Episode 3: Footing- Part 3
Logan Residence- Evening:
AI:
DESIGNATION- NIGHTSTAR.
Mar'i flies to the living room from the zeta tube where Paine is reading a novel on the couch.
Mar'i:
Hi, Paine.
Paine looks up.
Paine:
Hi, Mar'i. What do you want?
Mar'i:
I would like to see Murdoc. I have something important to tell him.
Paine:
It'll have to wait. He is in the middle of a forced meditation session with Mom. There is still another 10 minutes.
Lilith is sitting at the kitchen table, drawing pictures, one of her favourite hobbies.
Mar'i walks up to her.
Mar'i:
Hi, Lilith. What are you drawing?
Lilith shows her the drawing.
Mar'i:
Is that my brother?
Lilith:
Cosplaying as Roy from Fire Emblem.
Mar'i:
I don't watch that show.
Lilith:
It's not a show. It's a video game series from Japan.
Mar'i:
You draw well.
Lilith:
Thanks. (Beams)
Mar'i returns to the living room.
Mar'i:
Paine, just so you know, I changed your partner. You'll team up with Damian tomorrow.
Paine:
Bruce's boy? Alright.
Mar'i:
Apologies for not asking but, what are you reading?
Paine closes the book and shows her the title: The complete works of Edgar Allen Poe. Mar'i nods, then sits down on the couch, waiting for Murdoc to finish.
Mar'i:
Do you mind if I watch something?
Paine telekinetically picks up the remote and gives it to Mar'i.
Mar'i:
Thanks.
She turns on the TV. A lame sitcom is on. Mar'i zaps the remote.
Mar'i:
Next.
She flips the channel to a talk show where the host rambles about crazy theories, for example, Bruce Wayne is a fake millionaire.
Mar'i:
What stupidity. Next.
She flips the channel again, to a game show called 'Riddle Me This', hosted by a completely-reformed Edward Nigma.
Mar'i:
This could be interesting.
She places the remote down on the coffee table.
Changeling comes in.
Changeling:
Hi, Mar'i. What are you doing here ?
Mar'i:
I wanted to see Murdoc but he's busy so I'll answer the Riddler's questions in the meantime.
Changeling:
Cute. Reminds me of me and Rachel.
Paine:
Dad!
Changeling:
Sorry. I hadn't seen you behind your book.
Paine controls her book and lightly hits it in her dad's face.
Changeling:
Ow! You're so much like your mother. But where is my little Tofu?
Lilith:
Sitting here.
He goes into the kitchen.
Changeling:
What are you drawing?
She shows him.
Changeling:
Gamer huh? Just like your old man.
Lilith (Blushing):
Actually, it's Koro.
Changeling:
As an anime swordsman.
Lilith:
Yeah.
The Meditation Chamber- Meanwhile. Raven and Murdoc have their eyes closed and sitting in a meditation position.
Raven:
Azarath Metrion Zinthos.
Murdoc:
Azarath Metrion Zinthos. (Thinking) We've been doing this for hours. I'm sick of it.
Living Room- Meanwhile. Mar'i is watching 'Riddle Me This', passing the time. On the TV, Edward walks up to one of the contestants.
Edward (On the TV):
The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?
Mar'i:
Not easy that one. (She pauses the TV to think) I really have no idea. Too bad, I might find the next one.
She presses the play button.
Contestant (On the TV):
Um...
Edward (On the TV):
Ten seconds.
Mar'i:
Do you know, Paine?
Paine:
Footprints.
Contestant (On the TV):
Uh...rocks?
Edward (On the TV):
Incorrect. The answer is 'Footprints'.
Mar'i:
You should participate, Paine.
Paine:
Alright.
Edward (On the TV):
Next contestant. Agnes, this is for you: At what time does a Rooster lay an egg?
Paine:
Never. It is the hens that lay their eggs. Do you agree, Mar'i?
Mar'i:
Completely.
Agnes (On the TV):
Never.
Edward (On the TV):
Care to elaborate on that?
Agnes (On the TV):
Roosters are males. They don't lay eggs.
Edward (On the TV):
You are absolutely correct.
Mar'i:
One point for me! Woo!
Murdoc and Raven come out of the Meditation Chamber.
Murdoc:
Aww, that was so boring Mama. It took forever.
Raven:
If you did it more often, it wouldn't be a chore for you. It is important that you meditate at least 1 hour after your workouts or missions to keep your powers under control. And I would like you to do it on your own.
Murdoc:
Yes, Mama.
He sees Mar'i in front of the TV.
Murdoc:
Hi, Mar'i. Are you coming to eat with us?
Mar'i turns around.
Mar'i:
Murdoc, well...uh...I mean...no. My Mom made me a special dish. I just need to show you something in private.
Murdoc:
Okay. Follow me to my room.
Changeling:
It better be quick. Dinner will be ready in five minutes.
Mar'i:
Don't worry, it won't take two.
Murdoc's Room- Later.
Murdoc:
So what do you want to show me ?
Mar'i:
First, I want to relieve you. You won't have to team up with Damian tomorrow. I put it with your older sister.
Murdoc:
Great idea and?
Mar'i:
I'm warning you, it will surprise you.
She takes off the holo-ring, revealing her true form. Murdoc is amazed.
Murdoc:
Wow. So is that why you are barefoot? Are you the Bigfoot?
Mar'i:
No. Didn't your parents tell you? This is Tamaranean Puberty.
Murdoc:
Uh...maybe. I don't really listen to Mama's stories, other than the ones about Grandpa Trigon. And then Dad was boasting of having defeated the Brotherhood of Evil. But the part about your parents, I don't really remember. I know you had an aunt but that's it. So it's puberty? It is temporary?
Mar'i:
Yes.
Murdoc:
And the same will happen to Koro ? I wait too long to see Lilith's reaction!
Mar'i:
She'd probably faint.
Murdoc:
Probably. (Chuckles)
Changeling (Voice):
Murdoc, we're eating! Don't make me ask your mom to teleport you like last time!\
Murdoc:
You should go.
Mar'i puts her holographic rings back on.
Mar'i:
Yeah, I'm getting hungry.
Murdoc:
See you tomorrow.
Mar'i:
Yeah. Hope you have a good performance.
Murdoc :
If I'm not with Damian, I'll be fine.
Mar'i and Murdoc exit his room and go to the dining room.
Mar'i:
Bye everyone. See you tomorrow girls.
Lilith:
You too.
Paine:
No problem.
She leaves.
Changeling:
That was fast. (Thinking) What the hell did she show him?
Murdoc:
You don't wanna know.
Grayson Residence- Later.
AI:
DESIGNATION- NIGHTSTAR.
Mar'i arrives home.
Koro:
Finally. I was about to call you. So who passed out?
Mar'i:
Unfortunately, no one. I still have strong feelings for Damian but Murdoc has some for me too. Maybe he's right and I should officiate our...
Her father walks in.
Dick:
Ah, Mar'i. I was wondering if you were going to sleep at Wayne Manor, considering how long it took you to get home.
Mar'i:
Yes, I had to change the pairs to avoid the problem with Murdoc.
Starfire:
Dinner's ready!
Dick:
We're coming.
Mar'i's holographic rings discharge, showing her current appearance.
Mar'i:
Damn...
Dick:
Language.
Mar'i:
Sorry, Dad.
They all arrive in the dining room and sit down.
Koro:
So what's this?
Starfire:
Quiche Lorraine.
Dick:
And what are blackheads ?
Starfire:
Roasted flies.
Mar'i:
Yum.
Dick and Koro are disgusted.
Starfire:
Do not worry, I did not put any on your plates.
Dick takes a bite.
Dick:
Babe, you've really outdone yourself ever since you took those cooking classes.
Starfire:
Thanks Dick.
Koro is not eating; he's distracted by Mar'i eating her fly-ridden quiche.
Koro (Thinking):
I hope she stops after the transformation.
Starfire looks at her daughter.
Starfire:
I have two bits of good news and a bit of bad news.
Mar'i:
What are the good ones?
Starfire:
Your transformation will be complete tomorrow morning.
Mar'i:
Great, finally!
Starfire:
And I bought you some boots to replace the destroyed ones.
Mar'i:
Thank you, Mom. You're the best. What's the bad news?
Starfire:
Tonight you are going to be extremely vulnerable so you are going to sleep in the crisis room.
Mar'i's smile fades.
Mar'i:
Oh, okay. Can Koro sleep with me? I would feel uncomfortable all alone in that large room.
Dick:
Of course.
Koro:
But-
Starfire:
It's important that you support your sister through this great ordeal.
Later, in the Crisis Room. Dick has put on his Nightwing suit, and Starfire has changed into her hero suit:
Starfire:
Do not worry, we will stay behind the door.
Nightwing:
We won't let anyone take advantage of your weakness.
Mar'i:
Thank you. Goodnight.
Koro:
I took earmuffs, they should cover your snoring.
Mar'i:
It's you who snores.
Nightwing/Starfire:
Goodnight.
Koro:
I hope it won't be too long.
The door closes.
Koro:
Come on, admit it. You would have preferred to have Damian in my place.
Mar'i:
Obviously but what was I going to give as an excuse? Dad, I want Damian to come and sleep with me like this, we can do team strategies to be able to defeat our most powerful opponents. Or, Mom, I want Damian to come and sleep with me. I need my cousin's support since Koro keeps laughing at me. It was the best I could do. Oh... (She feels her head)
Koro:
Are you okay?
Mar'i:
I need to lie down. I feel weird.
Koro:
I'll keep an eye on you.
Mar'i:
Thanks, brother.
She lies down on the floor and goes to sleep.
Koro (Thinking):
She's right, it's weird. Looks like some kind of armour is covering her. Maybe it'll alleviate the snoring.
Mar'i begins to snore and with the chrysalis around her, it echoes. Koro covers his ears.
Koro (Thinking):
No, it's worse.
He tries to sleep and covers his ears with his hands. He takes out his earmuffs and places them over his ears, but he can still hear Mar'i snoring.
Koro (Thinking:
Oh, that's not true. (He jams his pillow over his head) It's gonna be a long night.
The next morning. Mar'i hears snoring.
Mar'i (Thinking):
And then he says he doesn't snore. I should record it. But first, how do I get out of here?
She struggles and knocks on the chrysalis but it doesn't break.
Mar'i:
Koro, help!
Koro (Wakes up):
Hmm...what?
Mar'i:
I'm stuck ! Help me get out!
Koro:
I thought it was going away on its own.
Mar'i:
Apparently not.
Koro grabs the top of the chrysalis and starts to pull.
Koro:
It's tough. How did Dad do it last time?
He leaves the Crisis Room and goes upstairs, stepping over a Slade-Bot.
Koro (Thinking):
There are a lot of Slade-Bots on the ground. It must have been a rough night. (He knocks on his parents' bedroom door) "om, Dad!
Dick:
Mmm...
Starfire:
What's wrong?
Koro:
Mar'i can't get out.
Starfire opens the door, huge bags under her eyes.
Starfire:
I'll see.
In his bed, Silkie groans, yawns and goes back to sleep. Starfire follows Koro to the Crisis Room.
Starfire:
Mar'i, it's Mom. How are you feeling?
Mar'i:
I'm glad I'm not claustrophobic.
Starfire:
Koro, you're going to pull to the right and I'll pull to the left. With our combined strength, that should set her free.
They start to pull, the chrysalis starts to crack and then separates in half. Mar'i falls out and breathes in relief.
Starfire(Yawns):
I go back to bed.
She goes back upstairs, into the master bedroom, sinks under the covers, embraced by her husband.
In the bathroom, Mar'i is happily staring at herself in the mirror.
Mar'i:
I'm normal. (She accidentally blows up the mirror with her laser vision) Damn!
Titans Tower Training Room- Later that day. The team has almost assembled.
AI:
DESIGNATION- AVOCET
Koro exits the zeta tube.
Koro:
Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the new Nightstar.
AI:
DESIGNATION- NIGHTSTAR.
Mar'i exits the zeta tube.
Lian:
She doesn't look that different.
Mar'i:
Could I do this before?
She uses her laser vision against the wall; the wall falls. The others are gobsmacked.
Jon:
Mar'i!
Mar'i:
Oops. (Giggles) Anyway, the new pairs are Robin with Paine and Murdoc with Green Canary. The rest don't change. Well, let's not waste time. Robin and Paine, you start.
Damian unsheathes his sword and Paine lights her hands in green magic.
Damian:
See you on the other side.
Paine:
I don't know the reference. But good luck to you too.
Mar'i:
Go!
Damian:
Are these invisible enemies?
Mar'i:
Yes, so be extra vigilant.
Damian:
Great.
Paine:
Maybe I can locate them with my telepathy. (She makes her eyes shine green) There are two on your right.
Damian deals two sword blows on his right.
Damian:
Did I get them?
Paine:
You had one but the other dodged.
Damian:
I'll try something else.
He takes several discs and throws them all around the area, causing them to explode.
Damian:
So?
Paine:
I don't feel anyone anymore. (Thinking) But you have feelings for Mar'i.
Damian jumps up.
Damian (Thinking):
What? No, not at all.
Paine:
You can't hide that when I activate my empathy. It's almost as strong as Koro and Lilith.
Damian:
Please don't tell anyone. Mar'i wants us to keep this a secret.
Paine:
You made my brother suffer unnecessarily. I should at least tell him.
Damian:
We're meant to be a team. Things like that would cause unnecessary division.
Paine:
Alright, I won't say anything for the good of the team.
Mar'i:
Hey! Damian! You hear me?
Damian:
Uh...yes. But can you repeat?
Mar'i:
I said that the exercise was over and that you make way for Alloroc and Black Arrow.
Damian:
Oh. Got distracted.
Mar'i:
Whatever.
Paine teleports Damian to Alloroc's place and herself to Lian's place.
Alloroc:
Wow, I love it.
Lian:
You could warn me. (She readies her bow) So you solved your problem, Alloroc?
Alloroc:
I have rocks in my pockets and I borrowed Kaldur's gear. I should be fine.
He activates two bio-electric hydro-blades.
Lian:
Awesome. Do you know how to use them?
Alloroc:
I have already used them several times. Besides, I will soon have my own.
Mar'i starts the simulation. Alloroc and Lian ready themselves and fight the holograms.
An hour later...
Mar'i (Thinking):
I really don't want to provoke another conflict but...
Paine (Thinking):
Oh no, it's going to get out of hand again.
Mar'i:
Who is volunteering to do the exercise with me?
Damian and Murdoc raise their hands at the same time.
Damian/Murdoc: Me! (They look at each other) What?
Murdoc:
Why would she choose you? You always train with her!
Damian:
I want to see what it looks like with her laser vision.
Murdoc:
So do I! Besides, you don't have any superpowers, how are you going to be able to help her spot invisible enemies?
Damian:
And you? How are you going to do it? It was Olivia who spotted them the last time.
Murdoc:
I'll use the same technique as Lilith. It doesn't have to be that complicated.
Damian:
I ask to see.
Murdoc:
Then give me your place.
Damian:
Alright. I could have a good laugh.
Mar'i:
Have you made up your mind?
Helena and Paine put their communicators away.
Murdoc:
I would be your partner.
Mar'i:
Very well. Jaden, run the simulation.
Jaden:
Okay, boss.
Mar'i lights her eyes green.
Murdoc (Thinking):
Let's see. Lilith had closed her eyes and... (He closes his eyes) I don't know.
30 seconds pass.
Damian:
If it was real, they would be dead by not moving.
Mar'i:
Are you sure you can do it, Murdoc?
Murdoc:
Of course. (Thinking) Truly, I don't feel any aura, not even Mar'i's when she's next to me. If I don't find another solution, we're going to lose. And that would prove Wayne right. That's it, I have an idea. Paine, can you hear me?
Paine (Thinking):
You can't do it?
Murdoc (Thinking):
No, can you help me?
Paine (Thinking):
On one condition.
Murdoc (Thinking):
Anything you want. I want to erase Damian's smile.
Paine (Thinking):
For a month, you will meditate with me without protesting.
Murdoc (Thinking):
A month? But you do it too often.
Paine (Thinking):
Am I to understand that you don't want to do it?
Murdoc (Thinking):
Yes, you won.
Paine (Thinking):
Perfect. I will help you.
She lights her green eyes, but no one notices.
Murdoc:
That's it, I'm detecting their auras.
Olivia:
It's not too early. He lasted twice as long as Lilith.
Lilith:
He must have been having trouble concentrating. It is normal that he takes longer.
Damian:
I would try to find an alternative solution. Otherwise we would be sure to be killed by an invisible enemy.
Mar'i:
So?
Murdoc:
There are two on your right and three on your left.
Mar'i uses her new laser vision to destroy them.
Jaden:
Well aimed.
Mar'i:
Thanks.
Jaden turns off the holograms.
Jaden:
Now that everyone has passed, this is the moment we are all waiting for; the leader's vote.
Lilith:
I'm not ready yet.
Jaden:
Too bad. I have installed voting software in your communicators. All you have to do is tap the photo of the one you want to vote as leader. Kacey, what are you doing?
Kacey:
I'm voting.
Jaden:
Once. You pressed twenty times.
Kacey:
I thought it wasn't working so I started over.
Jaden sighs.
Jaden:
Either way, I'll post the results on this holographic screen. Take your time.
The Common Room, later that evening:
Jaden:
Okay, the results are in. The leader of the Teen Titans is... (Mar'i's picture appears on the screen) Mar'i Grayson!
Jon:
Too bad, Damian. You only have four votes.
Damian:
It's better than nothing.
Murdoc:
Now that you're officially the boss, I wanted to sing you a victory song. Do you want to hear it?
Mar'i:
Sure.
Murdoc:
I'll get my guitar.
Paine:
You should cover your ears, Damian.
Damian:
Why?
Paine:
Let's just say the lyrics aren't flattering about you.
Damian plugs his ears. Murdoc plays the first notes and starts singing.
Murdoc (Singing):
You are the champion, Mar'i.
And we'll keep on fighting till the end.
You are the leader.
You are our Nightstar.
Damian is a loser,
'Cos you are the leader,
of the World.
Mar'i laughs a bit.
Mar'i:
Let's get pizza.
Paine (Mentally speaking):
It's okay, Damian. It's over.
Damian uncovers his ears.
Damian:
Thanks, Paine.
Kacey walks up to Murdoc.
Kacey:
Can you do a song about me?
Murdoc:
Uh...give me a week.
Mar'i calls her parents over the TV screen. Starfire's face appears.
Starfire (On the TV):
Hello?
Mar'i:
Hi Mom. Is Dad there?
Starfire (On the TV):
No, he's investigating the mystery of the Slade-Bots. Slade is still in his cell so it's not him. What is happening?
Mar'i:
I've been crowned as the leader of the team.
Starfire (On the TV, her face lights up):
Glorious! We have to celebrate this! I will call the other Titans for these 3 wonderful events.
Mar'i:
What are the other two?
Starfire (On the TV):
The end of your transformation and our victory against the Slade-Bots.
Mar'i:
Oh yeah. I'll have to decline as well as my whole team. We're going to train tomorrow.
Starfire (On the TV):
You're just as serious as your father, but I could convince him to party in the tower.
Mar'i:
Try not to make too much of a mess.
Starfire (On the TV):
We won't. And your team can have a break.
Mar'i:
We will take a break when we have stopped our first enemy. We'll celebrate with pizzas.
Starfire (On the TV):
Typical. Anyway, see you later.
Mar'i:
Bye.
She turns off the TV.
Later, the Titans are in the kitchen, having pizza to celebrate Mar'i's recent promotion.
Kacey:
I don't know why you only get one pizza for me each time. I am a speedster, I have a high metabolism, I need three minimum.
Mar'i:
Well, go get them.
Kacey:
Thanks, boss.
She rushes outside.
Mar'i:
And one thing; I don't want to be called Boss. Got it?
Lian:
She's already gone.
Jaden:
It's okay, Mar'i. As long as that's the only rule.
Mar'i:
Also, if you want to watch something or play something, don't use the mainframe.
Alloroc (With a mouthful of Pepperoni Pizza):
The what?
Mar'i:
The tower's mainframe, with all the files. Dad told me Uncle Garfield tried to use it to download a video game; it wasn't pretty. It gave Uncle Victor a virus.
Jaden:
Yeah, he told me about it. He had to do a stomach wash to get all the shit out.
Mar'i:
No cursive language either.
Jaden:
Seriously?
Jon:
I don't mind.
Jaden:
Me, it bothers me!
Mar'i:
Alright, but keep it toned down.
The crime alert goes off.
Mar'i:
Jaden, what is it?
Jaden turns on the screen.
Jaden:
That Giant Mantis still needs to be taken care of.
Mar'i:
Titans Go!
The End
Cast
Kari Wahlgren: Nightstar/Mar'i Grayson
Taylor Gray: Avocet/Koro Grayson
Stuart Allan: Robin/Damian Wayne
Alyson Stoner: Huntress/Helena Wayne
Ashley Eckstein: Paine Logan
Jesse McCartney: Murdoc Logan
Debi Derryberry: Lilith Logan
James Arnold Taylor: Superboy/Jon Kent
Ashley Tisdale: Kid Flash/Kacey West
Drake Bell: Alloroc Markov
Damon Wayans Jr: Hornet/Jaden Stone
Lacey Chabert: Black Arrow/Lian Harper
Megan Smith: Green Canary/Olivia Queen
Greg Cipes: Changeling/Garfield Logan
Scott Menville: Nightwing/Dick Grayson
Tara Strong: Raven/Rachel Logan, Agnes
Hynden Walch: Starfire/Kory Grayson
Matthew Gray Gubler: The Riddler/Edward Nigma
Alan Tudyk: AI