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Stone Prison

By: Demonabyss

Chapter 2: Searching

I walked for sometime into the city. It was cold and damp, but it didn't bother me nearly as much as it once would have. People didn't bother to look at me as I walked by, to which I was glad. I had picked up some old clothes from a charity box on the outskirts of the city before heading deeper. I wore a pair of old black sweatpants, a torn gray tee shirt, an old jacket with a hood, a dark blue scarf, and an old newsboy cap over my head. I was happy those things on my head were gone from Slade's control suit. The rest of the armor had transmuted into what I wore when I first woke up. As happy as I was to be rid of that blasted suit somewhat; it did make me stand out a bit. These new clothes made me blend in better as well as hiding my stone form when it slips.

After getting the clothes I had stopped by a soup kitchen. Though I learned I could just absorb what I needed from the earth in my stone form, I wanted something in my stomach for a change, regardless of what it was. In any case, I was now wandering Gothem looking for a job. Any job. I walked past an electronics store with TVs playing in the window. It was a newscast, about an earthquake? I stopped and looked, a lump forming in my throat as I guessed at what it was about.

"In recent news, Seismologists, Geologists, and Meteorologists are still baffled by the massive 5.2 earthquake and sandstorm phenomenon that happened just 200 miles south of Jump City just a few days ago. According to reports, the phenomenon happened suddenly, without warning or probable cause. Though no life or property was lost, the damage done to the local area was massive. With a 10-mile radius, the phenomenon completely devastated the natural area within less then half an hour of its existence. Though there is no hard evidence, speculation points to this being the work of a meta-human or an organization. The local authorities, the military, the Teen Titans of Jump City, and the Justice League are holding investigations into the matter. More news as the situation develops," the reporter said as I watched.

Damn it! This is just what I needed. I have everyone and their dog after me now. Not even a week out of the cave and already I've screwed up. The Titans are sure to suspect me, even more so since I'm not a lawn ornament anymore, and relay that to the League. And once the League knows it'll spread all over that it was my fault. I'm such an idiot. Guess I'll have to extra careful when laying low. At least I have the advantage of a head start. Gothem is to the far north of Jump City and my little tantrum happened in the south, so they'll probably concentrate their search there. As long as I'm careful with my powers and stone form, they won't find me, I hope.

(Normal POV)

The geomancer walked silently down the street, looking for any job she could take. She eventually ended up at a delivery place with a help wanted sign on the front. 'A job's a job I suppose,' she thought as she entered the place. It was old but neatly kept. Taking an old elevator to the second floor, she came to an office with who she assumed was the manager of the place. He was a dark haired man, in his late forties or so with a mustache and beard. Terra took off her scarf and hat as the man looked up at her. He looked her over once before motioning for her to have a seat. "So kid, you applying for the delivery job I take it?" he asked casually.

"Yeah, if it's still available," the girl asked concerned. She really needed some cash, both for a place to live and some basic supplies.

The man scrutinized her as he lit a cigarette, noting her drab clothes and how she looked like she hadn't taken a shower for a good time. "Well kid, it's yours if you want it. It doesn't pay much though. Tell me, you from around here?" he asked. Terra shook her head. "Do ya got a place to stay?" he asked as he leaned back in his chair. Again she shook her head. The man sighed. "God, I'm sucker for hard luck cases," he muttered to himself before turning to the girl. "You can stay here if ya like. I got a spare room upstairs ya can use. Be ready to start work tomorrow, understand kid?"

"Yes sir," Terra said happily, glad to finally catch a break, as small as it was.

"And don't call me sir. Name's Jack McMahon," he said shaking her hand.

Terra thought fast, knowing she couldn't use either her code name or her real name. "Teva, Teva Teleia " she replied. The man smiled as he got up and led her to her room upstairs. It was small, like a dorm room with an old bathroom connected to it. It had a bed, a dresser, vanity, a small closet, and a window with some curtains facing out towards the city. It was a little dusty and bare, but that would be taken care of in time. The important thing was that it was Terra's/Teva's now. The man left her to get settled in and as soon as he did, she relaxed her form and became stone again.

Although she could shift between the two forms easily enough, it was hard to maintain her human form for extended periods of time before her concentration broke down. That was why she covered herself so much. So that she could move around in her stone form and people wouldn't notice, at least not at a casual glance. That, and that no one would be able to tell she wasn't truly flesh and blood underneath her skin. If she didn't rest her form once in while it started causing problems with her powers, just as before she met Slade and the Titans. So far the only "accidents" she had were a few gusts of dust and a couple rocks flying. Nothing that couldn't easily be explained by the wind or some little punk playing a prank. However, if she weren't careful, then her stay in Gothem would be no different from the dozens of encounters she had before.

'It's not much, but it's something,' the blonde thought to herself as she stared out the window. 'I just hope nothing happens, . . . this time,' she thought sadly as she drifted in her thoughts to the past. A tall regal man yelling at her, degrading and humiliating her, a regal woman ignoring her and calling her a disappointment, a boy a few years older then her loving her in one memory and then being absolutely cruel to her in the next. The sounds of hundreds of people yelling in terror and pain rang in the girl's ears once more. Rich and poor, young and old, all screaming in agony, more faces then she could recognize flashed in her mind, all with fear, desperation, disbelief, agony, and sadness directed at her. The image of hundreds more people, this time all shouting anger, hatred, and loathing for her. Crying out for justice, revenge, and her blood. The sounds and images of torches, guns, knives, and screaming people filled her head. The stone girl held herself as she quivered involuntarily from the memories, her tears falling and solidifying into small crystals as she cried for those who had fallen because of her. The sun set silently and night came quietly to the broken hearted girl of stone.

A few weeks had passed since Terra had started working for Mr. McMahon as Teva. He was a nice guy, a little rough around the edges, but that was fine with her. She used a scooter and delivered whatever she was assigned to wherever she was told, no questions asked, as was "company policy". As Mr. McMahon had said, she didn't make much but it was enough for one person to live on. Since her little outburst a few weeks ago, she had dyed her hair black and bought a pair of glasses, the kind you'd expect on a bookish type of person. Though it was a simple disguise, it worked well enough for her. No one gave her a second glance, which was how she wanted it at least for the time being.

At the moment, Teva was making a simple delivery to the business district of town, her last one of the day. 'Another day, another dollar,' she thought wearily. As the black haired girl stopped at a stop light to check the address and grab a drink, she absently looked up and proceeded to choke on her soda. Up above her, apparently looking for something was Superman. 'What is he doing here in Gothem? Isn't he supposed to be in Metropolis?' she thought wildly before the light changed and she quickly moved away, pulling her cap over her head a little more.

'Okay Terra calm down, just because one of the founding members of an organization of heroes is in the same town as you doesn't mean he's looking for you. An organization that's investigating a disaster, a disaster you caused not to long ago. Oh crud,' she thought as she sped a little bit faster. As she drove to her destination, she paled as she noticed more heroes in the city. Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Hawk Girl, Steel, and Supergirl in the air. Flash, Green Arrow, Batman, Black Canary, and Vixen on the ground. All of them were seemingly searching for something in the city. It was then she came to her destination, a fancy restaurant called the Iceberg.

'Damn, out of the frying pan and into the fire,' she thought sourly. She knew this place, having heard a number of rumors. more commonly known as the Penguin, owned it. It was said he held ties to the black market and often made deals with the Batman's Rogue's gallery. Though publicly he was now an "upstanding citizen", it was common rumor about his black market and mob ties. If he found out who she was, it would be worse then if the League had found her. "Great, what else can happen?" she said out loud, stressed from everything. As she did, her arm began to glow gold underneath her jacket. 'Crud!' She quickly concentrated and the glow faded, her human skin still there. 'Me and my big mouth,' she thought sourly as she locked up her scooter and entered the swanky place.

As she entered, a big burly guard stopped her. Despite his size, she wasn't afraid of him. "Hold it girl, Whatcha doing here? No kids!" he growled.

Teva just scowled and narrowed her eyes under her glasses. "Take it easy ya gorilla, don't get your boxers in a twist. I'm just here with a delivery for she responded evenly.

"Yes, did someone say my name?" a British sounding voice called out. The girl and guard turned to see a short, portly, well-dressed man with a long nose and a monocle, holding an umbrella and wearing a top hat. "What is the problem here?" he asked in a formal tone.

Terra's eyes widened slightly. It was the Penguin himself. Great. "I'm just dropping off a delivery for you that's all," Teva explained quickly but evenly. Last thing she needed right now was to get on the bad side of one of Gothem's mob bosses.

"I see. Bruno, go back to your post," he ordered the guard, to which he nodded and did so. Teva handed the man the package, again with no questions asked as to what was in it or what it was for. However, she kept glancing around, nervous of the crowd here. "Something wrong dear?" Penguin asked amused at the girl's uneasiness in his restaurant.

She was startled for a moment before replying. "It's nothing sir. Just that when I was coming here I saw quite a few League members outside in broad daylight. Don't heroes usually stick to their own territory?" she asked concerned.

"Very true dear. Tell me, did you notice anything else?" he asked curious. If there was one thing the Penguin was known for, it was information trafficking, and he of all people knew you could get valuable tidbits even from the most unlikely of places, even a delivery girl.

"Yeah, they seemed to be searching for someone," she said in semi-honesty. Though she had a good idea who they were looking for, she wanted it confirmed by a reliable, if unlawful source.

The short man stroked his chin in curiosity. "Why do you say someone my dear?" he asked.

Teva shrugged. "That many heroes moving around in broad daylight so close to the crowds that you can recognize them, it's only logical that they're searching for a person. If it were an object or a hideout they wouldn't be close enough to the crowds to be able to see their faces and they most certainly wouldn't do it in broad daylight when there are the most people out and about," she explained, again being semi-honest. Teva/Terra needed to know if the League was specifically looking for her or someone or something else entirely and Penguin was the only one right now who would know.

The Penguin chuckled at the girl's answer. "You have a sharp mind my dear, that'll serve you well for some time. Suffice it to say, the only thing I've heard is that they're looking for a specific meta-human that once resided in Jump City. Beyond that the only thing I can tell you, is that this meta-human most likely has something to do with that disaster that happened a few weeks ago. These are only rumors though," he answered. The girl was only curious and besides, what he just told her were common rumors that she herself could've dug up if she truly wanted to. Once more, she was only a delivery girl, nothing more and definitely not a threat to him or anyone.

Teva nodded as she collected her pay and tip from the portly man. "Thanks If you ever need something delivered, give me a call," she said in an advertisement like way as she handed him a business card. He chuckled and nodded as she left the Iceberg, done with deliveries for the day.

Teva/Terra entered a small café and sat down in a small booth. 'Okay Terra, so they know you're here and they're all looking for you. Question is, how did they find you so fast?' the black haired girl thought quietly as she stirred her iced mocha and looked over the Gothem Journal for anything useful. However, she was broken out of her thoughts by a familiar set of voices.

"I'm telling you, it was Terra!" a young male voice said.

"Look BB, all we know is that something went ballistic in the middle of nowhere and that Terra's statue is missing. Also that whoever or whatever did it is now here in Gothem. The two might be related but there's no proof," an older male voice said.

"Besides, whatever caused that disaster had far more power then Terra ever had, even in the volcano. Whatever caused that disaster might be related to Terra, but it's very unlikely it was Terra," a calm, monotone female voice said.

"But friends, there is no proof that it wasn't Terra," a gentler, kinder female voice responded.

"True Starfire, but until we have any hard evidence, we can't jump to conclusions," a more mature sounding male voice responded.

Teva/Terra nearly choked on her iced mocha as she glanced to her side and saw the Teen Titans in the same café as her, apparently taking a break from searching. They ordered and sat at a table near one end of the place while she was at the other. Though they drew a few stares, no one really bothered them. 'Oh royal crud! Of all the damn cafés for them to go to, they had to choose this one!' She then glanced skyward in pleading. 'You just love torturing me don't you?' she thought to no one in particular.

Teva glanced at the Titans as they discussed what was going on. Despite trying to listen, she couldn't hear them over the crowd. Instead she kept a weary eye on them, cautiously sipping her drink and resisting the urge to bolt out of the café like a madwoman. Unable to take it anymore, she quietly and as quickly as possible, left the café. However she did not go unnoticed, as she had hoped.

Raven watched as the dark haired girl in glasses and newsboys cap quickly left after staring at them for a little while. As soon as she entered the city she had sensed something familiar. It had felt like Terra but wasn't. Whatever she had been sensing was similar in that it was elemental earth entity, but different in that it had at least ten or twenty times the power that Terra had. When it first appeared she had sensed it had a little bit more power then what Terra had once wielded.

However, it had shot up to unimaginable levels during the disaster. Since then it had died and leveled off to barely a trickle of energy. Though it wasn't much, it was just barely enough to track here to Gothem. Now it seemed she had found the source, or at least someone who had been very close to the source. The cloaked girl decided to keep an eye on that strange girl; hence she had slipped a tracking device on her with her powers just as the black haired girl left. 'I'll look into her later,' she thought silently as she turned her attention back to her teammates.

"Look, I'm telling you it was Terra! I smelled her at the epicenter remember!" Beast Boy said angry at his teammates for not believing him.

"Look BB, let's say it is Terra and we find her, what are we gonna do about it?" Cyborg asked his little green friend. Beast Boy went quiet at that question.

"Cyborg does have a point. Once we find whatever this force is, and it is Terra, what are we going to do with her?" Robin asked his team.

"Friend Terra did turn us over to Slade, however she also saved our lives in the end, giving up her own," Starfire said sadly.

"She's a liar and a traitor. She tried to kill us and nearly succeeded if you recall. If weren't for her the volcano would've never had started in the first place. As far as I'm concerned, she should stay in that rock," Raven said coldly.

"You never liked her Raven. You're so cold hearted, if it were up to you she'd be shot on sight," Beast Boy said angrily. The cloaked girl glared at the green boy, severely tempted to flatten him for that comment.

"Friends please calm down. We will decide what is to be done once we find Terra or whatever has caused all this trouble," Starfire said pleadingly to them. Raven and Beast Boy calmed down as all of them agreed with that plan. They'd decide what needed to be done once they had their prey. Only Raven had an idea of how close they actually were.