Disclaimer: I own no part of the Teen Titans or their associated canon though I do own the other characters associated with this story.

(A/N): Sometimes I get flash of inspiration for a story. Sometimes I write it out, sometimes I don't. This is what happens when I do.

Chapter 1

The Haunted

As night fell on Jump City its resident protectors departed for their rooms. All save one. A restless girl didn't follow the others to bed. Exiting the tower she started drifting across the cityscape. As the clouds drifted through the moonless sky she glided from rooftop to rooftop. These sojourns were becoming more and more frequent and she was getting less and less sleep. It was beginning to affect her performance on the team. Everyone could see it and it was only a matter of time until Robin called her on it. The problem was that these nightly trips were the only way she seemed to be able to clear her mind. Even meditation did little to help her sleep. It quieted her emotions well enough but did little to quiet her mind.

Landing on a short rooftop in the financial district Raven took a deep breath of night air and let it seep into her very being. The coolness of the night chilled her and helped her mind focus. Several deep breaths later she turned to return to the tower. As she did so a second floor window on the side of the Jump City National bank exploded in a shower of steel and glass. Slipping into a corner she waited for the smoke to clear, hand resting on her communicator. As the debris and smoke cleared in a passing breeze the figure of a young man became visible in the massive hole that had been the wall. Carrying a large sack in each hand he stepped toward the opening.

He was tall, just over six feet and has platinum blond hair that hung down to his shoulders. A pair of darkened glasses covered his eyes. He wore a dark gray robe tied with a black sash over a red shirt and loose black pants. The robe was kimono style and ended just shy of his ankles and sandal clad feet. A pair of straps hung over his back to what she couldn't see.

Tapping the emergency call button on her communicator she jumped from the building. She had no intention of letting him go until the other Titans arrived. She glided toward the opening, lightning cracked above her, lighting the way. The figure seemed to sense her and looked up. Another slash of lightning and she seemed to appear out of the thick darkness, hovering a few feet from the hole. Her white eyes shone in the returning dark. They stared at each other, neither moving as the first drop of rain splashed off Raven's cowl. In a matter of seconds the storm had begun. Still neither of them flinched. Raven was counting the minutes until the others arrived. Having no idea what this newcomer was capable of she would rather not face him alone. Finally he moved. The sack in his left hand dropped to the ground with a thump. Removing his glasses to reveal dark green eyes he stashed them in his robe. When he spoke it was in a low, commanding voice.

"Move."

Raven shook her head very slowly. "No."

"Move…or I will go through you."

Raven turned slightly and drew back her right fist. Black energy began to swell around her hands. "Try it."

"Very well." The other sack dropped as well. Slowly reaching behind himself he pulled up a bamboo hat. After resting its conical form on his head he reached again, his left hand coming forward with what appeared to be a short scepter. A black rod topped with a brass ball. From a few inches down the rod a ring extended around and over the ball much like an orbit. From this ring at least half a dozen other rings hung, rattling ever so slightly as the wind passed. Holding the rod in front of him with his left hand he focused and began mumbling something. Raven waited wondering what was happening. The longer he mumbled the closer the others got. Suddenly his voice became audible. "…ius, ridstun, AWAY!" With the last word a shock wave exploded toward the titan. Barely raising a shield in front of herself Raven was still knocked back across the street, barely avoiding a lamppost.

Regaining her balance she dodged another blast and began countering with her own. Smashing aside the black orbs with the rod the stranger jumped into the rain and began fighting through the storm as well. Jumping with inhuman ability he began trying to strike her with the scepter. Jumping and dodging gracefully she managed to avoid the blows. 'Where the hell are the others?' The momentary distraction was all he needed. A quick side slash followed by several quick jabs and a second wide strike knocked her off balance and then to the ground. Unable to make her eyes focus, it was merely a dark blob that approached and raised its arms ready to strike the final blow. Desperately she raised her arms in a futile attempt to defend herself.

At the last instant a flurry of white and brown slashed through her field of vision. "Arkanus!" The sound of a massive blow being struck and then a crash. Her eyes finally obeyed her command to focus. In front of her stood another figure. A long heavy leather raincoat covered the majority of his body. A wide brimmed hat cast his head in shadow. There was a true deluge falling now and Raven had a hard time seeing anything. Past him however she could make out the form of her attacker rising from a crater in the wall and taking a few steps forward.

"Alex…" His voice almost sounded happy as he stared at the newcomer. "I'm impressed. I thought it would have taken another month for you to track me down."

"I had special…motivation."

"That's right…you did. Well…I'd love to stay and chat…" He backflipped back into the bank. Sheathing his scepter he picked up a sack in each hand. "But I have other business to attend to." Jumping across the street he kicked off another building and landed on the bank's roof. With a grand wave good bye he disappeared into the rain. 'Alex' took a half step after him, arm raised before letting it fall in frustration. Turning he offered a hand to Raven. He wore dark leather gloves that reached nearly to his elbow, flaring widely past his wrist.

Taking his hand she rose. "Thank you." His still shadowed head nodded, then looked up, catching sight of something else.

"Raven!" She turned as Beast Boy skidded to a halt in front of her. "You okay?"

"Yes. I am now." She responded as the others slid or floated into view. "Thanks to…Alex?"

The stranger bowed as much as he could without getting drenched. "It was the least I could do. Arkanus has taken enough lives. You were doing admirably when I arrived, but he is far more than most people can handle. Obviously that would make more than human and therefore…a Titan."

"Uh…yeah. Raven."

"Cyborg."

"I am Starfire."

"Robin."

"Beast Boy." He looked at the stranger suspiciously.

"Alex. Though back home they call me Hunter."

Robin glanced around. "Now that everyone's introduced…perhaps we should head back to the tower, see if we can't figure out what the hell's going on."

"Very well. I'll see you there." Hunter began to walk away.

"Hey, you don't even know where it is!"

"How hard can it be to find a fifty story tower, shaped like a giant T in the middle of the bay?" With that he disappeared into the downpour. Raven grinned just a little.

"He's got you there Robin." On the way back Raven explained what had happened. She managed to pass her late night excursion off as an odd occurrence. Arriving back at the entrance to the tower they found Hunter silently waiting for them. Asking how he got there was one more question than they could handle that early in the morning. Deciding instead to try to get a little sleep, so they could think with some semblance of clarity, they showed Hunter to the guestroom and retired for the morning.

(A/N): If you feel it is warranted fell free to review. I welcome any and all opinions.