Hello and Welcome to chapter four of my teen titans story.
I apologize that it has taken so long to update. Writer's block and my life have interrupted me. As well as hours on City of Heroes. J

I am going to institute a standard key of communications. Just to clear up any confusion in the future

Communications Key:

Bold Italics is for when Ezekiel is speaking into his thought recorder
"Italics in quotations" is for telepathy and for when Zeke is talking to that voice inside.
Italics is just thought
underlined text is for radio communication

If any more types of communication arise, I shall deal with them.

Also, I would like to point out something special about this chapter.

It is written in a different format. In this chapter, you will not see the story from everyone's perspective like you did in the previous chapters. This chapter is strictly from Zeke's point of view and has bits where it returns to his story telling, since he is telling the story to the little boy Nicolas. This chapter needed to be focused on Zeke and his story telling in the present for a reason which you will discover upon further reading.

Once again, I do apologize for the long update time. I will try and change that in the future.

Chapter 4
What now.
"So what happened next?" Nicolas asked.

Nicolas was sitting with his legs folded together on the chair on my left. I was seated with my left leg under my right leg, my left arm over the back of the chair.

I sighed a bit, reaching back for the knowledge. I didn't think this part of the story, the end, would bother me this much. But I feel something telling me not to speak.

I ignore it.

I know deep down that you can't run from the past, you can only face it.

"Well…while I was getting impatient, I could only imagine that Victor and Silias had broken in and the others had managed to get passed the wall and into the base."

"Gah, what were you doing!" Nicolas shoved me brotherly. "See, this is why girls are nothing but trouble." the young child declared. "You go to get them a present, and they go off and fight in an invasion on an alien fortress."

I faultered.

…Never really looked at it like that…I guess.

"Did you at least get what you were looking for?" Nicolas asked, exasperated with me.

I reached into my hoodie pocket, feeling two things in there. A small black box I have yet to open. And the Jewel.

I pulled it out, letting Nicolas gasp as I did.

The sky blue crystal was no larger than a baseball, but weighed less than paper. When one looked at it straight on, one would notice 6 distinct sides. Then anyway one turned it, it would retain that shape, of 6 corners and 6 edges. It glinted with just the tiniest bit of light.

I could feel my face darken. I shuddered slightly as I felt black energy akin to my grandmother's crawl along my skin, diving in and out of every pore. I heard the same voice I heard the first time…this time it spoke more firmly.

"Hmm…somehow I can't not seem to beat this beast…If only I had some energy to feed off of…" The gravely voice echoed in my ear drums.

I handed the jewel to Nicolas, hoping he'd take it.

He did.

The voice, the dark face and the energy vaporized.

"Be careful." I warned.

"Yeah…it looks expensive." Nicolas said in awe. He handed it back to me.

I quickly shoved it into my front pocket before anything could happen. I only briefly tasted the …whatever before the jewel rested in my pocket.

"So is that what you were after?"

I nodded.

"So…" he prodded. "Continue."

"Well…like I said, I was getting impatient."

I frowned slightly from my perch. There was a battle going on right below me that I was not joining in. Neither side was really winning and the ogres with getting closer.

"Ezekiel…are you ready?" Tobias suddenly said.

I nodded, my frown instantly flipping.

"See where the battle is splitting?" He pointed with his sword. The blue balls were splitting apart slightly as to confront the two other groups. It seemed as if both groups had made a silent agreement to get rid of the weaker animals first.

There was a slight pause.

…snk …Sam! Wat-… My eyes widened. That was Silias.

…………REN-

"Ezekiel, Now!" Tobias leapt out, towards the battle.

I did my best to snap my focus back towards the battle. I morphed into a Kangaroo and sprung forward. I morphed back into my human form, flipping forward.

Tobias landed on the broken pavement, sword held high in both hands. A moment later I landed behind him, poised to strike in any fashion.

"Hiya!" Tobias leapt forward, towards the snake like creatures, blocking two tail strikes then decapitating those creatures.

I rushed the humanoid creatures. Leaping slightly, I split kick two heads away in directions not meant for them to go. As I tucked my feet back in, I reached forward, gripping another by it's shoulders and pulled it back with me as I land in a crouch. I twisted my body, smashing in the back of it's head with my elbow.

Looking back up, the humanoid mouths were gurgling. I leapt forward to strike them

"Careful Ezekiel, those things spit fire." Tobias warned nonchalantly, spinning and slashing at the same time.

As soon as I leapt forward, I registered what Tobias said.

"Crud!"

Too late.

Spitballs of fire shot out at me, little trails of embers in their wake.

I morphed into a Sugar Glider (flying squirrel) in mid sprint, spreading my arms out and making me float briefly over the spit. The hot spit singed my fur slightly. Mentally frowning, I morphed into a Jaguar and lunged forward, claws out.

Sl-Sl-Slash

The three humanoids dropped in place with fatal wounds along their jugulars. I morphed into a Lion and roared proudly before lunging forward pouncing on another humanoid, quickly clawing its head and decapitating it.

I turned my regal head to see a bulky creation of balls shaped like an overly ripped body builder without a head. It easily tossed one of the fire spitting humanoids aside. But the humanoids were swarming it, trying to overwhelm it.

I turn back around just in time for my senses tell me that the humanoids are trying to do the same to me. I morphed into a Kangaroo again and jump forward. My feet land on the front humanoid and I kick off. He flies into the far building as I back flip as a human. As I landed though, something was tingling my senses lightly, like a feather.

"Incoming!" Tobias shouted, jumping out of no where and decapitating four humanoids with a single slash. Unfortunately for me though, the tingling sensation did not stop.

"Nice…take all my fun." Tobias smiled back and aimed a hand at me. I ran at him full speed. Tobias shouted loudly, blasting a wave of hot telekinesis behind me as I leapt up high. I twisted in the air before coming down on the humanoid behind him, stomping on his face a few times before driving him into the ground. Tobias had blasted the humanoids away, smashing them into the far building.

"Please….you're still having fun." We had defeated a vast majority of the humanoids, for the rest were fighting the balls. Tobias had killed all of the scorpion creatures. But the tingling sensation remained.

"Looks like we still got more to come." I muttered. We both suddenly looked to my right, his left.

We had forgotten about the ogres.

But they didn't forget about us.

As we looked, a giant fist was swinging in a sweeping style towards us. I instantly morphed into a vampire bat, the giant fist barely missing me. Unfortunately, it slammed into Tobias, who barely had time to form a weak telekinetic shield.

Tobias cried out as he flew into an abandoned building, his brown bandana seemingly reaching out to me as he flew away.

But I had no time to try and save him. The fist quickly swung back at me.

I quickly reacted again, morphing into an Anaconda and wrapping myself around the fist. The Ogre growled out loudly, his rancid breath almost instantly filling the street we were on. It's three eyes burned with anger as I clung to it's yellow skin.

It lifted its fist up high to try and shake me off.

Let me help you with that big guy.

I let go.

As I fell towards him, I morphed into a Siberian Tiger and slashed at it's eyes.

Before my claws even got out, one of it's buddies had grabbed me in mid air. I mentally screamed out in agony as it nearly crushed my bones in one grab. But I did not have time to worry as it threw me into the ball creature.

I was completely stunned and felt destroyed.

Just one attack… I thought lethargically.

But I was lucky not to hit the ground.

I was in an even worse position.

The balls swarmed all over me, barely phased my weight, and I could feel small stingers jab into my skin. I tried crying out, voicing a warning. But I had had the air knocked out of me. A silent scream echoing against nothing.

I thought I could hear Tobias' voice calling out to me.

I briefly wondered if this was what it felt like to die.

It felt like it

But I wasn't.

My mind was still working…

Working overtime.

I could see strange images in my mind.

I thought I was hallucinating, dreaming, watching my life.

Watching something.

They were people.

People I didn't know.

A girl with blue hair

A man with scars and his ship.

A muscular male with spiky black hair.

A man with hands of fire

A boy with wings

A goddess and a demon with white hair.

Who are these people?

"…-kiel?"

…Tobias?

"Ezekiel!"

I reached out to the voice.

"HA!" I could feel the rush of air as Tobias telekinetically blasted the creatures off of me. Tobias reached down, helping me up off the ground. I looked up, slightly dizzy. But Tobias looked different. I couldn't place my finger on it yet, but something about him…felt different.

"Hurry Ezekiel, I need your help." Tobias said like he was in panic, but his voice was very calm.

"Here, take this jewel. It was the one we came for."

"What?" I responded dizzily.

"I was only able to stun the ogres, please." Tobias put an object in my hand. I clenched it, feeling the firm, jagged, ball shape.

As soon as I gripped, my eyes snapped open.

I was no longer dizzy.

And I could hear something.

"Tobias, do you hear that?"

"Nnnggh…where am I?" I thought, or thought that I had thought. But that was not my voice. It was deeper.

And everything around me seemed to slow, giving me a serene feeling. Calming my heart and making the battle move like trudging through a field of snow. Very slow. I watched as the orges smashed through the rest of the blue orbs. I even heard their miniscule cries for help that I had not heard before.

"Who are you?" the voice now sounded like it came from someone out of my head. It was deeper like the one in my head. But it was sleepy.

What's happening to me. I gripped my head as my body reacted to a panic. A panic that never happened. I looked calmly at the floor, my hands slowly sliding off my head.

"Ezekiel, pull it together!" Tobias said harshly.

I ignored him partially. I could feel dark energy swimming in and out of my pores. It danced with the small hairs near my temples, pulsing. My body was fully healed. And I did not feel a little tired at all.

"Come Ezekiel, we must kill the ogres." Tobias urged.

I do not ever recall Tobias sounding so urgent to kill. To fight? Yes. But to kill…it was odd.

But I snapped my head up and dropped my hands down. My eyes flashed briefly as my small hairs bristled.

I saw the Ogres outside.

"Ezekiel!"

I rushed outside, a thin, barely visible dust trail of dark energy behind me. I burst through the bricks, giving it no thought. I looked up, briefly facing off with the ogres.

A fist rushed at me.

Or would have.

"Feh…slow…" I nimbly dodged the arm and jumped straight at the ogre, surprising it. I am sure it was even more surprised when I morphed into a Lion and roared louder than before, slamming my claws through its eyes. With my front paws still inside of its eyes, I morphed into a Kangaroo and kick it in the throat. Roaring, I morphed into a bear and ripped my arms out, blood splattering away from me, like my aura prevented it from touching me. I roared mightily as I road the body down to the ground. The beasts blood burned off my hands as I looked up at the other ogres who were stunned.

They turned to leave but I was upon them. As an Amur tiger, I slashed their heels to ribbons before jumping up as a human and ramming my shin into one of their heads, then using my other foot to kick off it's temple, sending me, and my elbow into the other ogres face, snapping it back cruelly.

I landed nimbly as both of the ogres paused…then fell face first into the ground.

And I was barely panting. I looked down at my hand and watched as the jewel Tobias handed me magically appear back into my palm. Like it absorbed it self into my body as I fought.

Confusion.

I looked up at the battle scene. And it left no impression on me. Even past, deathless battles would find a small place in my memory. But it was like something was blocking me from remotely caring, even in the slightest. Despite being used to death, witnessing it still should have registered.

It didn't.

"Come Zeke, you-….our friends are in danger." Tobias was already hopping away, heading back to my home.

I didn't ask how he knew. Something told me he was right. And that scrambled radio message worried me. The jewel secretly slid back into my skin.

I morphed into a Serval, leapt high into the air, morphed into an owl and quickly flew after him, faster than ever.

We didn't even give a second glance to the massacre we had committed to those unfortunate creatures.

Nicolas looked at the hand in which he held the jewel. He quickly rubbed it against his pant leg, trying to remove any damage it might have done to him.

"You mean that Jewel has some kind of power?"

I nodded.

"Yeah, though I am still not sure what it completely does…it just makes me a lot faster and stronger…"

Nicolas shuddered. I had disposed of those thugs rather quickly, so a stronger version of myself might have scared him a bit. He quickly changed the subject.

"So what happened next?"

"Well….Tobias and I rushed to my home. It was amazing because I was able to move so fast now…it was like I had a jet engine attached. But when we got back to my home, Tobias and I were greeted by something we never thought we'd see."

Tobias and I landed silently. He cushioned himself with his mental energies while I had morphed into a cat, landing easily…silently.

Tobias and I had landed in front of a hillside. It was lightly charred from battle around the edges and the red sky only cast a shadow in our direction. I paused, listening for any signs of battle. The brief transmission I received still worried me.

I heard nothing.

I morphed back into my human form and Tobias and I both looked around, instinctively scanning the area. Something didn't feel right. And now we were both feeling it. I had heard nothing and Tobias looked uneasy. The 'bad vibes' rushed through our systems. But we couldn't see any enemies.

That is what worried us.

I gently palmed the ground and searched out for Terra.

"Terra…can you grant me access to the base."

The bad feeling began to ring in my head.

Wordlessly, a tunnel opened up.

Terra always speaks…

"Finally…lets get this bad feeling out of our systems Zeke." Tobias grumbled, walking towards the hole.

"Now what you have to understand is one of my powers gives me the ability to second guess what is just about to happen."

"Really…" Nicolas asked. "…like change the future style or annoying sibling style."

"Remember when Tobias asked if I had used my powers?" I continued. Nicolas nodded. "Well…one of the gifts I had gotten from my grandmother was this. In random moments of danger, my mind takes a mental snap shot of everything around me in a 20 foot radius. Then my mind makes my body react in my best interest. Kind of like a self preservation thing." I rubbed my chin thoughtfully. "In retrospect, I guess it would be like a combination power from both my grandparents. But the thing is, I can't use it constantly but I can't control when I use it either. My grandmother and I never got a chance to harness it."

"that's cool. So you can predict the immediate future around you?"

"…no…the power is random. It activates whenever it wants too."

"So are all your powers from your grandparents? Or did you get any cool powers from your parents? What about your father, he was probably badass…"

"…He died when I was young.." I responded.

Nicolas looked down, as if he had lost his own parents recently and shared my pain. I noticed his look and continued.

"Anyway…"

As Tobias walked forward, my mind took a picture.

Two rods of electricity were awaiting us 10 feet down into the hall and several men were behind the two who wielded the rods.

It was an ambush.

"Tobias! Look out!" I dashed forward and tackled Tobias as two bolts of electricity raced out of the fresh tunnel. We both rolled and I pushed myself off Tobias. I twisted quickly and morphed into a Serval, dashing forward briefly before leaping into the air. I morphed into a human in mid air.

Asing always check to make sure they got the kill.

As I predicted, the two soldiers who shot at Tobias came out right as I was coming down. I twisted and kicked down into the left one's neck, my weight causing its body to crumple down. But before the soldier completely fell, I reached out with my other hand and grabbed the soldier behind the head. I pulled the stunned soldier into a flying knee, knocking him out cold.

I looked down the hallway and quickly dashed in. The soldiers all reached for their sticks.

"RRRAUGH!" Tobias flew in behind me. I smiled and rolled forward as Tobias raced over top of me, stunning the soldiers with a quick mental blast. I leapt up and drop kicked a soldier into the wall before morphed into an owl monkey and hand springing backwards into another drop kick as a human.

When I looked up, Tobias had already slaughtered four others. Their weapons cut in half as were their necks.

One more soldier stood and he was between Tobias and I.

I moved forward to strike him but Tobias dashed ahead and the soldier lacked a head a split second later.

"Hey…" I frowned slightly. "That one was mine."

"Sorry Zeke, guess I owe you two."

That is the second time he called me Zeke… I thought.

"Let's go…" He said.

"Yes…we must find the others and see what is happening…this is really wrong."

Rena…I'm coming…stay alive damn it.

I stopped my story and reached into my hoodie, pulling out a small black box. The small black box that I had found my name in. I stared at it for a moment before I tilted my head back, looking straight up, trying to stare at the sky through the ceiling.

"…Rena…please be alright." I whispered.

"What did you say?" Nicolas asked.

"…" I closed my eyes for a second, bringing the box to my lips but not kissing it. I sucked in air deeply and exhaled it all through my nose.

I then tapped my forehead with the box and spoke.

"As we rushed towards Terra, to see what was the matter, we checked the rooms we passed to make sure there was no one hiding."

Tobias and I bounded through the hall A Tiger and a Telekenetic.

"Another room." Tobias pointed with his sword. I morphed back into a human quickly, keeping my stride.

"Got it." Tobias ran forward and I turned sharply into the wall. I leapt towards it, and morphed into a Kangaroo, using my momentum to help me coil my muscles faster. I pushed off the wall, twisted, morphed into a grizzle bear, and struck the door down before morphing into a human and rolling forward and to my feet.

Arms up in a guard as I scanned around.

Rena and Sam's room. Nothing out of the ordinary…except for…

I walked towards Rena's bed and pulled out a little black box that peaked it's head out from under the pillow. A small corner of white paper was also trying to hide from me, barely visible from the opening of the box. I pulled the corner out and turned it over.

For Zeke it said simply. I moved to open the box.

"Everything okay?" Tobias said.

I slipped the box into my pocket as reality slammed into me. Time for presents later.

With both anniversary presents in my little pouch, I dashed out and rushed towards Terra's area.

"So what's in the box?" Nicolas inquired.

I looked at it and pondered that same question.

"Not sure really…" I trailed off, now running through the possibilities in my head.

Nicolas rolled his eyes.

"Open it then…" Nicolas stated. "Jeas…people make things so difficult."

I paused and studied the box for a second.

"Well?"

I ignored him and continued.

"Rrraugh!" I leapt forward, knee first into another soldier while Tobias body checked one into the wall.

"We're almost at Terra, we can find out what's going on once we get there." I told Tobias, ducking under a swipe of electric fury. In fluid motion, my knee shot up, I twisted my hips and my leg flashed out, snapping the soldiers head back. I came back down and grabbed the soldier, moving behind him and throwing him into the rest of the soldiers ahead of us. Tobias quickly finished them off with slices to the throat.

Tobias and I rushed side by side, Tobias' sword slicing the air in between us.

"There!" I pointed to the end of the earthen hallway. Tobias and I looked at each other and nodded.

I leapt and rolled forward, landing in a crouch but battle ready. Tobias slid behind me, sword raised high as he scanned around us.

A soldier was sitting next to Terra's location, intense focus written out on it's features. . Several others were standing around, preparing to defend the soldier in meditation. Arty, the sladebot, was in pieces behind the others soldiers. All of the computers and technical equipment in the room was damaged, electricity sparking from each consol. And behind the group of soldiers was a tunnel carved out of the earth, supplying the group with two more soldiers, cautiously looking to see if it was okay.

All the soldiers, save the meditating one, looked at us.

Their rods were drawn instantly.

Electricty danced from them.

"Umm…"

They pointed them at us.

"Yeah…"

Tobias and I dove back into the hallway as a massive blast of electricity crashed into the wall that was behind us.

"Fricken random power…" I mutter.

"If you would have meditated more often, you could use your power more often. It wouldn't have to build up mental energy." Tobias admonished harshly. I growled back at him.

"Is now the time to bash on my training?"

"That soldier near Terra is on the Astral plane. He must be forcing her to do stuff from there." Tobias sat down into the lotus position, placing his sword on his lap. "I can go there and fight him but I need to focus, can you take care of the other soldiers?" Tobias was already settling in for his meditation.

"Guess I can." I mutter. I prepare to spring out.

Asing usually check the kill…If I strike now, maybe I can surprise them.

I leapt out of the hallway, and dove forward, snarling as I morphed into a lion to tackle the first opponent.

...only to morph into a rat to avoid two streaks of electricity.

Fuck me, this is new.

I morphed back into a human, spinning away from three streaks only to jump back from two more. I fell into a quick back flip to avoid a streak and spun to avoid four more.

It's impossible to figure out the locations of the soldiers and stay alive.

I morphed into a horseshoe crab, an electrical blast bouncing harmless off my shell but sending me back into a wall. I landed on the wall as a Kangaroo and leapt towards the ceiling, past three hot streaks of electricity. I morphed to a human as I bounced downward, knee first onto one of the soldiers, only to have a hot blast of electricity sear into my side, blasting me into the far wall.

Where is that fucking random power…

While against the wall, I managed a quick look.

Five soldiers were closing in on me while the two new ones were preparing to fire volleys.

I took a breath and leaned off the wall.

I was standing up, gesturing wildly when my hands stopped with my story. I stood up straight and looked at Nicolas.

"And then I heard a whisper."

"A whisper?"

I nodded. "Yes, like someone was just barely speaking, but doing so in my ear."

Nicolas sat in silence, awaiting my story.

"He said. 'Hey-"

" '-you, keep the boat steady, I just woke up."

"Who are you?" I asked the voice, still keeping my eyes trained on their movements.

There was a pause. Then I felt some kind of presence behind my eyes. I tried to blink but something wouldn't let me.

"It appears I am going to be your savior." He said as electricity broiled on the soldiers sticks.

The five soldiers all fired at point blank range.

I instinctively raised my arms up in an x-block over my face.

…

…

The blasts never hit.

I peered out over my arms, noticing the black tint to my vision.

A black shield similar to my grandmother's was protecting me.

Is Grandmother nearby?

"No…that was me…and so is this."

Something willed me to attack. So I let my instincts work.

I flung both of my hands forward, through the barrier. Two black hands reached out and grabbed two of the soldiers. I slammed them violently behind me before morphing into a lion and pouncing on the one directly in the middle. My teeth sunk easily into its neck.

I rolled forward, and threw the one with my mouth, sending it towards the two far soldiers, surprising them as their comrade flew into them.

I looked over my shoulder as two rods of electricity were about to come crashing down on my back. Whatever it was made me roll to the side and sweep my leg out, a bar of black energy extending out a bit. Both soldiers fell.

I caught the first one, snapped its neck then rolled forward, smashing my heel downward into the second one's face.

The animal instincts boiled heatedly. The predator inside of me.

"Hmm…you body is really agile and well-trained…oooh and what's this…it seems someone has a secret…" He dove into my psyche. I could feel it. I grabbed my head and roared out as a human, then a lion…a bear…and back to human again.

But as whatever it was dove into me, I could hear the crackle of electricity away from me. I turned my head, my k-9s morphing into elongated fangs. It was like that voice had found something in me…something primal.

I could smell blood…The blood of all my victims. The blood that was drying on my hands, then burning off. The almost intoxicating sulfur of death.

…I smelled something more fresh.

I turned my head and saw the one meditating combust, its body suddenly cut in many places and its head thrown back in agony.

Both of the soldiers looked to the side and saw Tobias suddenly rush towards them.

Swish-Sw-Swish

Tobias' blade sang it's siren song as the other soldiers were dead.

Nicolas eyed me.

"…what?"

"How did you get out of that….'primal state' you call it."

"Oh…Terra bitch slapped me with 100 lbs of stone." I said nonchalantly.

Nicolas's jaw dropped.

"Yeah, she was watching the entire time. And once Tobias defeated the person holding her in the astral plane, she quickly told us what happened. About the plan, the attack and all that good stuff."

"Wait wait, you let this Terra chick slap you with all that stone and you did nothing?"

I glared at him slightly. "If you were just hit with 100 pounds of stone...would you try to fight the person who did that to you?"

He chuckled nervously. "So what did you and Tobias do?"

"We rushed to help of course."

Tobias and I were once again sprinting, this time through a freshly made tunnel. I was starting to feel the effects of fatigue, even with the jewel.

"Ezekiel." I turned my head.

It was like Tobias had changed again. Like he was back to normal. He spoke to me with concern in his voice.

"What was that you did…I've never seen you do that before."

We just kept sprinting in silence as I tried to think of an answer.

Could I just tell him about the voice? The powers? What the jewel was doing to me?

"I don't know…"

Tobias slowed down. "Zeke wait a moment."

I slowed down with him. "What is it Tobias, we don't have much time.

He clenched a necklace I knew he didn't previously wear. That must have been what was different.

"He better not have lied…" Tobias muttered.

"Who lied Tobias?" Tobias seemed startled that I could hear them. He seemed to have forgotten I can hear well.

"No one…Ezekiel, let me see that jewel."

I blinked and looked down at my hand. With barely a mental command, the jewel appeared in my hand. Tobias quickly grabbed it and studied it. I voicelessly protested but never had the time to put air behind my comments as he quickly handed it back.

"Make sure this stays in your pocket…I think this jewel may be hurting you."

"No. It's helping me."

"Please." Sadness…on the verge of tears. His face had instantly changed into one of concern. "You are supposed to live Zeke…no matter what."

"Tobias…you're scaring me."

"Just please Zeke…fight without it."

I cautiously took it…then quickly shoved it in my pocket along with Rena's present.

"Fine…lets go."

"And that was the last smile I had seen from Tobias."

"What do you mean?"

I opened my mouth to continue my story. But I noticed Nicolas yawn sleepily and stretch outward.

"Maybe I should finish the story another time." I looked out the door and confirmed to myself that it was getting late.

Nicolas instantly protested. "No…" He yawned again. "Tell me now."

"…" I smiled at him. "Maybe another time Nicolas."

"No…come oooonnnn…." He whined. He was starting to act his age now. Not like some street hardened kid. …Not like a younger me.

I think I didn't want to continue the story because I was also afraid to relive what happened a few moments ago. A few moments ago for me anyway. A few years in the future for everyone else.

My face became resolute.

That is only a possible future. Now that I am back in the past…maybe I can change what happened…No…I will change what happened…even If I cease to exist.

I looked down at Nicolas who stared up at me with sleepy eyes.

"I promise I'll tell you sometime. But now, lets get you home…I can protect us both now, especially since it night time."

Nicolas pouted, almost making him look cute.

I did say almost.

I turned and offered my back.

"Hop on."

Nicolas told me he lived. I told him I knew where it was. Actually, I did not, but he had told me the building name and street address. And he was adamant about showing me the view of the bay he had. It was overlooking the Titans tower and everything he had said.

So I headed towards the bay. Grandfather had shown me where it was and I had gotten some limited practice in my water-morphs until the Asing thought it was helping the humans survive, and poisoned it.

As I left the desolate bus-station, I started through the poor neighborhood.

I felt at home.

Which made me feel relieved and sad at the same time. The buildings were in better repair and actually had paint on them. People walked freely through the streets, even though the moon was out. They appeared drunk. Whether it was on happiness or liquor, I didn't ask. But I did cast a weary glance towards the shady glances stolen at them.

Blue and red lights swirled in the air. A Jump City police office came out and scolded the drunks, escorting them into the car.

Though I appeared impassive as I walked forward, I was thankful that I had gone back far enough in time that Jump City still had a strong police presence.

I readjusted Nicolas and corrected my thoughts.

It's not strong…yet…

The poor neighborhood dissolved easily into a slightly better or at least livelier place. Apartment buildings rose up at least 10 stories and the bottom level of each building contained some type of store. Many of the stores were closed this late, but a few of the restaurants boasted 24 hour service and were open with the bars. I saw more drunks wondering the streets here, as well as many sober people just enjoying each other's presence, or sulking in it. The bright lights were definitely different for me as well since around this time, the Asing instituted a black out.

I sighed out.

I needed to ask for directions.

I stopped on a sidewalk and looked around, scouting for a place or someone I could get directions from. I stared around dumbly, not catching sight of anything helpful immediately. I turned to walk forward when-

Bam

I ran shoulder first into someone. I threw my back leg back and braced myself easily. I blinked and looked down, expecting to see the person had fallen. My eyes only caught black thigh high boots with silver on the top and on the soul of the boot on a pair of strong, shapely legs. They were quickly covered by a robe as my eyes ascended. Her upper body was also covered by the same brown robe but the hood had fallen. She had raven black hair that slid deep into the robe. Dark eyes glared at me, similar to a glare I had seen before. But her skin color was too pale to be who I thought it was. But those small eyebrows...

She quickly pulled the hood over her head and walked away, trying to be inconspicuous in a brown robe at night time in a busy part of town. I think you get where I am going.

I snorted and ignored her, walking forward in search of someone to help me when-

Bam.

I ran into someone else.

I swear to god…

This time it was a male. A male that fell down and landed on his faded black leather pants. I had to step back again, careful not to fall over.

"Man…I am drinkin too much." The man said, rubbing his head. As he stood up, I realized the only reason he fell down is because he was drunk. Otherwise, he held a good 7 inches over me and weighed a good 100 pounds more than me. His upper body was well defined, showing through a black shirt he wore. He had a small black goatee, a pair of small, blue hippie glasses in front of his green eyes, a small silver earring in his left ear and a spiky mop of black hair

"I apologize." I said almost monotone. I looked at him in the eye only to receive a drunken smile.

"S'alright little maaaaan…" He slurred slightly. "I'm just tryin to head to work…" He seemed to be coming out of his drunken stupor. "I need to sleep…" He muttered.

"Work that boring?" I asked without the slightest tone of amusement. He found it hilarious.

"Naaah….The people who own the place offered to put me up for a small cut in pay…" He started to ramble.

I believe this is the reason Grandmother told me to stay away from liquor.

"I am sorry to cut in on your rambling…but am I headed towards the Brownville Apartment Complex?" I was getting slightly annoyed.

"Brownville eh?" He hiccupped and then smiled again, not phased that I had interrupted him. "Yeah…follow this street till you hit the bay then turn right…you can't miss it."

I nodded and moved to leave. As I walked away, I heard him call out to me.

"Hey kid, if you're ever looking for a place to eat, look up the Black Orchid and ask for me, Trey!" He laughed out loud at himself and walked in the opposite direction.

I sighed and continued walking.

This city is full of nutjobs…

The town around me blended together as I felt myself slip into my thoughts. Images of walking through desolate streets, filled with nothing but the stale air of emptiness. Loud cries that I was forbidden to attend to.

At least this city is full of something…

I made myself march forward towards the bay. I followed the road like I was told. And even though I had all these people around me and even a small person clinging to me…I still felt alone. I was no longer with my family and I knew no one here…not technically. And I had no idea how to get home. I was stuck in the past. My past. or at least what came before I did.

I shook my head.

I tried to clear these thoughts away. They would only distract me.

I reached the end of the street. Ahead of me was a beautiful view of the bay. Beautiful and dangerous since if I went past the street, I would have fallen off the small cliff that rested there. The bay crashed softly against the rocky beach below. To my right, the clouds were beginning to roll in over the night sky, covering up the light. I wondered if it would rain and smiled despite myself, secretly hoping it would since I had not seen rain since I was 6. The moon was slowly being engulfed.

And to my left, was the infamous suspension bridge followed by…

"Titans Tower…" I said breathlessly.

That was it. That is where I had to go. I am sure that they were there. They could give me the answers. Dick, Kory…Victor…Grandfather and grandmother…

Nicolas clutched my hoodie in his sleep, becoming cold as the storm approached. I nodded to no one and turned right, heading towards Brownville apartments.

Once I take Nicolas home…I can go to mine…

I smiled to myself.

Maybe Victor has some sort of device…or Raven could possibly teleport me into some sort of dimension slip stream or something.

Ahead of me, a few feet away, I could see a wooden sign spread out in the middle of a buildings yard. In crisp, black lettering that I could only see when upclose, it read: Brownville Apartment Complex. Est. 1899.

"Psst…Nicolas….we are here." Nicolas groaned angrily as I began to set him down.

"Come on Nicolas…we are here…off with your small self." Nicolas stood up on his own feet.

Nicolas stretched out, yawning cutely and then scratched the back of his head.

"Hey Zeke, if you are looking for a place to stay…." Nicolas yawned again. "I am sure my sister wouldn't-…" Nicolas stopped as he turned around.

I wasn't standing behind him any more.

"…Zeke?"

I watched Nicolas from the top of the Brownville apartment building as an owl, making sure he went back inside the building unharmed. As soon as he did, I morphed back into my human form and started to watch the storm come in. I didn't want to impose on Nicolas, especially when I could see my home from here.

I wonder if Raven has already sensed my arrival.

The storm rumbled and lightning started to splash down from above.

I smiled slightly.

Maybe she'll freak out…

The storm rumbled closer and I stretched out.

I morphed into a lynx and padded around the roof, looking for a place to whether out the storm.

Wonder how Garfield will react…he'll probably freak out too.

I yawned as a cat.

I had found a small birdcage on top of the building and despite feline urges, crept under the cage and curled up

And I wonder how much Kory looks like Rena.

And my day's events began to come and hit me. My pure exhaustion and the realization and acceptance of being stuck. And unconsciousness seeped into my feline form, I wondered.

And I wonder if I'll cry when I see her…

End Chapter 4

AN: Again, I apologize for how long it took for me to put this chapter out. Keeping stuff updated is really hard, especially when I want it to be good. But I am sure most of you reading this stuff know that from experience. Anyway, thanks, and keep reading, I will keep updating, just slowly.