AN: So, I got this idea and I just had to get it down on paper. I think this could be a really cool story to tell, or at the very least, I hope it will. I know that I definitely had a lot of fun writing this first chapter.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy :)

Chapter 1 Victory

Wind rushing. Heart pounding. Fists clenching. Fear waning.

This was the life. This was his life. Whether for good or for ill, he did not know; he was still trying to decide. In a sense, he was always destined for this life. From the moment he was born till now, he had always been ready to fight crime. He had always been ready to take up the mantle of superhero.

Ezekiel scanned the city below him. Nothing stood out. It was peaceful, a little too peaceful. Nobody was aware of the demon human hybrid and the grass green changeling flying through the sky. People were too preoccupied with their own lives, their own fears, and their own desires.

But that's alright. Ezekiel could live with that. People were meant to love in their own little reality bubbles. They could live their own lives without fear of crime, all thanks to the work of the superhero group, the Titans.

"We're almost there, Changeling," Ezekiel said. He pointed down toward the street below. "Nightwing's distress signal said the criminal should be down there."

Changeling nodded, for he was unable to talk while he was transformed. He flapped his bird wings, allowing the wind to rush around and tickle his feathers. On some level, Ezekiel was jealous of him. He had an awesome power; a power that didn't require emotional stability to control.

Finally, they had arrived at their destination. Ezekiel and Changeling swooped downwards, taking in deep breaths as they did. The criminal shouldn't be too hard to deal with. Why would they be? The Titans had fought multiple villains. Slade, the Hive Five, Plasmus. Heck, when Ezekiel's mother had still been a part of the team, they had fought Trigon, the most fearsome and evil foe that a hero could hope to face. Whenever Starfire recounted that story to him, Ezekiel couldn't help but marvel at the sheer and pure luck that the Teen Titans possessed.

Anyway, Ezekiel couldn't focus on that right now. He had to focus on the present, for right below him and Changeling was a criminal. It wasn't anything special. Really, it wasn't. It was just a normal Bank robber. It didn't even have that great of a build, as his body was as scrawny and skinny as a stick bug.

They could take him out within no time at all.

"Stop right there!" Ezekiel said, the blue cape he had inherited from his mom flapping in the wind.

The criminal looked like they would be sick. "Oh no."

Changeling de-transformed and grinned at the thug. "Be prepared! For you are about to taste the wrath of Changeling and MidKnight!"

That was Ezekiel's superhero name; MidKnight. He had chosen it himself when he was very small. He figured, since his powers revolved around the control and manipulation of darkness, it would be a perfect fit for him. Besides, he knew since he was five that he would be a superhero one day; it was only natural considering who his mother was and the circumstances surrounding his birth. He swept his jet black hair back as he glared at the criminal.

"How does a five year sentence sound to you?"

The thug hesitated before he reached into one of the holders on his belt. He pulled out a gun and fired it. The bullet flew at incredible speeds right toward Changeling's face. However, the green superhero didn't even flinch. He just turned into a mosquito at a rapid rate, causing the bullet to fly straight past him. It collided with a shop window, causing the glass to shatter.

The criminal's face grew pale as snow. "How...how?"

Changeling laughed as he turned back into a human. "You really need to work on your aim, my dude. You won't be able to hit anyone with that shoddy marksmanship."

The criminal dropped their gun and ran. Ezekiel smirked; they weren't even running that fast. They tripped over their own feet, for goodness sake! Honestly, this one was just too easy to handle.

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" Ezekiel called out. He held his hand out, and the criminal was surrounded by a dark aura. It encased his entire body like tree sap. He screamed and tried to break through the force field surrounding him, but it was no use. There was nothing that could penetrate a demonic aura.

Both Changeling and Ezekiel slowly walked up to the criminal. Ezekiel in particular had the most serious expression on his face. "I don't think a five year sentence is good enough, considering you shot a gun at my partner. How does a ten year sentence sound?"

The criminal cringed before hanging his head in defeat. Right at that moment, sirens wailed in the distance. Ezekiel turned to see a police car coming down the road, ready to bring the criminal to the local prison. Once the car stopped and the officer got out, he released his captor from the dark aura.

The police officer smiled. "Thank you, Changeling, thank you MidKnight. I don't know what this city would do without the Titans."

Changeling grinned goofily. "My guess is that you would try to look for a group of other superheroes."

The officer laughed, her laughter carrying throughout the city. "This is true. This is very true." She grabbed hold of the criminal, strapped some handcuffs around his wrists, and shoved him into the car. "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."

With that, she got back into the car and drove away. Ezekiel turned toward Changeling, who was grinning like a beast.

"Well man, we did it." He laughed. "What do you say we get some victory milkshakes?"

Ezekiel smiled. "That sounds good."

…

The milkshake and ice cream parlor on the north side of Jump City hasn't been there for very long; about two years, as a matter of fact. However, it was a common hangout for people like Changeling and MidKnight, especially after they defeated a criminal. After all, there was no better way to celebrate a victory than by stuffing your face with a jug full of calories.

"I will have a strawberry milkshake please," Changeling said to the server. "And my friend here will have chocolate."

The server nodded and went to get prepared. Both superheros took seats at the bars just like they normally did.

"You know," Changeling told Ezekiel. "When I was young, there used to be a restaurant called Mega Meaty Meat in this spot."

Ezekiel nodded. "I know. You tell me that everytime we come here."

Changeling nodded. "I know. But did I also tell you that I had to work there in order to earn money for a moped?" He shuddered. "Was a vegetarian's hell, I tell you."

Ezekiel nodded again. He had heard that story, and he did not pity Changeling at all for having to work there. While Ezekiel wasn't a vegetarian himself, he knew that his green partner was not willing to have anything to do with meat. After all, he's been most of those animals.

"Yeah." He tapped his fingers against the bar, all while smiling. "I bet Mom hated that place."

"She hated everything!" Changeling said. His face fell. "Except your father. Although, what she saw in a putz like him, I will never know."

Ezekiel pressed his lips into a serious line. He had heard about his father. Jonah Pressely was his name, and he liked all things goth. He even had chalky white skin, from what Ezekiel heard; chalky white skin, jet black hair, and a stoic expression. Naturally, being so similar to the broody and gothic Raven, the two fell for each other within no time flat. Unfortunately, Jonah left and cheated on Raven with another girl when she was five months pregnant. As far as Ezekiel knew, Jonah was rotting in the depths of hell right now.

"Yeah." Ezekiel didn't like talking about his mom, though. It was too painful, both for him and for Changeling. So, he changed the subject. "The way you turned into a mosquito to dodge that bullet was cool."

Changeling beamed with pride. "Thanks," he said as the server came back with the milkshakes. He took a sip of his strawberry one. "The way that you got that guy with your telekinesis was pretty cool too."

"Thanks," said Ezekiel. "I think I've got that pretty much perfected." His face grew somber as he gripped his milkshake glass. "Unfortunately, it took a long time to do that. A long time and a lot of screw ups."

Changeling nodded. He was just as aware as MidKnight's failures as everyone else, as he had been present for most of them. There were times where he could barely master his powers because his emotions were too out of control.

"Well, that just means that you finally getting it right is all the more impressive!" Changeling smiled. "I'm proud of you. And if your mother was here with us today, she'd be proud of you too."

Ezekiel just nodded and sipped at his milkshake.