PART 2: DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

Spread your wings and fly away, fly away, far away

Spread your little wings and fly away, far away

Pull yourself together, 'cause you know you should do better

That's because you're a free man

Chapter 6: SPREAD YOUR WINGS

"Son of God, it's time to play by the rules cast at the dawn of time. I've chosen my warriors, now go and choose yours." Raven looked towards the crowd in front of her, their eyes wide with fear and confusion and their emotions coming through strongly. "Ah, Pestilence emerges."

The vines around the world began to shrivel and wrap up into a sickly formation. It was a twisted amalgamation of plant and humanity that formed from the shriveling mass. It rose with a confused face, its sickly features dripping with green pus and covered in a sickly slime. In her hands was a bow and from her back there were placed seven arrows. She looked to Raven and knew her task. "There's not enough here," Pestilence said, "I'll have to go elsewhere." Her mistress nodded, and Pestilence's form began to shrivel again into a narrow vine. The might it contained however was massive and it tore apart the floor and dug deep beneath the earth.

"What have you done, Raven?" Robin asked angrily.

"Me?" Raven asked, "I merely chose the suitable hosts for the seeds of my father's power." She looked angrily towards them as they readied themselves to attack her. "I'm your own teammate. Would you dare move to attack me?"

"You're not our Raven," Robin said. "She was a good person."

"Obviously," Raven said, "You were all sadly mistaken. Honestly, what is with you humans and your insistence that what you believe is only what is truth."

"Raven, please do not do this!" Starfire pleaded. "We are your friends. We all care for you deeply!"

"I know, Starfire," Raven said. "And I care for you all so much as well, that's why I've chosen not to kill you myself."

"Why are you doing this?" Cyborg demanded. "What are you trying to accomplish?"

"My Four Horsemen are out in the world making it ready for my father's eventual rising," Raven said. "Why, Famine is already preparing this city." She was surprised by the angry looks on their faces, raising her brow in sincere confusion, "You should be excited that you'll live to see a new world order rise. It will be something you can tell your grandchildren about, if they even survive that long."

"I have chosen my warriors," Destiny answered.

"Oh?" Raven asked, curiously. "I just know you mean my unsuspecting friends. That's real low," she added, narrowing her eyes. Destiny shook his head, his hair whipping around and sweeping the unconscious Livewire into its mass. "I'm surprised! Who then. I really must know."

"Jonathan Crane, Pamela Isely, Harley Quinzell, and Leslie Willis."

"Two of them are mine," Raven remarked. She looked at his determined expression and laughed again, "Are you insinuating that you'll take them back from me? I wonder if there's any precedent there."

"I don't care," Mad said. "They are my friends."

"You," she accused, "Must be a horrible judge of character." She looked at Mad one last time and smiled sweetly, "Try, go ahead. I won't stop you. Let's just see if it works." Mad turned to leave the tower.

"Wait!" Starfire said, "Please, Mr. Destiny. We do not need to utilize the machine of war in settling of this affair. Certainly, Raven you will comply and aid us in putting a stop to the world ending."

"No," both Mad and Raven said simultaneously.

"This must be," Raven said. "We both know that. It's merely my desire to fulfill my father's command. I am certain that it is the same with the Son of God."

"Yes," Mad said.

"Please," Robin said. He reached out to Mad, taking his silk robes in his hands and holding him back. Destiny turned to look at Robin, his face devoid of emotions. "Don't you care for this world."

Destiny stared into Robin's eyes and a frown formed on his lips. "I do, I truly do. However, how can a world that contains men such as you and he, men that wear masks and tell lies, be worthy of immortality?" A lock of hair rose and slapped Robin's hand hard, causing him to let go. Mad walked out of the tower, his hair billowing dangerously to ward off anyone else who would stand in his path.

"This is bad," Cyborg said. "This is real bad." Raven's eyes followed Mad as he left the tower, her glance harsh and angry. Robin rubbed his hand, his face set into a stone mask of concentration. It made him seem frightfully distant to Starfire, who put her arm gently around his waist and held him close. Robin broke his concentration for a second, and gave Starfire a smile. Raven's glance fell on this exchange and for a moment her face was rage.

Raven descended to the Titans' level and with a flick of her wrist pushed the Titans to the side. Cyborg landed on his feet, while Arsenal felt himself being pulled into the wall. He landed with a thud. Starfire and Robin were untouched, and Raven stood next to them. Robin looked at Raven. He studied her angular face and shuddered. "Raven, give this up now or we'll be forced to stop you by force if necessary."

Raven let loose a shrill laugh. "That's so very cute," Raven said. "You all need to learn that humans amount to nothing in this war."

"I don't care," Robin said. Raven smiled and placed her hand delicately on his cheek and stroked it lovingly. Starfire pulled him further into her embrace. Raven withdrew her hand, exchanging a glare with Starfire.

"Perhaps you should," she warned. She looked at Cyborg and Arsenal. Raven's form began to fade away, "I told you I was sparing you today, but my horsemen will not extend the same offer. My friends, you would best beware the coming plagues." Her form was gone from sight but the Titans were still on their guard.

"She's starting to freak me out," Arsenal said. "You sure she used to be a good guy?"

"Definite," Cyborg said. "One of our best."

"Great," Arsenal said. The Titans relaxed after a minute had passed. "What happened to her?"

"Her father has taken her," Starfire said, "Just as he has always intended. Raven has fought long and hard. I am saddened to see that her struggle had been in vain."

"Whatever the case," Robin said, "We have four super powered natural disasters to look out for. Let's go, Titans."

"Wait!" a voice called weakly from the ground. Slade began to rise from the floor, "What did she do?" Robin looked at Slade and frowned. "Answer me."

"She's got four horsemen," Robin said. "They're going to try and prepare the world for Raven's father." There was a moment when Robin's face was grim, and then it regained its usual determined expression, "Perhaps I should have let you kill that plant girl." Starfire gasped.

"Robin! Surely you do not mean as such!" she urged.

"Star, at this point in time I don't know what I mean. The world's falling apart, and we can't even pray because as far as we know, if God wins the world will still end." Robin looked to the city. "We have to make sacrifices sometimes. This is one of those times."

Slade looked at Robin, "Strange." Placing on his mask again, Slade assumed the role of Deathstroke. He almost hesitated, but reached for his berretta, pointed upwards in Robin's direction, and then loaded it. "We should find the Horsemen and stop them, then."

"Right." Robin looked to the others, and said, "Our main priority is to stop them with any means necessary. Understand?"

Cyborg cleared his throat and walked towards Robin, "No." Robin looked at Cyborg, who in turn stared back, "I'm not going to follow an order like that. That ain't like you, Robin."

"I told you already," he said, furiously, "Sacrifices have to be made."

Cyborg loomed over Robin and picked him up by his collar and looked him dead in the eye. "Say that to my face. Look me in the eye and tell me you mean it." Robin stared right back at him, his expression never changing. "C'mon man, tell me you don't."

"I do mean it, Cyborg. We don't have the luxury of saving them."

"Not if I have anything to say about it." Cyborg turned and stomped out the doorway. He did not turn around, and Robin did not try and stop him. Starfire looked at Robin, and she also moved to the exit, but she turned around to see Robin's gaze resting perfectly still as she walked out. She turned her head towards the exit, not turning back for fear of breaking down.

Robin was silent, and neither of those who remained dare speak. Arsenal hazarded to get his attention, "So, now what?" Robin didn't move. He just stood there, silent as a statue.

"Are my methods," he looked for the word, "Unsound?"

"I wouldn't say definitely unsound," Arsenal said. He had his own reservations of what he said, but knew regardless what had to be done. He was more concerned with the way Robin had said it. He couldn't quite put his finger on why, though.

"And you, Slade?"

Slade thought on this. He should be pleased that his apprentice had come to understand the harsh realities of life, but there was something about it that seemed hollow and bitter-sweet. He was reminded by the boy of a young man who had turned his back on the woman he loved. It was a haunting recreation of the face, so concerned with business and ignoring the heart of the family matter. Robin's impatient face, the very expression he wore, reminded him of why he wore the eye patch.

"No, I don't think so," Slade said resolutely, but behind the mask his face mirrored the visage of Ebenezer Scrooge staring at the shadows of his past.

**************************

"Food!" the crying mother begged. "I need food!"

"A measure of wheat for a penny, my child," Famine said. She fumbled in her pocket for the penny, and found herself lacking all but one coin in her pocket. She presented it to him, and he placed it on the scale. A small crumb, barely enough to feed even a mouse was placed in turn on the scale. "Struggle through," said the horseman and he waded through the empty city slowly towards his goal.

Those who were health in his way soon found themselves in his thrall. A balance was presented and he paid for their very health. Taking a drop of their blood he placed a coin to buy more. The compulsion to pay was so great that the very cells themselves hurried to deposit their own payment.

Famine saw the terror in their eyes as he came. He loved it.

***********************

"Harley!" Mad the Swine's hair lifted the girl up gently, their support much more sure than his hands which shook in fear. He looked at her, her form now decrepit and weak and every ounce of nutrition she had once had was sucked dry. She looked at Mad, and smiled a bit.

"Hey there, kiddo," she coughed, "Fancy seeing you here."

"You're going to be okay, Harley!" he grabbed the air and took it and changed it into an apple, "Eat this."

"Sorry, I'm stuffed," Harley said.

"You need to eat, Harley!" Mad said.

"You're going to burst an artery if you keep yelling like that," Harley said. "I'm tired. Wake me up in an hour."

"No, Harley!" Mad took the apple and further changed it into base nutrients. He placed his hand on hers and channeled the energy flow into her body and fill her bloodstream again. She looked a bit healthier, her eyes regained their luster, and she looked at him.

"You're always so worried about me. What is with you nice guys?" Harley laughed, her voice fading out. Her eyes closed and she was still.

"Harley!" Mad said, trying to shake her away, "Wake up!" He looked at her prone form, and felt the side of her neck. He could feel something, "Still warm, still alive."

He looked at the city, now an empty husk, and frowned, "Still alive, right? Right?"

************************

Starfire called out to the retreating Cyborg. He did not respond. "Please, Cyborg! Wait for me!" she cried. This time, he turned his face to look at her and came to a stop. When she caught up, he took a casual pace and continued walking through the starving city. "What is the matter, Cyborg?"

"Nothing," he said harshly. He looked at Starfire's bright, innocent face. "I mean, it shouldn't bother me, but - it's just I wonder," he couldn't stand looking into Starfire's bright eyes as he said, "I wonder if he was right. I mean, it's totally crazy, but what if we have no choice and all we can do is - this is crazy."

"He will seek a way to help them," Starfire said. "I am certain that he will soon realize that what he has said is not what he truly feels. In time, he will understand."

"Yeah," Cyborg said. There was worry in his voice, "But time, you know, that can take a while. I just hope we can stop him before he does something he regrets."

"Do you think he will really do something like that?"

"Looking him dead in the eye and hearing him say what he said, I don't think it, I know it." There was a bit of silence. "Why are you following me instead of him?"

"What do you mean?"

"You and him, you're the official couple of the Tower! You'd go to the ends of the galaxy for him. So why not this time?"

Starfire smiled slightly, "I would do whatever he asked of me, but I would not do that." Cyborg looked at her. "Meatloaf. A most impressive singing voice for someone who is merely a dinner dish." This brought a smile to Cyborg's lips, and from Starfire's reaction he wasn't sure if she truly did not know who Meatloaf really was, or if she merely found it a way of lightening the air. "I also feared that he was correct."

"And it scares you," BC's ubiquitous voice said. Starfire tried to tune him out, but he continued his rants.

"Yeah." There was silence. The two walked around afraid to confront the reality in front of them. "What can we even do?" Starfire said nothing. Cyborg looked uncomfortably at the darkening skies, "And isn't that just nice and foreboding."

"We do not know what Raven has done to these poor people," Starfire said. "Why were they chosen?"

"There was evil in their souls," BC said. "That's how it works with a demon. You seek the dark emotions of hate and vengeance and lust and twist them and turn them. All emotions, in the end, are demonic, but most important are those that hurt and destroy others. They're the most powerful."

"Are emotions truly evil?" she asked.

"Emotions?" Cyborg asked. "What are you talking about."

"Demons feed off of emotions, the dark emotions and the good emotions both." Starfire looked at Cyborg a bit frightened, "She has sought souls with evil within them. Why?" Her face turned to the other side. Cyborg looked at her as she yelled into the empty air, frightened.

"Star, there's no one there." He tried to hold on to her, and give her an anchor to reality. "Stop it."

"No!" Starfire exclaimed. BC laughed.

"He can't see me at all!" the grin danced in the air like a delighted ghost.

Starfire stared at BC with fright. "Why?" she asked. "Why are you haunting me?"

"A ghost?" Cyborg asked. "Star, what is it? There is no one there!"

"I'm haunting you? That's an interesting way of looking at it. You're not even the first, come to think of it. Fancy Cape said it or something, I think." BC's body appeared in a flash, and he took a seat in the air, and pat the air next to him. "Sit down, it's story time."

Cyborg took Starfire in his arms and turned her to face him. "Star. Stop it. There's nothing there. Look at me, Star." She did so, her eyes wide with fright and insecurity, "Calm down, Starfire. Concentrate on me, I know something's wrong here, but just trust me on this. Don't look away."

"I am wondering," Starfire said, her voice aquiver with fear, "If I am going crazy."

Cyborg looked at her, shame at the thought even crossing his mind when he looked at the innocent alien, her eyes frightened and her voice trembling with a collapsed security. He ignored the evidence and merely looked at her, his face stern. "Star," he said, "Fly up there and see if you can see him." Starfire nodded and flew upwards. BC followed with a bemused grin, never once moving from his prey. He looked at her and vanished, leaving only his grin.

"I could tell you, you know."

"You are not real, you are only an illusion!" Star said, her voice a harsh whisper. "That is the only explanation after all you have shown yourself to be capable of." She gazed around the city, only to have that omnipresent smile in her face. The rounded figure of the Black Cat's own head reappeared as suddenly as it had vanished and she was taken aback. She dared not look at Cyborg's reaction, and instead tried to stay resolute on her task.

"I am real." The form leaned towards her. "I'll prove it. Illusions can't do this," he said, taking a hold of her arms. She felt the fabric of his gloves on her bare arms, she could feel his breath on her face and it was hot and cinnamon. She stared into the eyes of Hell's Emissary and shuddered. "Did you feel that?"

"Y, yes I did." She couldn't deny that the reality of his touch. "However, that may only be my mind, of course!"

"Of course, of course. However, if I weren't real, would you compel me to do this." He touched her virgin lips with his, tainted with the lies he spoke. Her eyes widened in shock as something slipped into her mouth without her approval. She broke free, leaving the ever grinning cat with an even bigger grin.

"Do not ever do that again," she said, "Or I shall be forced to act in a way that you and I shall both regret." She heard Cyborg calling to her. "I do not see him yet."

"Hurry!"

"Yes. Hurry, hurry, hurry!" BC clapped his hands. "He is approaching your tower. And am I that bad a kisser?" He felt her hand slap his cheek, and sighed, "I suppose I am. Just because I don't have his fancy cape, I know it." Starfire was flying back to Cyborg as he said this, and he just watched her go with a look of devious glee.

"He is approaching the tower! We must hurry!"

****************************

Slade watched Robin work with an almost morbid fascination. The fervor with which the boy pounded away at the console, the way his glance never strayed, he could see himself in the boy, and the resemblance was uncanny and almost frightening. "Robin," he said. "Are you having any luck?" he continued when he noticed Robin didn't stop to notice him.

"No." He said nothing else. Slade frowned.

"What made you say that?" Slade asked. Robin didn't react immediately, but his work at the console ceased and the maddening rhythm of the keys stopped.

"Say what? Oh, that. I thought you'd be proud."

Slade raised his brow at the ironic tone in his voice, "It's the only solution that makes sense, but it still isn't like you." Robin looked over at Slade, his brow creased with worry and his mouth wrenched in a frown.

"We're way out of our league, Slade." He looked at the display, "Famine alone has basically drained this city dry. I don't know who or what this thing is exactly, nonetheless how to find him. How do you even track a famine?" He sighed, "I know the guys know I'm right, and I guess I'm happy they decided to go. I don't want to force them to do anything they'd regret."

"The situation would likely force them to anyway, Robin." Slade looked at the map, "It also seems that he would be heading here if he wishes to drain the city completely. We should prepare."

"I know," Robin said. "I just wish there was another way."

"That's all you can do."

Robin looked at Slade, a bit confused, "You should be proclaiming me your apprentice at long last. Why aren't you dancing around in joy."

"Ah," Slade said, "That's an interesting question. I'm not sure what to say. Perhaps I should warn you to be careful for what you wish for."

"That's a good lesson." Robin looked at the monitors around the city, waiting for the famine to knock at his front door. He wouldn't have to wait long.

************************

Livewire opened her eyes and found herself on a cushion of gold. She shook her head, tried to steady her vision, and got to her feet, finding the cushion to form into a stairway to let her off. As her vision cleared, she noticed that it wasn't a cushion at all, but threads or even hair. "Mad," she muttered. "What hit me anyway?"

"Trick arrow," Destiny answered. "We need to work quickly."

"Quickly? What's going on?" Leslie looked at Mad's serious face. "Hey, what happened to the clown girl."

"Ichabod." Livewire made a face and then looked back at him. "I know where he is."

"Why are you moving so slow, then?"

"I don't know what I'm going to do," Destiny said. There was an air of helplessness in his voice. "This isn't part of what I'm meant to do." The girl looked at him, and saw the stress evident on his face. Like a solider in a long battle was he. "All I know is that if I don't do everything right, I lose two of my friends." He nodded towards Harley's prone form.

"What's going on?" Leslie asked him. Mad sighed, and continued towards the riverbank. "Hey, wait up!" there was a sudden increase in speed in Destiny's steps. She caught up. "Hey!" she continued to call, "What's going on exactly?"

"War."

***********************

Famine stared at the Titan Tower with a menacing air about him. "There it is." He walked towards the water, floating as though he was too light to break the surface tension. He hobbled across the water in a mock miracle. He stood in the middle of the river, looking back at the healthy forms that fought their way towards him. The water exploded as sonic energy hit the area in front of him. Famine smiled and ran towards the land as the attackers zoomed by him.

"Stop right there." Starfire placed Cyborg to the ground as he leveled his sonic blaster at Famine, "We've got a score to settle."

"Indeed." The man took his scales from his pocket and held them up. "This is an instrument of war," he said, "When besieged, rations were set aside. This is a time of war, this is a besieged world, and now I have come to ration the food around the world."

"Is that so?" Cyborg said. "You think you can do all that with that little balance?"

"I think so," Famine said. "Well, what are you waiting for?" Cyborg's gun-arm whirred to life, and he readied to fire, "I'm waiting."

"Cyborg, we should not be so hasty," Starfire said.

"I'm not going to kill him, just, you know, rough him up a little." Starfire understood, and turned to Famine.

"Please," she said, "Return the city to how it was!"

Famine laughed. He then moved towards Starfire slowly. He hobbled nearer to her and said, "Why should I?" Cyborg readied his Sonic Blaster, ready to pull the trigger.

"Get away from her."

"No." Famine's hand reached for Starfire, plunging towards her stomach. Cyborg panicked and fired the blaster. The blast hit Famine full on and sent the flimsy cadaver flying towards the building's walls. Cyborg grinned.

"There. Took care of that easy. Now let's see if we can't help you," he said. He moved towards the crumpled form of the Famine, but no sooner did he take his first step did his body parts begin to shake under pressure and move towards the fallen form. Famine looked up, and indicated the balance, which now held in it the sonic blast and his right arm. He added a few more coins and the left leg fell of and hurried towards the balance. "What the...?"

"Food is not the only thing I can buy with this scale," Famine explained. Starfire rose up in the air and threw down star bolts towards Famine. "Thank you, my dear." The scale now held both Cyborg and Starfire's powers, glowing with a silver and green light as Famine added more and more coins to the mix.

"I feel unable to fly," Starfire said, dropping to the ground. Famine continued to buy their powers, slowly and painfully.

"Stop that!" Robin called, running from the door of the Tower. He rushed in with a arcing kick and landed right in front of Famine. He punched at Famine once, catching the Horseman off-guard, and then a second time, finishing with a dashing kicking. Famine landed on the ground, skidding across the ground. "Give them their powers back right now."

"Or what?"

"Or else," Robin said, trialing off menacingly. Famine waited for Robin to lunge in, surprised when the Boy Wonder threw out a shock disk first, causing an upward explosion of electricity. Famine dodged the shock, but was surprised to see Robin rush in with a series of punches afterwards. Buffeted about, Famine was helpless to stop himself being knocked upwards by the final attack. He righted himself midair and threw down green energy bolts. Robin was thrown to the ground by the force, and lay wounded.

"Or else what?" Famine said. He brought up his right arm, covered in robotics, and prepared to launch a sonic wave. Famine cackled as the arm whirred to life.

"He's stealing our powers," Cyborg growled, "If I could move, I would really show him who's boss."

"Well, you can't. Deal with it." Arrows flew through the sky, landing in front of Famine as a barrier against the sonic blast. The blast hit an arrow, exploding at a safe distance. Arsenal grinned towards Cyborg, "Meanwhile, I'll see if I can't stop him."

"Shut up!" Cyborg yelled, embarrassed. "Hey, Star. Give me a hand here." Starfire hurried over to Cyborg, "Help me move," he put the remains of his prosthetic right arm over her shoulder and started to move. Famine took no notice of this as he absorbed the arrows into his balance.

"Hey! No fair!" Arsenal said, pulling out a large, futuristic energy weapon. "Now this, this is fair." He pulled the trigger and energy rained down on Famine. Famine threw out arrows of varying sizes at the energy, deterring the attack much like Arsenal's barrier before. "Okay, this is not good." The arrows turned about, goring Arsenal and leaving him on the ground to bleed.

"Two more," Famine muttered, turning around into Cyborg's incoming fist. The horseman reeled backwards.

"Hey, don't count me out yet." Cyborg looked at his fist, "Still got it." Famine's hands flailed outwards, striking Cyborg across the face. Cyborg howled in surprise, feeling blood flowing out of the scratch. "That hurt."

"Just you, my dear." Starfire gasped as the soulless eyes stared into hers. His body steadied and readied himself to strike. His hands, wretched claws, lanced out towards her, merciless, the powerless Starfire screamed. A gunshot fired, hitting nothing in the immediate area. Both the Horseman and the alien princess stared up at where the sound came, but no one was there.

Famine's eyes drifted back at Starfire. The dark, demonic eyes looked at her, traced the blood veins down her neck. The second gunshot was heard, this time clipping Famine's shoulder. Straw scattered in the wind. There was a dangerous instant when the third gunshot was fired. It hit the ground between Starfire and Famine, leaving a small, flattened piece of lead to steam between them. The gunshots became more erratic and strange until the gunfire ceased entirely. Golden strands shot to the ground, and Mad Destiny lowered himself to their level, eyes haunted as he beheld Ichabod Crane - formerly the Scarecrow - in his twisted deformation. "Ichabod," he muttered. "What's happened to you?"

Famine seemingly forgot of Starfire and brought his balance up, and tipped the scales. Blood shot forth from the three downed Titans, filling the scale. Mad's hair soared towards it, moving as fast as it could to take the balance away. Famine smiled, throwing out the blood and staining his hair. "As long as it has touched my balance, I can drain it." Famine's smile grew, almost cutting the skeletal face in two, "And now your hair is colored with the blood that belongs in this balance. It returns as I place the coin." He could hear the pop as reality shifted for a second. "What did you try to do?"

"Why can't I affect you?" Mad asked.

"You and I are of different dimensions now, Mad the Swine. We, the Horsemen, are linked to the same dimension as Lady Raven and our glorious master. You cannot change us, we are as we always will be." Mad tried to take his hair back as the scale was tipped and the lengths unraveled, detached from his head with frightful and painful force and filled the balance. Mad screamed, howling with pain as the roots were torn from his head.

"Stop!" Mad demanded. "Stop," he said, his voice losing its commanding tone. "Stop," he murmured, eyes welling with pain. He concentrated, trying to ignore the pain. A single strand of hair on the balance moved, trailing up Famine's body. Famine tried to grab it, but it dodged quickly. Destiny's mind was devoted to moving the strand. It reached within the nose, crawling through the cavities and reaching beyond the body to the soul. Carefully, despite the best efforts of Famine, the strand grabbed hold of the seed, taking it in its confines and carefully removing it. "What is this pain?" Mad asked, calling above for answers. Darkness surged through his body as he pulled the seed through the body, and bringing it out through the deformed nose. Mad's hands welled with power even as the dark corruption threatened up his legs. "Be gone, evil!" he screamed defiantly, energy of pure white surging through the air and touching the seed.

The dark matter dissolved, leaving nothing behind. Ichabod Crane fell forward, his outfit tattered, the remains of Famine lingering in the air but a moment until the winds blew it away into memory. Mad looked up, his hair slowly replacing itself on Mad's head. "I did it." He felt fatigue surge through his legs. "I did it." He collapsed face down in front of the Titans Tower, with only Starfire there to help all of them within the complex.

She felt her strength return slowly as the others drifted back into consciousness, and then stared into the void of sleep. Starfire leaned against the doorway, dragging in the mysterious gunman, Slade, into the building. She looked at the battered old man, obviously ambushed, and threw him on the couch to rest. She then turned to her own quarters, and collapsing on the bed stared up into the sky.

"Why?" was the only word she muttered. "Why?" was all that she could think of.

"Why?"

****************************

Mad the Swine slipped out in darkness. The cover of darkness never suited him in all his millennia of existence, he cast it aside, bringing up the sun. He did not look back on the Titans, but disappeared into the daylight. "Leslie, is Harley...?"

"She's just sleeping now, Boss," Leslie said, "Stop worrying so much."

"I know." Mad sighed, "This is different than I expected it to be. She's different than anything else Hell has sent before."

"Who?" Leslie looked at Mad as though his name were literal.

"This Raven. She plays differently than those before. She knows human nature all too well," Mad sighed, "She's been here longer than me, she's gotten a handle on things." He grimaced, "I may lose."

"Don't think like that," Leslie muttered. "We got Icky here back, so I think we can be safe in saying we have more than a fighting chance."

"I wish I could think that," Mad muttered, "I want to think that. But why can't I?"

C'mon Honey... Fly with me...

"Where am I?" someone groaned. He was in an empty little room, with a small, uncomfortable bed that made him think he may have been in a hospital. The grand feeling of the room betrayed that notion, though it was vapid and lifeless; a filler room in a house far too large for the occupants. A painting, a generic rendition of sunflowers, was added to give color to the off-white room, but only added to the overall sense of loneliness the room emitted. The person who sat on the bed was bathed in the light filtering from the yellow clothed curtains that were drawn over the window. He rose from the bed and looked to the door.

He felt his stomach rumble, and concluded that he must be hungry, and he was most definitely thirsty. "Hello?" he said, peeking his head into the empty hallway that lay outside his door. It was the same as his room, attempted to be given life but still a decaying branch on a tree that hasn't the water to support itself. He walked down the hall, "Anyone here?" The person in question passed a mirror and looked at his green skin. "Well, looks like I made it out of that in one piece. But," he looked away from his reflection and said nothing more until he came to a grand foyer. There was a chandelier with a hundred empty candleholders and a checkered marble tile that was covered in a red carpet. This room, while still not grand and thriving, contained life. There was a picture of a girl and her father that caught his eye as he walked down the steps to the ground floor. He walked over to it and looked at it. An older man sat with his hands around a young girl with red hair, who was leaning against him.

"You're awake, I see." Beast Boy turned surprised to look at his mysterious benefactor, "I wanted you to be comfortable when you finally woke up. My name is Loren Jupiter, and I found you when you washed up on the shore here in Brighton."

"Brighton? Where am I exactly?"

"South Carolina, my lad." He smiled, "Would you like something to eat?"

"Oh, yes please!" Beast Boy looked at the man, something crossing his mind. He thought about introducing himself as the heroic Beast Boy, but realized in his heart of hearts that this would only give him confused and perhaps even apathetic glances. "Oh, yeah. My name, it's Gar. Gar Logan," he brought out his hand, "Pleased to meet you."

*****************************

"So, Gar," Mr. Jupiter said, as the young lad devoured the food that was brought before him, "What happened to you out there?" He gestured to the expanses behind his house and Gar just bowed his head and kept eating. He did not dare answer the question, unsure of what lie to tell or what truth to relate. He was shaken down to his very soul.

"What's today?" Gar asked, timidly. He received his answer, and frowned, "Three days. I've been out that long?"

"I'm afraid so. We were worried for a while that you wouldn't make it." Jupiter looked to the boy with a bemused smile, "Where do you come from?"

"I suppose you could say I get around." Gar looked at his plate, empty save for a few tiny scraps, "There's no place I really call home. I don't really belong anywhere, you know?"

"I see," Jupiter answered, "But you know you are welcome to stay here as long as it takes to get back on your feet."

"I appreciate that," the green skinned boy answered. "I really do, don't think I'm just saying that." He looked at the benevolent face of Mr. Jupiter and then felt curious, "Who was that girl in that picture. Is she your daughter?"

"Ah, yes. She's my little Lilith."

"That's a weird name," Gar said. He thought about his own name, and bashfully added, "Maybe I shouldn't talk, though."

"That's alright. It is a bit strange, but her mother liked the sound of it. I suppose it was to remember her by, the name I mean." Gar didn't say anything to comment, knowing all too well the feeling of losing a parent, and he had lost more than his fair share. "She's a bright young girl, doing well in her studies and just enjoying life. It's the atmosphere of a smaller city. This very town that I grew up in and started my business here. It spans the world now, but back then it was just this one plant."

"Wait a second, you're The Loren Jupiter? Owner of Jupiter Chemical? That would really explain the size of this place!" Gar said. "You must do well for yourself, owning one of the biggest companies in the world. Alongside Lexcorp and Wayne Enterprises, you're the biggest."

"Well, yes," Jupiter responded. "It's no small accomplishment, and it took strong ethics, things I try and teach my daughter." He rose from his seat, "Shall I show you around town?"

Gar panicked. "No!" he shouted too quickly, "I wouldn't want to draw attention, you know. This whole green thing just doesn't do good for keeping a low profile!" He laughed it off, keeping one eye on Loren's reaction to his behavior. The middle-aged gentleman just nodded.

"I know just the thing. I have an old trench coat you can wear; we're going to call in a favor of an old friend of mine." He headed for the door, not stopping until he realized that Gar hadn't moved, "Is something wrong?"

"It's just," Gar said, trailing off. Loren looked at him expectantly, and Gar reluctantly continued, "Why are you being so nice to me?"

"It's all a good Christian man should do," he said, opening the door. "Now, come along will you?"

"Okay," Gar said, rising from his seat and heading to the door. "Where are we going?"

"To the Mad Mod." Gar looked at him with a frightened expression. His voice was a shout.

"What?"

*****************************

"Welcome, guv, to the Mad Mod! Where y'dun' gotta worry about hip to look ginchy!" a familiar, if somewhat more inviting tone called as Gar and Loren entered the small store on the street corner that was known as The Mad Mod. It was a store reeking of British sensibilities circa 1964. Bright colors decorated the walls and flower-power prevailed over all. A man, no more than 40, stood in a bright blue coat with the British flag painted on. He had wild red hair and wore orange lenses in his spectacles.

"Oh great," Gar said, "If this isn't familiar. Well, here's hoping there're no hypno-screens in this place." Loren looked at the young green lad with a bit of a boggled look. "Don't ask, please. And if there are any, remember that boogers are funny." The empty stare just left Gar feeling a bit more bummed.

"It seems this 'ere ducky's familiar with me old man. Name's Neil Richards, the owner of this 'ere establishment and wot 'ave you." He held out his hand, "And my young master, who might you be?"

"My name's Gar," he answered, taking the hand and shaking it awkwardly. He hesitated for a second, and then begged to ask, "Is your old man the Mad Mod that specialized in weird brainwashing schemes?"

"Quite right you are, my good lad. A poor misfortunate case, me old man was just rebellin' against his youth, I suppose. Original founder of the first Mad Mod shop down Canbury Street. My memory's a bit fuzzy, but it may 'ave been one of two names, neither of which were really all that appealin' anyway." He clapped his hands, "So, what can I do you for, Mr. Gar?"

"Mr. Jupiter said you can help me, er, not stand out." He removed the collar from his face to give Richards a good look at what he was dealing with, and to his surprise received no shock from the man.

"Do you have anything that can help him, Neil?"

"Certainly do, Mr. Jupiter. If he'll be willin' to stay for a little while, I'll work on a hologram to prevent anyone from knowin' you're green." The Mad Mod proprietor seemed perplexed, "Why are you green in the first place, my ducky?" Gar sighed, and shrugged. "You don't know?"

"Oh, I know why. It's just complicated." He tried to think of how to explain his story, "When I was little, I contracted a rare disease, and my parents tried injecting me with animal DNA to get me to create the proper antibodies or whatever to stop the disease. When the procedure was over, I sort of had this skin tone." Gar tried to explain it through hand gestures at the same time, giving an animated show while he explained. The two older men nodded in a degree of interest. "It's never gone away, even after all this time. I guess it's just something I'm going to have to deal with."

"Well, my lad," Neil Richards said, "You won't have to look like you're green all the time any longer. Come with me, and we'll see about whipping you up something."

It was minutes later that Gar stood admiring his new form in the mirror. "It's strange," he said, looking at the watch-like contraption that he wore around his wrist, "But it's true!" He gasped as he looked at his reflection, "I look normal!"

"Right you are, young sir." Neil looked over his young friend with an approving eye. "Certainly a good fit. I couldn't think of what to do 'bout the 'air me ducky, but I think green is trendy these days anyhow, yes?"

Gar looked over his Caucasian skin, slightly tanned, and the lime green hair that fell over his brow. "I think it works. Yeah!" He looked down at the clothes, "Could use some new clothes." He looked at Neil and cut him off at the pass, "New clothes that don't look like they belong on the set of Austin Powers 4: On Her Majesty's Secret Mojo or something." This deflated Richards only bowed his head in mourning of his defeated sales pitch.

Mr. Jupiter waited patiently outside of the Mad Mod, and rose his left eyebrow in surprise of the final result. "I'm impressed, Neil. You've really outdone yourself." He counted the bills, and handed them to Neil. The Mad Mod proprietor returned them, shaking his head.

"Can't do that, guv. I already filch enough practically right outta your pocket for me personal projects." He looked to Gar, "Now, lad. Listen carefully. The contraption needs to recharge every day for at least two hours. Understood?"

"Right," Gar answered. He brushed himself off, "And now, to find actual clothing." He did not notice Richards' angry expression at this, and blissfully turned to Loren Jupiter. "Can we go to some kind of mall or something. Someplace that actually has clothing that won't make me look like a total geek."

"Sorry, Neil," Loren said, "But you just can't win them all."

"Or any of them, mate, when you're in my shoes."

*****************************

Gar felt a bit more comfortable after putting on a better fit set of clothing. He pulled at the sleeves as he walked down the path, looking at the stores as he went. He felt different now that he looked like everyone he passed, and no one stared at him without his lime green skin. He felt uncomfortable on occasion because of that, though not much was thought of it back home, he would forever be associated with the Titans because of it. The mall was bright and gave a feeling of calm during all the chaos he had experienced days ago.

"Mr. Jupiter," he asked, "Could I just walk around on my own, for a bit? I'll come back as soon as I've got a feel for the town, and then I can decide what I'm going to do."

"Of course, Gar." The older gentleman let him take his leave and he walked down the next turn alone. Billy Joel played his piano over the radio waves as he passed by the people in the crowds. A food court lay beyond them, and he sat down and gathered his thoughts. "This is almost too much for me," he muttered.

"So, then she told me that Robin had taken out that Slade guy all by himself," a girl said as she sat down with her meal. The seat pushed against Gar's and irritated him. "He's so awesome." He looked at the girl that had sit herself down, a pretty blonde with an airy look to her. She was sitting down next to a blonde young man of a somewhat intellectual nature and a brawny red haired lad who shared some of his features. The last person to sit at the table was a familiar looking redhead.

"Bette, we're not all diehard Robin fan girls like yourself," she said, sitting down next to the blonde girl.

"Robin?" Gar looked at them, "As in the one from the Teen Titans? That Robin?" He saw the familiar girl sigh.

"That's the one," she said. "One of your friends, Bette?"

"I've never seen him before, Lil," Bette answered, "A fellow Robin fan, though?"

"Starfire was always nicer," Gar said, quickly, "And Cyborg more of a people person!"

"Oh." Bette looked at Gar carefully. "You look familiar," she cocked her head to the side, "Do I know you from somewhere?"

Panic crossed Gar's face as he quickly launched into denial. "No!" he shouted a bit quickly, "I mean, no. No, you shouldn't. I'm just an ordinary guy trying to make it in an extraordinary world." The boys looked up from the meal upon hearing the new person talking. They looked protectively over the girls, and Gar almost lost his cool when he saw the belligerent look in the burly one's eye.

"Calm down, Hank," Lil said. "I'm Lilith Jupiter, these are my friends Bette, the shy one is Don, and that's Hank," she said as she indicated to the three sitting near her. "And you are?"

"Er, Garfield. Garfield Logan."

"Like the adoptive son of Steve Dayton?" Don asked. He had a pleasant voice that calmed like the dove.

"Of course not. Why would Dayton's kid be here in Brighton?" Hank asked, his voice a bellowing hawkish thing. "Use your brain, Don."

"I think he does," Bette giggled, "A lot more than you do, Hank."

"Shut it," Hank muttered.

"Wait, Lilith Jupiter? Mr. Jupiter's daughter?" Gar looked her over, finally realizing where he had seen her before. "I'm staying with your father while I'm in town."

"Oh!" Realization dawned on Lilith's bright face, "You're the mysterious houseguest my father doesn't let me see. Good to see you out of your room."

"I feel a lot less sick. I was green in the face, I guess you could say!" Gar laughed, and soon found no one to find him amusing. "So, what's happening with those Teen Titans these days, Bette? Anything exciting?"

"Well, I was just about to tell Lil - before she stopped me, that is - that last I heard, the Titans were dealing with this huge crowd of people. Robin had on this new outfit and all. He was so dashing. But then they just disappeared as the riot calmed down. I'm sure it's nothing," Bette said, "But that's the last I heard anyway."

"I guess they're doing okay," Gar said. His tone was almost downcast, and it caught the girls' ears.

"Is something the matter, Gar?" Bette asked, "You're not some jilted super villain they won't even take seriously in disguise, are you?"

"I don't go running around in a stupid pot on my head, if that's what you mean," Gar said, with a smirk. "Seriously, though! I'm just a bit jealous. I mean, look at how popular those kids are. I'd sure give anything to be like them." There was a smile from Lilith. "Hey, don't laugh. I mean it. If I could just be on their level, if people just treated me as seriously, I could be really happy."

"I can sympathize," Don voiced. His brother agreed silently, and Bette gave a compassionate glance. "Well, Gar. It was good meeting you."

"Yeah," Bette added. "Are you staying here long?"

"I don't know yet. I guess I could stay for a few more days," Gar said, fully aware of the approaching finale.

"Well, you should join us tomorrow for some ice cream after school or something. Are you going to school?" Bette looked on with interest as the strange boy shrugged. "No?"

"I don't do the school thing," Gar said, unsure of how to respond. "It's not something I've really been a part of, I guess. Besides, it'd kill me to go back now after all this time being free from it!" He laughed, getting a slight chuckle from the crowd. As they rose from their table, saying their goodbyes, a strange man approached them. He wore a green trench coat and a cloak over it, a bowler hat covering his head, and a walking stick to help him walk. He looked at Lilith and took her hand forcefully.

"Mr. Haze wishes to speak with you."

"Mr. Stikk," Lilith looked at him, "I told you no the last time. Leave me alone."

"My dear, he was quite insistent that I don't take no for an answer." He raised his staff to knock her down, but it was blocked by Gar's quick reaction. Stikk eyed the lad, and knocked him to the side, "Let go. Now, child, where was I?" Lilith screamed for help, but found herself knocked out. Her friends scattered, calling for help as they ran.

"You'll never get away with this," Gar said. A purple veil was over his face, and he rose to his feet. The watch projector crackled with energy, shorting out and leaving him green. However, it wasn't long that he remained in his form. More goods, curtains, from the same bag fell in front of him as he called upon his powers. He shifted, finding himself on all fours and growling with catlike aggression. As the curtains fell to the ground a green leopard was standing there.

"Boy, don't get in my way. I don't want to hurt you," he said. He looked at the leopard, which looked ready to pounce. "Where did that boy go?"

"There's only me, now," the cat growled. "You can call me Be--" he said, suddenly stopping. Inspiration struck him at this moment as he saw sprawled on the ground from the panic a book. He looked at the title and grinned, "Changeling. Let her go or I may have to get animal on your sorry rear!"

"No!" Stikk said, dropping the girl to the ground, "Don't attack! Please!"

"I'm waiting for you to do something," Changeling said, rearing to attack, "Leave, or I strike!" Stikk took no time scrambling to the exit. Changeling laughed as the old man tripped over himself to get away. He ran behind a boot, shifted back to normal before anyone could see, and scrambled to reactivate the device. "C'mon, c'mon. Don't leave me high and dry here!" he whispered harshly at the contraption. It seemed to listen as he slammed it, and the thing sparked back to life, restoring the image that surrounded him. He ran over to Lilith, trying to wake her. The others came around, security guards rushing back.

"Gar!" Don exclaimed, "Is she alright?"

"Yeah," Gar said. "Some cheetah thing came and saved her," he explained, faking details a bit.

"A cheetah?" the guard said, "Now that's just a bit farfetched."

"It was a leopard," another person said.

"Like that's any better?"

"Right, right! It called itself Changeling!"

"Now it talks? Maybe it's some super hero even. Geez, I saw it and I can't believe it."

"That's it! A super hero, in our little town!"

"How exciting!"

Hank grinned, "Awesome! A super hero that looks like a leopard."

"Actually, probably more like an elf. A Changeling is a fairy child that was put in place of a human baby at birth. They're mischievous shape shifters." Don picked up his book, "See, I was doing a bit of research on them and this book just came up."

"Mischievous shape shifters?" Bette asked, "Like that green guy from the Titans?"

"Maybe someone just like him," Don said.

"Aw, not that wimp. Why can't we have a robotic super hero like that Cyborg guy." Hank grinned as he elaborated, "He'd blow the crap out of any bad guy that walked into town."

"Can we please," Gar exclaimed, "Get back to worrying about Lilith?"

"Of course," Don said, looking at her. "She's just knocked out. She should wake up soon. Are you alright, yourself?" Don looked Gar over, "You did get hit pretty hard."

"I'm used to it by now," Gar said. "I get hit harder by Ra-- Ramona, this girl I knew back home you see." There was a stirring before anyone could ask for details. Gar thanked the stars for his fortune, "Lilith!"

"This was looking to be a good day, too," she commented. She looked at Gar, "Did you save me?"

"No," Gar said, "That was someone else. I just stayed around and covered the details."

"Thanks," she said, a bit awkwardly. "Who saved me?"

"More what," Hank said. "This elf shape changing thing... y." He gave an elaborate series of gestures to explain it. "Sounds fruity to me, but I think Don thinks it's fascinating."

"I'm not a fan of costumed vigilantes," Don said. "But still, this Changeling did save you, Lilith."

"Then I must thank him, right?" she said, rising to her feet. She was a bit woozy, her friends warned her to be careful as she rose added to it, but she successfully rose to her feet. "Where is he?"

"He disappeared as soon as he appeared," Gar said. "I'm glad you're okay, Lilith."

"Thanks, Gar." She looked him over, "What's wrong? You look upset."

"I'm just thinking of something," Gar said, sadly. "Maybe we should get you home in case that freak job tries something else."

*****************************

"Mr. Haze," the haggard voice of Stikk rung as he entered the room, "I failed."

"I noticed," the skeletal figure said, looking intently at what he was working on, "You failed spectacularly. And for once, it was through no fault of your own." There was a dramatic sigh, "My good friend, you simply can't deal with a shape shifter when you're a particularly disgusting example of humanity, now can you?"

"Excuse me, sir," the man said with a tinge of anger in his voice, "But I am certain you're aware that I've done everything I've asked of you so far without a complaint. Would it be so hard to show a bit of respect. I will soon get my land back, won't I?"

"In good time, in good time. Now, hand me your walking stick," he said. The man reluctantly handed it over, "Don't worry, I won't harm it. I'm merely improving upon it." Haze looked at the device he had worked on, and carefully slid it over the staff. "Mr. Stikk, this is the last time I'll allow room for error. You've served me well this past month, but I don't want my careful planning ruined by your bumbling stupidity." There was a nod from Stikk. Haze's eyes lit up with anger, "Do I make myself clear?"

"Perfectly, inescapably clear." He looked at his walking stick, "What is this?"

"Part of our agreement. I never said I would directly aid you in getting your land back, but provide you with the means." He shrugged, "Those are the means. Use them wisely to curry my favor more, and I may add to it." The sudden increase in wind caused further irritation to creep into Haze's voice, "Not in the laboratory, Mr. Stikk. If you want to play around, let's see if this Changeling can deal with my new toy."

"Of course," Stikk said. His face twisted into a smile.

"And one last thing. Remember, I want to see her unharmed. We have much to discuss about her father."

"Understood, sir," Stikk responded, leaving the hidden laboratory behind as he exited. Haze continued working on his device.

"Steve Dayton's funding is certainly a good deal of a help, but his designs are much, much, much more helpful." He looked at his mask and lifted it off, and turned to the mirror. The face that stared back was young and vibrant. "Of course, what do I have to lose but my mind?"

*****************************

Loren and Lilith sat quietly as Gar entered the room. He looked at them with a bright smile on his face and looked much more comfortable than when he first woke up. Loren gave him a glance and put down the newspaper he was idly looking at, "Well, what's gotten into you?"

"I've made up my mind," Gar said. "I want to stay here as long as I can. I want to make a new start."

"What about your friends and family? Won't they worry?"

"No," Gar said, "They probably don't even notice I'm gone." Loren frowned. "Don't worry. It's fine," Gar said, "Besides, this is a nice little place and I'd just like to get a new lease on life here."

"Well, then. I could pull a few strings and get you a job at the Emerald Bar if you need work."

"Thank you, sir. That would be great!" Gar looked excited. "I can't wait to get started!"

"Very well, then. We'll get you working there tomorrow!"

"Oh, finally found a way to keep an eye on me while I work without having to tip me?" Lilith said with a smile. There was the ringing of the phone, "Oh, that's probably Bette. Excuse me, guys." She put down the book she had been reading as she got out of her seat and walked over to the main foyer. The door closed behind her.

"Er, can I tell you something?" Gar said. "It's about something else I've decided."

"Oh?" Loren said, "And what is that, Gar?"

"I want to be a Super Hero!" Gar said, happily. "I want to do everything that Superman would do, but I don't want to be treated any differently than a normal boy. I'm going to actually be two people in one!"

"There's enough of being one person for most people, Gar," Loren warned, "It may not be all you imagine it to be."

"But you don't understand, I'm finally not the green freak everyone has to ask 'what happened, dear boy' or something to. It's the best thing that ever happened to me! And now I can be a totally awesome super hero at the same time."

"Well, Gar, this could be tricky. However, if you really want to -"

"I do!"

"Okay," Loren said, "I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you sir."

"What would you be calling yourself, anyhow?"

"When I was cured, there was an unexpected side effect," Gar said, "I could turn into any animal I could imagine. I can change into them at will. I'm going to call myself, from this day forth, the Changeling!"

*****************************

The children ran out to greet the end of the day, running and playing as the sun began to set. Their mothers watched on as the sweet little kids played regardless of what lay around them. Ignorantly blissful, they laughed when above the stars were crying.

An army was on its way to Earth. The Justice League was on its way to meet it. The first battle of a war was on its way, and on its front sat a warrior clad in silver and black armor that covered every inch of his body. He effortlessly took his sword and waved it around while it awaited the coming tides.

This was the First Horseman, and he took for him the name of conqueror, the name of War.

Five lights in the darkness approached. And War would smile but for the massive helmet he wore over his face, styled like a nightmarish knight. Clad in shadows and mystery, War came to the worlds of every sector on the way, procuring a ship and a hundred soldiers to man them as they went along. Fifty-five worlds, fifty-five ships, fifty-five hundred soldiers, and all for the sole purpose of distracting the Justice League.

"Sir," said a sniveling voice. War turned to see the space pirate Kanjar-Ro standing there, "The Justice League are approaching."

"Good," the demonic voice called from the deep recesses of the helm. "Let them come. Prepare for me the transport to Earth."

"Sir, I don't quite understand."

"Of course you don't," War said, "Because you're an idiot. I will be going to Earth alone while you destroy the only possible force that could threaten me."

"A wise plan," said another, a Korugarian. "I will, of course, take care of the Green Lantern. There's only one problem I can foresee."

"I know," War said. "Sinestro, you're referring to Superman? What problem is he. I have a way to deal with him."

"Wonderful," Sinestro said. "I have no further questions."

"Neither do I." Kanjar-Ro looked to the monitors. "They're approaching our first line."

"Perfect. Wait until they hit the fourth line," War turned to leave the bridge, "And then alert me."

The earth will shake, in two will break

And death all around will be your dowry

end chapter 6