Note: No, I don't own Teen Titans. However, there are 2 characters in here who I do own. And this is my first fanfic, ever, so not too hard on the reviews.

Note2: Props to sum4jc for doing the whole Beta-read thing for me. It's good to have someone willing to read these before they get posted.

Note3: Yeah, um, people, don't know if anyone's actually reading this, but if you are, reviews are appreciated. Just pointing that out. tips hat

Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Raven watched as Starfire dived down through the smoke after Robin, then all 3 breathed a sigh of relief when they saw them both come from the column. She carried Robin by his hands, and flew gently to the rest of the Titans. She let go of Robin, who landed smoothly, and came back to the ground next to him. She started to wipe her face with her sleeve, then stopped. "Um, this is most peculiar, is it not?"

"What is it?" asked Robin.

"Is it not true that when fire creates smoke, those little black things are mixed into it?"

Raven spoke next. "Do you mean ashes?"

"Yes," Starfire responded, giving a little clap. "ashes. And they create a mess of faces, do they not, if they come in contact with faces?"

Now the rest of the Titans were puzzled, for even though both Robin and Starfire had traveled through the smoke column, neither showed any signs of ashes on their faces, or any part of their body or clothing for that matter.

The old man, named Alex, was on the ground of the exit-less cave, writhing on the ground, his hands covering his ears. "Please stop," he cried between sobs, "just, please, stop it."

The cloaked figure just hovered above Alex, staring down at him in concentration, the flame still in his hands. He eyes flittered back and forth, as though reading through a book at hyper speed. He was scanning this man's mind, for a quick search had revealed local contact with his target. The boy names Loch Stevens. He had to find him, and the sooner, the better. He had his agenda to complete, before anyone else could interfere.

A greedy smile crossed his face. He had emptied the man's mind of all knowledge of Loch. "Well, thank you for your cooperation in the matter. However, I have other appointments to make, so I must leave you now. Oh, and there is no way in or out of here, so you may decide your own death fate. Suffocation should set in in about 20 minutes. Your mind has weakened considerably, so insanity should come quickly. Maybe you'll have a fun death." A deep, loud laugh came from the hood, and echoed back and forth within the large cave. The figure watched the twitching below him in silent delight, then tensed suddenly. He sensed something in the city. Someone was using their powers, but it didn't feel like the boy. "No, someone else is here for him. He's supposed to be mine to kill."

The red aura appeared, covering the figure quickly, and disappearing as quickly as it appeared, leaving Alex to himself in the exit-less cave.

Loch walked through the alleys, trying his best to stay out of sight of the main roads. Loch wished he could fly, but he was certain the cloaked person was tracking him by his power usage, so he had to walk. He could barely sense the person, so he knew he wasn't safe yet. He needed to get out of the city now, before any more of the people here died because of him.

"I wish I knew who that guy is," Loch stuttered to himself. "Why is he always after me?"

"I can answer that."

Loch spun around, looking furiously for the voice. However, he found himself alone in the alley. He conducted a quick mind scan, and found no one with psychic powers nearby. "Unless they're mind blocking, like I can," he thought.

"You're almost right. I'm not mind blocking, just spirit blocking. A power you will soon learn." With that, a white light appeared suddenly to his left. It was bright and piercing, and Loch had to hide his face to keep from being blinded. When it finally went away, Loch turned around to find a floating mist, no solid form at all. "Don't worry, I'm just still partly spirit blocking. There are others here who must not see me." Almost as if on cue, a red flash appeared further down in the alley, the cloaked figure showing himself after the aura was gone.

A fury appeared on his eyes as he saw the mist. "No you don't." He started to advance towards the pair. "He's mine." His eyes began to glow bright red. "I found the Ultimate first." His eyes appeared to be shooting out flames. "I found him 50 years before he should arrive, but he's here nonetheless." He stopped, 5 yards away, and raised his hands, both of which were covered in flames. "No others shall claim him but me." A powerful burst of flame shot from his hands, completely engulfing the alley and instantly disintegrating everything in its path.