"Beast Boy to Robin. I'm on my way... Over."

I paused after the screen faded to black, before the credits popped up, and leaned back in my chair. The last time I watched this episode was two months ago, just before I found myself in the Teen Titans world. I blinked several times to clear the tears welling in my eyes. The ending of the series always made me sad, but at least I could go back to episode one and relive those memories once again.

But today, the sadness pulsing in my heart was much deeper. Because I was there to live those memories. I was there to fight with them, laugh with them, and cry with them.

Will it all become just that- memories? Will the movie be it for my adventures? If so, how can you expect me to let it all go and move on with my life?

I pulled my legs close to my chest, rewound the video, and closed my eyes as the opening title sequence played.

1, 2, 3, 4, GO!

Teen Titans!

I lifted my head. The colored silhouettes of my friends appeared on the screen- red, blue, purple, green, and orange- before the colors were replaced with them.

Wait a minute...

I rewound and paused on the colors. I touched my necklace.

"Maybe you both came in the same way... however that was done."

"It's been so long, pinpointing an exact date is out of the question. However, I do remember finding her right after Terra completed her training under my mentorship, perhaps around the time she left to make a second attempt at joining the Teen Titans."

Terra's second attempt... That was "Titan Rising".

I squeezed my eyes shut and rubbed my temples as I thought back to that day. A fitting title, since it was the day I finally stood up to Jane.

"The only ones to thank are you and that lovely charm around your neck."

I leaped from my chair, rocketing it back and sending it crashing to the floor. I sprinted out of my room and down the stairs. My mother stared at me, bewildered, as I burst into the living room.

"My necklace! It's my necklace!" I cried, sticking the charm out into the air as far as the chain would allow me.

Mom raised an eyebrow. "...Yes, that is your necklace." she said.

"No, no, no!" I shook my head rapidly. "That's how Jane entered the Teen Titans world! She touched my necklace after I stood up to her and we got into a fight. She must have transported into the show that night when I did. I've been able to go in and out of the show because of my necklace. Jane doesn't have it, so she can't get out!"

"So, what are you going to do?"

My shoulders slumped. "I don't know!" I threw my hands in the air and flopped onto the couch next to my mother with a groan.

Mom stroked my hair. "I've seen you work your way through predicaments. You'll figure something out."


"Man, I missed this place!" Cyborg said. He inhaled deeply. "I even missed the smell."

"Paris was pretty nice, but it's got nothing on Jump City." Beast Boy said. He eyed a few girls as they walked by. "At least I can speak the same language as them."

"On second thought, maybe I should have stayed in Paris." Raven said with an eyeroll.

I watched my friends with a quiet smile. My fingers curled around my elbows.

A hand grabbed the collar of my jacket and yanked me back. I gasped as a taxi cab rushed past, blasting its horn. The driver glared as he passed.

"Are you all right?" Starfire said, her arms tight around me as we stood on the edge of the sidewalk.

"Uh, yeah..." I said, stepping away. "Thanks. I guess I'm having a hard time focusing today."

"You're not the only one." Raven said, glancing down the sidewalk. We followed her gaze and watched Robin continue to walk.

"Yo!" Cyborg cried, cupping his hands over his mouth. Robin turned around, realizing the distance, and hurried back to the group. "You okay, man? You've been out of it since we got back."

"I'm fine. Just a little sidetracked." Robin said, turning his back to us.

"A little? You almost cleared two blocks." Beast Boy said.

Robin ignored the comment. "I've got things on my mind."

"A trip to the store of videos will surely lift our spirits! It has been too long since we have indulged in violence and the sourness of worm-y gummies!"

"I get to pick the movie!" Beast Boy cried, and he raced ahead.

"Oh, no, you don't! It's my turn!" Cyborg cried, chasing after him. Starfire giggled, grabbed my hand, and the two of us hurried down the sidewalk.

Behind me, I heard Raven's fading voice, "Penny for your thoughts?"

We turned the corner, where the video store was. However, the windows and doors were covered with wooden boards, and a sign on the entrance read, "CLOSED".

"But... what of the worm gummies?" Starfire said quietly.

"Don't worry, Star! There's a candy store just around the corner! They've got the best peanut butter squares in the city!" Beast Boy grabbed Starfire's hand, dragging all of us around the block. He skidded to a stop and gaped at the large construction site before us. The others joined us. "Uh... where is everything?"

"They're building a new office complex here." Cyborg said, pointing to the billboard near a stack of metal beams. "They cleared this entire place out."

"I guess things have changed while we were away." Robin said. I held my arms.

A pair of red eyes appeared on the in-complete brick wall. A large creature stepped away, its skin changing from light red to white. The creature narrowed its eyes, shrinking them like camera lenses.

"I don't remember that being there." Raven said.

The monster reeled its fist back.

"Titans, move!" My friends leaped out of the way. I gasped as the fist flew toward me.

"Get out of the way!" Beast Boy shoved me aside. The monster's fist connected with his stomach, and Beast Boy went flying. He traveled across the street and tumbled into the grass of a school campus.

"Beast Boy!" I cried. I glanced back at the others, who were busy with the white monster, and ran over to Beast Boy. Students looked our way, whispering to one another. I knelt at Beast Boy's side and helped him stand.

Beast Boy groaned and clutched his stomach. "I'm not in the mood for peanut butter squares anymore."

"Hey, are you guys all right?" a voice said. A chill ran down my spine, and I felt Beast Boy's shudder. We turned around and faced a girl with long, blonde hair and blue eyes. She clutched a notebook in her arms. She wore a white, short-sleeved, button-up shirt, a navy-blue skirt, white calf-high socks, a black tie, and black shoes.

Beast Boy's eyes widened. "...Terra?" he said.

Terra raised her eyebrow. "I'm sorry, I don't know that name." The school bell rang. Terra looked off and waved to two of her friends, dressed in the same uniform. "I gotta go."

Terra hurried away, and her and her friends entered the school.

"Wait, Terra! It's me, Beast Boy! Don't you remember?!" he called. I gripped his arm to keep him in place. "I can't believe it. Terra's alive! She's alive, Ciela!"

"Yeah, I saw her." I said, mustering a small smile. I pulled him towards the gates. "Come on, we need to go back to the others. They need our help-"

"Where do you think you're going?!" Beast Boy and I froze in our spots and turned to a woman dressed in a blue sweatsuit stomping towards us. She loomed over us- specifically me. "Didn't you hear the bell? Or are you trying to skip? And where is your uniform?!"

"Huh?" I said. "I think you're mistaken-"

"And I think you're going to be late for class! You march right over to the office, young lady!"

Beast Boy leaned closer to my ear.

"I'll go and help the others. Maybe you can talk to Terra. Keep me posted." Beast Boy whispered. The weight of my holster belt fell off my hips, and I whipped my head back as he waved the belt in my face. "You won't be needing this in there."

"I said march!"

Beast Boy and I flinched from the woman's harsh tone. Beast Boy sprinted towards the gates while I headed up the stairs and into Murakami School.


"Is that the right size?" the secretary said.

I whimpered quietly and tugged at the navy-blue skirt, hoping I could stretch it and make it longer. The short fabric swished when I moved and brushed against my thighs. I stared at my reflection with a grimace.

"Yeah. Just great." I said.

The secretary nodded. "Make sure you wash the spare before you turn it back in. Now, you best get off to class."

"Thanks." I mumbled as I trudged out of the office.

"Hey." I yelped and jumped away at the sudden voice. Terra chuckled. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you."

"What are you doing here?" I said.

"I got bored, so I pretended I needed to use the restroom." Terra examined me. "How's the uniform?"

I winced. "I feel so exposed. How can you wear this in the winter without freezing to death?"

Terra smiled. "Yeah, the school board members aren't usually the smartest people. Come on."

I followed Terra to a wall of lockers. Terra opened her locker and pulled out a navy-blue jacket.

"Here. You can borrow this." she said. "Expect some looks, though. No one ever wears the jackets."

"Thanks." I slipped on the jacket. The protection on my arms helped ease my discomfort.

"Beast Boy to Ciela. Are you there?" My communicator buzzed on my hip. Terra raised her eyebrow as I flipped my communicator on.

"I'm here, Beast Boy. How's the hunt going?"

On cue, there was an explosion in the background. Beast Boy winced and glanced over his shoulder as Starfire tumbled by.

"It's, uh, going, that's for sure... What about you? Have you been able to-"

"Beast Boy, you better get your butt over here!" Cyborg cried in the background.

"You have other things to worry about, Beast Boy. Focus on helping the others."

Beast Boy's shoulders slumped. "All right..."

I closed my communicator and tucked it back on my skirt.

"Something tells me you don't go here." Terra said.

I chuckled. "What gave it away: the communicator, the green boy, or the fact that I was armed when you first met me?"

Terra smiled. The bell rang, and students filed out of the classrooms.

"I better get my stuff and get to my next class. Let's meet for lunch, okay? I'd like to talk to you some more." Terra said.

"Sure thing." I said.

Terra turned on her heel and jogged down the hall. Standing in the middle of the hallway, the students maneuvered around me. I sighed deeply and shoved my hands in my uniform jacket.


I shuffled closely behind Terra as we navigated the cafeteria.

"Wow," I mumbled, eyeing the line of food booths, "this is my favorite part of the school."

Terra chuckled. "I recommend the deli."

We ordered our sandwiches and turned to the crowd of students.

"You mind eating outside?" Terra said.

"No, I'm fine with it." I said.

We headed for the doors and into the fresh air. Other students were scattered across the courtyard. Terra and I sat down at an empty table.

"This is a pretty fancy school. Have you been here long?" I said.

"It's only my second year. There are still some things I'm getting used to." Terra said. "You're one of them, right? One of the heroes that protect the city?"

"I..." I twiddled my thumbs in my lap. "I wouldn't really call myself a hero. My friends have been doing it a lot longer than me."

Terra nodded. "It must be nice, going on all kinds of adventures with people you really care about... laughing together... eating pizza until your stuffed to the brim... saving the world..."

I perked up. "Wait, what?"

Terra focused on her sandwich, slowly picking off the sliced vegetables garnishing it.

"I've been... having nightmares for a long time... where I'm doing those things. I have these crazy powers, and I'm part of a team of people who protect the city we live in." Terra said.

I exhaled, realizing I held my breath. I leaned forward.

"Is it really you, Terra?" I said softly.

Terra shook her head. "I don't know. I really don't know. I thought those nightmares were just that- nightmares. But when you and that green guy... what was his name? Boy Beast? Bass Boot?"

"Beast Boy."

"Right. When you two appeared, and he called out to me, those nightmares are all I've thought about. In fact..." Terra held her hands in her lap. "I remember seeing you in some of them."

A sudden breeze picked up, sending chills down my spine.

"Terra..." I said. "Those aren't nightmares; they're memories. You once fought alongside the Teen Titans. You weren't an official member, but you were our friend. You sacrificed yourself in order to defeat a really bad guy named Slade. How you came back to life, I don't know."

"And Beast Boy...?"

"He was your closest friend. He... really cared about you. He still does."

Terra chuckled. "I'm trying to wrap my mind around it all."

My communicator buzzed. I removed it from my hip and tucked it underneath my leg to try and mute it.

"The funny thing is... a part of me believes you wholeheartedly. A lot of my nightmares end the same way- falling deep into the earth." Terra continued. "If I really came back to life, maybe it's because I've been given a second chance at life. A fresh start..." Terra looked up at me. "Maybe it's best if things stay the way they are now."

I nodded. "I get it. You lived a hard life before this one. You deserved a chance at new beginnings."

"Thank you." Terra smiled, but it immediately faded. "Do you think the others will understand? What about Beast Boy?"

"They will understand. And Beast Boy..." I looked off into the distance and sighed. "It'll be hard, but he'll heal one day."

The lunch bell rang. Terra and I glanced at our uneaten plates of food and laughed at our absent appetites. We threw our food away and walked together to the main school doors.

"You should get going. Your friends must be wondering where you are." Terra said.

I nodded and rested my hand on the door.

"Oh, your jacket." I said, and I started to take it off.

Terra raised her hand. "Keep it. I can always get another one." she said. "It was nice talking to you."

Terra turned on her heel and started to walk away. I straightened the navy jacket. I cupped a hand next to my mouth.

"Terra," I called. Terra stopped and looked back, "make this life a good one."

Terra faced me, her skirt skimming her legs and her hair flowing with her body, and flashed a wide smile. "You, too, Ciela."

Terra turned and walked down the hallway. She disappeared into the ocean of students. With a quiet exhale, I opened the doors, climbed down the steps, and exited Murakami School.


The sun began to set. With my hands in my jacket pockets, I overlapped my legs and swung them back and forth while sitting on the edge of the docks. The tips of my shoes grazed the surface of the lake, causing ripples in the water.

"So, you decided to let her go." I looked over my shoulder and watched Slade walk down the dock and stand next to me. I looked back to the water. "You're surprisingly calm."

"Of course I am. It's not the real you." I said. "And letting Terra go was the right thing to do. She needed a chance at a better life- one without you, me, or the Teen Titans in it. It's what's best for her."

"But what of the others? Beast Boy will be especially heartbroken."

"I know that, too. It will take time- weeks, months, years- but there will come a day when he'll learn to let her go and allow himself to heal." I bowed my head. "I just wish I could be there to help him get through it."

"Your time in this world is reaching its end, isn't it? The show is coming to its finale."

I nodded. "A finale where bringing Jane home is my goal. I don't care what happens to me at this point. It's because of me that's she's here. I don't want to be the cause of so much suffering anymore. I don't want to be a burden anymore."

Slade was silent.

"You've changed." he finally said.

I shrugged. "It happens. Cities change. People change. Things change. It's in the title." I stood up and faced Slade. "Maybe this would be a bit more meaningful if you were the real Slade instead of a robot."

"And what makes you think I'm a robot?"

I turned my head to the lake. "It was in the original episode. You sent a robot to confront Beast Boy about Terra."

Slade chuckled. "Well, this isn't the original episode, is it?"

I whirled around, my eyes widening. Slade saluted.

"It warms my heart that you confided in me. It was a pleasure knowing you, Ciela Brunson. I wish you the best in what's to come." Slade said.

I gaped at Slade as he turned and walked down the dock. My shock melted into a smile.


I entered Titans Tower and climbed up to Ops. When the doors opened, all heads turned in my direction.

"There you are!" Beast Boy cried, the first one to my side. He tugged on my arm and pulled me further into the room.

"Where have you been?" Robin said.

"What are you wearing?" Raven said. I glanced down at my uniform.

I chuckled and stuffed my hands in my pockets. "I was in school."

"Come on, tell them the truth!" Beast Boy said. "None of them believed me when I said it!"

"Are Beast Boy's words truth?" Starfire said. "Has Terra really returned?"

I looked into each of my friends' faces and slowly nodded. "Yeah..." I said.

"See?! I told you so!" Beast Boy cried. "So, what did she say? Did you manage to jog her memory?"

"Beast Boy, I need to talk to you." I grabbed Beast boy's wrist and pulled him out of Ops.

"What? What's wrong?"

I took a deep breath and faced Beast Boy. "Terra's not coming back."

Beast Boy's face fell. "W-What? What do you mean?"

"I told her everything, and she believed me. She believes this is a chance for her to live a new life- free of heroes, villains, and super powers. A chance for her to be a normal person and live a normal life."

Beast Boy stared at me. "But... But what about us? We're her friends."

I looked away and blinked to clear the tears in my eyes. "Things change. But know that she still cares about you... so much that she wants you to move on and be happy."

Beast Boy took a step back. I watched the tears swell in his eyes.

"Terra..." he whispered. A tear streamed down his cheek.

I stepped closer and threw my arms around Beast Boy. The air remained silent, save our sniffles.

"I'm sorry." I whispered, tightening my grip. "I wish it didn't have to be this way."

Slowly, Beast Boy returned the hug. His arms tightened around my waist.

"No. This is what's best for Terra." he said. "It's just... we just got her back, and now she's gone again."

"Sometimes people leave our lives, with or without reason. Sometimes bad things happen to good people." I said. "Just know that we're here for you. I'm here for you." I paused. "Are you going to be okay?"

Beast Boy pulled away and examined my face for a long moment. Slowly, a smile formed on his face.

"Yeah," he said, "I'll be fine." Beast Boy's eyes diverted. "Ciela- your necklace."

I looked down and cupped the charm in my hand. The bottom right corner of my necklace was green. I looked back up at Beast Boy and smiled.

"Is that supposed to be me?" Beast Boy said.

I nodded. "Season five... the final season... is finished."

Beast Boy smiled, and we embraced once more.


AUTHOR'S NOTE:

*Deep breath* And so, season five has come to a close. That's something I never thought I would type so soon.

Season five has two themes:

The first theme is YouTuber LeeandLie's English cover of Yume Sekai from the anime Sword Art Online.

The second theme is Mirai (未来) by Kobukuro. This song is from the anime Orange. The best English translation I've found is on lyrical - nonsense . com.

The next chapter is the beginning of Trouble in Tokyo. I honestly don't think anything will prepare you for what's to come.

Stay tuned!