Hey everyone, hows the holidays? From October to January is one big blast of food and candy and junk, you know? Anyway, welcome back! This time on KitsuneX, we get a little more in depth with the Titans before jumping to what I can only describe as a more story oriented chapter. No fight scenes, nothing. Just the team building, and the romance coming into play. I will start with the Titans, and get all that worked out, and then I will go with Pandora and the MANY problems being solved with who is doing what and where not only why. So let's jump in, shall we?

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX;

It was a long day, having to rest after days of travel, getting his fill of food and drink, making sure he was ready to submit his resume in any and all forms was asked, the blonde in purple got a boat to the Titans Tower. He was going to finally see them about his family… "I just hope they believe I wish to help..."

It wasn't as if he was able to knock on a door here, but he wasn't going to just break in either. Coming into the main front lobby, the blonde activated a buzzer. For a moment as he waited, he wondered why they even had one considering no one else was here. It was as if no one came to visit them, just let them be. He got an answer, however, on the buzzer. It was the one he knew as Starfire. "Hello? Who is there? We usually don't get visitors..."

Not being able to talk, he mimicked talking anyway in hoping she could read his lips and believe the microphone was out. Mouthing simply, 'I've come to join the titans, I have powers. I wish to do some good.' "No idea how I will manage getting to talk to them when I am right in front of them… Good thing I brought my clipboard. Let's hope I don't have to waste time writing and have predicted as least a good few of their questions..."

Seeing his mouth moving, Starfire was indeed to get some of that. But she was curious. "I guess it's been so long since we've had visitors that the caller down there is broken… Strange, but ok. I will go get Nightwing and send the elevator down. Please be patient."

With a short and noiseless sigh, the blonde was thankful that worked. It took a few moments but the Elevator came down and opened for him, allowing him in. As he got in and it started going up by itself, he felt anxious. Would they believe him? Would they allow him to join and help? He could only hope…

When the Elevator opened again, he was in a hallway that had a few rooms and a red door at the end. It opened to the Titans coming to him, which meant he should meet them halfway. As he came up, Starfire flew in front of him. "Hello, what is your name?"

Taking out his notebook he opened it and thankfully his name was the first thing he wrote down. He gave his written answer, which totally confused Starfire. "Um, well… Greetings, Jericho, I am Starfire. But, why did you not just say it?"

Once again, he has written this one down. Jericho turned to his answer and shown it to her as Nightwing and Cyborg came up to meet him as well. Nightwing's eyes narrowed a slight bit. "So you're a mute… From the scar on your neck, I would imagine?" Getting a nod, Nightwing hummed. "I see… Would you allow a Psychic amongst us to read your mind?"

Jericho grabbed the pen, having NOT gotten that question thought of. Quickly writing on a blank sheet, he showed his answer. Cyborg turned to Nightwing. "I don't know man, this seems a bit too fishy… a mute who's accepting the mind reading?"

Knowing they didn't have a choice, Nightwing turned on his heel. "Come into the main room everyone. Jericho too. Raven should be on the roof meditating as usual. I'll call her down."

He wasn't wrong, but not the usual. Raven was deep in her trance with Superboy in front of her as they slowly tried to pry his psychic powers free. Though Conner was a Kryptonian, he had developed some of his own unique powers. He was starting to gain better control over his protective field. Around him was a thin shimmering field of energy he was controlling thanks to the focus given by Raven. It wasn't large enough for more than two people plus Conner, but it was still stable. Their trance and focus were brought short when their communicators went off. The sudden noise causing Conner's field to zap back to him, and strain his mind, giving him a headache. "Ouch… This had better be good, I told him I'd need concentration today..."

Bringing up the device, the daughter of Trigon found Nightwing on the line. "We were in the middle of Conner's mental training. What's going on?"

After being told there was a mute that wanted to join their team and they didn't want to go through postcard answers, and to see what he is capable of in case he might try something, Raven agreed and stood up. "Coming down." Turning to Superboy, whom she helped up, she smiled. "You're getting better. It seems your powers rely on just as much focus as my own. I'll keep helping you if you think that you can stand the silence."

Smiling a bit, Conner looked at the dark-haired witch. "I need some peace and quiet anyway. Might as well enjoy it with friends instead of alone. I'd bet you'd agree with that notion too."

It was a year of this, and Raven had to admit, he was right. She found it immensely more enjoyable with friends. Starfire was with her once a week, ever since their body change episode, but that was sparse and few between. Conner was with her every day he could manage it. It was still random, but it was more than Starfire managed.

As they warped down, they noticed the mute in question, a blonde with a purple jacket and blue jeans was standing there, holding a notebook. Cyborg turned to them. "Hey, you two… This is Jericho, he came to join us but.,.,. Well, we're skeptical. Mind giving us a hand, Raven?"

Nodding, Raven floated over and removed her hood, looking at the man in question. "Are you ready?" Getting a nod of agreement, he closed his eyes and let himself open his mind. Raven did the same before opening them again, white as her powers activated. "Azarath..."

Her world shimmered as she entered his mind, and when it focused, she was standing in front of him, Jericho sitting in a chair in the middle of a nice living room with pictures surrounding them. Jericho smiled, now inside his mind, he could speak. "Welcome to my home. Not much, but we didn't have much after we left my father… My name is Joseph Wilson, but just call me Jericho. I assume you've got your questions ready. Go ahead."

The name shocked everyone, as outside his mind-scape, Raven had spoken, word for word, his introduction, causing some of the Titans to gasp, but Nightwing's eyes went even narrower. "Raven, is this link both ways? Can I speak to him through you?" Getting a nod, he took a deep breath. "So, Jericho… You're the son of Slade?"

Jericho knew his father had started trouble in Jump, the reason he even came here in the first place. "Yes. I'm his son, but I am NOT... Him. My mother was pregnant with me when she ran away from him, trying to hide from him and his enemies." He stood up from the chair. "He's a prick. But he's one that refuses to do any kind of good with his strength. My scar is proof of how far his enemies are willing to go to hurt him, even when we tried to get away one cut my throat. I want nothing more than to bring him down."

Hearing this, Raven spoke to the Titans separately. "I can feel his emotions... He's truly angry with Slade, he hates him. He's speaking the truth."

Though Jericho was not done before they could ask why he was here. He knew it was coming anyway. "I came here to join the Titans because he's after you for some odd reason. I came here to stop him, but I can't do it alone. Especially if he has my sister with him. I want to help you take down Slade and to use my powers for the greater god, unlike she did. Unlike he is doing. Please, let me show you what I can do."

Starfire turned to Cyborg. "He seems sincere. It's hard to explain, but I want to believe him. What do you think?"

Sighing, the half machine hero rubbed the back of his head, sighing. "I don't know man, this all seems rather sudden. I mean, first we've got the dude Slade himself coming back fro the dead, and to make it worse he's got this new magic from Raven's father Trigon, meaning he's even more dangerous. This all happened not two days ago, and suddenly his son appears on our doorstep to help stop him? This strikes me a little more like an inside agent for him rather than another one of us against him."

Nightwing spoke up. "Jericho… What can you tell us about your father to make us trust you? The timing of you being here is a little soon considering the threat your father is making. Your sister, whoever she is, is with him you said. What's stopping us from thinking you are trying to be his inside man instead of helping us take him down?"

Jericho took a deep breath before sighing. "You don't have that guarantee I am afraid. I cannot stop you from thinking that, because I am Slade's son, I am trying to help him. My Family might be a big thing to me, but I care more about my mother than I do about my father, who betrayed us. I can't make you believe I am really here to help you defeat him, not this soon after we meet. But if you give me a chance, I will prove it to you. Please… Just give me that chance. If you find that I am not helping enough, then you are welcome to do whatever you want to me. But just give me a chance."

After all that, Raven turned her head to Nightwing. "He's telling the truth, as far as I can tell. I say we give him his chance."

Cyborg was still against it, but he turned and scratched his head. "Fine, but the second I see something fishy from him, I'm tossing his ass out."

Starfire agreed with Raven to give him a chance, and Nightwing was left with the decision. Knowing full well what Slade was like, he could see Jericho knew and was on the right side of things. "Alright. You get your chance, Jericho. Welcome to the Titans. Before we fully accept you, though, what kind of powers do you have? You said you had some superpowers right?"

As the link was still connected, Jericho smiled. "My power, if you are curious… is possession. I can look into the eyes of anyone, and possess their body. Though I never use it, it's what I was born with."

Nightwing turned to Raven, then to Jericho. "Possession. Like a spirit? Or evil ghost type of thing?"

Jericho asked to break the mental link and show everyone. Though cautious, Starfire accepted being a test. When it was broken, he showed them exactly what he could do. Looking into Starfire's eyes, his body vanished in a ball of light as it passed into Starfire, who gasped. She was on her feet still, however, and she turned to the group, who took a stance to fight. "I can possess anyone as long as they are either unprepared, weak-willed, or willing. As long as I see their eyes, I can possess them. Satisfied? I do not like using this power..."

Though they were ready to strike him down in Starfire's body, Nightwing gave the all clear. "Stand down... We asked for this. Yes, you showed us enough, now leave her body, Jericho."

As he left, he stood where he once was and put his hands up, submitting. Nightwing grabbed one hand and shook it. "Welcome to the Titans. And NEVER use that on us. Understand? Unless specifically said, that power stays under control." Getting an agreement out of the blonde, Nightwing smiled and welcomed him to the team.

XxX Pandora's base XxX

Blackfire was in her room, looking at her armor. It was a marvel of technology, much better than the first one she was given. It had lead shielding and anti-radiation energy conduits, even a lining that wrapped clearly around her body so that no radiation leaked from the armor. It was made of the best steel they had on hand, and it was full body. Though it still had the black and gold look she desired. Smiling, she looked to Naruto and Gizmo. "Thank you both for this. The first was starting to be a pain. And after you broke it, I was worried I'd not have the ability to still be... Me."

Gizmo chuckled. "Well, butt-munch over here made sure I had the materials. I'm proud to say it's my best build so far! Glad to help." As his eye opened slightly, he smiled seriously. "But really. We're a family here. We take care of our family. And you're a part of it. So, of course, we'll take care of you, Blackfire. We don't want you to be anyone but yourself."

Smiling, the Tamaranean stood up and gave Naruto a hug, and then picked the little guy up for his. "Thank you both..." Setting the blushing Gizmo down, she tried on the armor and sighed as she felt theradiation wash over her. Her eyes and hands glowing for a moment, she let her power wane. "I'm ready for more of a beating out there, blondie. When's the next session?"

Naruto turned on his heel, waving at her. "Tomorrow. I'm tired as is. Know how hard it is to get some of this metal? Just enjoy today alright?"

As the blonde passed into the main room, he noticed Kyd Wykkyd teleport in with Shego, who had a new bag of clothes. "Hey, you two. Shopping go alright?"

Shego smirked as she held up her back. "Oh yeah. The owners wet themselves when they noticed me. By the time little Kimmie will get there, I'm all the way back here."

Making himself some coffee, Naruto smiled. "Good to hear. Tell Mammoth to get back up here when you pass the weight room will you? I got something for him to do."

As the two tattered off, Jinx came up behind Naruto and jumped on his back, hugging him tightly. "You are just a tad too tall to just wrap my arms around you, you know that blondie?" Kissing his cheek, she felt his hand on hers and held it tightly, smiling. "Jack called, said Sakura's in the highest security he can put her in. Though he couldn't guarantee if semi-truck thick steel will stop the girl. Can you?"

Sighing a tad, Naruto smiled. "Whilst I cannot guarantee it either, I am hoping so. Steel here is a large amount more refined and stronger than back in my world. She once took down mountains with her fists but that is just rock. With her as unstable as she is, I am unsure if she can control enough chakra to blast her way out or not from the steel room. As for my height, you don't need to jump on me to get a kiss, you know." Picking her up off him and turning her around, sitting her on the counter in front of him, he kisses her softly. As she fell into the kiss, a hand on the whiskered cheek, he pulled back. "Just stand there and look cute. Since I'm too tired to train, what do you think we should be doing?"

Putting a finger to her chin in thought, Jinx hummed. "Well, I did want to train a bit… But seeing as you are tired and Blackfire needed new armor. I'm unsure. Want to play some games, or maybe just sit and talk?"

Finishing his coffee, the blonde gave it a sip. "Whatever sounds fun to you."

Before they could decide, Mammoth came in. "You needed to see me, Naruto? Everything ok?"

Turning to the big lug, he produced a letter. "From your sister. She said it was urgent. Though she didn't tell me, I assumed if I didn't get out of there I'd be in trouble. OH! And the good Private wanted your help out west, something in his job requiring a small bit more muscle than he thought he needed."

Mammoth took the letter and opened it. Groaning, the big man tore it up. "Thanks… I'll go grab my gear, but I'm going to be back and on time for our sessions. The stronger we are when that demon comes the better, right?"

Jinx waved him off. "Don't push yourself too hard you big lug… Just be safe out there, ok?" Getting a grunt of promise, she sighed. "I swear… He's a big brother to me, and I'm still the bigger sister looking out for him. So, about our plans…"

Smiling, she kissed his nose and flipped over the counter onto the other side, smirking. "Let's play some games and relax. Just being next to you is fine by me."

As the new couple started playing a racing game, Shego looked in on Blackfire wearing her new armor. "Looking good girl! Seems Gizmo did exactly as you said. Though a little green would go a long way for you there."

Turning to the radioactive green lady of the team, Blackfire smirked. "I'll take gold over green any day. But yeah, Gizmo did great, didn't he? How about a few rounds me and you? I'm pumped up for some action!"

Shego waved it off, though, laughing. "I just got back from a theft, no way I'm going to get bruised by you shortly after a success. Find another punching bag."

Frowning at that, the Tamaranean was deflated. She was ready for some action, to test out her armor and to use her powers, granted by the Kryptonite that was saturating her skin and overriding her illness. Though with everyone else too busy or not in the mood, she had no one to spar with. Mammoth was just leaving too when she saw him.

Sighing, she was ready to take off her armor when Gizmo came by again. "Oh, forgot to mention, the armor is supposed to be loose enough to move around in. Want to give it a test run? I'll set up some targets if you need 'em."

Blinking at that, she smiled. Keeping her armor strapped tightly, she nodded. "Sure... Though I wouldn't mind if you gave me a little bit of a fight yourself. Interested?"

Scoffing a bit, Gizmo smirked. "I'm more a techno-geek, not much in the way of a warrior like you. But I ain't letting the rest of you dorks fight that thing alone. Been working on a few improvements to my own gear I want to test out. If you really want to go, mind if I give it my all?"

Grinning, punching her fist as her eyes started to glow, Blackfire nodded. "Wouldn't want anything less from you, twerp!"

As they entered the training room, Gizmo activated a few targets moving as fast as the simulator could handle. "Let's give you a little warm up first. Get used to the armor and how it feels. Try flying around and hitting these targets at different angles. Again, need to know if I need to make adjustments."

Seeing he was considering her comfort with the armor, she flew up and started chasing the targets around her. As she flew in circles and blasted the first one, she was feeling how different the suit was to the first one given to her. This one was much lighter, but also tighter to her body, meaning it was pressed to her chest more than the other one to reduce leaking of the radiation and it was all absorbed into her skin. This was causing a bit of a chafe in her sides, but otherwise, her limb movement was perfect. As she destroyed the next two, she felt her side biting into her, the clamp causing a sting when she turned. Stopping the practice she flew down. "It's a little tight on my sides, the clamps keeping it tight to my chest sting and chaff my sides. Think you can loosen them or make them a little less of a bother?"

Gizmo nodded and they went to his lab. As she took off the suit and gave it to him, she noticed him blush and turn heavily. "So the clamps and side.. Nothing else? Need I adjust the breastplate?"

Blinking a tad, she looked down to notice she was topless. She forgot that the suit required full contact to her skin to give her the benefit of the radiation to it's fullest. Grabbing the nearest cloth, she covered herself. "UH, yeah, I'll be fine, the chest was good… Sorry about that."

Waving it off, Gizmo started taking the clamps off the suit. "Don't worry. It's fine. You look good, don't be sorry for how you look." He flinched a bit at that and dug into the suit nervously. "I'll shut up!"

Blackfire blinked more but smiled a tad. "Pretty cute for a little guy like him to find me beautiful. I know I look good, but to be appreciated like that without flaunting it. Feels good to know." It was an awkward silence for awhile before Gizmo attached new clamps that went over a sipper with padding. He had to stretch the sides out just a tad to give it room too.

As he gave it to the Tamaranean, he smiled. "There. This should fit well." Turning around to be polite, Blackfire quickly slipped the chest piece on and turned a bit, giving it a few stretches before giving her vote. Smiling as the padding felt warm and nice, she gave Gizmo a pat on the back. "Thanks, Gizmo. Feels just right now. Still up for a few rounds?"

Turning with a smile, the young mechanist nodded and followed her back to the training room. Watching them, Kyd Wykkyd smirked and chuckled to himself. "Take a smart-ass like him who makes himself stronger, and a strong woman like her who's fighting much smarter, and you have a very tough combo… Best get back to my reading. Batman sure has a lot on his plate this week"

XxX A Week Later XxX

Rose was huffing as she held her side, scorched from her father's magic, her mask broken off and her arm bleeding and wounded. "Not….yet! I can still fight!"

Walking up to his daughter, Slade narrowed his eyes. "Time's up, Rose. You're starting to disappoint me if you can't understand when the battle is lost. Don't let your enemy beat you, escape to beat him another day. HAH!" Slamming his heel in her face, Rose flew to the wall and smacked against it with a loud thump, causing her to lose consciousness. "Miserable brat… Only Grant ever learned. The only one who got it and made me proud. I bet your younger brother is stronger than you, Rose. Rest on that." With that, he left to the computer. It was getting close to the time he needed to strike once more. Watching as the Titans faced off against Mad Maud again, he narrowed his eyes.

Four red eyes appeared in front of him. "You are wasting time… Where is the brat under Kyuubi's command? I cannot find the fox, he must be hiding from me and using the boy to stop me. He thinks I am not worthy of his time, he is wrong. I will find him and tear his tails clean off. Find this blonde brat and bring him to me so I can find the Kyuubi. Once I have, you will help bring me forth to destroy him using my Daughter. The time is approaching."

Deathstroke nodded. "Yes, of course. But I wonder why he has not appeared yet. Patterns prove useless now, he has not come out of hiding since the time I fought him unlike usual. The Titans have been proving themselves even stronger than the normal villains they fight, making Jump such a safe place now. It's almost ironic a thief and criminal helped them do a better job. But he himself has a team… I can only fathom he is training them to face me at some point. I assume I will need to cause more trouble…"

The growling demon Trigon was silent in his speech but was frustrated beyond normal means. "Go forth and activate the monuments of my resurrection. If that does not signal the Kyuubi I am approaching, then nothing will."

With his orders given, the demon vanished from sight. Slade smirked under his mask. "Good idea. Now to find the temples of the Church of Blood." bringing up his database, he started searching for any mentions and exact locations. "Wonder if they still have members around to fill them. Who cares, if they stand in my way I will destroy them."

XxX High-Security Jail Under the Water, Miles Away from Jump City XxX

Dents and cracks and shavings of metal filling the cell, another loud ringing sounds through the room as a bloody, clotted scabbing fist slams into another wall, cutting into the jagged edges of previous attempts by the pinkette. "LET ME THE FUCK OUT YOU BASTARDS! I WILL END YOU! I WILL END THAT PERVERT ASSHOLE BLONDE AND THE LIFE OF THAT BITCH SLUT LOOK-A-LIKE! AHHH!' Another on the other wall cutting into her elbow as she rammed into it arm first.

Expending all her energy, she sat down right against the wall, tears having stained her face, she started crying even more as she healed her hands. "I just.. I just.. wanted… I want… I don't know what I want.. I'm, just so… so fucking broken… I can't stop, I can't… AHHH!"

"SHUSH! Hell, you've got to be quiet."

Looking around, Sakura was surprised to hear that voice. "Wait... Ino? That you?"

Slowly a breeze started sweeping her up towards the top latch of the caged that was still extremely heavy and big and locked by several heavy bars on the other side. "Temari?"

Ino looked through the bars wearing her outfit with the purple cloak and the flower mask, she put a finger to her lips. "We said Shush! We're busting you out. Gods know why after what we learned. You ATTACKED him! What the hell Sakura? We're here to apologize and talk to him!"

"But!-" Her head started hurting as the internal debate began again. Rage filling her, she used what little of her chakra was left to cling to the door. "Just shut up! I did what I had to! Whatever it was, I just want to forget it, ok!? Just get me out of here!"

Grabbing Sakura's throat, Ino brought her close to the bars. "Shut up, or we ALL get caught! Then where would we be? Just stay right there, we got the keys. Relax will you? Here… We grabbed you one of these." Handing the pinkette a bottle, the blonde psychic sighed. "Drink up, and get ready… the moment we get these bars undone is the moment you force every ounce of power you have to lift this door. Smart of them to make this cage for you, but I wonder how the hell they managed to make it... Maybe it was for another villain on the loose at the moment."

Drinking the bottle whole, Sakura sighed as she felt her energy come back. It was a rare drink that gave back the users Chakra, filling them with power. Though they couldn't get any more when they got here, so they saved what little they had left for fighting Naruto. As far as Sakura knew, it was their last one. "Just hurry up..."

XxX The Morning After, Police HQ XxX

Jack was storming everyone to the Super-Villain facility off the coast. He and his wife grabbing their snipers and pistols as they loaded up. Taking a smoke, they both began to get to the chopper. "Our own little pinkette was nothing compared to the trouble this girl is causing us."

Nodding, his wife slipped on her goggles as they sat in their seats. "Think we should tell her? Her boyfriend might be in trouble..."

After taking a big drag off the cigarette, the gruff man activated his communicator. "Code-Name Solid and Color-Blind in the chopper, ready to go. Waiting for departure." Turning to his wife, Snake cocked his pistol. "She'll hear about it in the news like everyone else. Don't worry, the way I see it he's got this girl beat… Hell, our daughter actually beat her this time so we could jail her finally. Whoever is working with her needs to be caught now…"

It didn't take long for the chopper to start up. Getting a ringing call, Canaan grabbed Snake's hidden communicator and shook it in front of him. Sighing, he shrugged. "Can't blame me for trying and getting prepared. He's just trying to help. Outside the law or no, he's got eyes everywhere."

Deciding to take the call herself, Canaan puffed on her cigarette as she answered. "Snake is a little busy. Hello again, Otacon, what eyes found whom?" After a few moments, her eyes went wide and she slowly gave the communicator to her husband. "Snake… You might want to take this one..."

XxX END! Extra Scene: Gotham Future, Terry's Most Trusted Friend XxX

Though he just learned everything the big man had to tell him, the new Batman, Terry McGinnis was not buying it. After all, he knew of KitsuneX, after facing him several times the past couple years, after all, the chaos surrounding the thief, he was stunned to hear he was more of a hero than even some of the Justice League. He couldn't believe it, and he wasn't about to believe everything the old man said after everything he learned about him and Amanda Waller. No, he needed someone he could trust, someone who knew X by heart. He needed to see the one who's been training him to be even stronger after the Joker Incident.

Entering a large building and climbing the stairs to the top, he opened the main door to find a lean and muscular older man with graying hair and an eye-patch, wearing black pants and facing a hologram that was becoming solid.

The hologram was a woman, very curvaceous but also with a stature to be intimidated by as her long black hair tied in a long ponytail went almost to her ankles and her eyes as pale as the moon. Terry juststood there as the hologram became fully solid. He recognized this woman as Hinata, one of the Titans back in the day. Once fully realized, he looked in awe as both the hologram and his friend and mentor fought it out with wild abandon, elbows knocking into each other, stalemates and dodging hand-chops to the back of the head, knee's to the skull, a fist to the knee, headbutts, and several flying moves.

The man was even stalemating against this program in weird ways as the woman flipped back from a strike before flipping with both legs rising up to meet the man in full force, only to be lifted and thrown up by the man. This did not deter her as she grabbed his hips and tucked her legs in, spinning fully and then kicking into the man's stomach.

Being blocked by the hands of the man she was fighting, her body fell back and she pushed with all her might, causing her to let go of the man's body and kicking him up into the ceiling. However, the man pushed himself upside down and landed on the roof as if it was the floor before launching off it and spun back right-side up, trying to land a rocketing double heel into the floor.

Instead of moving, the woman put both feet against the man's and then spread their legs together, pushing herself up with one hand, and the other rising against the man she was fighting.

Doing the splits on top of the woman's own splitting legs, he punched into the palm strike rising against him, which was now actually known to be blocking his punch instead of striking him herself. Spinning her legs and body, she spun the man around and both flipped back up onto their legs. The fight went on for half an hour before the woman finally dodged the powerful punch the man threw, causing him to lose balance enough for her to quickly turn on a heel and sent her other into his back, knocking him forward and on his back in front of her.

The fight was done, and the man stood to bow to the hologram, which bowed back before vanishing. Once done, the man went to grab a towel from the bench, not even looking in Terry's direction. "Thanks for not interrupting the fight... Hope it was entertaining enough for you."

Coming in and closing the door fully, Terry smiled. "Always amazing to see you work… The new Dragon Master at work… But I didn't think you could lose."

Smirking a bit, the man tossed the towel away. "Never could beat her. She's the TRUE Dragon Master. I'm just the only one of that level to still be alive. What brings you to my Dojo Terry? Bruce giving you a hard time again?"

Shaking his head, the new Batman set down his bag and opened it, giving him an information log. "No.. He's actually given me the entire history of KitsuneX… And I'm not believing it until I get a second opinion. You know the guy better than I do, but you refused to tell me anything about him. Figured you'd have more feeling put into who he really was than Bruce who seemed to respect him more than he does any of his friends. Think you can give me your thoughts, Dick?"

Taking the log, Dick Grayson, Nightwing sighed heavily before sitting on the bench. "I see… What's happened?"

Shaking his head, Terry sighed with him. "KitsuneX, his team, and the X's are gone. Wherever they are, whatever they are doing, they are gone. It's been a month and no sign of them, not even a single reading on Chakra has been found. He's gone. Completely now. He vanished in this weird portal that sent me back in time."

Remembering that day well, Dick looked up at him. "Finally happened then… Alright. Well, the short and sweet of it is… It's all true. I didn't want you to learn about this until you were ready. I wanted you to see him for yourself, learn about him yourself who he truly was. Seems you're still holding a grudge. Short and sweet of it is, he is a hero. Saved this world more times than any actual hero. We took credit, of course, he didn't want to be in the spotlight and he wanted people to know heroes were still viable. To me…. To me, he was a brother in arms. It took me forever, but I finally knew why he was who he was, and I left him alone. We just let him be. Well, all but Superman, but you already know why. He had his life, and the world was better for it. Sounds like a good tradeoff to me."

Terry frowned, however, as he was still not liking learning that the man he hated was truly the greatest hero, the one who did most of the things he was proud looking up to Batman for. "But he nearly killed you and the Titans, he nearly destroyed the planet three times over!"

Chuckling, Dick shook his head. "That's what he tells you? He is a trickster, remember? He's a prankster. Probably why there were so many times you were in the Batmobile and suddenly bubbles filled the cockpit and a dance track came on. I tried not laughing then, but that was funny. Terry, you've had what Bruce never did. A sense of humor. But apparently, even you can't laugh at Naruto's jokes. Need to lighten up buddy."

After an hour of talking, Terry was finally understanding everything. Smiling sadly, the new batman stood up and grabbed his gear. "Well. Guess I should get going. Bruce might have a fit if he finds out I've parked the Batmobile for too long in the red-zone. Still, treats me like a kid, you know?"

Waving bye to his friend, Nightwing smirked. "He always treated us like kids. But never stopped us from growing up, did it? Take care, Terry. See you next week for some more training." Seeing Terry leave, the old man Grayson turned to the mural of his students and assistant teachers. At the top of the wall was Hinata, beside his picture. "He's moved onto a better place... I hope… Keep your eyes on him, Hinata, like you always have."

XxX xx XxX

As Terry McGinnis returned to the Bat-cave, he was greeted by Bruce. "So, how did it go?"

Sighing heavily, the new Batman grabbed his suit and stuffed his bag in the locker. "I didn't want to believe it… But if Nightwing says it's true, then I believe it… Well, I can't believe it, but I know it's the truth now."

Nodding, Bruce turned to the screen as he started looking for police reports. "Though he was never one to be the hero, he always did help when needed most."

Just as Terry was suited up, they were interrupted by a sort of banging. As the two looked up at the stairs, they noticed a young woman who had black hair and green eyes with no pupils standing at the top of the stairs. "Can either of you tell me… Where my Cousin is? She's not spoken to me in months, and I cannot even get a hold of KitsuneX."

As the two Bat's looked to each other, Bruce nodded. Terry groaned aloud before speaking up. "Missing. All of them. Your Cousin and KitsuneX are both just.. gone. We're unable to find them at all. I'm sorry, Mar'i. If I find them, you'll be the first to know."

Looking in shock, the young Tamaranean flew down to Terry and Bruce. "They are missing? What happened?" As she asked, she would then come to know the reason behind it all, and grow even more in shock as to the situation her Cousin may have gotten into from it all.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX;

PHEW! That one blasted out of my skull like I never seen before. I am not stressed or even slightly pressured to write. Though I did get into a bit of a bind earlier being behind schedule, but with so much time to write so few stories, I feel free! Thank goodness. Maybe now I can end the dang Trigon Arc before the end of year… We can hope! Merry Christmas all, and I hope you enjoyed the Ending Scene there. More of the Future and more of things to come!