Wow, thirty chapters.I never thought I could write anything this big, and I have only you reviewers to thank for it. Your constant support has helped me keep this story going and now, we're finally heading into the home stretch. Yep, soon we're going to see the final show down between the New Titans and Slade, who's gota whole new bag of tricks this time.

Now, that may take a little longer then I'd like, because I'm going on vacation next week, and I don't have a router. But I do have a laptop, so the chaps will be written and ready to upload when I get back. I might even get another chap or two up beofre that, so keep your eyes peeled.

Now then, read and enjoy!

Chap. 30

Lagoon

After the battle, the New Titans and Knights piled into the T-Car (with Brett behind the wheel, since he actually knew where the place was) and quickly headed back to the mainland. Once there, Brett hit the highway and they traveled for about half-an-hour, until Brett pulled off into an exit and drove into a nearby forest. Driving the car into an open spot in the woods, Brett activated the security system and the group exited.

"Shouldn't there be some water here or something?" Martin asked, as the group exited the car.

"Soon enough." The bat answered with a smile. "The point of having a secret lagoon is that no one else knows where it is."

"So where are we going?" rivers asked. Brett raised his hand and pointed to the woods, which stretched back for about ten miles.

"Are you telling me we're going on a hike?" Eddie asked with a moan. "Dude, you did not mention this."

"Calm down, it isn't a hike." The bat replied. "We should be there in about fifteen minutes. But I'd suggest getting changed now."

The group agreed, and after arguing over what space was reserved for who, they managed to prepare for the journey ahead. And true to his word, Brett did not lead them on a hike. Granted, there were rocks, roots, and more bugs then there in the bayous of Louisiana, but it was too short to be a hike. But then, Brett came to a space covered by the long leaves of two weeping willows. Reaching out, Brett pulled them aside, and said, "Welcome to paradise."

As the others walked through the doorway and onto the rock platform behind it, they gasped at the realization that Brett hadn't lied. The place that lay before them could very well be paradise. The lagoon was huge, stretching close to a mile wide. Vines grew down the rock walls, and a huge waterfall spouted from the left side, creating a myriad of rainbows. "Oh my God." Terra whispered as she looked it over in amazement.

"Amazing isn't it?" Brett breathed as he looked around. "It gets more beautiful every time I come here."

"How'd you find out about it?" Lisa asked.

"I was flying around here one day, and I noticed from up high. I came down to check it out, and the rest is history."

"You know, speaking of flying high, how do we get down to the water?" Martin asked. Indeed, the cliff wall they were on was about thirty feet above the water.

"Easy." Brett replied. "You let gravity carry you down."

"Huh?" Bart asked. "You jump." Eddie replied.

At that, the group of young heroes got more then a few nervous looks. "Oh come on, it isn't that high." Sara said with a laugh. "I've even done this a few times. Are you really saying you can fight insane criminals, but you can't jump off a cliff? I mean most of you can fly!"

But the nervous looks remained. Sara shook her head, and said, "Fine, watch me, you sissies." With that, Sara pulled off her shirt, revealing a red bikini over a surprisingly toned and muscular body (more surprisingly, the fur and tail seemed to add to her beauty). The fox kicked off her shoes, and walked over to the edge. Standing over it, she looked over at the New Titans, shook her head again, and with no hesitation, leapt over the edge. Everyone ran over then, to watch her descend through the air, and land in the water with a splash. After a second, she bobbed up to the surface and floated away, looking up at the others in anticipation.

"GOD, I love that woman!" Brett breathed through his teeth. Ripping off his own shirt and shoes, the bat ran over the edge and hit the water a few seconds later. After that, Eddie and the others looked at each other, and then the dog said, "Well, guess there's only one choice left now." "Find stairs?" Rivers asked. Eddie stared a moment, then said, "Get ready to jump, you sissy."

It took a little more time after that, but finally, all the New Titans had leapt off into the water. And once they had, everyone wished they had done it sooner. The water was unbelievably cool, and there were enough rock isles around to make for some really fun games. This included one that Bart and Martin thought up when they discovered that two large isle were close enough for a sport they called.

"Water Gladiators?" Rivers asked again, as Bart swam in front of him.

"Yeah, it's like American Gladiators but with noodles and water." Bart explained.

"I think I'll pass." Rievrs said, as he leaned back onto the rock he was sunbathing on.

"Aw come on, we're making teams, it'll be fun.' Bart said.

"Look, if they're not even call me, but otherwise count me out." Rivers said.

"Suit yourself." Bart said. "But you're missing the chance to get hit in the face with a wet noodle."

Rivers laughed at that as Bart swam away, then turned to look at the small rock island in the center of the water. He was about to swim out to it, but then he saw something that stopped him in his tracks. A pair of hands appeared on the side of the isle, and then with a splash, Katie pulled herself up onto it. Now, that action only took about ten seconds at most, but for Rivers, it was a slow-motion eternity. He stared as Katie's body emerged from the water, dripping from everywhere. Her black one-piece suit clung to her body, enhancing every single curvy aspect. Rivers felt his mouth drop open as Katie pulled her legs up onto the isle, putting her in a kneeling position. For a second, Katie leaned forward, her long hair dripping in front of her face. Then with a sudden snap, she flung it backwards, arching her body back. Rivers stared at the exquisite pose, as he realized he could not longer be looking at a girl; this had to be an angel, sent to him as a vision from above. As if to prove him right the sun shone down making the water on her face sparkle, as if she was covered in liquid diamonds……..

"Hey Rivers, you ok?" said a voice suddenly, breaking Rivers out of his trance.

"Huh?" the young boy sputtered, as he turned to see Eddie standing behind him. "Oh, uuh, yeah, I'm fine." Rivers spat out, his mind clearly distracted.

In fact, Rivers was so distracted, that he failed to notice the amused/shocked expression on the dog's face. Speaking in a very tight sounding voice, as if he was trying very hard not to laugh, Eddie said, "Listen, I wanted to tell you that Bart wanted you for his team over by the other side. Please say yes, he won't shut up about it."

"Oh, great, sure, love to play." Rivers said, as he almost instantly slid into the water. As he started to swim off towards them, Eddie said, "Rivers hold on a second!"

The young boy paused in the water, and Eddie said, "While you're there, and actually on the way, think about baseball. Think about baseball very, very, hard."

"Why? Oh, is it some sort of mind over matter training thing that'll help me play better?" Rivers asked, his mind calmed a bit now that he was out of sight of the isle.

"You might say that." Eddie said, his face very tight and his lips pressed together. Rivers nodded, and continued to swim off. Eddie waited until Rivers was out of range, and then he turned to the wall and began to laugh until he thought it would kill him.

"He didn't even realize….. oh man….. poor, naïve kid." Eddie managed to get out between laughs. Finally, after a few minutes, he managed to calm himself enough to speak calmly. "Well, at least I know how he feels about her. Well, one way at least." Eddie said, as he looked over to the isle were Katie still was, watching the game between the others. "Bet it was just like Bo Derek in 10 for him. Dave Chapelle was right, everything is better in slow motion!"

Thankfully, no one other then Eddie saw what happened with Rivers, and the dog had enough sense not to say anything it to anyone. The rest of the day passed quietly, and eventually the New Titans returned to the T-Car and drove home. As the group pulled into Jump City, Brett turned in the direction of their suburb, coming to Katie and Bart's house first. Pulling up on the side of the street, the bat turned to his grandchildren and asked, "So did you two have a good time today?"

"Most definitely." Bart said with a happy grin on his face.

"I still can't believe how beautiful that place was. Thank you Grampa." Katie said, as she leaned forward and gave the bat a kiss on his furry cheek.

As Brett smiled, and seemed to blush under his fur, Sara said, "Hey it was my idea too!" Katie laughed and then kissed her grandmother goodbye. As Bart gave his goodbye hugs and thanks, Katie popped the door open and slipped out. Bart followed a few minutes later, and the two waved, as the T-Car shot off.

"I hope we get more sessions like this." Bart said, as they headed up the walk to the door.

"Good luck with that Bart." Katie replied. "I severely doubt they'll let us start having fun all the time now."

"You never know." Said Bart, as they reached the porch. He reached out to turn the doorknob, but at his lightest touch, the door swung open. "Guess Mom and Dad were expecting us." Bart said, as he and Katie walked inside.

"Mom? Dad? We're home." Katie called out, as she dropped her bag on the ground. But the only response they received was silence. "I guess they went out for something." Bart said. "Guess so." Katie replied. "I'm gonna get some food, you want anything?"

"Naw, I'm just gonna check out the tube for awhile." he replied. Katie nodded, and the two went their separate ways. Now, you might have suspected what's going on before our young heroes. I'll be truthful here, only one of them is going to truly understand what happens at first. Which one you ask? Who is going to learn the truth that their house holds tonight? Let's find out, shall we…..

Katie walked into the dark kitchen, all lights shut off. It didn't really matter to her though; Katie knew this house better then she knew her own hand. Dark or light, she could make her way through it, and that was what she did, moving through the dark to the fridge. Opening it, she looked inside; hoping to find the container of blueberries Raven had bought before. After moving a few things aside, she managed to find them and pulled them out. Opening it up, Katie popped a few in her mouth, enjoying the rich flavor. Closing the door, Katie then walked past to the light switch, so she could see enough to grab the bowl her parent's had designated 'Katie's Blueberry Bowl," since she had stained about ten bowls with blueberry juice (she liked to crush them a little before she ate, and the juice always went in the bowl.) And they still put it in the dishwasher. She thought, as she flipped the switch off.

But when the light came on, and Katie took a look at the cabinet, her thoughts of blueberries went out the door. The container fell from her lifeless hands, and hit the floor, scattering berries everywhere. But that didn't matter. What mattered was the smashed and ruined cabinet. What mattered was the destroyed crockery pieces that lined the countertop. What mattered was the stains on the wall, the strange red stains, that looked so much like…..

"Oh my God." Katie breathed, as she stared in horror. Slowly, she backed away from the walls and the room, until she had begun to turn and run into the TV Room. Almost instantly, she saw her brother and grabbed him. "Bart something's happened!" she cried out, as Bart stared ahead. "I think Mom and Dad are in trouble. We have to call Grandma and Grandpa and tell them what's happened!" But Bart just stared ahead. "Bart, didn't you hear a word I said?" Katie said, as she shook him. "What the hell are you looking at?" she said, as she turned around. But then she stared in horror to, as she saw…..