Chapter Four: Joy of Flight to Rival the Night
"I can't believe you did that!" Cyborg shouted. "How could you just go off at her like that!"
"You're blaming me for what she did?" Nightwing retorted angrily.
"As a matter of fact, yes I am!" Cyborg screamed. "You've been badgering everyone constantly about any news on Slade and we're all sick of it!"
"Are you challenging my authority?" Nightwing asked in a low tone.
"I'm just saying that you shouldn't have done that," Cyborg said through gritted teeth. "I mean, she's getting a divorce from you! This isn't just about you and her; this is about the entire team. She's an integral part of our group and now you're just letting her leave?"
"I've tried to talk to her, but she's not listening!" Nightwing said, exasperated. "What else am I supposed to do?"
Cyborg sighed, "Arguing with you is pointless. I think it's time we split up."
"What do you mean, split up?" Beast Boy demanded, walking into the room. "What's this all about?"
"I think it's time we go our own way," Cyborg said, "Trying to deal with the Ariel Avenger here is not going over well."
"I am not leaving," Beast Boy said stubbornly. "This is the greatest thing that's ever happened to me and I'm not gonna walk away."
"What's this about breaking up?" Raven asked.
"Nightwing won't listen to reason, so I think it's time we go our separate ways," Cyborg said. "Besides, the Titans East have been asking me to return to Steel City. Besides, one of our members is gone now, thanks to you!" he glared at Nightwing.
"Dude, you guys can't just walk out on us!" Beast Boy said strongly.
"Just watch us!" Cyborg and Nightwing shouted in unison. Glaring at each other, they both stomped out of the Tower.
"Can you believe them, Raven?" Beast Boy asked. "Why do you think this is happening to us?"
"Who knows, I'm sure there's a reason," Raven said simply. "So, what are you going to do?"
"I've been thinking about starting a Titans branch in LA. But I've never brought it up." Beast Boy smiled. "What will you do Raven?"
"I don't know, Beast Boy. I just don't know."
Kory Anders looked at the old team photo of the Teen Titans. They had been so happy together. Life had been good and they had defended the city with pride. Now there was disunity and strife among friends.
Soon Raven Roth would arrive at the Jump City airport. She stood outside gate 14, waiting for the arrival of her friend. She scanned the eyes of each passenger as they disembarked. Kory smiled broadly as a violet haired young woman stepped into view.
"Raven!" Kory Anders voice rang out as she rushed to embrace her friend.
"Kory!" Raven pounded her friend on the back. "So good to see you again!"
"You have changed your outfit." Kory smiled. "You look like the white Raven I saw so many years ago." She sighed sadly. "To think what I have seen is coming to pass; and it is entirely my fault."
"Don't say that, you didn't know any of this was going to happen," Raven soothed her comfortingly.
"That is not true, I went into the future, and I saw what would happen. I thought I could prevent it; but I could not."
"Any news of Nightwing?" Raven asked.
"No," replied Kory. "I have not kept in contact with him for five years.
"So, what has happened to you?" Raven asked as the two friends began to walk through the airport. "I've heard you joined the police force. I'm very impressed."
"Thank you," Kory blushed a little; her cheeks turning pink. "I did. The pay's not bad. The hours are ridiculous, though. I have to come in anytime they need extra help. But at least I can serve the city, in some way."
"Don't feel bad, Kory," Raven reassured her. "It's not your fault. So tell me, what's this I've heard, you've met Richard Grayson?"
"Well, as a part of an investigation into a break in at Wayne Enterprises," Kory explained. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, Richard Grayson is quite wealthy from what I hear," Raven said smiling. "Heard he bought Haley Circus after it was on the verge of bankruptcy; he's a great guy, very generous."
"That is good. It is nice to see someone help others," Kory smiled. "So you help your mother at the haven for troubled teen girls?"
"Yes, my mother Arella wishes to point young girls in the right direction. She doesn't want other girls to make the same mistake she did."
"That is very good. So, any news of our old friend Beast Boy; you told me he was coming back, yes?"
"He is, he'll be here in a few days," Raven smiled. "It will be good to see everyone again."
"But what of Cyborg, have you contacted him?" Kory asked.
"Not yet, I'm sure being the leader of Titans East keeps him quite busy." They arrived at her car and Kory opened the passenger door for Raven. Climbing into the driver's side, she drove to her house. Arriving at her house, they went in and sat down on the couch.
"So, what are all the rumors I've heard about Red X?" Raven asked. "Heard that he broke into Wayne Enterprises, stole some Zinonthium, and had a fist fight with Richard Grayson."
"Yes, he did. I am the one who deduced that the first day of investigation."
"That's very good. So your coworkers at the police station, they don't know who you are?"
"No, they only know my name and that I've lived here for seven years; that is all they know."
"I see," Raven replied. Suddenly, Kory's walkie-talkie came to life. "Kory, we need you, 'nother break in Sixth Street and Boulevard."
"This place sounds mighty popular," Raven quipped sarcastically.
"Oh yes, very popular," Kory agreed, equally sarcastic. "I have to go now. What will you do?"
"I will do what I can, don't be surprised if I show up," Raven gave a grin.
"That will be most welcome if you show up," Kory smiled. "If you'll excuse me I have to go."
"Alright then," Raven replied.
Kory Anders put on her uniform and walked out the door. Raven watched her go. She sighed quietly. Walking towards the window, she looked out, staring at the city which she had once called home. Funny how time changes perception. It seemed strange that she had not tried harder somehow to keep the Titans together, but that was the past, this was the present. Kory was still here, she was here, if it was only temporarily, and Beast Boy, Gar Logan was coming back as well. If only they could persuade Victor…
Sighing, she let herself rise into the air, swooping down among the buildings. Having pulled up the hood over her face, she began heading toward Sixth Street and Boulevard. "Maybe there's still hope after all," she said to herself quietly as she arrived at the place.
Raven immediately spotted Red X who was making his way out with an item she couldn't identify. She swooped down to block him. "Where do you think you're going?" she demanded, standing at the ready.
"Well, well, you look familiar, have I threatened you before?" Red X asked in a sneering, insulting voice. Raven didn't fall for it, however. She just stood there silent, waiting.
"Ah, the silent treatment," he quipped. "I suppose I shall have to make my X-it," Red X laughed at his own joke. He stopped when he saw a pair of squad cars pull up and Dee Bowman and Kory Anders jump out of them, guns drawn.
"Oh great, more interference," Red X muttered. Dee fired a few warning shots, shouting, "Red X, surrender immediately and put down your weapons! Whoa, Raven came back? When did this happen?" Kory didn't bother to answer the question. X's response was to fire half a dozen X-a-Rangs in the officer's direction. He dodged out of the way while Raven used her powers to yank a nearby lamppost out of the concrete.
She hurled it at him and he dove out of the way. "Now I know who you are, you're that Raven girl who used to live here a long time ago. Long time no fight; I've kind of missed it!" Red X laughed a little as he dodged a flying mailbox.
"Yeah, and you'll regret it too!" Raven shouted, blasting her dark aura at him. Kory fired a few well aimed shots from her 9 mm and Red X barely managed to dodge both as they attacked him fiercely. Dee added his help and Red X used his suit to teleport himself out of harm's way because he knew he wasn't going to be able to escape any other way.
"How'd he do that?" Dee asked as he looked at the spot where Red X had vanished.
"His suit powered by the Zynthonium gives him the ability to teleport," Raven explained. "I've fought him before and I remember how he works. I have to wonder what brought him back here though."
"Well, either way, it's good to have you back again Raven; the city's been in bad shape without you Titans. Although, Nightwing's had a good handle on things, it's just not the same."
"I'm flattered, really, but I'm just visiting an old friend." Raven gave him a smile. "I'd better be going now. I have to meet someone." Raven rose into the air and flew off. After several more hours of patrolling the streets, Kory finally showed up at her own front door. Opening it, she walked in.
"Thanks for stopping by earlier. I wasn't expecting it to be Red X at Sixth Street," Kory thanked her friend, who was still in uniform, smiling.
"It was the least I could do," Raven replied. "Kory, what is it?" she saw a strange look cross the read head's face.
"What if I told you I have regained some of my powers?" Kory asked in a hushed whisper.
"What? When? How? You lost your powers five years ago!" Raven dared not mention the name of Nightwing, but it was kind of obvious to Kory what she meant.
"Yes I did, but I am getting them back," Kory explained softly. "A few days ago, my partner Robert and I went after a drug dealer, Bobby Simpson. Robert was shot and I went after him. We fought in a warehouse, the one where Slade had supposedly hidden the Chronom Detonator, he grabbed my gun and…and I felt so angry. The Righteous Fury that I had forgotten came back and I blasted him off his feet. Ever since…I've been wondering if Starfire should come back."
"I see," Raven said simply. "So have you decided yet?"
"No, not yet; I must be sure of something first," Kory stated.
"What is that?" Raven asked.
"That I can still fly," Kory answered. Her friend was silent.
Late that night, Kory Anders stood atop Titans Tower in full uniform. She had taken it out of the closet, mothballs and all. Running it through the washing machine, it was as fresh as ever.
It was nearly midnight and everyone was gone, she knew that the place she had once called home was now a museum honoring the heroes of old. She stood looking out over the city. Now she felt something that she had not felt in a long, long time. Joy, real happiness for the first time since she had left Nightwing; she hoped it was enough and leapt out onto thin air.
Down, down she dived, the distance between the ten stories and the ground was growing smaller and smaller. It seemed she might strike the ground and break her neck, indeed to any bystanders it appeared that she might. At the last second however, she hovered three feet above the ground. Yes, she grinned triumphantly. It is good to be back again. She flew off into the heart of the city while a few bystanders began to whisper, and the stories they told would grab the attention of many.
Starfire made her way through alleyways and dark streets until she came to a stop in front of a bank. She knew this place very well. Long ago they had stopped Mumbo from stealing money. She halted, waiting for whatever might happen.
She spotted Nightwing standing atop a nearby roof, also watching. He had not seen her. She breathed a sigh of relief. Starfire spotted a group of thugs pull up in a car and get out. She deduced they were going to break into the bank. She was hesitant for a moment, unsure if she should move yet. In that split second of hesitancy, she saw Nightwing leap out, Bo Staff in hand, and strike one thug before he had the chance to grab his weapon. "Look out, boys!" he shouted. "Here comes the Arial Avenger!"
Starfire was amused by the name her ex husband had given himself. It always struck fear and dread into the hearts of his enemies. Indeed, she felt a sense of dread herself. She would reveal herself to him as she was. Would he know her as Kory Anders? She didn't know. She could forget it, leave him to do what he did and go back to her 'normal' life. She watched as the tide turned against him. He had speed and agility, but the thugs had numbers, and they were beginning to wear him down.
No, she couldn't bring herself to do it. He had fought alone for a long time. Even if he hated her she would still help him, even if it meant risking giving up normalcy.
Nightwing spun kicked a thug in the midsection as he launched a Bird-a-Rang at another. He flipped in the air three times, somersaulting gracefully in the air. Smashing the thug in the jaw, he knocked him flat. A man fired a gun, he tried to dodge but he wasn't fast enough. He hot burning metal ripping into his shoulder. Trying to stay on his feet he was knocked of his feet by another thug.
"Looks like this is the end of you," the nameless thug gloated. He raised his gun and prepared to fire. Nightwing said nothing. Suddenly, the ground rocked with a terrific explosion. He winced in surprise and pain as he squinted through a cloud of smoke. He swore for a second that the light the explosion was green. Emerald green. Like Starfire's eyes.
A few of the remaining thugs jumped to their feet as they were desperately trying to dodge laser fire from above them. Nightwing raised his eyes and to his astonishment, Starfire herself was there, hovering above them, Starbolts ready to clean their clocks.
"Starfire!" a thug shouted in disbelief. "What's she doing here? She lost her powers!"
"You thought wrong," came Starfire's cold reply. Lasers beamed from her eyes, sending the man sprawling. Shooting laser beams from her hands, she sent them running in terror. Soon they were all gone, scattered to the wind. She let herself drop to the ground and walked over to Nightwing who was still crouched on the ground.
"Boy Star; am I glad to see you!" he said as best he could. Gripping his shoulder, he tried to stop the bleeding. He was disappointed at the expression on her face but said nothing about it.
"I am surprised that you should say that," Starfire whispered softly. "We did not part under the best of circumstances."
"No need to bring that up Starfire," Nightwing replied. "That may be true but I am really glad to see you."
"That is nice to know," Starfire gave him a genuine smile. "I must go now."
"But aren't we still friends Starfire?" Nightwing asked gently.
"I do not know for sure; consider me a rival in your life for now. Perhaps in the future that may change. But for now, I am not your friend but your rival. I will not work with you."
"Why not?" he asked, placing a hand on her shoulder. He missed her very much, although he refused to admit it to anyone. Touching her made her warm and real to him. He had wondered for awhile if he were dreaming. He wished he could hold her, but he knew now was not the time. She was not ready to let him back into her life yet. Maybe with time she would.
"It hurts me too much Nightwing. Seeing you brings it all back and I am not sure I am ready."
"I understand," he said simply. He watched her go. He knew once the papers discovered she was back they would surely track their rivalry. He knew his life was about to get very complicated. With the investigation of the beak in at Wayne Enterprises still going, he would see her tomorrow. He tried desperately to deny it but he still loved her as he always had. Life was very complicated indeed.