A baby's cry, where was it coming from? Who was it coming from? Why was everything so dark? This pain, this burning pain where was it coming from? Why was everything hurting? Hello? Was anyone there? Where was everyone? Who where these hooded people standing over you, what where saying? Those eyes, why where looking at you like that? The fear you could feel it rising, it was rising fast. Dick. Anyone. You began to struggle, what was restraining you back? Dick. Everyone. Damian. You call out for anyone to hear you. Why couldn't anyone hear you? Was that chanting? Who was chanting? Those figures, who where they? Why where looming over you?
You demand them to stop. Not to touch you. You try to scream but nothing came out. This wasn't right, none of this was. What was happening to you? Why was this happening? Your body felt like it was on fire, the agony was to much. Just too much, you wanted cry but your tears didn't come. Your forehead started to burn, this feeling was overwhelming. Such power, it starting to consume you. The baby's cries, they became louder and louder. Why did they sound so familiar? Wait, what was that other sound? That whimpering sound. No that lullaby. Those words...it couldn't be. It just couldn't.
Everything stopped, the burning stopped. Replaced with darkness, cold and mold. Such a rank place, so disgusting. So numb. So lifeless. So...dead. Not even a flicker of light, but the whimpers continued. Those sad whimpers of despair and loneliness, rotten walls? Old wallpaper falling off, the smell of vomit and body fluids such a sickening smell. Just so repulsive, it could make anyone gag. This just wasn't real!? None of it was, there was no way. To your horror, your worst fear. A place, a dark place you wish to never return to. Staring right back at you, that filled you with horror, you shut your eyes refusing to look. Turning heel you try to run, only to fall instead. You scream for life, but no one heard you, no sound came. What was this? Why was this happening? Falling into the darkness, deeper and deeper. Those eyes showed themselves those demonic eyes watched you fall. You scream for Dick. Damian. Batman. Anyone, but no one came...no one.
You shoot up in a cold sweat, that dream, it felt so real. A cold shiver ran down your spine, your heart raced rapidly. Everything else was quiet and still, just what the heck was that? Touching your forehead to quickly move your hand away, the top of your forehead seem like it was burning. Maybe it was just from the sweat, yeah. Throwing your covers back you leave your bed and head to the bathroom, splashing cold water on your face over and over again. It was just a dream, you kept telling yourself. Turning off the water, you reach for a towel and dry your face. Patting your face, exhaling.
"It was just a dream."you tell yourself, looking at the towel unsure."It was just a dream."Lifting your head up, you noticed something out the corner of your reflection, gasping in horror nearly shirking from what you saw. Dropping the towel you rush out.
The sun rose like any normal day, bringing like to everyone. And just like every morning, it was practice time. Everyone was ready to go in the training room, except one person. Starfire noticed someone was missing well two people.
"Where's Gar and Violet?"she looks to Raven and Blue Beetle.
"I knocked on Violet's door, to let her know. And Gar, no doubt is over sleeping. Again." Jaime tells her, thumbing over his shoulder."Do you want to me to go get her?"
He starts towards the direction."No."Raven tells him. He looks at the brooding girl, who's eyes looked completely pass him down the hall. Running footsteps echoed in the hall, approaching.
All eyes stare down the hall and in just a few seconds, you come almost tumbling in, while trying to fixing the last of your costume. Since joining the Titans you went through a costume change, getting rid of your older one replacing it with something you felt suited you pretty well. Though it wasn't much different, you still kept the same color, maroon. The top no longer a mandarin top instead, long flared sleeve Choli off the shoulders midriff with deep orange design embroidered in , the bottoms you wore a deep orange sash belt and leather maroon pants that disappear seamlessly into boots. You no longer wore gloves, you also didn't use your tonfas that use to reside on your you switched them out for maniacal Bo, custom made for you by Dick, since you where able to conceal it and adjust its size you kept it strapped to your side. You where proficient with the weapon, having been trained in it by Taila, Damian a bit and mostly with Dick who introduced you to it. You also added a deep orange choker. You got rid of your mask, you felt you didn't need it anymore since your appearance changed. Your had was a bit longer having been six months since you joined. It reached just a few inches passed your shoulder, and you always put it in a ponytail when it was time to practice or on missions, though you let your bangs frame your face that had slightly maturing face. Your attire also worked with your developing body, as Garfield put it: "All the right turns."Even if you still maintain your meek frame.
You did develop some muscles, just a bit. Starfire commented that you had inherited your cousin's attractive features. Jokingly saying, you two where related and Dick would have to start beating off the guys with a stick. Better yet his Escrima Sticks.
Finally adjusting yourself and ready for training."Sorry, I was up late..."you think of what to add to the rest of that.
"You where reading again, weren't you?"Jaime said."Hermana, I told you to ease up on your reading."
"Yes. Well, you know how I am with my books."you laugh nervously. Looking away quickly. Raven was the only one who caught you distant glance."Anyway, I'm ready, sorry Starfire."
"That't alright, let's just get started."she tells you, walking to the controls.
Starting up the training with solid hologram robotic fighters. She gives the go to start, you and the others spring into action. You manage to dodge the robots attack, reaching for your Bo, you get ready to use it. But decide against it, go for bare hand to hand combat. Using palm thrust to attack, unleashing your energy upon contact which strong enough to inflict damage. Which they would just disappear. Keeping your powers steady you attack a few more. Normally you would have Richie with you, but because he would grow to a massive size you had to stop with him, until you could control the amount of energy you fed him. Which was a bit difficult, as you needed something to release the stored up energy you absorbed. Starfire told you to be creative, think outside the box. And with mediation with Raven who pretty much in her own words told you the same thing, you in a sense managed to do just that. Taking control of your powers the best you could and managed to manifest them stun palm blast, or convert it into a sort of defense around you, and with enough focus you could sharpen visible energy to cut through things. Doing so though was a bit a strain, or you would transfer your energy to your Bo unleashing it each time you struck your enemy. Though for a last resort if needed you could just unleash it in one major blast. But only for a last resort.
Though if you really focused as Raven has told you, you could do so much more with your powers. More than you knew, which felt like she was implying she knew more about your powers than you. Another thing was she seem to be concerned about your sleeping recently. At times you would feel her eyes upon you, watching you carefully. It felt kind of uncomfortable and ominous. A few times you felt her outside your room, to open your door and find no one there. This feeling in your gut, told you she just knew something, but would not tell you. Because she seem to start stressing with you, to come back and meditate with her. But you never really did, because of what you saw. The same thing you would see in your dream. A part of you Raven told you needed to get over, if not...was all she would say, just end it like that. Nothing else every to be said. Striking down one more, Gar came in to join. Transformed as a goat, he had overslept no doubt. Which was true, because when he transformed back into his human form he was naked. He hurries and scurries off to change, at the same time you finished your last robot and turn around to everyone else, he rams right into and falls right on you.
He stares in shock just as you stare at him. Both of you in this awkward position, you right under him and him on top with no clothes. Both of you blushing heavily. Gar smiles and laughs embarrassed."Hehe...Opps...Sorry."he gets off you quickly. Apologizing again and hurries to change. Jaime comes over to you and helps you up.
He couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for you, seeing the complete look of shock on your face. He snaps his fingers to bring you back."Hey, Violet. Yo, you in there?"he snaps again."Dude, I think you broke her."He tells Gar, Starfire comes over to you and looks down at you.
"Violet, are you alright?"she calls to you.
"Yep, you broke her."
Your eyes finally move and blink. Trying to recall what just happened. You sit up pinching your brows."Please tell me, you have some clothes on now?"You direct the question to Gar.
"Yep."he assures you."Sorry again."
"...Just remember clothes next time, please."you tell him. Mumbling under your breath how you might be able to sleep well for the next few days. Earning a smirk from Raven who over heard your comment.
"But, to be fair animals sleep in the naked. I'm who entire Animal Kingdom crammed on magnificent specimen."He gloats.
Raven cast him a deadpan look."Well there's something crammed into something."she snarks.
Which made the Scarab laugh."What did that thing just say?"Gar demands, glaring at Jaime's back.
"It's noting, he's just laugh at you."Jaime assures him, letting out a few chuckles of his own.
Though Gar didn't take it so lightly. He flicks the Scarab."Yeah, well but out bug."
Which the retaliates and tries to attack the shapeshifter who just barely dodged it, buy turning into a fly."Whoa!Keep that thing on a leash man!"Gar freaks out.
Though Jaime call tells him to leave it alone."I told you, not to annoy it."You go over to it and pet it. Which it responds with a sort of cooing sound.
"Seriously?"Gar snips while hiding behind Raven.
"Jaime's right."Starfire comes over."That Scarab is not a pet. It maybe fused with his spine, but it's not exactly under his control."
Raven clarifies it for Gar."It's like you and your pants."Earning a scowl from him. Though a chuckle for you.
"That's why Jaime is here. That's why all of you are here."Starfire said."To help each other control your gifts. In order to become your be selves."
Jaime though slightly disagrees with her words."Where else are we going to go? I mean, we're a bunch of freaks, right?"
"Ah, come on Jaime."Gar makes light of it."We're all family."
"Yes, like family."You agree with him. They look towards you."We're all here for reason, like Starfire says. A place..."you begin to trail off. Thinking back to that horrible dream. Terror filled your eyes for a second.
"Yeah, see Violet's got the idea."Gar slings his arm around your shoulders. Bringing you back. You look to him, with his huge grin on winking at you."And some more than family."He flashes you a smile."We're like the five amigos."
"Six."Starfire corrects him, everyone turns to her."We're getting a visitor. Someone whom I'm sure you'll be happy to see Violet."She looks right at you.
"Visitor?"you look at her confused.
You and the others stood outside the Titans's Tower waiting for the newest member who would be joining. You had Richie perched on your shoulder. Standing in-between Jaime and Raven, out of everyone you where the most eager to know who it was. You where the last newest member six months ago, and now someone new was coming. You wondered what their skills would be? Or if they had powers too? Or...wait a minute, you knew those dark emotions. You knew them very well, to well actually. Gasping to yourself upon realizing who it was, that was being added to the team. And knowing that car that drove towards the Tower. Stopping. There as only one person you knew that had such a vehicle like this...Batman. But instead of Batman, out came Nightwing aka Dick Grayson. Your cousin in his hero persona and with him, with a longest scowl on his face.
Damian.
You where just as shocked as he was when he saw you, standing there with the others. Both of you locking eyes, you felt your stomach knot causing you to cringe. Your shift away form Damian's gaze. You didn't have to look at him to know how he felt, and he wasn't holding anything back from you. His emotions hit you like sledge hammer of guilt. Anger. Upset. Hurt. Confused. Came your way, no doubt his unspoken questions he had for you. You kept your eyes looking in the other direction, unable to face him. The guilt was stopping you, you apologize to him silently.
"Violet. Hey Violet. Earth to Violet."Nightwing waves his hand in front of you. Trying to get your attention, which worked once he playfully pushed your head down. He got your attention. You look up to your cousin who smiles down at you with his arms wide open, waiting for a hug."Well?"
It took you a second to realize what he wanted, your frown turned into a smile and you embrace him."Hi Dick."you chime."This is really a surprise."
You hear your cousin chuckle."I'm sure it was, no doubt you sensed me coming."he tells you, which you nod that he was right."You've grown since the last time I saw you."he steps back just a bit to get a better look. He whistles playfully."Look at you, aren't you turning into gem. Am I going to have to start beating back some guys? I hope you're not doing anything naughty?"
Gar just started to laugh nervously out loud, making everyone turn to him."Why would she do something like that? Hahaha."
Dick looks at him puzzled."Okay. Anyway."he turns back to you."I've got to go. Boy wonder in there is going to need some adjusting. Why don't you go and help him."He kisses the top of your head, giving you a tight hug."Love you."You hug him back, and say the same thing to him."I love you too." He releases, says his good byes to the others, hopes back in the car and drives off. You race after him a bit waving bye. It was nice to see your cousin again, it always left you feeling warm. But that feeling went away, and became replaced with heavy guilt. Turning back to the Tower, you swallow hard and enter with the rest.
