AUTHOR'S NOTE:

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During first hour, I stared at my teacher's hand as he scribbled on the whiteboard. I absentmindedly watched the lines form into words, and the words form into sentences. The words flowing out of his mouth matched whatever was on the board, but I couldn't pay attention to either.

Come second hour, I repeatedly wiped my hands against my pants to get rid of the sweat it endlessly produced. When I stood up from my desk and gathered my stuff, my knees were slightly damp with my sweat.

The boys in my third hour, English, attempted to include me in their conversations. I participated half-heartedly, though on a regular day I would've led it.

Today was not a regular day, though.

I had prepared for lunch time, but nothing had happened. I was both relieved and even more nervous because I had to wait even longer.

Fourth hour, I chewed my pencil to a nub.

Fifth hour, my nails were next.

Sixth hour, I prayed wildly.

The final bell rang, and the other students raced to the door and were long gone by the time I exited. I walked down the hallway, switching between gripping my backpack straps until my knuckles turned white and flexing my fingers out to soothe their stiff muscles. The voices of those around me mushed together in my ears. I headed to my locker and entered the combination. I opened the door, meeting eyes with my reflection. Staring into my eyes, I found myself smiling.

Everything will be all right.

My locker door slammed shut, and I jumped back to avoid getting hit or caught in it.

"Hey, Fattela." Jane said, her arms crossed as she leaned against my locker. "I missed you today. I hope you weren't avoiding me."

I swallowed. "You're in my way."

"That's funny... I would assume people would most likely say that to you."

"I would repeat the things people say a lot about you, but my mother taught me to never say such words."

Jane's eyes widened and she stood up straight. "Excuse me?"

"Get out of my way. Don't make me repeat myself."

"The last time you tried to talk back to me, you found yourself in a rather messy situation." Jane said, looming over me. "I would advise you to at least try and be a little smarter."

Staring into her green snake eyes, my knees began to tremble. How could I think I could do this? Yet I opened my mouth again. "You know what I don't get? I don't understand people who hate their lives enough to criticize everyone around, but not enough to fix their own." I wrung my hands in front of me. What am I doing?!

Jane scoffed and gave my shoulders a hard shove. I gasped and stumbled back a few steps before I tripped and fell to my butt.

"How dare you speak to me like that!" Jane snapped.

I winced and stood back onto my feet. A small slab of metal lightly tapped against my chest; my Teen Titans necklace. I reached up and clutched it in my hand. As the faces of my friends filled my mind, energy spread through my veins.

"I don't like it when my friends turn on me... and for no reason! You don't want to see me when I'm angry, Fattela. I'll make your life a living nightmare." Jane stomped towards me. "Just when I thought you couldn't get any more useless. Typical for someone as stupid and-!"

Jane reached out to grab me, but I intercepted, snagging her wrist. She reached with her other hand to try and free herself, but I grabbed it, too. I tightened my grip on her wrists and stared into her wild eyes.

"I'm done with your lies. I'm done with letting you trample all over me." I said, my voice low and calm. "My friends helped me see through your kind. You only do this because you're too insecure about yourself. All you want to do is suck me dry to feel better about yourself, then move on to someone else to continue your vicious cycle. No more; I'm ending it."

I threw Jane's arms down to her side and walked past her. I pulled my backpack off and returned to my locker, ready to open it again, but a hand dug into my hair and yanked me back. I yelped as tears prickled my eyes. I dropped my backpack.

"A very touching speech, I'll admit that. Good job, Fattela, you almost moved me to tears. Almost."

"Let... me... go!" I planted my hand on top of hers, the one gripping my hair, and I spun around and slammed my other palm into the crook of her elbow. Her elbow hit the locker, creating a loud clang, and her fingers loosened. She hissed and pulled her arm back, stumbling for a few steps. She regained her balance, reached out, and grabbed my Teen Titans charm. I snagged her wrist, digging into her skin with what little nails I had left, forcing her to let go, and reared my fist back.

In that instance, I noticed something flash in her eyes: fear.

STOP!

I planted my foot against the ground, my fist hovering by my ear. Jane's wide eyes were fixated on my clenched fist. I loosened it, released her, and let my hands fall back to my sides.

"I'm not like you." I said. I picked up my backpack and slung it over my shoulders. I walked past Jane as she eyed me with intense ferocity, yet she didn't have the courage to act on it. "Goodbye, Jane."

I walked past her and down the hall. I reached the front doors of the school and pushed them open, the double doors separating like stage curtains as I walked into the warm air. Teenagers mingled outside while they waited for parents to pick them up. I headed straight for my mother's car, which was parked so I could make a quick getaway.

"How was school, Ciela?" Mom said as she shifted the gear to drive and pulled onto the road.

I laid my head against the hot headrest and closed my eyes. "I'll tell you after my heart stops racing."


~TPPOV~

Ciela laid in her bed, eyes closed and fast asleep. At 9:59 PM, a light began to pulsate from her closed laptop. A second later, the same light glowed from the charm on her necklace. The two lights glowed in harmony for a few more seconds before they dimmed and disappeared. At 10:00 PM, Ciela's darkened silhouette faded and vanished from her room.


~CIELA~

"All right! Last round!" Robin said, tossing the volleyball in his hands. The sun was setting behind him, and the sky matched its orange color. "This is the tiebreaker. Whoever gets this point is the winner!"

"Y'all are going down!" Cyborg said, standing with me and Starfire on the other side of the court.

"We'll see about that!" Beast Boy said, standing with Robin.

Starfire turned to Raven, who meditated at the edge of the roof and chanted quietly to herself. "You are certain you do not wish to join us?"

"For the sixth time, yes." Raven said, keeping her back turned to us.

"Get ready!" Robin tossed the ball into the air and served it over, the slap of his hand against the white, round surface echoing across the court.

"I got it!" Cyborg said, sprinting to the ball and passing it over the net.

Robin set the ball into the air. Beast Boy ran towards it and transformed into a gorilla.

"Starfire, fall way back!" I called over my shoulder. Starfire nodded and began to fly back.

Beast Boy leaped into the air and smashed his fist into the volleyball. It zoomed over mine and Cyborg's heads and spiraled towards Starfire. Her eyes glowed green as she gripped her hands together. She swung them like a baseball bat, rocketing the volleyball back towards us so fast that fire formed around it. Cyborg and I dropped to the ground to avoid getting our heads taken off. The volleyball sailed straight through the net, creating a large, smoking hole. Beast Boy reached out his arms and caught the volleyball, but the intense momentum sent him flying back into Robin, and they both tumbled to the ground. The ball rolled out of his arms and landed next to the court.

"Out of bounds! We win!" Cyborg cried, pumping his fist into the air.

"No fair! Ciela knew I would do that! That's cheating!" Beast Boy wheezed as he and Robin climbed back to their feet.

"You're just upset you lost!"

"That game sure was intense!" a voice said. "Mind if I play?"

The Titans and I turned towards the voice, and my friends gasped when they saw Terra standing on a hovering rock. She brought the rock onto the roof and hopped off, shaking her blond hair to cast it behind her shoulders. She wore a black, long-sleeved cropped top with a yellow T in a tiny yellow circle on the front, yellow shorts, and brown boots. She also wore brown leather gloves, a brown utility belt, and goggles around her neck.

"Terra!" Beast Boy and Starfire exclaimed, and they both broke into a run to get to her. Eyeing each other, they pushed and shoved in order to get to her first. Starfire, after shooting Beast Boy in the butt with her starbolts, reached Terra first and enveloped her in a spine-cracking hug.

"Oh, hello, my long-lost friend! I've missed you so!" Starfire cried.

"I... missed you, too, Starfire... You and your hugs." Terra winced. Starfire released her, and she stumbled back to catch her breath.

"Terra!" Beast Boy ran over to her, stopping short of throwing his arms around her. "Uh... H-How's it going?"

Terra threw her arms around his neck, and when she let go, Beast Boy swooned and collapsed to the ground.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite rock-and-roller!" Cyborg said, high-fiving Terra.

"It's good to see you again." Robin said, shaking her hand.

"Good?! Don't listen to him!" Beast Boy cried, shoving Robin out of the way. "It's awesome that you're here! I didn't think we'd ever see you again!"

"Yup, just super." Raven said. "Make sure everything's like you found it when you leave again."

"Actually, I don't plan on leaving again." Terra said, facing us. "I thought for a long time about your offer, and I accept it! I want to be a Teen Titan!"

My friends stared at Terra, dumbfounded. Terra's smile faded.

"I, uh, thought you'd be a little happier about that. Did you change your mind?"

"Of course not. There are just... some concerns."

"Like?"

"The last time you were here, you weren't exactly a master of your powers." I said, folding my arms. "You almost killed Beast Boy because of your recklessness."

"I forgave and forgot!" Beast Boy said, clamping a hand over my mouth. I scowled and pried it off.

"Why do you think I left? Robin said I needed to practice, and I've been doing just that since then!" Terra said. She pulled up her goggles and placed them over her blue eyes. "Check this out!"

Terra hopped onto a large rock, remaining crouched as her hands glowed yellow. She glided through the air on top of the rock, with several others following behind. In a roller coaster effect, the rocks went around in a loop-de-loop. Terra fell off the first rock and landed on the fourth one as it swept past her.

"Dude, she's great!" Beast Boy gushed.

"All she did was learn a few tricks. That doesn't mean she's any less dangerous." Raven said.

Terra carried herself across the lake, disturbing the surface as she zoomed over it. All four rocks flew in separate directions before Terra turned them back around and headed back to the Tower. As she picked up speed, so did the other rocks as they flew towards her. She jumped off the rocks as they swooped up, narrowly missing each other, and thrust her hands into the air. The rocks exploded, scattering like a firework.

"See? I can totally handle myself!" Terra said. The ground rumbled loudly and violently, and I stood in a wide position to avoid being thrown off my feet. We turned to Terra, eyeing her suspiciously. She blushed and shook her head quickly, throwing her hands in front of her face. "It wasn't me!"

We retreated back into the Tower and to the living room. Cyborg hurried to the computer and booted it up. He typed in a few keys and pulled up the map. Four red, rippling dots were marked on the map.

"There are small earthquakes all over the city." he said.

"They can't be natural." Terra said.

"That's because they're not earthquakes; they're a trail." Robin said. Two more red dots appeared, creating a candy cane-shaped constellation. "Something's moving underneath the surface of the city. We need to find out what it is. Titans, move!"

Cyborg, Starfire, and Beast Boy ran out of the room. Raven and Robin stopped after a few steps and faced Terra.

"Aren't you coming?" Robin said.

"Does this mean I'm a part of the team?" Terra said.

"It means we could use your help."

A wide smile spread across Terra's face, and she nodded and hurried to the door, passing through Raven and Robin. Raven stumbled back when Terra brushed past her, her dark eyes growing wide.

"Is everything all right?" Robin said, resting a hand on Raven's shoulder and snapping her out of her flash vision.

"I... don't know." Raven said. "Are you sure it's wise to let her join?"

"Not entirely, but everyone deserves a second chance." Robin said, and he ran out of the room.

I headed towards the door, pausing next to Raven. "You have every reason not to trust Terra." I said. She raised an eyebrow, and I turned to her with a small smile. "She was always my least favorite character."


Along the way, I told the Titans about the situation, making sure it was kept from Terra. The cause of the tremors is a giant mechanic worm that Slade created in his free time.

In the middle of the hustle and bustle of Jump City, the ground erupted from the underside as the giant worm drilled its way out, looming over the citizens. Some cars and buses driving down the street crashed into the chasm and dangled over the edge of darkness. The worm's drill head retracted back into its body and replaced it with its original head. Snapping its teeth, it dove down towards a large, occupied city bus. Raven wrapped her astral magic around the bus and pulled it back, and the worm drove its head into the ground. It lifted it up and focused its glowing red eyes on us.

Cyborg chucked a taxi at the worm's head, and the yellow vehicle exploded on impact. The worm rose high into the air with a roar and opened its narrow mouth, which was still the size of a van. It dove towards us.

Raven lifted her arms, ready to summon a barrier to protect us, but Terra shoved her out of the way.

"I got this!" she said, and she thrust her glowing hands up. Rocks jutted from the ground and slammed into the worm's chin, launching it up and onto its back. Beast Boy transformed into a woolly mammoth and rammed his tusks into the worm's side, throwing it into the wall. While he celebrated his achievement, the large glowing eye on the center of the worm's forehead launched a red laser at Beast Boy, knocking him into a building. It prepared to attack him again, but Terra hopped next to him and carried them away on top of a large rock.

Starfire threw a barrage of starbolts at the worm while dodging its laser attacks. On the ground, Cyborg attacked the base with his cannon ray.

"Good job, Terra." Robin said. "Now I need you to get me up to its face. Ciela, can you take out that thing's laser?"

I nodded and transformed my pistols into my sniper rifle. Terra created a floating, rock staircase that climbed up to the top of the worm. She summoned another large boulder.

"Need a lift?" Terra said.

I stared at the rock, then turned to Terra with a smile. "Thanks, but I have other traveling methods."

I raised my arm up, and Starfire swooped down and grabbed it, sweeping me into the air. I guided her to the rooftop of a building, and she dropped me off and returned to the worm to keep fighting it. No way would I accept help from Terra. She's already working for Slade. That's why she left- so she could train under him. He's probably told Terra all about me and my abilities; I couldn't let her get close to me. As far as I'm concerned, I don't think I'd ever give her the chance.

Robin climbed up the rocks and threw a cluster of smoke bombs into the worm's mouth. They exploded inside the worm's body, and it burped up a cloud of smoke.

Dropping to one knee, I propped my sniper rifle against my shoulder and aimed through the eyepiece. Focusing on the large, glowing eye, I pulled the trigger. The laser cut through the air and hit the worm's laser eye, shattering it. The worm roared and swung its head into the building I stood. I gasped as it swiped straight through the highest floor, right below my feet. The roof layer quivered as it broke apart and caved into the rest of the building. I sprinted to the edge and leaped off the side.

I landed hard on a rock, and I feared it was the ground. Pushing myself to sit up, I saw that it floated in the air, quickly descending back to the ground.

"Nice jump." Terra said, setting the rock back into the gaping hole where it came from. "Are you all right?"

"Yes." I said as I stood. "Thank you."

We regrouped in front of a large tunnel the worm drilled in order to escape. Robin's communicator beeped, and he plucked it from his belt and turned it on. His eyebrows knitted together and he gritted his teeth.

"Hello, Robin." Slade said, his face projected on the tiny screen. "I do hope I haven't called at a bad time."

"What are you planning?" Robin said.

"If you're so curious, why don't you come down here and find out?" Slade said. "Unless your little tattle-tale has something to say."

The video cut off, and Robin clutched the communicator tightly. He sighed and tucked it back onto his belt.

"Let's go." Robin said. "Whatever Slade's planning, it's down there and we can't let him get away with it."

We headed into the tunnel, using Cyborg's flashlight and Starfire's starbolt as light sources.

"This trail is exceedingly large. It is at least two plinthorgs." Starfire said, our voices echoing off the walls.

"What's that giant hunk of metal doing so deep below the earth?" Cyborg said.

"No clue, but it must be a part of Slade's plan." Robin said.

"What is your problem?" Terra hissed behind me as she walked beside Raven. "If I'm going to be a part of this team, whatever your grudge is, you're going to have to get over it!"

"You're not a part of this team!" Raven snapped, and the two stopped. "And if you keep endangering my friends, you never will be. If I say something's too dangerous, take my word for it!"

Raven stomped ahead.

"Why does she hate me?" Terra whispered.

"To be honest, she kind of hates everybody." Beast Boy said.

I hurried to catch up to the others.

"I'm glad to have you on my side." I said to Raven. She didn't respond.

We entered a large cavern, but nothing was there. Robin pulled out his communicator and activated the sensor. It started beeping slowly, and as he moved around and waved the communicator around, the beeping increased. He stopped at one of the walls, and his communicator beeped quickly and wildly. Cyborg approached him.

"I'm picking up something from deep inside the rock." Robin said.

Cyborg activated his scanners. "Way deep. Electronics... and a heartbeat."

"Let's dig down and see what's up." Terra said. She lifted her arms towards the wall, and her hands glowed yellow. The cavern rumbled, and we all stumbled to keep our balance.

"What did you do this time?" Raven said.

"That wasn't me!"

The ground behind them erupted, and the giant mechanical worm broke into the room, followed by two more. I recognized one of them with the shattered eye gem as the one from the city. The others readied themselves for battle, but the worms ignored us and dove into the earth, creating a large tunnel.

"Hey! Where are you going?!" Beast Boy called, his voice echoing into the cavern. "Last time I checked, the bad guys go after the good guys, right?"

"Those creatures must be after something that is not us." Starfire said.

"We gotta go after them!" Terra said.

"We should go after Slade." Raven said. "He's the one controlling them. If we take out the head, the minions will be powerless."

"We'll split up. Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Starfire, you go after the worms." Robin said. "Ciela, Terra, and Raven, we're going after Slade."

"I don't see why she has to come with us. I can move earth just fine by myself." Terra said.

"No. Raven's powers are just as equal as yours in this moment. We need both of you to maneuver through this rock." A red dot showed up on the scanner of Robin's communicator. "I've got a signal. Let's move."

Extending their hands towards the rock, Raven and Terra used their powers to cut into the rock.

"You better pick up the pace if you want to keep up with me." Terra said.

"If this is the best you can do, I'm not the one who'll need to keep up." Raven said. Terra scowled, and the two quickly broke through the rock and created a tunnel, already several feet in front of me and Robin.

Robin sighed. "Do things ever get better between those two?"

"You're asking as if I want Terra to stay." I said, walking ahead.

Robin raised an eyebrow and hurried to catch up. "Don't you want to?"

I sighed. "You guys know that if there's ever something you really need to know, I'll tell you the whole truth, right?"

"Of course. You haven't done anything to make us think otherwise."

"Trust me when I say that letting Terra into the group isn't a good idea. Underneath those bright, blue eyes, there's a deadly storm brewing. Raven's correct by being skeptical of her." I stopped and plucked my communicator from my belt. I turned it on. "Starfire, you need to get ahold of Cyborg and Beast Boy and head back to the Tower."

"What are you-?" Robin said. I held up my finger to shush him.

"Why?" Starfire said.

"That's where those worms are heading. You better get there, and fast." I closed my communicator and strapped it back onto my belt.

"Would you care to fill me in on today's adventures?" Robin said.

I nodded, and we continued walking down the tunnel. "Slade's big plan is to use the giant worm to sink Titans Tower. I'll keep an eye on Terra and Raven and try and prevent them from making things worse."

Robin nodded. We came to the end of the tunnel and into a large opening. Golden-colored rods overlapped on top of the stone, and a large platform rested in the center of the area. A computer sat in the middle of the platform. Above us, one section of the giant worm spun near the ceiling. As it spun, it shot thick, red lasers from its body and began to carve into the stone.

"We'll need to hack the computer to stop this thing." Robin said, typing away at the computer.

"Okay, but first..." I said, and I shoved his shoulders down, making him drop to his knees. Slade dove over the computer, his foot brushing past the top of our heads. He somersaulted and stood up. I pulled out my energy pistols and shot consecutively at Slade. He dodged them agilely and ran back towards us. Robin tossed an explosive disc at Slade. It exploded, filling the area with smoke. Slade emerged from the smoke and snagged my wrist.

"Hello, Ciela." he said, his masked face looming close to mine. "It's been a while since I've seen my favorite Titan."

"I would call you my favorite, but there are plenty of other villains that I would prefer."

Slade threw me down the pathway. I rolled out of the smoke and half-dangled over the edge of the narrow path. I gasped at the drop below, and I pulled myself back onto the surface and stood up. Slade walked towards me. I glanced over my shoulder at the elevator, and I ran towards it. I went inside and slammed a finger against the up button. The small, metal gate closed, and the elevator began its ascend. Slade picked up speed, going from a stroll to a sprint in seconds. He kicked himself up into the air and dove into the elevator. I threw myself to the side to avoid getting tackled.

"Good. Now we have a place to talk." Slade said, standing up.

"You've got nothing that I want to hear." I said. "This little ruse of yours is more than just trying to destroy the Titans' home. You want Terra to prove herself to my friends so she'll get accepted into the team. After all, that's one requirement you have for all of your apprentices- to be a part of the organization that you're trying so hard to destroy."

"Bravo, Ciela. I never doubted your ability for a second."

"You won't get away with this. I'll call my friends right now and tell them all about your connections with Terra."

"If you wish to, go right ahead." Slade said. "I just hope your friends can handle the truth."

"They'll get over it."

"I don't mean the Teen Titans. How do you think those in your world will react when they find out your whereabouts? If you tell this world the truth about Terra, what's to stop me from telling your world the truth about you?"

"Are you blackmailing me? Do you really think that people will believe you? You're nothing but a character on a show."

"Maybe not at first. But it's the little ounce of doubt that furrows into their brains that gets them started. Seconds comes the questions, and then comes the unquenchable desire for truth and justice. After all, things began to change the moment you came into the picture."

The elevator groaned, and I glanced outside the elevator to see the worm falling to the ground. Below, Terra and Raven used their powers to push the Tower back up.

"If you wish to continue residing peacefully in this world, I suggest you keep your mouth shut." Slade said. He dove out of the elevator. I ran to the gate and watched him plunge into the darkness below. I looked above me and gasped at the ceiling quickly drawing closer. I scrambled on top of the gate and pushed off, sailing through the air. The elevator crashed into the ceiling behind me. My sailing was for only a second before it quickly transitioned into a freefall.

A grappling hook shot past me and wrapped around a nearby pole. The rope tightened, and Robin flew up to greet me. Wrapping his arm around my waist, he yanked me from vertical to horizontal motion.

"You should really stop getting yourself into these types of predicaments." Robin said.

"How else am I going to keep you guys on your toes?" I said.


"We really appreciate your help with today, Terra." Robin said. Terra sat on the couch while everyone else surrounded her. Beast Boy and Starfire sat beside her while Starfire, Cyborg, and I stood behind the couch. Robin stood in front of us all. "Which is why I've come to a decision."

"You mean about me being on the team?" Terra said, straightening in her seat. "So... am I?"

Robin took a deep breath. "No."

"No?!" Beast Boy cried, jumping out of his seat. "What do you mean, no?! Terra's perfect for the team!"

"Why not?" Terra said.

"Like I said, you were very useful in stopping Slade's plan, but the last time you helped us, you ran away afterwards. You may be here to stay, but you need to really show us that you're willing to."

"Oh... okay."

"Are you crazy, Robin?! Of course Terra's proven herself! She's still here, after all!" Beast Boy said.

"I didn't ask for your opinion." Robin snapped. "I'd like Terra to be a part of this group as much as everyone else... Just not now." Robin turned to Terra. "For now, you'll be under probation. You can still help us out if we need it. We even arranged for you to stay here in your own room."

Terra smiled and jumped to her feet. "Don't worry, Robin. I'll do my absolute best. I'll prove that I belong here!"

Robin nodded. "I'm glad to hear that. Starfire will take you to your room."

"Yes! I cannot wait to show you your new living quarters!" Starfire cried, grasping Terra's arm and dragging her out of the room. "I say we celebrate with what you call a 'sleepover'!"

Terra giggled as she and Starfire rushed out of the room with Beast Boy tagging close behind.

"I... can't believe you didn't let her join." I said quietly, turning to Robin. "In the original episode, you did."

"I would have, but you intervened and told me about her." Robin said.

"Told you what?" Cyborg said, he and Raven approaching us.

"Terra's not all good as she says she is." Raven said, folding her arms.

"Terra? How could she be bad?"

The three Titans looked to me for an answer. I shifted my gaze between the three of them.

"If you tell this world the truth about Terra, what's to stop me from telling your world the truth about you?"

"I can't really explain at the moment. Now that the ending is different, I may have to go any second." I said quickly. As I spoke, my vision started to grow fuzzy with spots of darkness. I glanced down at my body and saw it fading. "Good luck."