Hello.
I would like to apologize for the slow updates.
Believe it or not, I do partake in other events in life, though I love this story and the show.
I will try my hardest to post a new chapter every two weeks, so please bear with me.
I hope you enjoy the following chapter.
Another note:
I thought about how to represent Radio Transmission easier.
So from now on, I will represent radio with ( ) marks. Text in between those marks represents the text coming form a radio.
Enjoy
-Heolstor
Tomorrow Comes Today
Chapter 3: Indulge in the Calm before a Storm
You have got to be kidding me!
I landed perched on a tall building that had managed to stay standing. I could clearly see the wall of flames that rose high around the Burning District. The deep red orange flames burned straight upwards, through an old street. Buildings on either side had melted into a firm canyon that curbed the heat upwards. But I could feel the heat kissing my cheeks.
I had been searching for Tobias for close to three hours now. I had only stopped briefly about an hour ago, but now my endurance was waning thin. I had searched the borders of the district as far as I could without alerting the border patrols from the Asing or Slave district.
I clung to the building ledge like a gargoyle, my silver gaze stretching out over the desolate city vacant of light save a few candles that burned in random windows. I could faintly hear the soothing whispers of mothers and vaguely wondered when was the last time I hugged mine.
My head twisted suddenly.
What was that?
I heard something, but I wasn't completely sure what it was. I leapt off the ledge, letting myself free fall for a few stories before morphing into a Great Grey Owl and beginning my flight again.
It sounded like an agitated roar crossed with a human cry…
I scanned ground just over the flames.
It came from within the burning district.
"…RrrraaaAAAGAAAaaaahhhhh!" I strained my ears, following the sound as best I could. I flapped my large wings towards where I thought the sounds was coming from.
My predatory eyes focused on the ground ahead of me.
A small figure leapt backwards from a giant striking limb.
"RRaaaaaAAAGGAAAaaaahhh!"
The beast came into view.
The top of the beast appeared to be human enough, a male's upper body from the torso up. Bald and glaring at his prey with raging scarlet eyes. His upper body had a few faded green vine like ropes attached to various places on his body that connected to what was below his torso.
It was like an even twist between a giant ant and a preying mantis. A mantis like torso connected to the human with mantis arms, the same shade of green as vines, coiled in preparing to strike. An ant's lower torso melded with the mantis torso, six insect legs poised for battle, also the same color as the mantis arms. And it was covered in black hair like a spider.
I focused my gaze down at the shape. It lifted something and deftly blocked a double strike and countered with a small battle cry. An invisible force, causing a cry of pain, struck the human head.
"Hreaaaagahh!" The beast stumbled but struck again, forcing the shape to dance back.
I refocused my gaze and realized I was dangerously close to the flames. I flapped as hard as I could and used the hot air from the flames to lift me up and over the flames. I focused my gaze down again.
Brown hair. Brown bandana.
A sword.
I finally found him. And now I see how he stays in shape.
I easily passed the wall of flames, risking the chance of being caught by the random patrols. I folded my wings back and dive-bombed towards the creature the best I could in my owl form. The creature turned its head to in time to see me and yelled at me.
"RRAAaaagGGAaahhh!" A mantis limb struck upwards at me.
I twisted and morphed into an owl monkey, grabbing onto the top of the limb. The monster was obviously surprised but had to defend itself from a large leaping slash from Tobias. He swatted Tobias away, forcing him to produce a telekinetic shield at the last moment. He flew back and planted his feet on the wall, pushing off into a flip to avoid the following crushing swing of mantis limb.
Meanwhile I scampered quickly down the limb that I clung to, my presence temporarily ignored. I jumped forward and reminded him of my presence as I morphed into a White Rhino and plowed my horn into his side.
Black blood leaked over my horn as creature cried out in agony. He tried to shake me off but I had already morphed into an owl monkey again and I was scampering up his back. I vaulted nimbly upwards and morphed back into a human, smashing my solid shin into the creature's human head.
He only growled angrily and gripped my leg with one hand, tossing me over his shoulder with enhanced strength that normal humans did not possess. A mantis claw moved to strike me.
Meanwhile Tobias had run under the beast, his blade swirling with black and white energy. Right as I was thrown, Tobias swung his blade into the leg of the creature. His energy enriched sword easily sliced the leg and the aftershock of the swing ripped through the other legs on the side, a string like wave of black energy stretching out like an earthquake.
That would be why the strike landed at my side. I had managed to roll to avoid all of it and I quickly morphed into a grizzle bear, sinking my claws into it. Holding it down.
Come on Tobias, strike now.
Tobias seemed to read my mind as he jumped onto the back of the creature like I had. He leapt up with a telekinetic spring in his step, the butt of his sword aimed at the creature's head.
Swish!
Thwack!
The man was decapitated.
The fight was over.
I morphed back into a human, a bit of a blood stain on my nose, and smiled as Tobias landed beside me.
He smiled as well.
"Welcome to the Burning District old friend." Tobias said cordially. "Did you come for a rematch?" His eyes danced with excitement.
"No…I actually came for your help." Tobias smiled even wider.
"Really now…help with what?"
"Well…" I rubbed my arm. "I am looking for a gift for Rena…and figured maybe…"
We took no notice of the dying creature next to us, blood spurting from it's neck as it's head watched it's former body bleed to death from the neck and half of it's legs.
Death was always with us…it did not bother us.
"Say no more." Tobias sheathed his blade. "I actually think I might know of something."
"Really?"
"Yes, but we'd have to search for it…I only vague remember where I put it…"
I rolled my eyes as Tobias blushed sheepishly.
"I'm sorry, but I didn't know what I would need it for!" Tobias exasperated.
"duh Tobi…duh." I shook my head in mock shame.
"But not is not the time to look for it…let us return to my place and rest. We can start fresh tomorrow. You must be exhausted." I dismissed the notion with a wave of my dirtied hand.
"After that small fight? I coulda taken him myself."
"Heh, sure ya coulda. Hey, I'll race you back to my place. GO!" Tobias took off in a telekinetically enhanced sprint.
"HEY! I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE!" I shouted tersely. But I was no slouch. A Panther quickly followed after him.
Rena sighed, staring at the earthen ceiling. Sam had long put out the light, but Rena couldn't sleep, there was far too much on her mind.
Her hands were folded behind her head. Her nude form was covered by darkness. And as hard as she willed it, nothing came to her.
Not Sleep
Not Energy
Not…Zeke.
Nothing came to her, despite how she willed it.
Nothing except the recent events.
It may not seem much, but it took up almost every corner of her mind.
Rena closed her eyes, exhaling softly as she replayed the earlier meeting.
For the 3rd time.
Flashback ----
"After interrogating the pilots that our children brought" Nightwing said, nodding in the direction of Sam, Silias and Rena. "I have found some information that we must act upon."
"Does it confirm my premonitions?" Raven queried.
Nightwing nodded. "If anything, it is worse. The pilot spoke of a plan to change the past."
"That would explain why you felt Warp's presence." Garfield confirmed to Raven. She nodded lightly.
"Do you think it is truly Warp?" Starfire said, venom behind the words. The original Titans, save for Terra, knew of her dislike of the time traveler.
"It could be, but there are other options. Those who can tap into the Speed Force can time travel. People like the Flashes." Nightwing responded knowledgably.
"But they trapped all the elder heroes. Would they risk bringing the Flash out, he might escape?" Garfield threw in.
"Mr. Logan has a point, dad." Sam supported. "Using the elder heroes might be too risky."
"Yes, but we mustn't rule it out. We do not know the true lengths of their technology."
"But couldn't mom contact Tamaran?" Rena started. "They would surely know-"
"The reason the pilot so easily gave up the information was that their plan was already in motion. Whatever is going to happen will happen in two days."
Everyone gasped.
"Two days…" Silias murmured.
"Victor." Nightwing looked towards the eldest member. "Do you think you and Silias can pilot those downed patrol units?"
Victor scratched the back of his head. "Er…Maybe…I've inspected one before and the system doesn't appear too complicated."
"Good…now…I have a plan." Nightwing began.
End Flashback ----
Rena opened her eyes.
Nightwing told them that Silias and Victor would pilot the patrol units back to offer up a distraction while the rest of them snuck in via an underground tunnel. Once inside, Victor, Silias and Nightwing would hack into the system and find out the plan and stop it.
Nightwing had put it more elegantly, but those were the bare bones of it, or at least what Rena remembered.
Rena rolled over onto her side. She reached under her pillow, searched a second, and then pulled out a small black box.
She could not see it, only feel the rough texture of it. Feel the rounded corners as well as the thin line that worked as the opening. Rena opened it carefully and the box responded perfectly…noiselessly. Inside, resting on old newspaper, was a small gift for her love. She let her fingers rest on the gift.
Despite being half Tamaranian, she never needed the splurges of joy her mother needed to activate and use her powers, just small little tid bits of each emotions. A possible effect of crossbreeding Tamaranian blood and Earthling blood.
But when her fingers caressed the gift inside the box, she felt wave after wave of contentment wash over her, a soft smile brought on by the calmness, and she saw her lover's face in her mind.
She knew he is…and would be safe.
She just knew it.
And sleep took her.
Raven shivered slightly.
The double bed she once was laying in now felt unnecessarily inviting. She felt the image of Garfield arm, which now lay across nothing, laying across her stomach, keeping her safe and allowing her a brief reprieve from her mind. She even felt her subconscious access a memory of Garfield's body heat, which warmed her slightly.
She shook her head once and focused, clearing her mind.
She couldn't sleep.
Something was bothering her and she needed to talk to someone who could help.
The blankets still covered her crossed legs.
She forced her mind blank, something only achieved after years of training.
Her index finger and thumb touched, making a circle.
And she felt herself slide into meditation with ease.
…
…
…
Raven opened her eyes again
Terra's astral home greeted her, only slightly darker as to simulate night time.
With a thought, the nude form Raven slept in was covered by her signature white leotard and white cape.
Raven floated forward.
She looked around, searching for Terra.
As always, her eyes fell on the statue of Beast Boy.
But it was different this time.
Rocky peaks surrounded the statue in two rows of rock fencing, the back row higher than the front. And Terra, clad in a bit of Slade's armor on her upper body, had her knees clutched to her chest, asleep.
Raven floated over to her.
"…Terra." Raven said quietly.
No response.
Raven leaned down, placing her hand on Terra's arm. "Terra…"
Terra snapped awake, and without thinking, gripped Raven's arm, twisted and spun her into the rock wall. Raven simply teleported through the rock as Terra hurried up, standing in a fighting position. Raven floated up, raising an eyebrow.
Terra blushed and chuckled nervously. "Hey Raven…"
"…Care to explain?" Raven slowly spoke.
"Sorry, but you startled me and I guess my-"
Raven shook her head. "I mean the rock wall around your statue."
Terra slowly hugged herself, completely forgetting the incident.
"Something is going to happen soon…and I didn't want to loose the one…precious thing I still had."
Raven nodded. She also felt something was going to happen. Something that had to do with the Asing, but…
No….
She shook her head.
"Terra…tell me what you've been sensing."
Terra looked away and at the passing clouds. She dipped a finger and toyed with it like cotton candy.
"They are working the slaves incredibly hard…even for their standards. And the Asing city seemed to be very busy too…they are awaiting something."
"I agree…and so does Dick…we are going to be striking their base."
"Yes I know." Terra looked shaken.
Silence settled onto the astral plane, sweeping across it like invisible wind.
It chilled Raven more than her empty bed.
Like there was nothing left to be said.
Like it was …the end.
Raven shook her head, take a shallow breath and looked up at Terra. She put an hand on each of Terra's shoulders.
"Terra….what ever happens…we'll make it through this." Raven spoke firmly. Terra slowly lifted her head, eyes brimming with tears. "Dick, Victor, Kori, Garfield…You and I. We are the Titans…As Dick would say…It's impossible…so it's our job."
Two rivulets of tears streamed down Terra's cheeks, one on each side.
"Like saving a girl made of stone."
"And like saving a demon from herself."
A small smile appeared on Terra.
"What about changing a workaholic boy detective?"
"Now that….is truly impossible."
The hallway was shaped like a triangle with a thin base. Lights dangled from the apex, a soft white glow kissing the gray walls and stopping on the pale red floor.
Gracefully, it walked through the dimly lit hallway. A humanoid head with contours where facial features should be. No hair, no nose, no ears, no mouth, just teal skin and eyes. Red, pupil-less eyes firmly trained down the hallway. The azure robe draped over slender shoulders seemed to float with its movements. Its arms swayed, the purple ribbons tied to each azure forearm brace fluttering in some invisible wind. It's skin briefly shimmered in the passing light.
Two guards orderly walked behind it, robes tied tightly around the waist with stiffer looking material. Being military personnel, their ribbons were lavender. They carried small foot-long staffs at their sides. Their skinny legs were wrapped in lavender ribbons as well, making like boots up to their knees.
The trio continued to walk down the hallway towards an open room with much brighter lights.
As soon as it entered the room, all activity ceased and all humanoids turned towards the trio, namely the one with purple ribbons. All of their left arms swept outward as they bent forward slightly, showing respect.
The room was circular with gray walls like the hallway and black metal walkways as the second floor with gray handrails. The room had two more exits which were spaced evenly from each other, forming the points of a triangle.
To the left, a green machine full of tubes, wires and various earthling life support systems were set up. The furthest tube from the one in purple contained a human girl, nude. But her light brown body covered with so many wires it acted as a second skin to keep the unconscious girl's modesty. Her blue hair floated all around her head and upper body.
To the right, various computer equipment from their home planet had been set up. A few beings with blue and white ribbons on their forearms sat down and began running over the files without the aid of screens, like the information was directly sent to their brain. The equipment's gray frame seemed to meld into the walls, despite being separate from it.
But ahead of the being with purple ribbons was what seemed important. As the other beings with blue and white ribbons scurried about back to their jobs, three remained station at a golden circle that was perched on top of a golden colored clamp. In the circle, stretched out like Leonardo Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man, lay a man with a Chinese style goatee and golden armor over a black bodysuit. His hands and feet were inside the circle and his head lay limp.
But the only place wires were connected was to the circular device on his chest.
The one with purple ribbons walked forward, its guards quickly following as it headed towards the prostrate man.
The figures gestured, his purple ribbons flying.
All three beings looked back and gestured in response.
Purple ribbons gestured angrily.
The tallest of the three gestured slowly.
Purple ribbons gestured a stop.
The three stood at attention, as did the two guards out of habit.
All six of them looked at the figure.
Gazing in contemplation.
The one with the purple ribbons gestured quickly.
The three who originally stood their went back to work around the man.
Only for a brief moment.
The sound of electricity sparking echoed into the main room, startling all but the guards and the one in purple ribbons.
Two humans were forced into the room, pushing a coal gray cart of human body parts. A strong looking male with large defined muscles and short black hair on the left and on the right was an athletic looking female with long black hair down to her gluteus maximus. Both were dressed in rags that seemed to barely hold on.
Two guards walked in behind them, their staffs dancing with white electricity.
Both guards bowed respectively and then gestured.
Purple ribbons gestured nonchalantly.
The two guards moved towards the female and lifted their sticks high.
"NO!" The man heroically shoved the cart into the guards, hitting the one closest to him. The other guard moved to strike the girl but he covered the girl with his body, taking the brunt of the attack along his spine. His eyes lethargically rolled in the back of his skulls as the girl screamed out, squeezing her way under the man.
She rubbed his shoulder. "Frank…Frank." She rubbed frantically. "Wake up Frank…don't leave me."
Soon, electricity raced up her spine and briefly sparked out her eyes as the same fate befell her.
Both of their bodies were tossed into the cart and the cart was pushed away.
Purple ribbons gestured passively to the two guards before making a right turn and heading towards the hallway on the right side of the Vitruvian man. The two guards that came in with the figure with purple ribbons were quick to follow.
The Next Morning
You know, I always wanted to know what it was like to be a crime fighter.
I sat on a small, wooden terrace, over looking the burnt homes and streets of the Burning District. I was freshly clean from my last battle but still had decided on wearing the same clothes. I had only seen the charred remains of the Burning District once before. But that was with my father, a memory I do not enjoy conjuring up.
Dick would tell me that they were known as vigilantes as much as they were known as Superheroes. Though I am at a loss as to what makes a superhero…super…or what makes a vigilante's cause just or wrong, the point is life was different for a crime fighter. You were respected, feared, loved and loathed all at the same time.
I don't need much sleep, maybe four hours tops. My family has not been able to figure out why I do not need as much sleep as the normal human but my grandmother has told me when she was younger, she could run just as well on four hours as she could with eight.
So I had awoken, morphed back into my human form, since I usually sleep as a lynx, and decided to watch the sunset, a rare treat.
But as always, my mind wandered…
Life as a crime fighter, I assume, is filled with constant paranoia. You never know when some villainous freak or rampaging monster will come out of the woodwork. Your family and friends are always secretly in danger. Life would seem to fade into a burnt landscape of evil with pockets of good arising in rare and random moments. Kind of like the Burning District.
When I woke, I had noticed that Tobias was gone. I did not question it, knowing he would not search with out me. We both knew this would be one of those rare chances we would have to spend some time together.
But how was the life of a crime fighter in the past any different from what my life is now? Even now, in the peaceful awakening of the day, I have my senses stretched out to detect any oncoming attack. I sit here, twisting and stretching my muscles as to be prepared for anything. I can never afford to be lazy. So would my life be any different if I had lived in the past?
The sun seemed lazy on this day. A strange feeling crept over me, like a premonition. The sun wasn't being lazy. Maybe the sun was gifted with some clairvoyance. Maybe the sun feared to see what would happen today. But regardless of what personal turmoil the sun might be going through, it steadily rose through the sky, pushing the dark blue nighttime up with the golden light that came with dawn. The light orange and yellow haze of a sunny day was supposed to follow, but the hue of the sky below the sun was a faded red, like dried blood.
Maybe the sun was onto something.
To live in the past…as a crime fighter. Where justice flourished as did life. Where I could protect enough people to allow them to walk in the streets without fear of aliens, monsters, or other villains. It truly does sound like an unattainable Utopia. It sounds like a place with Rena and I could…
Embers from a fire I didn't see wafted up into the sky, heading towards the top of the dome. They spun around each other, spun away, twisted around in the sky as if they were alive. As if… they truly were… fireflies. I moved to touch them, but I stopped.
That's all for now…Log 0003 end recording.
Tobias had returned.
I let go of my earring right as Tobias landed beside me with a small sack full of what smelled like meat.
"Morning." I greeted calmly. The day, even this early, seemed to be having a sobering effect.
"Morning brother. I got some breakfast."
"So I smell." My gaze did not falter from the sunrise.
"Something troubles you Ezekiel?" Tobias is one of the few people my age that call me by my full name.
"Just watching how the sunrise is like the sunset, only in reverse. Like how the world is forced to relive the same day of horror everyday. We just rewind and start over the same day."
Tobias sat down beside me, admiring the sunset.
We sat quietly for a moment.
I truly do enjoy the silence.
"You are depressing to listen to sometimes Ezekiel." Tobias said quietly. "But I must disagree with you."
"Must you?"
Tobias nodded. "I see it as the sunset is following the sunrise's lead." Tobias glanced at me out of the corner of his eye. "When the sun rises, we are given the opportunity to make that day special. Each day is already different, for you never fall asleep in the same exact position, in the same exact place. So each day is already unique. Each day has it's own joy and beauty. And the night comes to let the good rest, so the next day, we don't have to live out the same horrors each time we are conscious."
I smiled slightly and again, we enjoyed the sunlight.
"That makes sense…except it doesn't explain our existence. Each day we wake up, more people die needlessly, more pain occurs we couldn't stop and each day, suffering only increases. The sunrise proves suffering is only inevitable."
"The sunrise also proves that the another chance is inevitable. No matter what happens, people die and pain occurs. But despite that, there will always be tomorrow to make it better…to change it." Tobias placed a hand on my shoulder. "We will avenge Master Faust….I swear to it brother."
I didn't respond.
He didn't expect me to.
"I am going to cook this meat. Then we will go search for your jewel."
That's right…the jewel.
…Rena…
…I hope they are not worried about me…
"Ugh." I faltered again in my flight. I temporarily morphed back into a human and landed on the top of a building, clutching my stomach.
"What's wrong?" Tobias asked, landing beside me, sheathing his sword.
"What the hell was up with that meat?"
Tobias tilted his head to the side in question.
"Where did you get it?" I clarified.
"Oh, remember that thing we fought?" My skin turned a green close to the shade of my grandfather.
"You serious?"
"Well, I had to scavenge, a lot was already eaten by the other creatures, but most of the guy was left so-"
Tobias stopped talking to come over and comfort me, since I was emptying my stomach via my mouth onto the sidewalk below.
"Ezekiel, you okay?"
"You." I said slowly, punctuating each word. "Will. Never. Cook. For Me…Again."
Tobias frowned.
"You didn't even know it was human meat till now. Didn't hear you complain while you ate it." Tobias grumbled.
I spit and tried vainly to remove the acrid taste of vomit from my mouth.
"When I get back home, I am washing my mouth out with battery acid…it'll taste better." I spit again in vain.
"Ha ha, very funny." Tobias responded. He levitated himself off the roof slightly, preparing to roof hop again. "Well, lets find the jewel so you can get back home."
"Yeah, and back to my punishment for not telling anyone where I was going. Joy."
Tobias laughed and took to the building tops
I paused and looked behind me, back towards my home.
I hope everything is alright.
I morphed into an owl and kept up with Tobias.
"Aww Yeah! This is Gundam Wing shit right here!" Victor Stone proclaimed loudly.
Two patrol units steadily stomped forward towards the northern Asing District. Despite random punctures, dents and explosion marks, the two patrol units managed to function normally.
Inside the two giants, Victor and Silias piloted the two beasts. A variety of scavenged wires were hooked into the piloting controls as well as an interface with the weapons systems, incase something occurred.
Victor scanned the screen that were his eyes. It was shaped like a plus sign, showing a wide peripheral vision and a bit of up and down vision.
The morning sun was visible in the right side of the screen, but the advanced graphical engineering of the Asing filtered out harmful glare and allowed one to look at the sun. Random data appeared around the sun, the targeting computer assuming the sun to be an enemy. Yet, despite the vast array of technology at his finger tips, Victor was more interested in the north.
(…Dad….Did you just say this is… Gundam Wing shit? Over.)
A small sweat drop slid down the back of Victor's skull.
"Er…yes I did Silias…over"
(See, this is why I didn't let you into my Anime collection Vic.) Over Dick responded.
(…Nice.) Raven droned.
"Can we just focus on the mission?" Victor sighed.
(Hey Dad, isn't Anime that stuff with the girls in little clothing and huge mammary glands? Over.)
(Is what Rena says true Dear?) Victor smiled as Kori caught Dick. He could almost imagine her frown.
(Can we just focus on the mission?) Dick simpered.
(…Nice dad.)
(You sure Sam isn't my granddaughter? Over) Raven questioned.
(She might as well be.) Silias added.
(Shut up Silias.) Sam countered with Rena laughing in the background.
"You know, its weird not being able to hear Gar's input." Victor smirked.
Sam, Rena and Raven flew down the earthen tunnel that was being burrowed by golden energy that none of the others possessed. Starfire was carrying Nightwing under his arms. Beast Boy was as a peregrine falcon, riding in the wake of the others since there was no real currents underground.
Nightwing turned his head back, holding the communicator up.
"Yeah, I know what you mean Vic."
He pulled the communicator down.
"How ya doing Gar?"
A middle talon extended downward.
Nightwing, grinning, pulled communicator up again.
"He says he loves you…in that special way Vic. Over"
(Man dad, I never knew.) Silias joked.
(Gar, that's just wrong. Over)
"Okay, lets get serious." Nightwing said. "Do you all know your job assignments?"
(Silias and I will lower the barrier.) Victor started.
"Once the barrier is down, Rena and I will cut our way into the base." Starfire followed.
"I'll remove the wall." Raven said.
"Lets do this by the books." Nightwing spoke.
Nightwing began explaining from his position, vaguely pointing and gesturing as he spoke. The resistance chimed in their understanding and continued flying towards destiny.
Meanwhile, Tobias and I landed on the burnt edge of an apartment building. We scanned the street way down below, where hoards of monsters similar to each other appeared ready to snap. Like a gang battle was about to happen.
Groups of humanoid monsters challenging snake like beings defending against a multitude of small ball like creatures while three huge monsters, similar to ogres but with three eyes and pale yellow skin slowly lumbering towards the gray.
Tobias gestured down and across, motioning towards an old storehouse. I now knew the jewel was in there. Perched like gargoyles, we awaited our moment to strike.
I hope Rena will appreciate this.
End Chapter