Hello all! How is everyone? Fine I hope. I just finished up chapter two hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Read and Review please. Story on!

Disclaimers: I do not own D.C. or Marvel's characters. So leave me alone.

Chapter 2: New Year

The dark man that watched the Titan's bout with Dr. Light entered a dark room. His charcoal armor clanked as he walked, on the right side of the breastplate was a red crest that was too small to see without being up close. Under the armor was black garments, and connected to the broad shoulders was blood red cape fluttering in the wind behind him. He stopped in the center of the room before a large throne and stood there, and out of nowhere two servants removed his cape and handed him a silver goblet. He continued walking ascending the stairs seating on his ebony carved throne with rubies and gold adorning it. He looked out across the room noticing his head advisor awaiting direction taking a sip from his goblet he asked the advisor,

"Mr. Simmons what do news do you have for me?" The dark man pierced the older man with his icy blue eyes. A man that looked to be in his 70's stepped forward. He had salt and peppered colored hair, dull dark brown eyes with bags under them from age, and pale wrinkled skin. He wore dark red robes with the same crest as the dark man's except it was black a Serpent wrapped around a Dragon strangling it.

"My lord General Saxton has yet to return from his mission, and we have not located a body for the entity. We"

"So I have been gone for 5 hours today and you have done nothing that I asked?" The handsome dark lord's deep voice growled. Simmons began to back up as sweat poured from his brow.

"My lord I assure you that everything is being done to" Simmons eye went wide as the dark man rose off of his throne. The dark lord walked down the stairs chanting something softly and his eyes went red as he pointed out and arm mentally picking the advisor by his neck choking the life out of him, a scowl covered his beautiful face.

"When I tell you I want something done you get it done!" he yelled choking the old man tighter.

"Please. . .don't kill me. . .my lord. I. . .will not . . .fail you another time." The old man pleaded between breaths.

"Now, now my Lord did you miss me? I think so if you are trying to kill the head advisor. I found him whom, you seek." General Saxton said leaning against the wall smiling at the scene before him. "Oh do relax my Lord you'll give your self an ulcer if you don't." The dark lord dropped the Head Advisor.

"What took you?" He growled barring his fangs.

"My lord, when have I have I ever disappointed you?" The dark lord simply growled in response, causing the general to chuckle at him. "Temper, temper my lord. I have found him, and he will be here in a matter of days." At this the lord raised a black brow, "He has other matters to attend to first.

"Soon I shall have what I want."

Ororo and Terra sit outside of the dressing room Raven went into over an hour ago. Starfire was waiting on her like the others, but became impatient and bursting on Raven closing the door behind her. Raven's protest and curses could be heard from the other side of the dressing room door. Ororo and Terra laughed when Starfire squealed in delight at a pretty outfit whereas Raven growled and threaten to kill Starfire in the most painful way known and unknown to man.

"I am not putting that on Star!"

"Why not friend, it is a lovely dress."

"What are you doing Starfire? Put me down I don't want to try that dress. Starfire! I'm going to put your eyes out with my nail file if you do not stop zipping this dress."

"There! You look stunning friend show Ororo."

"I don't want to this dress is hideous!" Suddenly the door swung open revealing Raven wearing a pink strapless dress hugging her curvaceous body with white ruffles at the bottom of the dress. Terra bursting into a fit of laughter as she stared at Raven's face.

"Raven, if looks could kill I think we would all be dead." Terra said her laughter hitting a crescendo when Raven growled at her. Ororo on the other hand had a hand holding up her chin the other on tucked under her arm. She studied Raven very carefully

"I do not like it. The color is all wrong for her skin."

"I think it is lovely." Starfire said staring at Raven. Storm looked at Raven and could tell she was losing her patients.

"Raven, you liked the black halter dress did you not?" Raven looked at Storm and gave a nod.

"Yes. Can we go now?"

"I'm with Raven! I'm ready to grub." Terra said slinging herself back in the chair beginning to pout. Storm looked at her then smiled,

"Terra and Raven are correct. Everyone has found their outfits for tonight. There is no reason to prolong Raven's suffering. Let us make our purchases and depart."

"Can we getsome food?" Terra beamed.

"Yes child. We can get nourishment." The girls made their purchases and headed to the food court. Ororo went to the sushi line, Raven got Chinese food, Terra got pizza, and Starfire got large quantities of mustard. They set at a circular table and began eating. Terra looked over at Raven and noticed she was just picking at her food.

"Two things. . ." Terra began getting the dark empath's attention as well as everyone else's.

"What?" Raven said in a usually dry monotone.

"First what's bothering you? Two are you going to eat that egg roll?" Ororo chuckled softly.

"Two answers, number 1 nothing and 2 put your hand in my plate andyou willdraw back a numb."

"Oh come now Raven. You might as well tell them. They are going to find out tonight anyway." Storm said shuffling her sushi about. Starfire gagged at the sushi which Ororo caught her not missing a beat, "I don't know what you are gagging about, you are the one eating plainmustard."

"But I hear that fish is not cooked, am I correct?"

"You are correct my friend. Here taste." Storm popped a piece of sushi in Starfire's opened mouth before she could close it with the her wooden chop sticks. Starfire's face held a scowl at first then turned into a more pleasant one.

"You are right friend, Ororo. This dish is rather delicious! More please!" Storm fixed her chopsticks and placed another piece of sushi in the alien's mouth. "Thank you. Would you like to try my mustard?"

"No thank you. And if you try to place it in my mouth as I have done to you I shall strike you with lightning." Starfire quickly placed the mustard back on the table. Raven and Terra both burst into a fit of laughter, while Storm merely smiled again shuffling through her sushi. Raven's expression turned to a more serious one,

"Okay, Storm's right. I'm going to tell you, and this my be sort of a shock. . ."

"Just spit it out already." Terra said finishing up her last slice of pizza.

"Yes friend the suspense is overwhelming." Starfire exclaimed putting a spoon full of mustard in her mouth. Storm cringed at the sight and Raven rolled her eyes at them,

"Ravanager and I have been dating for about seven months now." Raven said with a sigh closing her eyes afterwards expecting a huge ruckus. She opened her eyes when they did not react.Looking at everyone with a purple brow raised, "Okay where are the fireworks? The painful hugs? The shocked expressions? Not even bulged eyes of suprise?"

"Uh. . .Raven we are ready know. We've known for months." Terra said taking a sip from her drink.

"Yes friend. That is what you call ancient history." Starfire said in proper context getting amazed stares from everyone. "Oh did I say it wrong?"

"Um. .no surprisingly." Raven looked at Starfire. "O-kay I'm going to announce it to everyone at the party tonight." Now she got the reactions she was looking for.

"This is glorious news." Starfire said pulling Raven into a painful hug.

"Oh man it's about time. B.B. and I thought you would never 'fess up. You know Cyborg, Changeling, and I have been taking bets. It looks like Cyborg won." Terra closed her mouth when she noticed Raven's death glare. "Shutting up now."

"I believe that is best." Storm said putting another piece of sushi in her mouth. "I told you everyone knew, except Nightwing that is. He's a tad bit slow when it comes to gossip, but let your love life involve a villan he would know before you do." Storm said humor clearly evident in her voice. Terra looked at Ororo then a sly grin appeared on her face,

"What I'm waiting on is Nightwing and Storm to come on out and confess that they like each other."

"Excuse me." A very uptight Storm asked. Somewhere in the distance clouds began to form.

"You like Nightwing?" Starfire asked innocently.

"This could get ugly." Raven said diving into her sweet and sour chicken. Storm looked trapped the sound of thunder could be heard.

"It is alright if you do. Nightwing are friends now and were meant to be simply that. I love Cyborg now. If you love him then you should go to him and tell him so."

"Thank you for your blessing Starfire. . ." She said playing with what was left of her sushi. "But I can't."

"Why friend? I said I do no mind. Nightwing is no longer mine. Besides he's crazy about you. Everyone knows that."

"She can't because of she is afraid of her powers." Raven answered for her, "But you forget Storm, my powers work like yours, with emotion, and Ravanger and I are dating. We kiss, I laugh, and I get angry with him and nothing has blown up or anything. If you feel your powers slipping out of control tell him and he will know what to do. Trust me I not like those two nuts over there. . ."

"Hey! I resent that!" They both shouted

"I'm not a hopeless romantic I dealin logic, and logic says if there is a will then there is a way."

"B.B., Um. . .I mean Changeling and I are living proof of that. He didn't give up on me and look at us. We are happy together." Terra said looking over at Storm's sushi, "You gonna eat that?" Ororo shook her head no and Terra took the container finishing off Ororo's meal,

"Thank you. Thank you all. I will try to make it work."

"Dude I so kicked your butt!" Changeling got up doing a victory dance.

"No, you didn't." Cyborg said calmly watching the victory dance of Changeling stop instantly.

"How are you going to sit up there and lie like that dude?"

"Because you snatched the controller from my hand." Cyborg pointed the controller across the room.

"Oh. . .heh he. My bad?" Changeling said scratching the back of his head. Just then Nightwing entered the room with a perturbed look on his face.

"Have either of you seen Ravanger?" Both me shook their heads. "Oh. I really need to ask him something."

"He got a call on his cell phone and we haven't seen him since." Cyborg spoke as he walked across the room to retrieve the controller.

"Did he say when he was coming back?"

"Dude he didn't say he was leaving." Changeling said turning back around to play the game. There was a knock on the door, "I got it!" Changeling yelled running to the door. In the doorway stood a short but muscular man with wild hair with connecting sideburns. Wearing a red flannel shirt and dark blue jeans, and from his lip hung a cigar. His companion was much the opposite standing 6'3powerful blue eyes, an aged but handsome distinct face, his head was bald. He wore a dark blue suit and yellow tie and vest.

"What's up bub?" The short and stout man said tipping his head in Changeling's direction.

"Um. . .who are you?"

"Forgive me where are my manners? I, amProfessor Charles Xavier, and this is my colleague Logan Howlett." Changeling's face was still blank.

"I'm Ororo's father."

"Oh! Why didn't you say so come in." Changeling stepped aside letting the two men enter.

"Who is at the door?" Nightwing shouted from the den. His question was answered as the two men entered the room.

"You must me Storm's father." Nightwing extended his hand to Charles. "She's told us so much about you."

"All good I hope. Where is my daughter?" Xavier began looking around.

"She went to the mall with the other girls. They should be back any minute now. Have a seat, is there anything we can get you?" Nightwing asked politely leading them to the couch.

"No thank you I'm fine."

"Got any beer?" Logan asked Nightwing, who gave a sly smirk,

"You got lucky. We usually don't keep it in the house because the girlsdon't allow it, and most of ushere aren't heavydrinkers anyway, but we have some for the party. Ororo says you drink Canadian Beer?

"That's right. My girls looking out for me." At that response Nightwing held an awkward expression,

"Changeling go get Logan a beer."

"I'm on it boss." Changeling said leaping over the couch.

"So. . .Ororo must look like her mother, because she doesn't really resemble you? Oh wait she has your eyes!" Cyborg asked after studying Charles for a moment.

"Oh. I adopted her when she was 9. I was touring Africa and she picked my pocket and I chased her down. I found that she was stealing for a man named Akbhor Hiseada a.k.a The Shadow King. He abused children and forced them to steal for him, but he had an obsession with Storm, because of her powers and beauty. Her village worshiped her as well believing she was a goddess, because she could control the weather."

"Is it true you have powers too?" Changeling reappeared with Logan's beer.

"Yes. I am a telepath and so was the Shadow King. We dueled on the Astroplane for Ororo. I won and she has been my little girl ever since."

"Wow. What happened to the Shadow King?" Nightwing asked truly amazed with the story.

"I am not sure. We have not heard from him in awhile."

"Awhile?" Cyborg asked

"Well she use to get horrible nightmares about him. He would attack her mind when she was sleeping. But I taught her to build mental shields and the nightmares havestopped."

"She's back." Logan said taking a swig of beer. Sure enough Ororo and the others entered the room.

"Who's back, oh." Cyborg looked dumb after seeing a flash of white hair

"How did you know that dude?" Changeling asked astoundment on his green face.

"I could smell her."

"So you have powers too?" Cyborg asked the mountain man.

"Yeah."

"Daddy!" Ororo screeched running to her father. He picked her twirling her around in his arms.

"How's my little girl been doing?"

"I've been well. Everyone this is my daddy, and this is my best-friend Logan." Starfire flew over to greatCharles to greethim.

"I have heard so much about you! Is true you can read minds!" Charles gave a nod, "Glorious!"

"I'm Terra. Put 'er there." Terra said shaking his hand. Raven glided over to him with a small smile on her face,

"Hello Raven. I have heard many great things about you. It would appear that my daughter has met her match."

"I suppose sir."

"Come on daddy. I'll show you my room." The two left out of the room. Raven looked over a Logan who was finishing up his beer,

"So you are the infamous Logan, huh?"

"The one and only darlin'"

"So would you like to be my friend?" Logan looked puzzled.

"Um sure." Suddenly he was encased by to powerful arms. He looked strangely at everyone, "Is she always so jolly?"

"I'm afraid so." Ravenanswered the man.

Four hours has gone by and the party was going great. Everyone was dressed to the nines. The girls had on formal dresses and the guys had on their tuxes. Even Logan wore his tux. It was 5 minutes till the New year entered. Everyone looked up as Ravanger tapped his glass. Raven looked paler than usual as she stood beside Ravanger holding his hand tightly.

"Um. . .everyone we have something important to tell you."

"Don't chicken out now. Keep going."

"Shut-up." Raven said through gritted teeth. "Um. . Ravanger and I have been dating for the past 7 months."

"Um. .duh!" Cyborg said, "We already know."

"You have been what? You guys knew?"

"See I told you it wouldn't be that bad." Ravanger whispered in her ear.

"Well people I don't mean to take over but it is less than 30 seconds to countdown." Terra said glancing at the clock.

"Why don't you make the lightning dance for us Ororo." Charles asked his daughter.

"Yeah." was the response she got. She shrugged,

"To the roof."

"I got it." Raven said, "Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" Everyone was enveloped in black power and they were on the roof by the time they opened their eyes. Ororo took the skies her ivory dress billowing in the wind as she soared higher,

"I call upon Thunder and Lightning! Heed my command!" The electricity crackled around her body and the countdown began,

"10. .9. .8. .7. .6. .5. .4. .3. .2. .1 . .Happy New Year!" Everyone screamed to the top of their lungs. The sky held a dancing lighting bolt and roaring thunder through out the sky. Storm was clever enough to make the lightning to slam into each other causing firework effects. Nightwing watched her every move drinking in her grace. Her eyes fell on him and a smile graced her face as she flew to him. He reached for her and she drifted into his arms,

"Happy New Year Nightwing."

"Happy New Year Storm."

So did you like it? I hope you did. I had fun writing this chapter and I hope you enjoyed reading it. Please leave a review telling me you liked it or if I need to improve something? Oh by the way I could not remember Shadow King's real name so forgive me, I made it up.

gracefulraven,

out!