Chapter Two: Phoenix
"Titans, go!"
No matter how many times the teenage heroes heard their leader give the famous battle cry, it still gave them an adrenaline rush.
They were giving chase to Johnny Rancid and Punk Rocket, whom had teamed together to pull off a massive heist at an electronics store.
The two villains rode in a modified motorcycle of Rancid's, which had a side car for his accomplice. They sped away, at speeds well above the limits for city roads.
Cyborg and Beast Boy were giving chase in the T-car, Robin on the R-cycle, and Starfire and Raven in the air.
The Titans coordinated their efforts to lead the villains to a dead end street. It took several minutes to do so, not to mention a number of traffic accidents. But at last, the fiends were cornered.
"Titans, we got them where we want them!" Robin exclaimed.
"We still gotta be careful." said Beast Boy. "Animals are at their worst when corned. Believe me, I know!"
"Beast Boy is correct." Starfire added. "We can not let our guard down!"
"Agreed." Robin replied. "Let's take them down!"
Rancid and Rocket stood their ground in the ally.
"Those stupid kids think they got us!" Rancid proclaimed. "I think it's time they faced the music!"
Rocket nodded. "Too right!" he said, producing a large, complicated looking electric guitar.
Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Robin closed in from the entrance to the ally. The two girls hovered above and behind them.
"It's over you two!" Robin told them. "Surrender, or face us!"
"Face this!" Rocket exclaimed as he hit the strings rapidly.
An intense series of sound waves emanated from the deadly instrument. It was a more powerful version of what he used to have before his defeat with the Brotherhood of Evil. With Rancid in close proximity to his companion, he was safe, and so laughed at the Titan's misery.
They all cowered in pain, shielding their ears from the sound waves, which also vibrated their chests. The girls fell from the sky; the pain from their fall added to the agony of Rocket's assault.
Raven tried to muster her powers to knock down the musical villain, when she felt what she thought was an earthquake.
The Titans stared in awe as the ground suddenly opened up around Rancid and Rocket. Then, a large quantity of mud emerged and formed itself into two large hands. The hands grabbed the villains, and shook them violently. Then, they were thrown against a wall.
The Titans stared in awe at this spectacle, wondering what might have perpetrated it.
"Who has preformed this miracle that has saved our lives?" Starfire asked.
"Wasn't me." Raven replied. "I had something else in mind."
"So, who exactly saved us?" Robin said to no one in particular.
As if in response to his question, a large boulder rose into the air, blotting out the sun. A figure stood on it.
The Titans stared as the boulder slowly dropped to the ground, landing with a thud. Beast Boy practically gasped at the site of the figure on it.
"No way!" he said, stepping forward to the giant rock to greet the visitor.
"Terra?" he asked.
The girl giggled at him. "Yes, Beast Boy. I'm back!"
The rest of the Titans gathered around.
"Friend Terra, is it really you?" Starfire asked.
"Yes, I'm really here. Didn't Beast Boy tell you about his visit with me?"
"He did." Robin replied. "And from what he said, it sounded like you probably weren't really you."
"Yeah, I know." Terra replied. "It's a long story."
"Well, why don't we hear it back home?" Cyborg suggested.
"You sure about that?" Raven said.
"One thing at a time." said Robin. "Let's get these two in custody."
The Boy Wonder called the authorities, while the rest of the Titans restrained Rancid and Rocket's hands behind their backs. They also confiscated their belonging, placing them in a heap on the sidewalk.
After the criminals were taken away and the stolen goods were secured, the Titans made way for their home. Along the way, Raven was apprehensive; although Terra had saved them, she didn't trust her. She felt an imminent trap, and so was prepared for anything. She would not let her guard down around the geomancer this time.
Once at the tower, the team made for the lounge. There, they sat, with all eyes on Terra.
The blonde hero noticed a mixture of reactions; Raven had a scowl on her face, Beast Boy was giddy, Cyborg concerned, Starfire faintly smiling, and Robin expressionless.
"Well, it's good to be back. Again." Terra said, nervously.
Beast Boy nodded. "It's great to see you back with us! You remembered who you are, you got your powers, and your old uniform!"
Terra smiled, self-consciously glancing at her uniform; it was the same style she had before she betrayed the Titans. It was how they last knew her as a member of their team, as a friend.
"Last we knew, you were enjoying the life of a school girl." Robin said. "Apparently, you found a life that suited you."
"That's what Beast Boy told you?" the geomancer replied.
"More or less."
Terra shrugged. "Some things changed in my view of things. I guess I have Beast Boy to thank."
The changeling smiled.
"How'd you come back to life?" Cyborg asked. "That's what bugged me since I heard you were up and about."
"I don't know how it happened." Terra replied. "I just know when. I remember seeing a rather recent paper saying that Slade was back. Believe me, I was freaked out by that!"
"That may be a clue!" Robin exclaimed. "Raven, do you think when you defeated Trigon, the change that made everyone normal again also affected Terra?"
The mystic knitted her eyebrows, trying to focus on Robin's question.
"It's possible." she finally said. "The energy was right for it. So I don't see why that wouldn't be the case."
"All right!" Beast Boy exclaimed. "So, the mystery of Terra's reappearance is solved! Let's party!"
"Not so fast, Beast Boy." Robin told him. "There's a thing or two more we need to know before we even think of letting Terra be a Titan again."
"Like what?" Terra asked.
"For one thing, are you working with Slade?"
"No!" she yelled, more forcefully than she intended. The Titans jumped at her exclamation.
"I hate him!" she continued, near tears. "He ruined my life! He turned me against you! He confused me! And I was stupid enough to listen!"
She began to break down. Beast Boy immediately rushed to her side.
"There, there." he said softly. "It's okay now."
"Sorry about that, Terra." Robin said self consciously. "I know what it was like being under Slade's control."
The geomancer nodded at him and rose to her feet.
"Now, what was up with the memory loss?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. That." Terra dried her tears. "It was something I did for my new life."
"Care to elaborate?" Raven asked, sardonically.
"Well, after I came back to life, I wanted to put my past behind me. I did do terrible things, after all. So, I made a new life for myself, forgetting all I did with all of you, as well as using my powers. When all of you returned from your battle with the Brotherhood of Evil, I knew it would be harder."
"It was hardest on me." Beast Boy said, sadly.
Terra sighed. She then continued to describe her life with her foster mother, and her reasons for coming back to the Titans.
"Pretty intense life you had, girl." Cyborg said.
"Yes, it sounded rather emotional." Starfire added.
"Thanks, you guys." Terra said. "So, am I welcome back here?"
Robin pondered her question. "This is rather sudden. I mean, we haven't been with you in almost a year. And we didn't leave on the best of terms."
"Please, Robin!" Terra pleaded. "I have no where to go! I can't go back to my foster home! And there's a chance Slade might try to go after me again!"
"She's right!" Beast Boy exclaimed. "Remember, he sent that robot after me! So, he not only knows she's back, but also that he's probably not far away!"
The Boy Wonder considered his friend's statements. Could he turn away this girl, who only wanted to find a new life? He stared at the others.
"I say let's hold a ballot." he finally said.
"Is that a dance?" Starfire asked.
"No, Star," Raven answered. "That would be a ballet. A ballot is a way of voting."
"Exactly." Robin said. "We'll make it a secret one as well."
He got up and went to obtain paper, pencils, and a small bowl. Once he had these items, he handed each of the Titans a piece of paper and a pencil.
"Now," Robin began, "On your paper, write 'yes' if you want Terra back or 'no' if you don't. Once done, fold the paper in half and put it in the bowl. I'll then count the votes."
The Titans each did as they were instructed. Terra watched them apprehensively, as her fate would be decided here.
After casting their ballots, Robin randomized the papers in the bowl so no one would know who wrote what. He then took them out one by one, counting. Afterwards, he smiled at Terra.
"Well, looks like you got a new home!"
The geomancer jumped for joy, and hugged Beast Boy. Raven stared at them both, scowling.
The other Titans joined the two, patting their former teammate on her back.
"Now, you're not officially a Titan yet." Robin said. "But after some time with us, getting used to things, you'll be one in no time."
"Thanks, Robin." said Terra. "I'll be looking forward to that!"
Raven stared at her. 'Sure you are.' she thought. 'But if you so much as look at me in the wrong way, you'll wish you never came back!'