Agent is standing in the holding cell with him. Johnny is shocked by the Agent's appearance. He quickly asks who he is, where he came from, and what he wants. The Agent quickly answers in return: he's the Agent, he came from outside, and it's not about what he wants. It's about what Johnny wants. The Agent explains that he's something of a fan of Johnny's work and he thinks that they can make a deal. Johnny asks what the Agent could offer him and the Agent just smiles. "Everything, of course. Everything and more…"
My plans for this episode changed a lot while writing it. I actually did consider having a Larry cameo, but ultimately decided against it because there was already a lot happening in this episode and Larry would honestly just feel out of place. I do actually want to use Larry in the future, so just because he didn't appear in this episode doesn't mean that he won't appear in New Titans at all. I also originally planned to give Starfire a larger role, but her storyline in this episode had to be cut because I realized that I wouldn't have enough room to properly develop it. So the storyline that I planned for her has been saved for a future episode.
Anyways, this episode reveals that Galtry is the New Titans version of Adonis. Galtry in the comics actually did once fight Beast Boy as an armor-wearing supervillain, but he was called Arsenal. This was before Roy Harper took the name in the comics and if anyone was going to have that name in New Titans, it was going to be Roy. Adonis is actually a villain in the original animated series that I hate, since he was involved in one of my least favorite episodes of the cartoon. I also totally forgot about him until I kept seeing him appear in fan fics. And when I rewatched the original animated series, I remembered why I forgot about him in the first place. Because he's incredibly annoying. I tried to solve my issues with the character by combining him with Galtry. I'm also trying to set up "The Beast Within" much earlier than in the original animated series, which is why Beast Boy briefly turned into the Werebeast and why I introduced Adonis a season earlier. This episode saw the beginning of Beast Boy's antagonistic relationship with Galtry and also continued what was set up in "Only Human." There is a secret conspiracy in S.T.A.R. Labs, one that led first to the creation of Atlas and then the creation of Adonis. But who's pulling the strings has yet to be revealed...
This episode also saw the fallout between Beast Boy and Jay, which was unfortunately inevitable. Beast Boy and Jay's friendship actually paralleled Raven and Tara's this season, with both Beast Boy and Raven meeting someone that they see a lot of themselves in and try to help that person while their friend's struggle with their past threatening their relationships in the present. And yes, Jay doesn't use guns in New Titans. Unlike his comic version, he's unable to. It's the one lesson from Bruce that he's still trying to respect despite being willing to kill.
As for what happened to Bette, unfortunately for her it was something that I had planned for a while. It's actually a reference to when she was maimed by a villain called the Hook in the comics and was put in a coma. Jacob being mistaken for her father is a more direct reference to this storyline. Bette isn't put in a coma here though, since I wanted to have her talk to Dick in a scene where she reveals that she's figured out who he is and questions why he's seemingly quit. Maggie has also figured out that Kate is Batwoman, something that will affect their relationship moving forward. Johnny Rancid, like Adonis, is not a villain that I'm particularly fond of but I still think that I found a way to make him work in this universe as a brutal and unsympathetic thug. Though like other villains, the Agent has plans for him...
Last thing to mention is Raven learning that Tara has feeling for her. I purposely wanted to avoid unnecessary and forced drama or annoying tropes that these type of scenes have. I didn't want any yelling or storming off or broken friendships. I felt like these were two individuals mature enough to understand each other and still want to be friends despite some awkwardness. Tara knows that she is not entitled to have Raven and she's okay with that. There is someone who does think he's entitled to have Raven, but we'll be seeing him again in the next episode. What happens next episode will set in motion the events of the last fourth of season two. Don't know when I'll finish it, but next time is "Betrayal - Part One." I'll just leave you with the title for now...
As always, thanks for reading and please leave a review!