A/N:

SeantheImp: The Ni'taini are just basically different colored sparrows. I haven't been explaining them very much because of the fact that the main character wouldn't look twice at them. The A'neaka will be translated in this chapter, so I'm not explaining that species. The other creatures / animals will be better explained, though.

Hotshot45: There's some action in this chapter, but you gotta realize that the main character's been trained for war. That means strike quickly, and with overwhelming force. No drawn out battles... yet, anyway. And yeah, the Titans 'meet' the new guy this chapter.

Earth Understanding and Lightning Strikes

I woke up, and slowly maneuvered myself out of the zero G unit. The headache I always had… it was gone. That 'damn pill' had finally finished up, and done a better job than I had hoped. I probed the new memories, and grinned. I could ACTUALLY pose as a human, and probably get away with it, even under pressure.

I walked towards the kitchen. From now on, I'll try to function like a human. I'll need the 'practice', so I don't slip.

&&&&&

Toiréasa looked at me skeptically, then snorted. "Well, we'll eventually run out of food. You sure that thing's right?"

I smiled at her. "It basically takes samples from the populace. I know basically all the standard things that an average human teenager my age would be expected to know, and more. One of those things is about the Teen Titans."

"And…"

"And they're a superhero group, suppressing crime. So long as we don't break the laws of the land, we'll be fine."

"And you know them?"

I nodded slowly. "Yes. We won't have to worry about it."

Toiréasa sighed. "Sounds almost too good to be true, but with you summoners, there's no guessing. Especially the Grand ones… either they're completely crazy, or idealistic…"

I shrugged – usually, it was true. Summoning energies tended to affect sanity. My naka, Tuán, a summoner who I supposedly have about the same energy levels as, went mad due to his power. My classmates expected me to go the same way… I never did. I never called Shadow creatures, or… demons, humans call them. Oh yes, those foul beasts exist…

I looked at Toiréasa, and smiled slightly. "I'm not like my naka in terms of madness. I'm crazy, but you cannot be completely sane, for then you would be considered insane…"

Her eyes narrowed, then she sniffed slowly. "I wasn't insinuating anything. What now? Since you seem to have a handle on Earth relations, it doesn't make sense to sit back and spy, trying to understand."

I took a breath, and said slowly, "I want to help." Toiréasa's eyes narrowed, and I continued, "I want to… lend my powers here. I can't sit around idle, and do nothing."

Toiréasa asked me carefully, "Is it what the Earthlings call 'heroism'? You want to become a…" She trailed off, searching for the word. I nodded before she had to say it. "Yes, to be honest. An old dream. I wanted to end the war… before reality set in, and I grew up about ten cycles in one moment. Here… well, the child in me wants to be one of those heroes. It wants to believe it can do some good."

Toiréasa sighed. "I knew already that this would happen, and I've made my peace with it. You might wish to consult the Wiseman, but you seem determined."

I blinked at her suggestion. The Wiseman, as the being is called, is an immortal creature that exists on several planes of existence that humans and even Ocisishuhyans do not. It has a great store of wisdom, and is quite fond of dispersing advice to us mortal creatures. He is sometimes regarded as a Keeper of True Wisdom, though he has told us time and time again that he is not one, but merely a being that enjoys his purpose in existing.

"Toiréasa, I think that would be wise." I walked to the large room. It had a cleared area that was large enough.

Toiréasa padded after me, then asked curiously, "Don't you need supplies to summon that being?"

I snorted softly, shaking my head. "I have… a divine gift. Blame the A'neaka for it, but I do not need materials to perform my art. All I need is my own personal energy, and summoning hardly even drains that."

She stared at me. "I've seen you skip steps in the summoning process… by Lir… you might be able to turn the war, if you were on the front lines."

I sighed softly. "If only my superiors understood it. Only the man I reported to really understood my gift, everyone above him thought I just had a special spark that would burn out quickly, like the previous Ocisishuhyan with my name..."

"They thought you would go mad, and call infernal beings if you saw the carnage."

I sighed, and nodded. "I snuck onto the front lines anyway, and managed to pull a few victories out of defeats, letting others take the credit. But… he was right to evacuate me. They learned of my existence, and the fact that I was the one causing victories out of absolute slaughter. If I wasn't on a planet they don't care about, I'd be dead." I sighed, and said, "Enough distractions. Let me work."

Toiréasa backed away, into the sheltering arch of the kitchen. I stepped into the cleared area, and set myself, left side leading. I spun the rod around in a grand circle, then planted it into the carpeting of the room. Chanting softly, I touched the razor-sharp part of the staff, cutting open my hand. The trickle of blue blood ran onto the staff, sizzling for a moment before it disappeared.

I curled my finger over the cut-open palm. It began to glimmer slightly, and I raised it upwards. In a very old language, older than the Ocisishuhyan culture itself, I said, "The price has been paid. Some of life's essence to break the barriers of time and space. Wiseman, I wish to learn."

My palm glimmered even more brightly, and I held it downwards. Trickles of light poured from the cut, and flowed on their own, making a circle. The circle shined brightly, and a glowing presence appeared. It blinded me for a moment, then dimmed. I saw the single eye of Wiseman, and sighed, relieved, as my palm stopped stinging.

Wiseman's white eye turned to me, and I could feel a faint essence of amusement. You never could see Wiseman, except for the white eye, the rest of the being was impossible to determine under the cloak. After I took a seat, Wiseman spoke, "Well met, Ka'vaknarai to the A'neaka. It is strange for me to be called to such a location."

I smiled at the shrouded figure. It was rather short (only the size of a human child), but size meant nothing. "I am in exile… for safety reasons. We are loosing the war, you know."

Wiseman's hood nodded slowly. "True. Though I fail to understand the superiors of your superior, in their fear of you. You are one of the few Ocisishuhyan minds that I enjoy speaking with."

I chuckled. Last time, he'd shown up on his own (that was unprecedented), and personally THANKED me for removing the gias from our summonings. So had the A'neaka, but that came later. "Well, you know why I have called."

Wiseman's hood nodded, and I could feel the faint amusement again. "Of course I know. I cannot decide for you, you know that. All I can offer is advice."

I nodded in return. "Of course. If you would advise me?"

Wiseman paused, probably to collect his thoughts. That's the one thing we can determine – Wiseman is male. "I see three paths for you. Hiding, which you have already disposed of. Becoming a lone vigilante… or nearly so." Wiseman looked over at Toiréasa. "You would be welcomed, yet at the same time feared. You would also have to find some way to support yourself; you shall be remaining on this planet for many of its years, if not your natural life, barring a miracle…" He trailed off.

I prompted, "And the third?"

Wiseman's eye locked onto my two eyes. "Joining with either the Justice League, or the Teen Titans. Your martial skills are beyond average, and you are one of the strongest wielders of the Art on this plane of existence. Among them, you would be a variable and useful companion, for your skills allow you to be flexible, yet ridged at the same time."

I added quietly, "And I'm used to working in a small tactical group."

Wiseman nodded quietly. "This universe has many diverse peoples. The Green Lantern corps are peacemakers, and they would be horrified if they were to discover the extermination your people are under. They would send an entire team to try to sort out the matter… if they could. Alas, they cannot… your galaxy is practically in another universe."

I nodded slowly. "But my people can be Sent to other places, like I was. So far, They have yet to show the ability to be able to exterminate what does not exist outside our galaxy."

Wiseman nodded. "And they will not be able to escape the prison of their own making. Their biological systems are so specialized to the world you call 'home' and their own, that they cannot leave it. Their bodies would fail, and they would die most painfully. Your kind, on the other limb, is a rather flexible species. It is a pity the Rationalists are so bent on destroying your kind, I was always fond of your species."

I sighed. "We live on, Wiseman. You, of all beings, should know that."

He snickered. "Indeed. But I must confess, I shall be watching over you, young Tuán. Since you are determined to do something, the ripples of your choice shall make for an interesting watching. Especially since the Justice League is looking for your signature…"

I coughed in shock, then thought about it. It made sense, now. "Oh dear. They think I'm an invading alien, don't they?"

Wiseman's cloak rose in a shrug. "They assume little. They fear at worst you are a scout for invasion. Since you are not, I doubt they will detain you, you have hardly done any wrong. Not to mention several of their leaders are not human…"

I sighed, then bowed slightly. "Any other choice tidbits you would care to toss to this dog?" I smirked slightly.

Wiseman laughed. After his laughter quieted, he said "Only those who try can achieve." His hood looked towards me, and the eye narrowed. His cloak began to smoke, and Wiseman disappeared.

Toiréasa said quietly, "I never knew Wiseman could be so strange. I always thought of him as being dignified."

I shrugged slightly. "He really can't be packed into a box, or whatever the phrase is."

Toiréasa snorted, and looked up at me. "Well, he narrowed things down at least. But why you insist… never mind. You were on the front…"

I nodded quietly. "Now do you blame me?"

She shook her head. "That hell drives some insane. That you still believe in goodness… it is a good sign. I can't fault you. What do you want to do?"

I looked at her, taking a moment to think. If I did a lone vigilante type thing, I would mostly be alone. And… the war had made that option always look bad to me. You died ALONE. Even if you were surrounded by others (some dying), you still died alone. And I did not desire to be dead, or alone.

I looked over at the bi'waga. "Join some existing heroes, if we can. The Teen Titans are a possibility, but first, we will have to talk to that… Justice League."

She sighed. "You'll have to give one heck of a signal for them to find you. Your summoning is one of the quieter Arcanus abilities, after all. A Sending would work, but what would you send?"

I shrugged. "Scratch that, let's just play hero for awhile. We'll eventually run into another hero, and they might help us out with that."

Toiréasa snorted, then sighed. "Well, we'd best do it. If you would…" I picked her up, and held her towards my back.

&&&&&

"Hey mister, care to donate to charity? I've got a sick sister, man."

I frowned silently, watching from a rooftop. Five strong humans collecting charity from this impoverished place… not likely. Robbery, likely.

The elderly man stared at them, then continued to walk along. They surrounded him, and the same male said, "Well, that ain't friendly…"

I jumped off the building, and quietly flew towards them. I knew how it was going to go now. The same guy continued, "Maybe we ought to teach ya how to contribute… gleh!" The rest of his wiseass comment had been cut off by my kick from behind, sending him flying into one of his 'friends'. I dropped in a crouch, then straightened slowly, holding my staff in an offensive pose. I smirked silently at them, then flicked the staff slightly upwards.

Some summoners have an ability called 'quicksummon'. It allows them to summon something (or someone) that they have a tight link with, with only sheer mental concentration, taking only moments (perhaps a second). I actually do not have that gift… but I still can use it to call a few 'friends'. The Speaker of the A'neaka gave me a draught of something to drink. Ever since, I've been able to call A'neaka species to myself, from the lowliest to the upper echelons, the great species. All of them. To them, I have become Ka'vaknarai… roughly translated, 'dragon-speaker' for them in the ranks of my people. But the title is quite serious for them…

I concentrated on one old friend that I'd regularly spoken with. He was an ancient A'neaka, wise, but with a wicked sense of humor… and massive, even for his kind.

With ethereal flashes of lightning, I jumped back several feet. The form took shape from the lighting – sparkling jaw, forelegs with rather small claws, but still lethal, hind legs capable of supporting the bulk of the entire body… and of course, the wings that were broader than the street.

He turned his head towards me, then the five humans (and elderly one). Hissing quietly, his breath shot out beams of energy, striking the five men surrounding the elderly one. He chuckled quietly, then cupped his wings, taking flight upwards.

A'neaka… whatcha going to do? I walked over slowly to the elderly human, then said quietly, "they did not harm you, did they?"

He looked at me, then slowly shook his head, walking away at a fast walk / stumble. I watched him go, then quietly shook my head. I was still dressed in my 'work outfit', as I liked to call it. It wasn't that different… but maybe it was the wings.

Does it really matter? We're out to get attention like this. The more different you are, the better.

I nodded quietly, and looked up towards where he had flown off. Knowing him, he probably felt something. I spread my wings, started running, and jumped into the air, winging after him.

&&&&&

I stopped. I could see him hovering over a site. He turned to me, then pointed his head downwards.

A human in a… strange outfit was firing bursts of light. "I shall be taking my leave now…" He slung a bag over his shoulder, turning.

I frowned, and nodded to him. We'd done a combat maneuver before, and a signaled for the same trick on this one. Except I'd play decoy.

I dropped down, landing quietly. I must have caught his attention, because he turned towards me. I studied him for a moment, then chuckled. "Going somewhere?" I twirled my staff, holding it like a blade, aimed at his throat.

He stared at me for a moment, then shot a ball of light. I frowned, and held the staff in front of me at an angle, deflecting the blast. The staff shook, reverberating from the blast. I smirked at him, then said quietly, "Kell."

Before the strange human could react, a blast of lighting struck him from above. He convulsed, and fell over. Kell (the Shock… Dragon… well, that's the best translation I can manage into human) slowly came downwards. I looked over at the building he had been targeting, and shook my head quietly. A bank, and money was falling out of the bag. Humans inside were looking on quietly.

Sighing, I struggled to check him for vital signs of this strange being. I found a pulse, but it was weak. I turned to Kell, then said gently, "He's alive, but barely. Nice shot."

His jaws lifted in a draconic grin, and he folded his wings to his side, looking contented. "Well, this is a strange place, Ka'vaknarai. Why are you not on the front lines?"

I sighed, and turned my attention away. "I've… been sent to safety, old friend." I walked to the bank, and pushed the doors open. I said in a carrying voice, "You will need to summon medical services, but he is not going to awaken for some time."

A man in a blue uniform narrowed his eyes at me, then spat, "and what about your scaly friend?"

I smiled slightly. "We're leaving." I turned, letting the doors fall shut behind me. I nodded to Kell, and he spread his wings, bounding upwards with a single stroke of his massive wings. I sprinted in the direction he flew off towards, jumping into the air, following.

&&&&&

&&&&&

A blue and silver car raced to the scene a mere twenty seconds after the two left. A human eye widened at the sight of Dr. Light collapsed, as the driver parked the vehicle.

The other Titans arrived at the same time, and they stood together, studying him. Robin said quietly, "He was electrocuted. Cyborg?"

Cyborg checked his lifesigns with his scanner, then shrugged. "He'll live. Electricity didn't even burn his skin, just knocked him out really hard."

A witness from the bank walked up to them, then said in a tired voice, "You're a bit late. Some weirdo with wings and a dragon dealt with this… scum."

Beast Boy said in a shocked voice, "Did you say dragon?"

The middle-aged man nodded. "Yea. Big thing, took up the whole street with its wings. The… other guy looked kinda like Hawk Girl, except with blue wings, and a staff. And no mask."

Beast Boy had a confused look on his face. "I thought dragons breathed fire and ate people!"

Raven frowned at him. "Some do. But it looks like whoever he was, he's able to control one." She paused, then continued in a wry tone, "Why don't we ask him, he's watching anyway." She looked up, and a winged figure was easily seen standing atop the very bank they were standing in front of. A cloak was hanging over him, hiding his face, but the wings still stood out. He turned, and walked away from the ledge. Starfire gasped, and jumped into the air.

Cyborg called out, "Star, you see 'em?"

She peered about, then shook her head. "No! He has… vanished."

Robin looked over to Raven. She shut her eyes for a few moments, then sighed, lowering her hood slowly. "I cannot sense his presence. It disappeared… almost into thin air."

A single blue feather drifted from the roof, and landed on the still form. Robin picked it up, then pocketed it for later.

&&&&&

A figure appeared in the city park, shedding a cloak. Strangely, he hadn't been seen before he took off the cloak. He reversed it (somehow, his wings always slipped through the cloak, except for when he needed it for him to be invisible), and then walked towards a tree in the middle of the park.

Problem was; he wasn't going to be the first one there.

Sandstone: Wow, was that a cliffhanger?

FoS: I don't think so. A bit weak for a cliffie. Who's there, Slade? Bah, you hate him.

Sandstone: With a passion, because he's the most overblown and grandose villian I have ever seen. Well, besides the 'binder' series, which made me want to puke. But still...

FoS: Crap, it is Slade, isn't it?

Sandstone: (Sing-songingly) I'll never tell... until next chapter. Bwahaha!

Stupid1058: (Facepalms) That's my line!