Titan Windrider
Chapter Two—
"Kaze Kiseki"
Time: Saturday, 1:02 am
Location: Titans' Tower, Jump City Bay
"Okay, let's start this over. You find the little munchkin here in the park, realize he's a metahuman, run all around town with him, then bring him HERE?"
Robin nodded toward Cyborg, adding, "I tried to take him to the JCPD, but I figured we could at least help him a bit more than an orphanage could. "With what, dude?" Beast Boy protested. "Diapers? Binkies?"
Robin sent the changeling a glare and a scowl. "His powers, Beast Boy, his powers."
"And what are his powers, anyways?"
Raven rolled her amethyst orbs. "You certainly are attentive. Robin mentioned a forceful wind surrounding the boy, didn't he?"
"It is quite possible he wields control of Earth updrafts." The team turned to Starfire, who had spoken. In her arms she carried the boy. He seemed at peace with her, not squirming and making noise. His teal strands were strewn about her chest, contrasting with the color of her purple top.
"Aerokinetic, most probably," Cyborg agreed with a thoughtful face.
"The question is, though, in what ways can he manipulate winds?" Robin glanced at Raven, who gave a silent nod.
"Robin, what temperature was it in the outside when you stumbled upon him?" Starfire questioned.
The Titan leader smirked. "Cold."
Starfire blinked. "Indeed. Hoe do you propose he survived in such harsh weather while clothed in only thin cotton garments?' There was a period of silence. All eyes, masked an tech alike, traveled to the boy.
He stared back, seemingly amused.
Cyborg spoke first. "I think some tests need to be run. Sooner better than later."
Starfire continued to stare at the boy. "But he is so young…"
Robin laid a hand on her shoulder. "It needs to be done, Star."
The Tamaranian set her emerald eyes to his masked ones. "Can we at least wait one more day, Robin? It would be most tiring to wait for results so late into the daily Earth rotation."
"Technically, Starfire, it's very early in the 'daily Earth rotation'." Raven droned.
Beast Boy looked at Raven funny, then piped up, "Star's right. Gotta let the midget sleep, right? Maybe we can start fresh in the morning."
Raven opened her mouth to speak otherwise, but was silenced once Beast Boy sent her a wary look. She averted her gaze, a little flustered. Pulling her hood up over her head to shadow her face, she marched off. "Fine. Goodnight." Beast Boy stared after her retreating figure.
Cyborg let out a gigantic yawn, making the small teal headed youth peer up at him. "Whatever, ya'll. G'night." As if by a second thought, the human-robot hybrid walked back over to Starfire and the boy in her lap. He patted his hair lightly, ruffling his wild hair. "Big day tomorrow, kid. Better be ready." A miniscule smile formed on Cyborg's lips. He turned and parted down the hall.
Starfire beamed.
Beast boy stretched out, fangs glistening. "I'm gonna hit the sack, too. 'Night, Rob, Star." He exited as a green cat.
Robin and Starfire remained in the room with the youth.
Starfire smiled wide, then asked, "Should we sleep in my room, Robin?"
Robin cleared his throat, "You and him," he gestured, "right?"
"Yes, have I implied something of another sort?"
"No," the Boy Wonder shrugged. "Oh, and sure. Are you going to sleep soon?"
Starfire shook her head, flaming locks twirling. "I do not believe so. I must first prepare my sleeping quarters for him. More pillows, perhaps?"
Robin chuckled, "Sounds fine to me. Maybe you can get him to talk, Star."
"True. He seems to be of appropriate age to be verbally communicating. Hopingly, he will be able to, yes?"
Robin peered down at the figure in his friend's lap. He was asleep, his tiny frame shuddering slightly with each breath.
'Why did I bring you here?' Thought the Boy Wonder absently.
He gently stroked the face of his rescued one, contemplating. The Tamaranian made no move to stop him, but a light blush graced her cheeks as she watched silently.
With a jolt, Robin realized what he was doing. He awkwardly drew his hand back, face burning. "S-sorry Star. Got a little lost…"
Starfire bit her lip. "It is okay, Robin. Please, are you having a thought of second?"
"Second thought?"
"Yes."
Robin took a seat on the sofa. He fingered his cape, then his communicator anxiously. "I'm not sure. Really. Am I supposed to be like this, Starfire? I mean, I'm the leader of a vigilante group of superheroes, for God's sake! I'm not supposed to be so unsure of my actions! Who knows how it could affect the team?"
After the ebony haired teen's outburst, Starfire floated down to sit next to him, still clutching the boy. Choosing her words carefully, she spoke, "Every leader is unsure of their decisions, for it is their nature to worry over how any of their own decisions will affect the well-being of their team." She paused, studying Robin for any sort of reaction. Seeing none, she continued, "You are one who leads at heart, Robin. Shaaku, in the language of my people. You are a true leader, but you are also human. We as the Titans often are shown the shaaku in you, although as of late we have been seeing other facets of your personality. Sides that you may not have shown to the world for a very long time."
With another pause, she added, "Merely that and nothing more."
Robin chortled helplessly, "Brushing up on your poetry, Star?"
The Tamaranian giggled happily, "Indeed. Edgar Allen of Poe is a gifted rhythmic writer!"
Robin laughed, "Nevermore."
Starfire cocked her head cutely to the side. "Please?"
Robin ran a palm down his face amusedly. "Nothing, nothing. G'night Star. G'night…"
"Happy slumbering, Robin! We shall see you tomorrow!"
Robin smiled to himself. "Yeah…"
Time: Saturday, 2:43 am
Location: Starfire's room, Titans' Tower
click-
A fair amount of light illuminated the room, reflecting a little off the purple walls. Starfire sat in her bed, searching a… Japanese dictionary? The boy sat by her side, staring curiously. Still, he made no sound.
"Well, you are of oriental nature, it seems. It is only appropriate to name you thusly. Heehee."
The boy blinked his large sapphire orbs. He continued to watch his caretaker.
flip-
Starfire flicked the page over, scanning meticulously with her trademark Tamaranian eyebrows raised high. "You are of the Earth, yes?" She glanced at him. "Perhaps?" She added after a double take of his pale face. "I see no alien features. Though many extra-terrestrials of my Vegan star system look very much like the dwellers of this planet. Are you of the Centauri Moons? Meharne? Zenarien?"
The youth's nose twitched. He sneezed.
Starfire chuckled lightly. "You are very… adorable." She patted his cheek affectionately. "Oh, I do hope Cyborg's tests are lenient on your frail form." She put a hand over her lips and yawned. "I have reached my limits, small one, juna'nian, I will try to find your name after my daily slumber." She placed him gingerly under the covers next to her. "Happy slumbering, vieti'en du shima ni X'hal…"
The boy sneezed again.
Time: Saturday, 9:47 am
Location: Cyborg research lab 403.6, Titans' Tower
Beast Boy ran a hand through his hair. After eating a respective amount of tofu, he had finally come to complete consciousness. "Where's Star anyway?" He questioned.
Cyborg looked up from his place at a rather large computer console set to the side of a Plexiglass window that led to another room. A mess of wires lay at his feet. "Dunno, BB," he replied. He glanced at the controls and keyboard. Typing a few keys, he scanned the screen, sat backwards with a satisfied smirk. "Systems are ready, Rob." Typical Cyborg.
The aforementioned leader continued to pace around the room. "Good." He paused, then added, "Should we check on Starfire? I mean, she should have been down by now."
Beast Boy snickered behind his gloved hands. "Geez… Robin. You're such a mother hen!" Cyborg roared with laughter. "Oh, that's rich!" He slapped his hand lightly to Beast Boy's, then crashed knuckles with the changeling.
Raven rolled her eyes. She leaned against the far wall away from the others. "She'll be down soon." The Azarathian nodded toward Robin.
Beast Boy sent her a look. "What?" He quipped, "Didjya read her mind, Rae?" He grinned goofily.
Raven narrowed her eyes. "I am an empath, Beast Boy. Not a telepath. And my name is Raven, you dolt."
Beast Boy sweatdropped.
Robin brightened. He stopped his pacing short. "You can sense her, then? She's coming with the boy, right?"
"Yes."
SWISH-
The metal sliding doors of the lab opened and revealed a rather distraught looking Starfire. Her hands were clasped behind her back worriedly.
"Hey Star, where's the midget?" Greeted Beast Boy, almost casually.
"Greetings, friends. Kaze is… umm…"
"Kaze?" Cyborg asked.
"Indeed."
"Kaze?" Robin blinked.
"Yes. It is—"
"Wind. In Japanese," Raven interrupted. "It's pronounced 'kah-zay', Starfire, not 'kaays'…"
Starfire scratched her cheek sheepishly. She rubbed the back of her neck with a faltering grin.
Robin shrugged. "…I'm okay with that. Cyborg? Beast Boy?"
"Suuure…"
"Fine, dude," Beast Boy muttered. He looked to Raven, muttered something about 'mind-reading', then asked, "Rae?"
Raven twitched. Apparently, the comment was not unheard. "The name suits him." To Starfire, she said, "Where is he?"
Starfire visibly grimaced. "Uh… Kaze is… different?"
The Titan leader's eyes narrowed behind his mask. "Different? How so, Starfire?"
The Tamaranian in question shifted uncomfortably. "He has undergone his transformation?"
"… excuse me?"
Just then, a slight breeze picked up, but was gone as quickly as it had come. Starfire's blazing ruby tresses fluttered, as did Raven's orchid ones. The Tamaranian sighed, defeated. "Kaze! Enter, please!"
SCWIISH-
The door re-opened, and in stumbled the little boy. He was taller, only in a slight sense, and his hair had lengthened down to his mid-back. It had gotten even more wild, but in a graceful kind of way. Smooth strands fell in a thick cascade of teal. His eyes had gotten brighter. His skin remained the same: dreadfully pale, the color of newly fallen snow. His ears were slightly elfin shaped, though not as exaggeratingly so as Beast Boy's. He donned an oversized T-shirt, Starfire's without a doubt, considering the puppies it sported.
The entire room simultaneously blinked, with the stark exception of Starfire and Kaze.
Raven recovered first. "Shocking…" She muttered tonelessly. Unnoticed by the others, a hint of surprise had found itself into her amethyst eyes.
"Dude!" Beast Boys own looked as if they could explode. "Shorty went all time-traveler on us!"
Cyborg was in no better shape. "H-he got older? O-overnight?" He stuttered rather impressively, mouth agape, words spilling from it incredulous and confused.
"How did this happen?" Robin asked, stunned.
Kaze gave a little boyish grin. Fangs could be seen.
Starfire laughed nervously, "Funny, is it not? I was inclined to believe only my people could undergo the transformation!"
Time: 10:11 am, Saturday
Location: Cyborg research lab 403.6, Titans' Tower
"Subject: Kaze Kiseki. Status: Healthy. Bio readings confirmed his body has aged to that of a six-year-old, about…" Cyborg rattled off Kaze's statistics.
"Heehee, I do love his name. He is our 'wind miracle'," Starfire squealed, clapping her hands together.
"Cyborg! Have you found the source of his growth?" Called Robin.
"Not yet, man. The basics are still poppin' up. Hold up."
Robin tapped his foot impatiently. He shot a masked glance to his side. Starfire floated by the Plexiglass window, watching Kaze as he sat on a metal examination table, small wires stickered to his arms and head. Robin glanced at Beast Boy and Raven to his right. Beast Boy was wiggling his eyebrows and grinning widely, an expression he often used after his corny punch lines. A few seconds passed, and Robin was surprised to see a small smile grace his gothic friend's face. Beast Boy looked a bit startled himself, then grinned wider and continued his tirade.
Cyborg's voice rang out once more: "Robin, you gotta see this!"
Robin snapped to attention. He rushed over hurriedly, shouting, "Cy!"
Cyborg pointed wordlessly, biting his lip.
Robin followed his part mechanical friend's gaze. His eyemask narrowed as he openly gaped at the screen, which had temporarily become a monitor.
A gasp came from Starfire's direction. She brought both hands over her mouth. "He… he is!" Her amber fingers muffled her cry. Raven rushed up next to her. "What is…" She trailed off. Beast Boy, one step behind Raven, drew in a breath.
Inside the separated room, Kaze's eyes were shut tight. Tendrils of his teal mass of hair flowed smoothly with the gusts of wind that had materialized as wisps of pure white. Stranger still, he was floating amongst it, unharmed. Wind swirled with liquid grace, and his eyes opened. They were dull and cold and blank at the same time, frighteningly so.
The Titans watched mindlessly, as if viewing a spectacle of beauty instead of potential danger.
The force of Kaze's winds grew, whipping and snapping around him. Wires flew, equipment shattered. Kaze remained unscathed.
"KAZE!" Fists on Plexiglass, sparking an unearthly hue of emerald.
"HRA-AA!"
Crrr-ACK!
A starbolt melted the glass, giving Starfire ample room to fly through.
"Kaze! N-no more wind please!" Her voice was scolding, yet pleading all the same.
Ping! Shhh… smack!
Wires flew. One struck Kaze across the face, drawing blood. With that, he seemed to snap out of his entranced state. Time went slower as he fell, crimson spurting from his cheek, drops hitting the floor.
Time resumed. With reflexes honed to near perfection, Robin dove. Through the half-melted window he went, skidding among shattered glass and equipment to catch Kaze's falling body.
WHUMPF!
Time: Saturday, 12:36 pm
Location: Main common room, Titans' Tower
With a notepad in his metal lap, Cyborg scanned the pages contained with a weathered look on his face. "Is that all you can think of, people? C'mon!"
Beast Boy moaned. He was sprawled on the sofa, his forest green hair tousled to no end. Sitting up, the green animorph gave a mocking thoughtful look. Giving up at once, he flopped back don on his green face. "Totally not happening, dude." Came a muffled response.
Raven glanced at him. Her hood was drawn up, and her arms were crossed from her place on the armrest of the sofa.
Cyborg sighed irritably. "For Christ's sake…" He muttered. "This isn't
going well. The kid's powers should have at least a decent amount of predictability! Have we really thought of everything?" He sighed again.
"What would a decent amount be, Cyborg?" Raven asked softly.
Cyborg gave no answer.
Raven droned on, "Some aerokinetics, and those who wield elemental abilities, are quite unpredictable. They manipulate forces of nature and can bend those same forces to their very will. Many are not aware of this, but elements can do anything they please, and are aware of their master's wishes. They strive to fulfill every command, even if they must twist the threads of reality to do so."
A muffled voice asked, "Why have all the elemental/uber-evil villains we've come across not seized the entire Earth, then, if they're so frickin' powerful, damnit?"
"Because they simply do not wield the control."
"But you said elements will do everything they can to please!" Countered Beast Boy, who really wasn't in the position to do so.
"I said that, yes," snapped Raven icily, "but you failed to notice the 'some', Beast Boy. There are many elemental mages that no longer are in complete synchrony, in an equal partnership, with their abilities. The element they control becomes merely a tool, instead of a gift and partner. I… believe Kaze is one who is in tune with his element, as it always seems to protect him. He is a true aerokinetic mage, without a doubt."
Cyborg sighed. "If he's able to do so many things, then why can't we sum up some expectations of his aerokinesis? How will we teach him to control it at all if even we can't predict what could happen?
Rays of early noontime sun shone through the windows. They cast a glare on the figure on the Boy Wonder. "What else can be said, Cy? He's basically a mystery to us."
"Not a complete mystery, Robin. Not after Professor Raven's elemental abilities 101." Beast Boy so helpfully supplied.
Raven glared at the changeling sharply. "I can't believe I'm saying these words in the same sentence, but Beast Boy is right. Partly."
Beast Boy lifted his head to pout.
Cyborg nodded. He placed the notepad on the coffee table. "Yea… Star seems to like him enough. But what if he has another growth spurt—that sounds sooo wrong to say about the midget—overnight? What if he continues aging?"
"He may gain control over his powers…" Raven trailed off.
"Simply with age? He may just receive more he can't control, guys." Beast Boy cast his gaze downwards.
There was a short, silent pause. Every Titan present knew who Beast Boy was really referring to.
Robin broke the silence, "He… just needs… practice." He winced slightly at the familiarity of the sentence. "I guess…" He added awkwardly.
Beast Boy remained silent.
"Err… okay, ya'll. We need more suggestions," Cyborg's attempt to change the direction of the conversation worked, halfly.
"… uh-huh. What were they again?"
Raven rolled her eyes, not an uncommon sight. She whisked the notepad and pen from Cyborg and held it gingerly in dainty fingers. "Ahem…" She cleared her throat as if preparing a speech. "Firstly, we have confirmed he can strengthen air to hazardous levels. Second… he may be able to levitate or fly as Starfire and I can," she paused and brought the papers closer to her pale face. Her eyes widened in a rare display of utter confusion. "Thirdly, he needs a haircut and a shot of testosterone?"
In the distance, glass was heard shattering.
Cyborg whistled innocently as Beast Boy cackled hysterically.
"Hahahaha! That's SO true, Cy! Hahaha—!"
Slap!
A strip of glowing black energy slapped over the green one's mouth. His voice was cut off instantly.
Robin and Cyborg began to crack up as Raven allowed herself a small smirk of triumph.
Beast Boy's eyes began to tear as he slowly turned blue.
Raven glared. "You have a nose—supposedly. I haven't cut off your air supply, you moron, just your insufferable talking."
Beast Boy did a frantic dance in front of her. His arms waved helplessly. Muffled cries emanated from behind the obsidian… uhh… muffler.
"I'm sorry Beast Boy," Raven's half-lidded eyes and tiny smirk gave her a look of evil boredom. "I don't speak Idiot. Especially with your thick Uber-Moron accent."
Robin and Cyborg were just about rolling on the floor by then.
Raven snapped once. The energy stuck to Beast Boy's face disappeared. He put his hands on his non-existent hips and cried, "That's because you can't read!"
"I can read and write, you fool."
Beast boy's face contorted as he searched for an insult within his tiny mind.
"Then… you're… you're… non-different-language speaker!" Well, Beast Boy, that was lame. Care to try again?
Raven quirked an eyebrow. "Ahou…"
She walked off, dropping the notepad telekinetically back in Cyborg's hands. "Baka…" Was heard distantly.
Beast Boy huffed, "Well… salsa chow mein… tempura to you too!" He stomped goofily to the kitchen, most likely to fix up some of his toxic tofu snacks.
After minutes of laughing and laughing, Robin and Cyborg finally regained their composure. Cyborg wiped a tear from his human eye. Robin cleared his throat, though still chortling. He stopped.
"Hey, wasn't this supposed to be serious?"
Time: Saturday, 12:50 pm
Location: Starfire's quarters, Titans' Tower
Sunlight filtered in through purple drapery. A pinkish hue settled throughout the room, coloring the original dark fuchsia walls magenta. Sounds of crashing waves and distant urban life lofted through open windows and into the silence of Starfire's quarters.
Starfire herself sat on her bed, lounging back on her purple and white checkered throw pillows (Robin had gotten them for her on a recent trip to the 'mall of shopping'). A book—Edgar Allen Poe's A Tell Tale Heart—was held in her slender, amber fingers. Her mouth moved as she read certain words, sounding them out lightly in a hushed voice. Every page or so, she peered over the pages at a lump on her table in the center of the room. Pillows lined it with blankets covering them. Somewhere smooshed between it all lay Kaze, his head buried under the covers, his small body as well.
knock, knock-
Kaze's form flinched under the covers. Starfire blinked in surprise. Was he awake?
KNOCKKNOCK-
Starfire turned, averting her attention.
"Who is there?" Her call was softly spoken.
"Me, Starfire," Raven's voice said through the door, toneless.
"One second, please!" Starfire covered her mouth. Too loud. She dropped her book on her comforter, then floated upright toward her door. She pushed small button near the side.
SWISH-
Raven's hooded face stared up at her.
Starfire motioned for her to stay quiet. She gestured as if to say, 'Come in…'
Raven entered, treading lightly on the purple carpeting, cloak billowing behind her.
Starfire beamed at Raven. There was a pause.
"So, Raven. Why have you ventured into my quarters?" Starfire whispered.
Raven pulled down her hood. Her words were spoken in a normal voice, "Don't bother whispering. He's awake."
Starfire looked to the table. Sure enough, the covers were being pulled off. Sapphire colored eyes stared at her in blatant curiosity. She rushed over in a flurry of Tamaranian green.
"Kaze! You have awakened!" She cooed as she pulled him into her arms. He struggled weakly.
Starfire immediately released him and placed him on the floor with a start. She smiled apologetically. "Forgive me."
Kaze merely looked up to her face, eyes moving slowly as he studied her features. He leaned his head to the side once satisfied and glanced past his main caretaker, locking gazes with the violet haired teen positioned behind her.
Raven blinked, taken aback at his forwardness. She regained her stoic composure almost instantly. "Can he speak?"
Starfire grinned sheepishly, clasping her hands behind her. "Actually, I am not certain…"
Raven rolled her eyes.
Kaze walked unsteadily over to the gothic, tugging on her cloak. His pointed ears twitched. Raven looked downward, glaring stonily.
"Let go."
Kaze just smiled, fangs clearly visible.
Raven growled, but made no move to pry him off. "Has he made any kind of sound verbally?"
"I believe he has… burped?"
Raven clutched her forehead. "Never mind…"
Time: Sunday, 8:45 am
Location: Titans' Tower
Starfire drew back Kaze's covers, eyes closed gleefully. "Kaze? Have you awakened from your daily slumber?" She opened hr emerald orbs, then gasped. "Eep!"
In the midst of a cocoon of teal-tinged white, Kaze's sleeping face was peaceful, but ever changing. His pointed ears grew abnormally and began to grow beige-tan fur. His face itself had gotten a bit longer, but the soft lines of his childlike features remained. His fangs shifted and grew, eyebrows became more defined.
Starfire panicked. She peeled the rest of his blankets off, but was soon faced with an even bigger surprise.
Kaze's bones looked as if they were painfully shifting. His limbs, hands, and feet grew gracefully longer, but not to a great extent, as his body stayed in perfect, lithe proportion. A small amount of visible muscle rippled across his entire body.
Starfire drew out her communicator and flipped it open. Robin's groggy face appeared.
"Star? Why are you calling so early? You usually wait until at least 'til 9:30 to forcibly rip me out of bed…"
In her anxious state, Starfire temporarily forgot to speak English.
"Nor vuenji shicmen! Glorg un tiel slaven'tier murkov el! Essa ni de KAZEL! X'Hal rui tiel ji corien tessor! Robien ni!"
Robin sweatdropped. "Uh… Star? Could you please calm down?"
"Robien un de essa! KAZEL corien tessor ni!"
"Huh?"
"KAZEL corien tessor ni! KAZEL!"
flip-
Starfire's shriek could be heard throughout the Tower.
Disclaimer: I don't need no frickin' disclaimer! I RULE THE WORLD! HAHAHAHA—Hey! Where're you taking me? AHH! I don't need to go to the swirly side of the mental institute! I don't! No! Epros! Help me!
'Pros: Ehh… you're on your own, Clou… Yea…
NOO!
'Pros: Why don't you just say the damned disclaimer, Clou?
-sulks- Okay… I DON"T OWN! So get your paws offa me, ya freaks!
Institute guards-pout, then point menacingly-
Scary…
a/n: Well, to say the least, I didn't get many reviews… ahh, whatever. I mostly write for myself, people. It's one of my hobbies, and brings about a pleasant withdrawal from harsh, cruel reality. You guys are just welcome to read it if you please. Also, this sitekeepsmessing up everythingI type! I have to keep changing my format... It won't even let metpye it's name! How annoying...Grr... The dashes are messed in this chap, so that's just how it's gonna be.
Okays, guys. This is the second chapter of Titan Windrider, so I hope you enjoyed it. I'm not sure as to when the third will come.
Oh, and if you didn't get some of Star's Tamaranian… it's all right. Frankly, I would seriously translate it if it were that important. The words I mostly made up off the top of my head, and if they are the property of somebody else, then please notify me, and I will try my best to either correct or simply apologize. Only a couple of Star's words will appear later… so… yea. Also, in my version of Tamaranian, the names of the Titans and others will be spelled and pronounced differently. For example, "Kazel" (kah-zell a little roll on the 'l' pronunciation) is how "Kaze" is pronounced in my Tamaranian. This is because of the language itself is not accustomed to pronouncing certain sounds, as are many languages on Earth.
I'll give an ice cream sandwich to anybody who figures out where Robin's name is in Star's Tamaranian tirade at the end of the chapter. It isn't very hard. Trust me. I might just give a list of how the Titans' names are pronounced and spelled in Tamaranian, anyway. Have fun!
Until next chapter…