My name is Terra…
And I am capable of many things…
Manipulation of mud…
Manipulation of concrete…
Manipulation of stone…
Manipulation of earth…
I have the power to manipulate the planet itself…
This morning, I was just a schoolgirl…
Tonight, I was a superhero…
Right now… I don't know who I am…
All I know for sure, is that my life is out of my control…
…
The ceiling started to collapse as large rocks fell from above and the walls around them started to implode.
"Jinx," Terra said, her voice quivering. "I— I can't stop it!"
"You can!" Jinx insisted, grabbing Terra's shoulders. "You just need to—"
Terra screamed as she started to rise into the air. She looked at Jinx as a tear rolled down her cheek "Jinx, run!"
Terra gasped again as her memories continued to flash.
Terra was wearing the same clothes she'd had when first meeting the Titans. She knelt to the ground with her hands around her head as her shattered goggles hung across her chest. Rocks and dust started to spin around her, trapping Terra within her own power.
Outside the destruction that Terra was creating, Slade stood with his hands held out to the side.
"Don't lose control!" Terra told herself. "Don't lose control!"
"Now, Terra," Slade said in a voice that chilled Terra to the bone. "How do you lose something you never had?"
Terra screamed as the fear of Slade and her own memories influenced her powers in the present.
…
Red X stood from his position in the rafters of the training room as large rocks started to detach themselves from the ground and swirl around both Jinx and Terra.
Red X shot adhesive into the ceiling and jumped, quickly grabbing Jinx and swinging them both out of Terra's range as two rocks collided where Jinx's head had been a moment before.
Jinx shakily rose to her feet, looking back at Terra, who was now barely visible through the swirling dust and debris.
Red X turned as well, taking a split second to examine the situation.
"I gotta get back there!" Jinx said quickly.
Red X blocked her path as the ground a few feet from them began to break apart. "You can't."
"It's my fault, X!" Jinx shouted.
"It's not your fault," Red X said firmly.
A raven made of magic materialized out of the floor behind them. The raven opened its wings and Raven, Beast Boy, and Fixit stepped forward.
"Fixit, take Jinx!" Red X ordered. "Raven, get them out of here!"
Beast Boy turned into a mouse and ran into the swirling dirt and stone.
"Beast Boy!" Jinx shouted.
Fixit quickly grabbed Jinx as she stepped forward, yanking her into his arms.
Raven looked at Red X.
Red X nodded.
Raven nodded in return.
"No!" Jinx shouted.
Raven teleported herself, Fixit, and a still struggling Jinx away.
…
Terra rose high into the air as the earth swirling around her created a tornado.
"I'll be waiting," Slade said as he walked away.
…
Beast Boy slipped through the first wave of debris as Terra came into sight. "Terra!" he called.
Terra didn't react. She was shaking in midair, her eyes clamped shut.
Beast Boy turned into a bear as more rocks flew toward him. With a roar, he bashed two large rocks aside with his paws and used his claw to slash through a third. Beast Boy resumed his human form and called out to Terra again.
Still, Terra didn't respond.
There was another gust of wind and Beast Boy turned to see a large piece of rock coming straight at him. Just before the rock impact with his chest, it was ripped out of the twister. Beast Boy turned and saw the silhouette of Red X through the storm.
The thief was braced between two machines, his Xenothium adhesive still attached to the large piece of rock.
"Get her!" Red X shouted.
Beast Boy turned and jumped to Terra.
"Terra!"
…
Terra opened her eyes as somebody shouted her name.
Beast Boy was in the middle of the tornado that Terra herself had created. Beast Boy reached out but missed and he continued to fly around her.
Terra closed her eyes as one last memory flashed.
Terra looked over as somebody grabbed her shoulder. Beast Boy was there, now holding her left hand with his right while reaching out for her with his other hand.
As she returned to the present, Terra knew what to do. She reached forward and grabbed Beast Boy's hands with her own as he came around again.
"I'm right here!" Beast Boy shouted. "You can control this!"
"I… I know," Terra whispered. She let out her breath and sudden calm washed over her.
The debris stopped spinning and dirt and stone slowly fell from the air.
Terra and Beast Boy lowered to the ground.
Terra slowly let go of Beast Boy's hand and looked around the now completely destroyed training room. This… this is who I am… That's not going to change. No matter how hard I try. I am destruction.
Terra and Beast Boy stood as Raven reappeared with the remaining Titans.
Jinx ran up to Terra. "I'm so sorry, Terra!" she said, reaching out for Terra.
Terra instinctively took a step back. "It's not your fault," Terra said quickly. "Your powers didn't do this."
"It's not your fault either," Jinx insisted. "But it's okay. We can help."
"Nobody can help me!" Terra snapped.
Jinx took a small step back.
Terra looked at the Titans as Red X moved to stand next to Jinx.
Everyone was silent for a moment.
"I can't stay…" Terra whispered.
"Terra…" Beast Boy said.
Terra shook her head as a tear ran down her face. She grabbed her backpack and ran to the elevator as the Titans and Red X looked on.
…
There's new trouble. We know who to call…
TEEN TITANS!
The old Titans, they can't stop it all…
TEEN TITANS!
With all the evil on the attack,
they won't rest until they got your back.
The world will need more heroes on patrol…
TEEN TITANS DAWN!
Now a new team must come to the light…
TEEN TITANS!
Our world will surly perish if they don't unite…
TEEN TITANS!
There's a path must be run.
A path that leads straight to the dawn.
'Cause without Titans, evil gains control…
TEEN TITANS DAWN!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
DAWN!
TEEN TITANS!
…
"Who else would have you, my dear? You've done horrible things. Unforgivable things. Where else would you possibly go?"
– Slade to Terra. Season 2: Episode 13 "Aftershock pt. II."
…
"Terra Part II"
Terra walked toward the entrance to the Tower as Beast Boy ran in front of her in the form of a cheetah.
…
Jinx, Fixit, Raven, and Red X caught up a few seconds later.
Beast Boy started talking quickly as Terra looked away.
Fixit took a step toward Terra and Beast Boy before stopping himself. "I am unclear as to how to approach this situation," the cybernetic being said. He looked at Red X. "Perhaps, due to how unfamiliar I am to Terra as a person, I should choose the avoidance tactic and oversee our automatic repair system for the training room."
Red X shook his head and grabbed the side of Fixit's robes, whispering something in Fixit's ear.
Fixit slowly nodded. "That is… a logical endpoint to this current scenario. I shall begin preparations at once."
"Go," Red X said.
Jinx looked at Red X and raised an eyebrow.
"Later," Red X grunted.
Jinx slowly turned and looked at Raven. "I'm sorry," she told the cloaked Titan. "Terra and I… We were just having a bit of fun. I didn't mean—"
"I know," Raven said quietly. She motioned to Terra, who was shaking her head at Beast Boy. "So does she. And it wasn't your fault. I sensed her powers from my room."
"What does that mean?" Jinx asked.
"I'm not sure," Raven answered. "But what I can tell you is that this time, her powers were amplified by fear. And not just in the moment. The fear came from… somewhere else. Someone else."
"Slade?" Jinx asked.
Raven didn't answer.
…
"Terra," Beast Boy said again. "I know I can't honestly say that I get everything you're going through, but—"
"You're right! You don't get it!" Terra snapped as they exited the Tower.
Beast Boy stopped in his tracks.
"You don't get it," Terra said quietly. She let out a breath and turned away, looking at the ocean. "You're not like me. You don't have a dark side."
Beast Boy morphed without another word.
Terra slowly turned and gasped.
Beast Boy, now his werebeast form, was twice Terra's size. He had long fur and a green mane outlined with black fur that stretched behind his head. His hands and feet were now enlarged with claws the size of average fingers. There were also black stripes along either side of his gigantic arms and two below either side of his ribcage. The fur on his elbows formed into sharp points.
Terra took a small step back in shock.
Beast Boy's face stretched into a light green beard. His ears were pointed. His face was outlined with black fur. There was also a large patch of black fur on his forehead. His eyes were white and expressionless. He was breathing hard and his two white fangs glistened in the moonlight.
Terra looked into his eyes for a moment as Beast Boy's overall expression softened and he lowered his gaze.
Terra slowly reached forward and touched one of Beast Boy's fangs.
Beast Boy resumed his human form.
Terra was now touching his cheek.
Beast Boy sighed. "When you… when things went bad between us, I wasn't the friend I should have been for you," he said softly. "I'm sorry. But… everyone has a dark side."
Terra looked away.
"It isn't about whether or not you have the darkness," Beast Boy continued. "It's about what you do with the darkness that counts."
Terra slowly lowered her hand. "I'm sorry too," she said softly. She turned away as a rock platform appeared below her. "I can't be who I was, Beast Boy."
Beast Boy gulped. "Where will you go?" he asked quietly.
"To summer school," Terra answered just as quietly. She looked at Titans Tower for a moment. "Anywhere but here. I'm done with powers. If I don't use them, I won't lose control again and then I won't destroy the world or go to… I just… I can't stay. I'm not good. I can't stay."
Beast Boy slowly nodded, speaking sadly. "I think you're good. But either way… it's not my decision to make. It's yours. And if this is…" Beast Boy stopped speaking before turning away himself. "If this is goodbye… I hope you find what you're looking for."
Beast Boy turned into a hummingbird and flew off to the Tower.
…
Terra stood upon a floating platform for a full two minutes. Why can't I just leave?
"Are you going to go, or not?" someone asked impatiently from behind her.
Terra jumped and turned to see Red X leaning up against the side of the Tower, his arms folded.
Terra shook her head. "What do you want, Red X?"
"There's a nanoscopic tracker on my mask that I wouldn't mind being rid of," Red X answered. "But I guess neither of us are getting what we want today."
"Yeah? And what do I want?" Terra challenged.
"Perspective."
"You're wrong. I've had enough perspective today to know that this…" Terra motioned to the Tower. "This is not me. I can't be a part of it."
Red X scoffed and shook his head. "You know, schoolgirl, we're not all that different," he said, unfolding his arms and walking forward. "We're both stuck in a position that we didn't exactly volunteer for. I'm a thief being forced into the role of the hero. And you're a schoolgirl who all of a sudden has superpowers and an interesting read of a past to go with them."
"What's your point?" Terra asked.
"I'm a thief. And you were Slade's apprentice," Red X said. "The difference between us is that I don't feel bad about anything I've done. And you do. Even if you don't remember everything."
Terra looked down thoughtfully.
Red X turned, walking away as he spoke. "I'd imagine for a former Titan, that's gotta count for something."
Terra waited until Red X disappeared. She looked at the starry night sky and raised herself into the air on the rock platform.
…
Red X walked down the long hallway inside the front door of the Tower.
The front doors slowly closed, leaving the room mostly dark.
Red X continued walking for a few seconds before stopping. "Need something?" he asked.
Jinx walked out of the shadows behind Red X as she spoke, folding her arms. "You know, X," the Titan said with a sly smile. "Sometimes, I think you care."
"I don't," Red X grunted, glancing to the side.
…
Terra stood on the rock platform as she floated high above Titans Tower, watching the moon as it bathed her in light.
Terra looked around, attempting to count the portals in sight. She looked down at her hands. I can't just abandon the world. Titan or not.
Terra lowered her gaze to Titans tower. She spotted the final light, one located in Beast Boy's room, go out.
Terra sat down on the rock. I can't do it alone. And I can't do it without figuring out… me.
Terra looked at the city. I need answers. And I'm not going to get them in Jump City.
Terra slowly looked at Titans Tower again and at the floor to wall window that led to her old room.
Terra felt her breath catch in her throat as guilt crept into her mind. She looked at Beast Boy's room, finding that the she and the Terra from her memories had at least one thing in common. I can trust him. He is safe.
Terra slowly glided to Beast Boy's room.
The window was open.
Terra glanced inside and saw that Beast Boy was fast asleep on the top of the bunk bed across from her, snoring loudly. The room itself was trashed with bits of food, magazines, video games, movies, and music scattered over the various dressers, cabinets and tables. Even the bottom of the bunkbed had various articles of clothing spread across it.
Terra smiled sadly. Must be cool having that much room… She briefly thought of waking Beast Boy before deciding otherwise.
Terra yawned again. She thought for a moment before gliding a short distance from the Tower. She took a deep breath and raised one hand, slowly grabbing earth from far below and bringing it to her.
Using one hand to keep herself steady on the platform, Terra quietly created a large hammock and used mud encased in stone to attach it to the Tower above and below the window to Beast Boy's room.
Terra slowly walked into the hammock, set down her backpack, and settled in, getting comfortable. She yawned and rolled over. The loose dirt from the rock platform detached itself and slowly covered her, creating a soft blanket.
Terra rolled over and slowly closed her eyes, allowing the rest of the rock platform to drop safely to the ground below.
Soon, Terra was fast asleep.
…
On the roof of Titans Tower, Raven looked down at the resting Terra. Raven took a deep breath and grabbed the Titans Communicator from her belt, gazing at it thoughtfully.
…
Terra awoke from a nightmare, breathing hard. The dirt blanket fell away as she sat up. "The old man in shadow… my dream… the one who brought me to the orphanage," she said aloud with realization. "It was Slade."
The hammock shook beneath Terra as her fear at Slade's very name started to take over. "No," Terra said to herself firmly.
The hammock ceased its shaking as Terra forced herself to be calm. She looked up at the placement of the moon in the night sky. It won't be dawn for another few hours.
Terra laid down and attempted to sleep some more but couldn't. The night sounds felt like they were amplified on loudspeakers. The loudest of these sounds was that of Beast Boy's snoring.
Terra rolled over several times. After a few seconds, she smiled and grabbed some earth from the ground far below and brought it up to her. She sat up and pointed in Beast Boy's direction.
The soil moved into Beast Boy's bedroom and floated over the Titan's head. Terra very slowly and quietly molded the earth and placed it snuggly on the bed around Beast Boy's head and neck to muffle his snoring. Terra made sure to leave several small holes around Beast Boy for breathing.
Terra sat back, staring up at the night sky. After a few minutes she sighed and grabbed her backpack, pulling out her completed drawing of the butterfly attempting to make its way out of a cocoon.
Terra looked at the moon for a moment before putting the picture away and grabbing a new piece of paper. For a time, she slowly worked on a new drawing. But the further she got, the stronger the images of Slade in her mind became.
Terra put the drawing away in frustration and allowed herself to focus on Slade. She closed her eyes and the image became stronger.
After a few seconds, Terra opened her eyes in determination. If I can't confront him here, I can at least do it in my memories.
Terra pulled out the memory device and activated it, saying one word. "Slade."
Terra was sitting in a cave next to small fire. She blinked and suddenly Slade was sitting across from her.
Terra looked down and gulped. "You were right," she said softly. She looked at Slade. "Beast Boy lied. He told them. He told them I couldn't control my powers."
Slade slowly nodded. "Betrayal, it seems, has the ability to bring about the greatest of revelations," he said calmly. "The Titans fear you, Terra. The world fears you."
"I don't want that," Terra replied as she gazed into the fire.
"You should," Slade retorted. He leaned forward, grabbing a stick and shifting the logs to make the fire brighter. "Because with fear, comes respect. With respect, comes acceptance."
Terra looked up from the fire.
Slade looked into her eyes. "And with acceptance, both from the world and from within ourselves, comes control. Do you still want control, Terra?"
"More than anything," Terra admitted quietly.
"If you want this," Slade said. "Then you must come with me."
Terra gulped for a moment, brushing her hair back. "All these things I've heard about you…" She looked Slade in the eye. "Why should I trust you?"
Slade leaned forward again, slowly reaching over the fire. "Because, my child," he said, slowly untucking the hair next Terra's right ear and allowing it to drop over her face and cover her right eye. "I have never lied to you. And I never will."
Terra allowed one tear to fall from her face, knowing that the same could not be said for the Titans. Even Beast Boy. Terra looked at Slade and slowly nodded.
A muffled voice echoed through the cave, but the Other Terra and Slade made no reaction.
"What is happening? Help!"
Terra snapped out of the memory and realized that the shouting was coming from Beast Boy. The Titan was frantically clawing at the stone Terra had placed around his head.
Terra gasped, quickly removing the stone as Beast Boy sat upright, breathing deeply.
"What was that?" Beast Boy asked aloud, frantically looking around. He saw Terra sitting up her hammock outside the window.
"Um…" Terra said with a sheepish smile as she held up a hand. "Hi."
Beast Boy's mouth dropped open and he looked between Terra and his messy room. The Titan let out an embarrassed squeal before quickly hitting a button next to the window, causing it to slam close in front of Terra's face.
Terra put an ear up against the window and heard a lot of fast movement, grunts, and collisions. After hearing a sigh of relief, Terra leaned back as the window opened to a spotless room.
"Come in," Beast Boy tried, and failed, to say casually.
Terra nodded, grabbed her backpack, and hopped from her hammock and into the room.
Terra touched the wall for balance and heard something fall against the closed closet door. She looked at Beast Boy. "What happens if I open that door?"
"I wouldn't," Beast Boy said quickly.
Terra laughed.
"I, um…" Beast Boy looked around. "I thought you'd left."
"I can't," Terra said, placing her hands in her pockets. "Not yet."
"Why?" Beast Boy asked.
Terra looked at her hands. "If I want to control this and… if I want control of my life, I need to confront this. I need to figure it out."
"Where do you want to start?" Beast Boy asked.
"From the beginning to the end," Terra answered. She sat down on Beast Boy's bed and held up the memory device. "Markovia to Slade to… now. And I want your help."
"I'll stay all night," Beast Boy promised. "I can't go with you into the memories. But I can be here when you get back."
Terra nodded.
…
Beast Boy sat on the bed next to Terra as she went into her memories.
It was hours before Terra looked up. Beast Boy was still sitting next to her on the bed.
"I'm royalty and I had a brother?" Terra asked in awe.
"Yeah…" Beast Boy said, unsure of how to approach the situation.
"The green butterfly," Terra said in realization. "You were with my brother, Geo-Force when he came to visit me. I saw you two flying off after school one day."
"Yes," Beast Boy said sadly. "He… he agreed with you. You were a schoolgirl and… you had the life you wanted."
"I think the operative word is 'had'," Terra said. She stood and looked out the window at the now sunny sky. "Wow…"
"You okay?" Beast Boy asked, still sitting next to Terra.
"I'm good," Terra said. She shook her head. "Fixit was right. It is just like dreaming."
"So, what do you want to do now?" Beast Boy asked.
Terra turned to Beast Boy as her eyes widened in surprise.
Beast Boy was about to question her when his Titans Communicator went off. "Beast Boy," Raven said. "Grab Terra and bring her to the hanger."
Terra looked at Beast Boy in surprise, but slowly nodded.
"On our way," Beast Boy responded.
…
"After we're done with whatever Raven needs us for," Terra said as they started riding the elevator to the hanger. "I want to find Geo-Force."
"Why?" Beast Boy asked.
"Because I think that you and Geo-Force are the key to everything," Terra answered as the elevator doors opened and they walked down the hallway to the hanger. "I started getting fragments of memories after you showed me the mirror when you brought me to the Tower the day we… the day you found me."
"Okay…" Beast Boy said. "You never told me about—"
"But my dreams about Slade," Terra continued, ignoring Beast Boy. "The clearer fragments of memories, the dirt appearing in my bed, all that started the night after I saw Geo-Force."
"You think he has the answers you need?" Beast Boy guessed.
They entered a large, enclosed hanger located underwater near Titans Tower.
"If he doesn't have answers, then at least I'll learn more about where I came from," Terra replied.
The walked into the hanger as an orange, 'T'-shaped ship rose out of the water. The large T-Ship featured five separate areas for seating and two large thrusters. There looked to be a newer, unpainted black pod attached to the far back of the ship for a sixth passenger.
The hanger doors above them opened, splitting the water in half to allow the T-Ship to exit.
Terra shook her head and looked at Beast Boy. "My friend Amber asked me if I was okay right after I saw you and Geo-Force," she said to Beast Boy before looking down at her hands. "I told her everything was just fine. I guess I was wrong… I need to figure this out."
"Then let's go figure it out," Jinx said as she, Raven, and Fixit walked toward them.
"You called us here for me?" Terra asked.
"You require answers," Fixit said simply. "We have the ability to help you get them."
"We spent the night getting ready," Jinx explained. "Fixit even called in some of his friends to help construct another pod for you on the T-Ship."
"Where are we going?" Terra asked.
"Markovia," Raven answered.
The T-Ship spun around, allowing the Titans and Terra access to the various pods.
Red X looked at them from the lead pod as the T-Ship finished its rotation. "Get in."
…
Red X waited patiently as the rest of the team filed into the T-Ship.
After flipping a few switches to verify working coms and internal systems, Red X activated the thrusters and the T-Ship shot out of the hanger.
"That was fun!" Jinx commented from her pod as the T-Ship leveled out.
"I think I prefer being in control of my own flying," Terra admitted, her face a pale green color.
"Not in space you wouldn't," Raven said.
"Well, at least we'll get a warm welcome from Geo-Force when we get to Markovia," Beast Boy said as he placed his legs up on the dash.
"It is curious," Fixit interjected. "Files on Markovia are very limited."
"How limited?" Terra asked.
"Enough that I will not be able to navigate us through the area," Fixit clarified. "They have no place in my records or that of any organization known. And they have always secluded themselves from outside politics."
"Like I said," Beast Boy promised. "Geo-Force'll help us out."
"Do they know were coming?" Red X asked.
"I have made several attempts to establish communication, but have not yet found success," Fixit answered.
Red X nodded to himself. "I've always heard it a reclusive place."
…
After weeks of training, Terra, now dressed in yellow shorts and a cropped top shirt with a circled Yellow 'T' in the center, stood just outside the volcano with Slade. The sun was setting in brilliant shades of orange, yellow, and brown.
"You are ready," Slade said, placing a hand on Terra's shoulder as her hair fell over her right eye.
"I am," Terra said confidently.
"You are ready to join, and infiltrate, the Teen Titans," Slade finished. "And then you will destroy them."
Terra's eyes widened. "That wasn't part of the deal!" she said, stepping back as she pushed her hair out of her eye.
"What deal?" Slade asked. "You came to me for control, young one. I have given it. I did not force you to come to me. Just as I did not force you to run from the Titans and Markovia before them."
Terra took another step back. "How do you know about Mark—"
"It matters not," Slade said.
"Well it's going to be different this time," Terra insisted, taking yet another step back from Slade. "They'll accept me. They won't fear me. I'm not afraid anymore. You taught me how not to be afraid."
"I have no doubt they will accept you," Slade said calmly. "But they will eventually fear you. When they see your powers, they will limit you. They will… cage you. And, if you prove too hard to control, they will hunt you. And if they find you, if they face you, they will lose. And many others will be hurt in the process. And then, Terra, you will never be free."
"I don't want to fight them," Terra said firmly.
"My dear," Slade said. "You won't have too. Not for some time. For now, I simply need… information on the Titans."
Terra looked down and shook her head. "You knew I wouldn't agree to this," she said quietly. She thought of Beast Boy. "I know he lied but… I won't fight them."
"I am not simply encouraging you to rejoin the Titans to retrieve intel and strike," Slade clarified. "I want to show you the truth. They feared you. They will fear your control. And they will fear your potential. And they will hold you back from doing more good than they ever have. And once you understand this, you will realize that you can never be free. You just need to simply… observe."
Terra looked toward the city as both excitement and doubt crept into her mind. She found herself seeing grains of truth in Slade's words.
Terra took a deep breath and raised herself on a rock platform. "If I don't contact you again after… after I help save the city from… whatever you're planning on doing tonight," she said as she looked over her shoulder at Slade. "I promise that I won't tell them it was you who helped me."
Slade slowly nodded.
"I owe you that much," Terra said softly. She turned away from her master. "Thank you, Slade."
"Terra, my child," Slade said, stepping back into the shadows. "You will always owe me."
…
"I don't believe it," Terra said as she gazed at her brand-new Titans Communicator. "They actually trust me."
Terra's hair shifted, covering her right eye.
Terra continued staring at her Communicator for a moment before looking away. "I should tell them…"
As Terra walked out of the room with the full intent of doing so, she thought about how her new team would react. The Titans would never trust her again. They would cast her out. They would put her in jail.
Raven would have been right. And everything Terra had gained; the friendship of the Titans, a place on the team, Raven's respect, would be gone in an instant.
Worst of all, Terra would lose Beast Boy's respect. She would lose his trust. She would hurt him.
Terra sighed, staring at the Communicator again. She couldn't tell them. Not yet. They needed more time. She needed to earn their trust completely. And they needed to earn hers. "It can wait."
…
Terra spent days with the Titans.
With every crime she prevented, she felt more and more like a hero.
And with every bug that she planted, every piece of equipment that she stole, every weakness she found, she began to lose pieces of herself.
Many times, Terra considered telling the Titans everything. They were her friends. They didn't deserve what was coming.
And yet, every night, Slade's predictions during her training crept into her mind just before going to sleep.
And every day, the truth of Slade's words slowly began to grow and expand. Like the growth of grass following a long winter and even longer rains.
…
"They will hold back on you during their trainings," Slade cautioned.
…
"Why are you holding back in sparring?" Terra asked Robin.
"Just because you can put someone down hard doesn't mean you have to," Robin answered. "Especially when you're only training with your friends."
…
"They will limit your ability to help the world," Slade promised.
…
"Why can't we combine my powers with your tech to help keep the criminals in jail where they're supposed to be?" Terra asked Cyborg. "I mean, my powers have been holding this Tower up for days now. You yourself have said that the Tower is just as stable as it's ever been."
"You and Raven put the Tower back," Cyborg corrected. "And it's not like you didn't earn your place here. But our job is to put criminals in jail and, if necessary, put them back. It's not our job to keep them there. That's for the police."
Terra shook her head.
"The day we stop trusting this city," Cyborg said calmly. "Is they day the city stops trusting us. We do our job, the city does theirs."
Terra shook her head and walked away, mumbling to herself. "Yeah. Because our prisons have an earthshattering record when it comes to that. I've caught Dr. Light twice now."
…
"They will urge you to wait," Slade stated. "They will say to…"
…
"Give it time," Starfire said kindly to Terra. "We are not holding you back because we think you are incapable."
Terra looked away. "You're holding me back because you're still not sure if I can control my powers when I push myself."
"On my planet," Starfire said. "To urge someone to use their abilities without need, is to turn them in something they are not, or to turn them into something they need not be."
"I'm ready for more," Terra promised.
…
"And though they will never say it directly," Slade preached. "They will always fear you."
…
Terra preformed greater feats than even Slade had taught her. And while the Titans openly
congratulated her, they also watched her.
Raven, with a somewhat furrowed brow, drew her hood over her head as Terra used her power to create an earthquake in order to stop a car from crashing into a gas station.
"Be cautious of fuel lines," Raven said. "Otherwise, you won't be saving anything."
…
And when it came time to betray the Titans, Terra did.
Terra deactivated the security.
Terra let in the commandos.
Terra gave the Titans to Slade.
Terra did everything that Slade asked of her… with one exception.
…
"Do you trust me?" Terra asked Beast Boy, offering him a hand.
…
Terra took Beast Boy away from the Tower and away from his friends.
Terra attempted to save him. She was about to tell him everything.
Terra's one act of initial mercy for the Titans ended with one single revelation.
…
Terra held her hand out to Beast Boy as she pleaded for his understanding. "You said you'd be my friend, no matter what, remember?"
Beast Boy turned away from her, glaring over his shoulder as Terra lowered her hand. "Slade was right," he said bitterly. "You don't have any friends."
Terra's eyes widened with hurt.
"Come," Slade said as Terra slowly stepped back to stand in front of the commando, closing her eyes. "We've had a change of plans."
Terra opened her eyes and the hurt was replaced by hate as she and Slade slowly stepped back into the shadows.
…
Terra returned to the volcano with Slade and traveled into its dark depths to the room illuminated only by the lava being held back by protective glass.
"I'm sorry," Terra said quietly as Slade took off his scratched mask and replaced it with his back to her. Terra took a step forward. "I was wrong about them. I was wrong about you."
"Terra, my child," Slade said, turning back to her. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "There is nothing to forgive."
…
Terra continued watching until she fought the Titans to the point of their retreat before shutting down the memory device. She took a deep breath and sighed. "I'm sorry, guys."
"What?" Jinx asked from her pod. "I didn't copy."
Terra jumped, realizing that she had spoken out loud. She gulped and forced herself to say it again. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what I did when I… what I did the last time around. It was wrong, it was foolish, and it was cruel. I really am nothing like you guys."
There was a moment of silence before Raven spoke. "You're not all that different from us, Terra. From me."
Terra raised herself in her seat to look at Raven's pod. The Titan pressed a button and Terra saw a request for a private communication appear on her own console. Terra accepted the request.
"I never hated you," Raven said once she knew their conversation was private. "I… was scared of you."
"From what I've found out the last day and half," Terra said. "I'd say everyone has… had a reason to be scared."
"You don't understand," Raven said calmly. "My powers are derived from my emotions. If I lose control… or if I choose to, I could rip the entire universe in half. And that is always going to be my battle to fight."
Terra looked at her hands.
"And then came this girl," Raven continued. "And I knew in a heartbeat that with as talented as she was…"
Terra looked at Raven again.
Raven let out a breath. "This other girl could tear my whole world apart. The one place that I've found true refuge is Earth. And I couldn't risk her ending up… like me. So I pushed her away and I kept her at a distance. And in the end… one of the greatest threats to the world… was her. And then later… me."
Terra closed her eyes, thinking of everything that she'd done.
Raven spoke again. "But… after everything that has happened, you and I still have one thing in common, Terra. We both chose to return. We both chose to fight back. And we both saved the world."
Terra smiled slightly, knowing that Raven was telling the truth.
Raven ended the private com.
"We're here," Red X said.
Terra looked out the window and saw a large, golden-brown city perched on top of a large, spacious mountain. There were hundreds of people walking about the streets. Large factories sent smoke high into the orange, cloudy sky.
"Wow…" Jinx said. "Cool place you got, Terra."
"Yeah," Beast Boy said. "I wouldn't exactly mind taking a vacation here. What do you think, Raven?"
Raven didn't answer.
"Still no word from the city?" Red X asked.
"I still have not received a response," Fixit said. "It is curious that with the T-Ship being within line of sight that the Markovian authorities have made no attempt to contact us."
"Something's not right," Red X said. "I'm putting us down outside the city."
Red X landed the T-Ship thirty yards from the city and he, Terra, and the Titans emerged from the ship.
Terra left her backpack in the T-Ship.
"Any memories?" Jinx asked Terra as they all exited the T-Ship.
Terra shook her head, getting the feeling that something was off about Markovia.
"Well, just remember," Jinx said, placing a hand on Terra's shoulder. "No matter what we find, no matter what we find out about your past, it doesn't define you. You get to choose who you want to be."
Terra nodded. "Thanks," she said. She looked at Beast Boy who was currently a dalmatian sniffing at the ground. "Beast Boy, what's wrong?"
"I don't smell anything," Beast Boy answered as he resumed his human form. "People, food, nothing."
"Something is definitely wrong," Raven said.
Red X looked at them before slowly walking to the edge of the city.
None of the people paid them any mind. It was as if the Titans, Terra, and Red X didn't exist.
Red X stopped and slowly reached forward. A second later, his hand disappeared.
"Woah!" Beast Boy said as the rest of the group ran up to Red X. "Are you okay?"
Red X grunted and moved his hand back as it reappeared. "This place is a ghost town. Look at the factories."
"The smoke just… ends," Jinx said, following his gaze.
Terra looked as well and saw that smoke did in fact rise into the sky but simply disappeared rather than dissipating.
"Red X is correct," Fixit said. "I am detecting no life signs on the surface of the city."
Terra slowly walked past Red X. The second that she crossed in front of him, the city disappeared.
Markovia was a city of rubble. Rusted and broken cars surrounded them. The buildings were long abandoned and some were mere piles of rubble while others had begun to fall apart. The factories were inactive and the streets were covered with debris.
There was nobody in sight.
"When you mentioned them as 'reclusive'," Jinx said to Red X as the thief, Terra, and Titans crossed the threshold. "I was thinking more along the lines of not being a tourist attraction."
"What happened to this place?" Beast Boy asked. He looked at Terra.
Terra shook her head. "I don't know," she said honestly.
"This is an advanced cloaking device," Raven said, as she moved her hand through the threshold. "It was put here to make it look like the city existed."
"Slade must be using this tech to hide the portal generators too," Red X assumed.
"It is effective," Fixit said as his eyes flashed. "I have tracked the cloak's origin to an area a mile outside the city. My scans indicate that it is made from old technology. The device is constructed using minerals that can only be found here, in Markovia."
"I don't get it," Terra said. She looked at Raven and Beast Boy. "This place was fine during my last memory. Geo-Force told you he'd cleaned this place up… this doesn't look clean."
"Beats me," Beast Boy said as he looked back at the threshold.
"There's something more going on here," Raven said. "We need to find out what it is."
"So, where do we go?" Jinx asked, looking around them.
"We follow her," Red X said, looking at Terra.
"What?" Terra asked.
"You've been here in your memories," Red X said calmly. "Find the most prominent landmark and bring us to it."
Terra closed her eyes and thought for a moment before looking at the Titans and Red X. "The throne room."
Beast Boy started placing his limbs through the threshold to watch them disappear. He placed his head through as Raven yanked him back.
Terra led the group through the abandoned and destroyed city.
"Why the throne room?" Jinx asked Terra quietly.
"In one of my memories there was a nasty sandstorm," Terra explained as the largest structure in the city loomed over them. "My… parents opened up the castle for shelter. If there's anyone left in this place, they'll probably be there."
"Fixit," Red X said. "Any life signs?"
"Still nothing on the surface," Fixit answered. "However, I have detected three life signs underground."
Raven looked at Terra.
"There's an underground entrance at the back of the throne room," Terra said with certainty. "We'll start there."
Ten minutes later, they were at the palace. The palace was a large castle with multiple towers and windows. There was only one flag left standing with the rest littering the ground alongside the broken glass windows.
Terra, Red X, and the Titans walked through the front doors of the large palace and into a gigantic throne room. A dirty rug that was once red with gold lacing on the sides started from the entrance, ran past the numerous brown pillars, and ended at a small set of stairs leading to a wooden throne. There was a fallen red curtain on the floor off to the side of the room.
A group of bats fluttered from the ceiling, drawing the group's gaze for a moment. When they looked forward, one man sat on the throne of Markovia.
"Slade," Terra whispered.
Slade slowly stood. "Welcome home, Terra. I've been waiting."
The Titans and Red X turned forward, readying themselves.
"Is there ever a time when you're not waiting?" Beast Boy exclaimed.
"Ahh, the last remaining Titan," Slade said, looking at Beast Boy. He turned his gaze to Raven. "Or soon to be. I'm sure with more threats from the portals, your abilities will be coming in handy. I must say, I found the powers your father gave to me to be quite useful. I thank you for that."
"My powers are in my own control," Raven said evenly. "What you choose to use magic for is not a reflection upon me."
Slade nodded, looking at Terra again. "Very interesting company you keep, Terra."
"At least they don't hide in the shadows like a coward," Terra said bravely as she felt her fear and anger rising. "I've seen enough to know that they're nothing like you."
"Do you not realize that your interdimensional counterpart once helped destroy the world?" Slade asked, glancing at Raven.
"And she saved it," Terra retorted. "She's not the villain here. You are."
"Perhaps I am the only villain here," Slade said. He looked at Red X. "With one exception."
"Still not interested," Red X grunted.
Slade placed his hands behind his back. "If that is still the case…"
Numerous robotic commandos walked around the pillars as well as the throne and surrounded Terra, Red X, and the Titans.
"Perhaps I should rework my system to scan for non-biological components in the future," Fixit said.
"This happens to us a lot, doesn't it?" Jinx asked.
"Why are you here?" Terra asked Slade. "What did you do to this city? What do you want from me?"
"It is of no consequence," Slade said. "This reunion has come to an end."
The commandos raised their weapons and fired, only to have their shots blocked by Raven and Terra as they raised shields of magic and stone to protect the Titans and Red X.
Terra gritted her teeth, separated the stone wall into three pieces, and used them to smash the commandos near Slade.
Raven pushed her own shield outward and hurled the commandos near the entrance to the throne room off their feet.
Slade disappeared through a hidden door behind the throne.
"Go!" Jinx said as she, Fixit, and Red X, banded together. "We'll take care of these guys!"
Beast Boy and Raven moved to Terra.
Terra looked at Jinx and gave her an appreciative nod.
Jinx nodded in return. "Go get your answers, Terra."
Terra, Beast Boy, and Raven ran through the hidden door and down a set of stairs.
…
Jinx turned back as the commandos started to rise.
"Separating the team is a mistake," Red X commented.
"I thought you didn't care," Jinx said. She gulped. "That being said, joining Slade may have been safer for you this time around."
Jinx, Red X, and Fixit charged forward.
…
At the bottom of the stairs, Terra, Raven, and Beast Boy found themselves in a large, round room reminiscent of the underground cavern that contains the Titan's training equipment.
The room itself was empty aside from a few ripped and dusty portraits. Slade stood on the other side of the room. There was another passage behind him that seemingly led back up the mountain.
Slade turned back to Terra and the pursuing Titans. "Predictable as always," the villain said. "Does this place feel familiar to you, Terra?"
Terra looked around as images flashed through her head. This room had once contained lab equipment, scientists, soldiers, and no small amount of experimental obstacle courses.
Terra gulped. "What do you know about me?" she demanded.
"Terra, my dear," Slade said. "I know everything about you."
Two figures emerged from the passage behind Slade.
The first was Pam. The old waitress from 'Ben's' had age spots on her left cheek. She was dressed in her usual pink shirt, brown pants, and black shoes with an apron strapped to her waist. As always, she wore blue, half rim glasses over her eyes. She looked the exact same as she had when Terra used to roam the outskirts of Jump City prior to meeting the Titans.
The second figure was Terra's principal.
"Principal Green?" Terra exclaimed.
"Wintergreen," Raven said quietly.
Terra glanced at the Titan before returning her gaze to her former principal, still wearing his white suit and tie as he moved to stand behind Slade. He stared blankly at Terra as he brushed down the grey trimmed hair on the back of his bald head.
"That's your principal?" Beast Boy asked.
"The second man from the flash-freeze prison break," Raven said to Slade. "Wintergreen joined you just like the H.I.V.E. Headmistress the night you started this."
"Mr. Wintergreen's loyalty has been commendable," Slade allowed. He motioned to the waitress next to him. "As has the loyalty of Pam."
"I trusted you," Terra said softly, taking a step toward Wintergreen and Pam.
"How very ironic this is," Slade said. "The Titans once trusted you, Terra."
"We still do," Beast Boy said determinedly.
"Disappointing," Slade said. He held up a hand as one more figure emerged from the darkness behind Slade. "You also made the mistake of trusting Terra's genetic clone."
Geo-Force stepped out of the darkness behind Slade.
The young man who'd visited the Jump City weeks before looked at Terra and the Titans with an expressionless face. His long brown hair was lay flat against his head. The upper part of his uniform that started with a 'GF' on his chest led up his neck to form a mask was now half yellow and half orange. His undershirt shirt and his lower body was black along with his gloves and belt.
The Titans and Terra had little time to process this before Geo-Force raised his hands.
The room began to shake.
The ground behind Terra rose to the ceiling, separating her from Beast Boy and Raven.
…
"Terra!" Beast Boy shouted, turning into a gorilla to break through the stone wall.
"Beast Boy!" Raven called.
Beast Boy turned to see over twenty stone pods emerge from the ground and split apart to reveal more of Slade's commandos.
Beast Boy charged into the commandos.
…
Terra turned back to Slade.
"If you wish to ask your questions," Slade said calmly. "I'd suggest you do it now."
"You can answer my questions in jail!" Terra shouted. She grabbed a few sharp, pointed stones from the ground and sent them in Slade's direction.
Slade merely stepped aside as the stones flew past and bounced harmlessly off Geo-Force's chest.
"Even as an infant, you exhibited the ability to move the earth, if only on an instinctual level," Slade said, brushing a crumb of dirt off his shoulder. "However, you always displayed potential. But now, after so many years, I must say I'm underwhelmed by your progress."
"Progress leading where?" Terra snapped.
"My legacy," Slade answered.
…
Red X used the broken pillars to jump high into the air and land in the middle of a group of commandos. He sliced with his wrist-blades from side to side horizontally and ended with an uppercut as three commandos went down.
Five commandos raised their weapons in Red X's direction.
Jinx waved her hands at two broken pillars. The pillars cracked in half and landed on a large group of charging commandos, sending dust and dirt flying to the air.
The commandos fired at Red X but found that as the dust cleared, he was no longer there. Red X jumped down from above, using adhesive rope to wrap himself around a pillar and charge into the group of commandos from the side.
Fixit placed himself between the remaining unchallenged commandos and the passage leading underground. The commandos ran forward.
Fixit blocked a punch with his left hand and sent a palm through a commando's face with his right. Fixit then ducked under another punch and sent a palm through another commando's chest, leaving behind a probe that hacked into the commando's system and caused it to turn on its nearby allies, allowing Fixit to pick off the rest with ease.
…
Beast Boy pounced at commando as a tiger, slashing through the robot before turning into an armadillo, bouncing off the wall, and using his momentum to knock down another commando.
Raven started grabbing large chunks of stone from the wall, using them to smash more stone pods as they emerged from the ground.
…
Terra's eyes narrowed.
Slade continued speaking. "When you were an infant, I approached two men. One, I only knew as 'The Scientist', and the other was General Immortus."
Terra shut her eyes briefly as a memory flashed before her.
Two men, one very old and dressed in military garb and the other wearing black goggles and a white lab coat, stood over a glass box. Inside was a small infant child with a tuff of yellow hair. The two men watched in amazement as the child cried and the entire room began to shake.
Terra quickly grabbed a large piece of rock to attack Slade, only to have the projectile blasted apart by Geo-Force.
"It wasn't long before The Scientist and Immortus figured out that only those of royal blood could possess and use the powers," Slade said.
Geo-Force snapped his fingers and Terra fell to the ground after a large piece of stone was ripped out from under her.
Slade took a step forward. "So I ordered them to create a being."
…
"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" Raven shouted, morphing Beast Boy from a kangaroo into a mouse to allow the green Titan to dodge an unseen blast from behind.
Raven received a kick to the chest that sent her to the ground.
Beast Boy morphed into his werebeast form and roared, using his massive arms to bat a set of commandos aside.
…
Jinx, Red X, and Fixit turned to the sound of Beast Boy's roar.
Red X looked at Jinx and nodded.
Jinx waved her hands at the ceiling, creating a series of cracks that sent a group of bats swirling down into the commandos, disorienting them.
Fixit's eyes flashed and a pile of fallen blasters rose from the ground and fired into the onslaught of commandos.
Red X jumped out of the fray and shot Xenothium at the ceiling, using his momentum throw himself through the passage and down the stairs.
…
Terra tore more stone out of the wall behind Geo-Force.
Geo-Force used his glowing palm to push the stone back into the wall. Terra found herself thrown off her feet yet again as the stone emerged from the ground and hit her from below.
"The Scientist and Immortus believed that I was helping them create a weapon," Slade said. "When in fact, all I wanted was a being whom I could use on you."
Terra slowly stood.
"At the time, you displayed little control over your powers," Slade explained. "I wanted a being that could test you beyond training courses. I wanted to present you with a real challenge."
Terra stepped forward again. "Why didn't my family stop you?" she demanded. "Why didn't the people of Markovia stop you?"
"By the time they realized what kind of experiments we were conducting," Slade said calmly. "It was far too late."
Terra looked at the portrait on the side of the room and saw a ripped and tattered picture of a bearded man and a beautiful woman, each wearing a crown. Below them sat a blonde toddler in a pink dress.
"You destroyed the city," Terra whispered as she clenched her fists.
"It was not my intent," Slade admitted. "But yes, while we were successful in creating Geo-Force, his control over the power provided by your genetic coding had its faults. He destroyed this city, the royal family, and The Scientist in the process."
"Markovia…" Terra said, thinking of all the people who once walked its streets.
"Markovia was a necessary loss," Slade said coldly, glancing at Geo-Force. "It didn't take long to make adjustments. Now Geo-Force is dangerous, but not unstable."
Terra screamed in anger, grabbed as much rubble off the ground as she could, and threw it at Slade. Geo-Force stepped in front of Slade and summoned a rock wall to stop the brunt of the attack but was unable to stop a few stones from striking his own face.
Terra took a step back and gasped as Geo-Force looked at her, revealing that underneath his skin was a fully mechanical body.
"Yes," Slade said, moving around Geo-Force. "It is regrettable, but the only way to salvage Geo-Force's body following Markovia's demise was to replace all but his mind with nanotechnology. To any tests, using technology or other means such as telepathy, he would seem completely human. But he is simply a husk. A husk who had the ability to bury his memories so deep that even your half-demon friend could not break completely into his mind."
Brown rock slowly started to form around Geo-Force's body as he encased his features in stone, making him twice as large as Slade.
"He is nothing but a machine ready to do my bidding," Slade continued. He looked around. "As for Markovia itself, I decided to continue using it as a base because it provided me a safe place to continue my work on the portals during the Titans' confrontation with the Brotherhood of Evil. You, Terra, are all that is left of Markovia."
Terra's hands clenched into fists as she stepped forward again.
…
Beast Boy, still in his werebeast form, flipped forward in a tight ball, landed behind a group of commandos, and started swiping.
Raven flew into the air as a few commandos drew their blasters. The Titan was barely able to avoid the blasts as they collided with the wall inches away from her.
Raven used her magic to grab small bits of stone dislodged from the blasts and threw them into the commando's blasters. The weapons overloaded and exploded, sending the commandos crashing into the wall that was blocking their path to Terra.
Beast Boy threw two commandos aside as the last two robots by the stairs leveled their weapons. Suddenly, the commandos fell to the ground with a burst of electricity as two X-shurikens embedded themselves into the robot's backs.
Beast Boy resumed his human form as Red X walked down the stairs.
…
Terra grabbed stone from the ground again, turned it into mud, and attempted to pin Slade to the wall.
Geo-Force raised a hand and grabbed the mud before it reached its target and pushed outward, wrapping the mud around Terra's arms and legs and using the sticky substance to keep her in place.
Terra grunted in exertion as she attempted to use her powers to break free, but Geo-Force was stronger.
"You cannot not resist, young one," Slade said, walking forward to look into Terra's eyes. "You are not who you were. You cannot defeat Geo-Force. You cannot defeat me."
"You destroyed a city!" Terra spat. She looked at Geo-Force who was still standing next to Pam and Wintergreen. "You destroyed an entire city to create a tool. A weapon!"
"An effective tool," Slade corrected. "But you need not be upset, Terra. Geo-Force may not have had a childhood due to his accelerated aging process, but your entire childhood was a lie. You were raised in the aftermath of this city's destruction. Your father… your mother… your entire world was a fabrication created by me. Everyone you knew from the moment you said your first words were nothing more than androids. Your entire life is a lie."
…
Jinx kicked another commando off its feet as Fixit threw aside yet another hacked android.
"C'mon!" Jinx said, moving toward the throne.
"Wait," Fixit said calmly. He walked up to the nearest pillar as his eyes flashed. "This could be… problematic."
"What?" Jinx asked. She stood beside Fixit. "We should get out of here… soon."
"Yes," Fixit said, looking at a large, intricately wired bomb that had been placed on the support column. A digital timer surrounded the bomb with a red aura. Fixit's eyes flashed again. "I detect fifteen explosive devices in this room. I shall work on disarming them. I suggest you retrieve the team, Jinx. If I fail, we only have three minutes."
"I'll see you in two," Jinx said, patting Fixit's shoulder as she ran toward the stairs.
…
"We gotta get through this!" Beast Boy said, looking at the rock wall separating them from Terra.
"That's gonna take a minute," Red X said, tracing the wall with his hand.
"We don't have one," Jinx said, joining them as Raven attempted to take apart the rock with her mind. Jinx looked around. "Where's Terra?"
"Through there," Red X said, motioning toward the stone wall with his head.
Jinx's eyes glowed pink as she started pelting the rock with pink energy.
Seconds later, the Titans and Red X joined her, using whatever they could in a desperate attempt break through the stone wall.
…
Terra attempted to break out of the mud keeping her captive but was unable to summon enough power.
"You see, Terra," Slade said as he stepped forward. "I have controlled your destiny far longer than you know."
Terra leveled a glare in his direction.
"I knew that with the right manipulation, you would eventually run," Slade continued. "Or rather, you would be set loose."
Terra closed her eyes, remembering the night she ran away from Markovia, desperate to escape the control of others only to have her every thought unknowingly manipulated by a man in shadow.
"General Immortus was still upset about the loss of Markovia as a military asset," Slade said, turning to the portrait of the royal family. "He didn't agree with my decision to set you loose in the world to see the true measure of your abilities. And so, he joined the Brotherhood of Evil."
"Another necessary loss," Terra spat.
"I had what I needed from him," Slade confirmed. He turned to Pam. "Until I felt you were ready, my assets kept a close watch on your whereabouts."
"You two never cared about me," Terra said, narrowing her gaze again as she looked at Pam and Wintergreen. "Are you guys even human?"
Pam and Wintergreen nodded as Slade answered for them. "Pam has always been willing to do a little grunt work for the right price," the commando said. "And when I decided you were ready, I set the scorpion loose upon you and the Titans took you in just as I had planned."
Terra looked at Slade.
"After all," Slade continued. "I saw you first."
…
Fixit removed a wire from a bomb as his eyes flashed. The bomb shut down with ten seconds left.
Fixit let out a sigh of relief. We may not need to evacuate after all.
There was a small beep.
Fixit looked up and saw a small patch of red auras above him. Fixit quickly activated his inferred vision and saw numerous bombs lodged in the ceiling.
There were another series of beeps and the entire ceiling lit up.
"Fixit!" Jinx called through his communicator. "We need your help! We're blocked! We can't get to Terra!"
Fixit ripped the inactive bomb off the pillar and moved toward the stairs as the beeping above him sped up.
The Titans and Red X ceased their attempts to break the wall as Fixit arrived.
"Slade has more explosives," Fixit said calmly. "We must—"
The entire cavern shook as the throne room exploded.
…
Terra attempted to turn as she heard a loud explosion in the direction of the throne room.
Slade made no reaction.
However, Wintergreen, Pam, and Geo-Force shifted slightly.
Terra felt the power keeping her at bay falter slightly.
…
Red X quickly held out his hands and coated the entire entrance from the throne room with adhesive as debris came tumbling down the stairs.
Raven placed a shield of magic over the Xenothium to create a buffer as Beast Boy, in the form of a gorilla, Jinx, and Fixit braced themselves against it.
The Xenothium solidified and the debris was unable to penetrate the room.
"Well," Jinx said in relief. "At least we didn't get crushed."
"But Terra's still in there," Beast Boy said, pointing at the solid stone wall.
"Slade wouldn't trap himself," Red X said with certainty. "But we need to get through this wall fast. Ideas?"
Everyone looked at each other for a moment before turning to Fixit as he slowly pulled the final explosive out of his robe.
…
Terra made her move. She used what strength she could to break herself free from the casing around her before quickly reforming it into a large stone and throwing it at Geo-Force.
Geo-Force caught the stone in one palm before returning it to Terra who launched it at the ceiling above Geo-Force.
Pam and Wintergreen scattered as a chunk of the ceiling broke apart, covering Geo-Force with thousands of pounds of debris. Terra smiled in relief as Slade calmly nodded at something behind her.
Terra turned to see Geo-Force inches away from her face and was unprepared for the backhand that sent her to the ground. Geo-Force raised his rock-covered hands again and the rocks that Terra had used in an attempt to bury him reformed and closed around her in a tight cage.
Slade walked forward yet again. "That was an enjoyable attempt. But it seems you still have quite the knack for finding yourself encased in stone," he taunted. He nodded at Geo-Force and they walked back to Pam and Wintergreen before Slade spoke again. "Unlike the last time, when Trigon's fall resulted in freeing not only the people of this world from stone, but you along with them, you have little chance of escape."
…
Jinx placed her right palm against the wall and grunted as she summoned more energy than she ever. The surface glowed bright pink. She expelled the energy, creating a large crack in the wall.
Beast Boy, in the form of a mammoth, ran straight into the wall, cracking it even more.
Jinx slumped, breathing hard as she took a step back.
Fixit placed the bomb inside the large crack.
Red X carefully traced adhesive along the crack as Raven placed a shield around the entire wall to limit the blast radius.
The Titans moved as close to the back wall as they could.
Fixit's eyes flashed as the timer on the bomb reactivated.
…
Terra attempted to break the cage apart as Geo-Force reinforced it with more stone.
"Accept it, Terra," Slade said. "You. Are. Beaten."
BANG!
The stone wall behind Terra exploded. Geo-Force raised a hand and threw the debris aside as the Titans and Red X stepped forward.
"Let her go!" Beast Boy shouted.
Slade tipped his head. "Hmm. I seem to remember urging you to do the same when you found Terra at that school," the commando said calmly. He motioned to Terra's principal. "Following your freedom from the stone coma, I placed Wintergreen in charge of keeping an eye on you until such a time that the heroes of this world were gone and there was nobody to corrupt you as the Titans had."
"The only corrupter here is you!" Terra retorted.
"A task that I must say could have been handled with more efficiency," Slade said to Wintergreen, ignoring Terra and turning back to Beast Boy. "I will say, it was far too easy to manipulate your feelings for Terra when I sent that commando to throw you off her scent."
Beast Boy gritted his teeth and stepped forward but stopped when Slade nodded to Geo-Force who, in turn, fashioned sharp, stone blades and leveled them at Terra's chest.
Slade glanced at Geo-Force briefly. "When I released Geo-Force weeks ago, I knew that he would trigger the memories of Terra's childhood that I needed. It would make me the sympathetic advocate she would come to when she finally discovered her powers in the near future."
"The man in the shadows who brought me to the orphanage," Terra stated.
Slade turned his back to the Titans, Terra, and Red X. "Unfortunately, I was unprepared for Kardiac's interference. He triggered Terra's powers far too early when he attacked the school. At that point in time, you ceased being a candidate for my legacy, Terra."
"Your loss," Jinx said, taking a step forward.
Terra turned and looked at Jinx.
Jinx gave her a wink. "Our gain."
Fixit took a step forward as well. "I agree. That was a severe miscalculation."
Terra gave them a thankful nod. She felt her power rising. Incentive.
"However," Slade said, ignoring the Titans. "With the arrival of a better choice…"
Terra looked at Red X.
The thief folded his arms.
Terra looked back at Slade.
"This entire chain of events is now irrelevant," Slade finished, looking at Red X as well. He turned back to Terra. "Like everything that has happened in your life and the fate of Markovia itself, you are irrelevant."
"No!" Terra shouted in defiance, anger, and confidence.
The cage around Terra exploded and she sent what was left of her prison and the blades back at Geo-Force.
Geo-Force turned aside as the debris went flying past. He held out an arm and combined the rock and stone into a massive meteor, sending it in Terra's direction. Terra gasped and shut her eyes as she instinctively encased herself in detailed stone that allowed all her features to be recognizable and took the projectile at full force.
As Terra hit the ground, the stone casing fell apart. She grunted in pain and was only able to rise to a knee before Geo-Force appeared in front of her and grabbed her around the neck.
…
Beast Boy took a step forward.
Raven stopped him with a hand on his chest, looking Beast Boy in the eye. "Trust me," she said quietly.
Beast Boy nodded.
The Titans and Red X stepped back.
Raven slowly turned back to the battle, levitated into the air, and sat cross-legged as she closed her eyes.
…
Terra banged her bare fists on Geo-Force's arms as the stone being picked her up.
"You are a failure, Terra," Slade said, his voice echoing in her ears. "You are a descendent of a failed city and a failed throne."
Terra's hands clenched into fists as images of what was once her home in another life became a part of her. Even without magic, the memories felt as real as the room around her.
"Most of all," Slade continued. "You are a failed Titan. You always have been. You
always will be. Because, you know that in your heart, after everything you did, everything you did willingly, you can't be one of them."
"The Titans choose their own!" Raven shouted from behind Terra. "Azarath! Metrion! Zinthos!"
Terra gasped as she felt rather than saw Raven revert into a raven made of magic and enter her body. Terra shut her eyes and she and Raven became one and the same. Their powers wound themselves around each other. Terra opened her eyes. One eye was purple like Raven's. The other, blue like Terra's.
With a burst of black and yellow energy, Geo-Force flew across the room and landed on his back.
Slade's eye widened somewhat as he, Pam, and Wintergreen took a step back.
"Stay back!" Terra and Raven shouted at the Titans and Red X, their voices combined.
The Titans and Red X didn't move as Raven's body continued to float in the air.
Geo-Force quickly stood and gathered up all the loose stone from the floor and turned it into tiny blades, shooting them at Terra and Raven.
Terra and Raven let out a combined battle cry and raised their arms, grabbing all the loose stone from the ceiling and walls, creating blades of their own.
The projectiles met in the middle of the room, each trying to push the other stream of stone and rock back.
"It is ironic," Slade said loudly. "That this comes down to you, me, and the Titan. Us three are so very much alike. Destruction. Ruin. Death."
"Unlike you…" Terra said in her own voice as she and Raven stepped forward. "We have friends to fight for! And I'd rather be a hero like her, than a villain like you any day!"
"Be that as it may," Slade said. "This talk has merely been a stalling method. Now that your friends have joined us down here, I believe it is time to bury this ordeal."
Slade grabbed a detonator from his belt and held his thumb over the button, taking one last look at Red X. "I trust that those who are meant to survive, will survive."
Terra and Raven turned.
Red X slowly nodded at Slade.
Slade pressed the button on the detonator.
The ceiling above them lit up red for a split second before they heard a series of explosions. The ceiling started to give way, threatening to bury them alive.
Terra and Raven gasped.
Raven severed the contact and stepped in front of Terra, attempting to shield them from the Geo-Force's continuing onslaught. Terra looked up at the ceiling and raised her hands, attempting to control the collapsing rock and stone overhead.
Slade slowly walked backward through the exit as both Pam and Wintergreen stood frozen in awe of the destruction around them.
"We need to get everyone out!" Raven warned as the Titans and Red X clung as close to the wall as possible.
"Then do it!" Terra shouted as she held up one hand to keep the ceiling from completely collapsing and used the other to help fend off Geo-Force's attack.
Raven turned to Terra.
Terra nodded, looking Raven in the eye. "I got this! Go!"
…
Raven moved back to the Titans and Red X, breathing heavily as the energy she'd used to merge with Terra started to take its toll.
"We can't leave her!" Beast Boy argued.
"Beast Boy!" Terra called, looking back at him as she fell to a knee. She lowered her voice. "Just go…"
Jinx grabbed Beast Boy's shoulder. "She's right."
Raven took a breath. "I can't take more than three at a time."
"Just get back quick," Red X grunted, moving forward before Beast Boy could do.
Jinx smiled slightly.
Raven quickly placed her arms around Fixit, Beast Boy, and Jinx as a raven made of magic engulfed them, bringing them up through the mountain and to the surface.
…
Terra pushed up with her powers and created a temporary seal to stop the ceiling from collapsing.
Geo-Force used the momentary distraction to push forward. A few stones got through and Terra's other knee hit the ground. Terra breathed heavily as Geo-Force dropped the shards of stone and grabbed a large boulder from the wall.
Terra watched as the boulder flew toward her.
Red X appeared in front of Terra. The blow hit Red X in the chest and sent him flying into the back wall before landing painfully on his side as Raven returned.
Terra, without thinking, threw a rock shield over both Raven and Red X. Seconds later, a raven made of magic traveled up through the ceiling and out of sight. Terra turned back to see Geo-Force charging toward her.
Terra couldn't raise her arms in time and found herself slammed up against the wall.
Slade, Pam, and Wintergreen still lingered near the exit.
"This is a valiant effort," Slade said with the smallest amount of respect as he folded his arms.
Geo-Force lifted Terra higher by her shirt, dragging her up the wall.
The ceiling slowly began to sink.
…
On the surface near at the outskirts of the city, Beast Boy, Fixit, and Jinx watched as the large palace began to collapse into the ground.
Raven appeared with Red X.
Beast Boy and Jinx ran to Raven as Fixit started to examine Red X's wound.
"Get us back down there!" Beast Boy said to Raven.
"We can help!" Jinx added.
"I…" Raven breathed deeply as sweat poured down her face. "I can't… I'm sorry."
Jinx looked at the ever-sinking palace in fear.
Beast Boy looked to the palace as well while placing a comforting hand on Raven's shoulder.
…
Terra grunted in anger as she attempted to pull more rubble from the ground, only have it stopped by Geo-Force's own powers.
"You may take whatever pride I offer if you require consolation," Slade said. "After all, my dear child, I am the closest thing to a father… you've ever had."
Terra stopped struggling. Seconds later, her eyes opened and began to glow bright yellow.
Geo-Force froze.
Terra allowed herself to merge into the wall behind her before completely disappearing. Geo-Force looked up just in time to see Terra emerge from the ceiling, gathering all the stone that she could to create a fist twice Geo-Force's size.
Terra let out a cry as her fist collided with Geo-Force, shattering his armor and impaling him through his chest. As the dust cleared, Terra found herself on the ground. She leaned up on an elbow to see Geo-Force on the ground as well, sparking with electricity.
Terra turned to Slade as he slowly walked back into the darkness of the exit without another word.
Terra raised her hands to stop the sinking ceiling ten feet above her.
"It is pointless," Slade's voice echoed as the ceiling started to sink inch by inch. "You cannot escape this fate. You are not as strong as you once were."
"You're right…" Terra said. She looked Slade in the eye. "But you were."
Terra funneled her power as far into the ground as she could, causing it to glow with yellow energy as it cracked open. Then, she slowly raised her hands and over twenty figures emerged from the ground. The figures were completely made of mud and stone. While they had no distinguishing features, they were tall and had large arms and legs that had no trouble holding up the ceiling.
Terra stood and looked at Slade. "Thanks for teaching me that trick, master."
Slade's eyes narrowed.
Terra reached out and attempted to block Slade's exit. Slade gracefully backflipped over the rising rock wall behind him and took off up the stairs, leaving Terra, Pam, and Wintergreen trapped as the exit collapsed and the ceiling started to sink again.
…
Beast Boy and Raven looked down in grief as the palace completely disappeared into the ground.
"I'm sorry," Jinx said quietly to Beast Boy and Raven.
Off to the side, Red X looked down, shaking his head slightly.
After a few seconds, Fixit spoke. "I am detecting odd geographical anomalies."
The Titans and Red X looked up at him as the ground started to shake.
"Do you feel that?" Jinx asked.
A short distance away, the ground began to implode as twelve large arms dug themselves up to the surface. A few seconds later, three figures rolled onto the ground as the earth reformed and closed with a cloud of dust.
The dust cleared, revealing Terra, Pam, and Wintergreen, all of whom were unharmed.
…
Terra coughed and rose to a knee as Jinx and Beast Boy ran forward.
"Terra!" Beast Boy said quickly, sliding to a stop next to her. "Are you…"
Terra nodded and placed an arm on the Titan's shoulder. Beast Boy clasped her arm in return. Terra looked over Beast Boy and Jinx's shoulders, exchanging nods with Raven, Fixit, and Red X.
Terra slowly looked at Jinx, the dust still pouring off her clothes. "I could… really use that tub now," she said to the Titan.
Jinx let out a laugh and wrapped her arms around Terra.
Terra froze at the contact slightly before hugging Jinx with her free hand.
"You cannot leave me alone with these guys," Jinx whispered.
"I don't want to," Terra admitted, looking at Beast Boy.
Beast Boy smiled.
…
Red X gazed at the top of cliff overlooking the destroyed city. He took a step forward as he saw Slade silhouetted against the sun.
Red X nodded, tapping his Titans Communicator. It's almost time…
When Red X blinked, Slade was gone. He looked over to see Raven staring at him.
…
A few hours later, after the group had found and destroyed the device cloaking the city using the T-Ship's seismic blasters, a flash of yellow and red arrived to take Pam and Wintergreen to prison.
Eventually, Terra, the Titans, and Red X walked back to the T-Ship.
The thief was limping somewhat.
"Raven," Terra called.
Raven stopped and turned as the rest of the group got on the T-ship.
Terra looked down. "I wanna…" she gulped. "I wanna come back with you guys… for good."
Raven looked down for a moment.
"The Titans are the only family I have left," Terra said softly, gazing at the destroyed city. "And they're only family that I've ever really known."
Raven looked Terra in the eye. "Let's go home," the Titan said.
Terra smiled. Once they were in the T-Ship and headed back to Jump City, she turned off
her com and grabbed her backpack, pulling out a pencil and paper.
…
Terra and Jinx watched the setting sun through the living room window of Titans Tower as Beast Boy paced while talking on his Titans Communicator.
Off to the side, Red X and Fixit were quietly discussing something at the central computer with Raven standing behind them, her arms folded.
"If you find it to be too much," Jinx was saying to Terra. "You can always bunk with me."
"Thanks," Terra said genuinely.
"I mean," Jinx continued, glancing around the room. "I'm sure with Xenothium, a genius, a crew of animals, an earth manipulator, and me, we can figure out a way to get a second bed in the room."
Terra chuckled.
"Yes," Beast Boy said quickly. "Yes, sir, I understand. You will not be disappointed, sir. Okay, thank you."
Everyone turned as Beast Boy closed his communicator. "It's official!" the veteran Titan said excitedly. "With the capture of Kardiac, Adonis, Pam, and Wintergreen as well as the personal recommendation of the Titans, Terra is now officially pardoned for all past actions and free to go and stay as she pleases!"
Terra let out a breath of relief as Jinx patted her back.
Fixit walked forward as well, offering a hand, which Terra shook.
Red X turned back to the computer, tapping his Communicator.
Terra looked at Raven.
The cloaked Titan nodded before exiting the living room.
Beast Boy walked up to Terra and offered a hand. "Can I show you to your room?"
Terra shouldered her backpack, smiled, grabbed the hand, and allowed Beast Boy to lead her through the Tower to what she instantly recognized as her old room.
Beast Boy stopped at the door. "If you want, we can change it around," he said shyly. "Fixit worked through last night to make it customizable. The floors, the ceiling, everything."
Terra nodded and the door slid open. She reached to her right and turned on the light.
The room was identical to what it had been in her memories. The carpet was blue. The walls were brown and depicted sand dunes that led into a blue, starry sky. Small dots on the ceiling resembling a night sky lit up the room along with normal lights.
There was a large cactus plant and bed near at the far side of the room. To the right was a large sofa, a desk with a lava-lamp, and a large book shelf.
Terra walked inside and dropped her backpack, looking around. "Wow…"
"Do you…" Beast Boy gulped as he walked in. "Do you want to change it?"
Terra looked at the ceiling and shook her head. "Naah… I'll keep it as is."
"I thought you didn't like camping outdoors," Beast Boy said.
"It grew on me last night," Terra said, gazing out the large window that overlooked the city. "It's not too bad out there."
"Oh," Beast Boy said excitedly, joining Terra at the window. "Well, any time you want to be roommates its fine with me."
Terra looked at Beast Boy and raised an eyebrow.
Beast Boy's eyes widened. "I mean— um…I… I'm just gonna stop talking now."
Terra smiled and turned back at the couch, noticing that there were two items on it.
"Looks like the rest of the team got you some stuff too," Beast Boy said.
Terra walked around the table and picked up a yellow Walkman. There was a bright, gold dawn depicted on the cassette player's surface as well as several meteors. There was also small note attached to it.
I figured you'd need some 'Earthly' tunes along with the flute music you used to listen to. The cover is unbreakable. Fixit had some modification suggestions.
But don't break the tapes.
They're expensive.
– Jinx
Terra reread the note gratefully as she tipped her head in confusion. That doesn't sound like Jinx. And how does she know about the music I listened to? Oh well.
"What is it?" Beast Boy asked.
"Nothing," Terra answered.
Terra looked at the second object. It was a silver, heart-shaped case. Terra opened it with shaking hands. The lid contained a mirror.
Terra looked at her reflection, finally understanding the flashes of memories that had started her journey back to the Titans while also understanding what the object had once meant to her as she took in the emotions that she now felt in this moment.
Terra looked inside the case and saw a silver, butterfly-shaped comb. Terra slowly took out the comb, setting the case on the table. She looked at Beast Boy and spoke as emotion entered her voice. "You… you kept this? All this time?"
Beast Boy slowly nodded. "I couldn't get rid of it."
Terra's eyes started to water as she thought about all Beast Boy had done for her leading up to the point she had betrayed the Titans and all that Beast Boy had done for her over the past two days.
"Terra…" Beast Boy said.
Terra pulled Beast Boy into a hug.
"You're the best friend I've ever had," Terra said a tear fell from her eye and onto his shoulder.
Beast Boy smiled and hugged her back.
A single tear fell down Beast Boy's face as well.
"What?" Terra asked, confused about Beast Boy's show of emotion.
"Nothing," Beast Boy said, turning away. "Nothing. Just… happy memories."
Somebody knocked on the wall just inside the room.
They both turned to see Raven standing in the doorway. "Can I have a moment?" the cloaked Titan asked.
Beast Boy nodded and walked out of the room with a grin on his face.
Raven walked into the room and closed the door, looking around thoughtfully.
Terra looked at the comb before placing it in her hair, tucking her blond locks behind her ears.
"That looks good on you," Raven commented.
Terra smiled slightly before looking Raven in the eye. "I'm going to keep my promise," she told the Titan. "I'm not going to hurt him or… anybody ever again."
"I know," Raven said. She looked around again. "How does it feel? Being back?"
"I don't know," Terra admitted, sitting down on the sofa. "All I know is that I'm where I should be."
"Good," Raven said. She walked over to the sofa and sat down as well. After a few seconds, she sighed. "I never got to show you what I wanted you to see."
Terra looked over and saw Raven take out her mirror.
Raven placed a hand on the mirror and slowly offered it to Terra.
Terra hesitated only a second before grabbing the handle.
Once again Terra fell through the whirlpool of energy before the large, white room appeared beneath her. Terra, knowing what was coming, managed to land on one knee before taking Raven's hand and rising to her feet.
"I think I'm gonna stick close to you, this time," Terra said to Raven as they both turned and walked toward the archway with the white stars and eclipses.
Suddenly, the Red Raven appeared, opened its mouth, and hissed at Terra.
Terra stopped for a moment before looking at Raven, speaking calmly. "If I were to throw a rock at that thing in here, would I give you a headache?"
"Don't let Beast Boy rub off on you," Raven groaned. She flicked her wrist and with a flash of black energy, Red Raven was gone.
The pair reached the archway and Terra took a deep breath.
"Ready?" Raven asked.
"I hope so," Terra answered.
"How far did you get with your memories?" Raven asked.
"I've seen almost everything up to the point when Slade and I took over the city," Terra answered with a hint of guilt in her voice.
"Almost?" Raven pressed.
Terra sighed. "There was one with Beast Boy at the fare and… I couldn't watch it."
"Why?" Raven asked.
"I don't think I deserve it," Terra admitted.
Raven looked down for a moment before looking at Terra. "You deserve this memory. Let's watch it from my point of view."
They walked through the archway side-by-side.
The next moment, they saw another Terra and Raven walking side-by-side down a hallway in Titans Tower.
Terra was dressed in her black shirt with the 'T' on the center and her brown shorts along with her gloves as well as her goggles that hanged down across her chest.
"Sooo… friends?" Terra asked Raven hopefully.
"Close enough," Raven allowed.
"Sorry we kinda got off to a rocky start," Terra said.
"Actually," Raven said as they stopped next to a door in the middle of the hall. "I thought things went pretty well. It took me a year to stop hating Beast Boy."
Both girls chuckled for a moment before Raven opened the door. Terra walked inside with Raven close behind.
"Umm…" Terra said, trying to see through the darkness. "Where are we?"
"Your room," Raven replied, turning the lights on.
Terra and Raven weren't alone.
"Surprise!" shouted Beast Boy, Robin, Cyborg, and Starfire.
Terra stepped forward, in awe of the room and the people in it. "You guys did all this… for me?" she asked in wonder.
"Yeah, since you helped save our home and all," Beast Boy said smoothly as he stepped a little closer to Terra with his eyebrows cocking. "We thought you deserved your own room."
"You also deserve one of these," Robin said, offering Terra a Titans Communicator.
Terra reached forward and grabbed the device, still in awe of the moment. "So I'm…"
"A Teen Titan," Robin completed as Starfire clasped her hands together with a smile. "Glad to have you on the team, Terra."
Terra shook Robin's hand with a smile.
"Aww yeah!" Cyborg said sweetly. "Very nice!"
"This is the best thing that's ever happened to me," Beast Boy said with certainty.
"Welcome, new Titan!" Starfire said with another smile.
"Congratulations, Terra," Raven said from the doorway. "You earned it."
Terra looked over at Raven with an excited smile.
"Alright," Cyborg said. "There's only one way to commemorate such a momentous occasion… Waffles!"
"Mmm," Robin said in agreement.
"Perfect!" Starfire added.
"Can they be non-dairy waffles?" Beast Boy asked as the Titans started to exit the room.
All the while, Terra was staring at her communicator with a wide smile on her face.
"Sounds good," Terra finally said, turning to the Titans as they left. "I'll catch up in a minute, okay?"
The door closed behind the Titans.
The real Terra closed her eyes and opened them as her own memories took over.
Terra turned again, gazing at the Titans Communicator.
"I don't believe it," Terra almost whispered. "They actually trust me…"
The present Terra paid no attention as the hair on the girl from her memories fell over her right eye. She only watched the smile on her own face.
A second later, Terra and Raven had returned to the present and were sitting on the sofa in Terra's room.
"You deserve that memory," Raven said softly.
Terra looked down as her eyes began to water. She allowed the feelings of her past to influence her present. "The joy… what I felt when they gave me that Communicator…" Terra said just as softly. She looked at Raven in awe. "It felt real. The happiness… my gratefulness to all you guys… it wasn't a lie… for that one instant… it wasn't a lie."
Raven placed a hand on the other girl's shoulder. "Neither are you, Terra."
Terra looked at her hands for a moment before looking Raven in the eye as several tears slid down her cheeks. "Thank you, Raven."
"You're on your own path now, Terra," Raven said, standing. "Now, I think it's time to continue on mine."
Terra looked up in surprise and then down in sadness as realization dawned. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Raven said calmly. "I'm going where I'm needed most. And now, finally, you are where you're wanted most. I've got to go pack. I'll see you in the living room."
Raven exited the room.
Terra looked around and sighed. After a few seconds, she reached into her backpack and extracted two pieces of paper. The first paper depicted a yellow and black butterfly struggling to make its way out of an orange cocoon.
The second paper, Terra's newest drawing, depicted a yellow and black butterfly with its wings spread far out to the sides and a destroyed orange cocoon that lay far behind it.
Terra smiled and attached the drawings to the large cactus plant by the bed, thinking of how far she'd come and all those who'd helped her.
After a minute of thought, Terra sat down on the bed, pulled out her memory device, and accessed it briefly. What was that group project about?
A few minutes later, when Terra entered the living room, she made her way over to Fixit, who was standing at the computer console off to the side.
Fixit spoke without turning. "Do you feel that you have found a sense of identity, Titan Terra?"
"A better sense than I had two days ago," Terra answered.
"Excellent," Fixit said, turning to Terra. "I now feel much more comfortable informing you that your progress has been astounding despite your odds of success."
"I'd imagine they weren't too great," Terra said to herself.
"Would you like to know—"
"No," Terra interrupted quickly with a laugh. "No, thanks."
Fixit nodded and turned back to the console.
Terra looked around for a moment before speaking again. "Fixit," she said as the cybernetic being turned again. She lowered her voice. "If there's anything I can do to help you feel… more human, just let me know. It's the least I can do after you gave me the memory device and helped me in Markovia."
"The offer makes me feel like an equal," Fixit said gratefully. "And, over the past couple days, you, like everyone on this team and that of the other teams I have researched, have reminded me that strength of will is determined not by physical stature, but by the feelings one has for whom they are fighting. So, with that in mind, I would like to thank you, Titan Terra."
"It's just Terra."
"I appreciate your help, Terra."
Terra smiled and turned as Raven reentered the living room and moved to Beast Boy. The cloaked Titan had a tightly packed bag in her hand that seemed to be held together by magic as well as a giant stuffed chicken tucked under her arm.
Terra sniggered at the sight as the Titan walked by.
Raven sent a glare in her direction before reaching Beast Boy.
…
Raven set the stuffed chicken down, causing it to cluck softly. "It's time for me to go, Beast Boy."
Beast Boy looked at the stuffed chicken sadly. "I'll miss you," he said softly. "And I wish you didn't have to go. I mean, who's gonna make fun of me when you're gone?"
"It's not that hard," Raven said. "I'm sure someone will volunteer."
"I'll do it," Jinx offered as the Titans gathered around them with Red X moving to stand behind the group, attempting to hide his limp.
"See?" Raven said, turning to Jinx. "That's one problem down."
Jinx nodded. "I'm sorry for all the times you and I…"
Raven shook her head. "You have a good eye and a better heart than you give yourself credit for," she said, glancing at the lightning bolt necklace around Jinx's neck as well as the Communicator on her belt. "I hope you can keep that. No matter what hardships or disappointments may come."
"I will," Jinx promised.
Fixit moved forward as Raven turned. "I am, right now, incapable of feeling true emotion, and to simulate it would be nothing but a lie," the cybernetic being said. He offered a hand. "I do believe, however, know that I will miss seeing you on a daily basis and also the wisdom that you offer this team."
"I'll miss you too, Fixit," Raven said, shaking the hand. "Cyborg would be proud of the progress you've made."
Raven looked at Red X. The thief just stared back.
Raven glanced at the Communicator on his belt for a moment.
Red X didn't move.
Raven slowly reached forward and placed her hands over his hurt leg. A bluish film with a white line around it appeared with a soft, whining buzz and Red X visibly relaxed as his leg healed.
"You've changed," Raven said to Red X. "For better or worse, you aren't who you once were."
"You Titans will never understand that people don't change," Red X said.
Raven lowered her voice even more. "In that case, you should know that if you betray us," she hissed. "I will make you redefine every meaning of the word 'fear'."
"Sounds like a challenge," Red X said, folding his arms.
"It's not the only one," Raven said. "It's how you rise up to meet them that will decide who you truly are."
Terra slowly walked up to Raven and they watched Red X move away.
"I don't know if I really trust that guy," Terra said quietly.
"I'm not going to make that call for you," Raven replied. "But he does have his uses."
"So… this is it, huh?" Terra said, turning back to Raven. "Goodbye?"
"For now, at least," Raven answered.
"I, um…" Terra sniffed somewhat. She reached into her pocket and extracted a piece of paper, offering it to Raven. "I had a class project a while back with Goth Boy. I got his number. I saw you two the other day and I figured…"
Raven slowly took the piece of paper.
"He checks out a lot of books about chakra," Terra said.
Raven looked away as a tear started forming in her eye. After a few seconds, she turned back to Terra.
Terra smiled shyly.
Raven reached into her belt and grabbed her Titans Communicator, offering it to Terra. "Be well, Terra. And… be safe."
Terra stared at the Communicator for a moment before clasping it, and Raven's hand, with her own.
Raven placed her own free hand over Terra's. They both stood still for a moment before letting their hands drop at the same time.
"His name's Garfield," Raven said quietly, motioning to Beast Boy. "Use whatever mileage you can."
Terra laughed. "I think I'll wait 'til he gives me the name," she said.
Raven nodded in approval and walked back to Beast Boy.
After a few seconds of awkward silence, Beast Boy smiled sheepishly. "Good… good luck, Raven."
Raven smiled sadly and slowly reached into her cloak, extracting a penny. "I've got that covered."
Beast Boy stared at the penny for a moment before hugging Raven as he spoke quickly. "I know you hate hugs, but—"
Raven returned the hug, wrapping her arms around him.
They stayed like that for a full three seconds before Raven released Beast Boy.
"Promise me you'll keep this team going in the right direction," Raven said.
"I promise," Beast Boy replied.
Raven took a step back, drew her hood over her head and chanted. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos…"
Raven transformed into a black raven before disappearing through the ceiling along with her bag, the stuffed chicken, and the penny.
…
Terra gave Beast Boy a comforting smile.
Beast Boy smiled in return.
Terra slowly placed the Titans Communicator on her belt.
Jinx walked over and placed an arm around Terra's shoulder. "That looks good on you."
"Thanks," Terra said.
"So," Jinx said, walking them to the center of the living room as the Titans and Red X returned to their posts. "You ready to help me keep these boys in line?"
"Ready," Terra confirmed.
"Good," Jinx said, sounding relieved. She lowered her voice. "And if you ever need to visit home again, I'll come with you. I've got some experience in needing to…"
Terre looked down for a moment and then up at Jinx in surprise.
"What?" Jinx asked.
Terra chuckled. "I think we can narrow down where some of Slade's portal generators are."
"What?" Jinx asked again.
"It's just an idea," Terra said. "Probably nothing, but—"
"Hold up," Jinx said. She raised her voice. "Guys, Terra's got something."
The Titans and Red X gathered around her.
"It's just an idea," Terra said. She looked at Fixit. "But it could actually work. You said that the devices to hide the portal generators were made up of stuff only found in Markovia, right?"
"That is correct," Fixit said.
"What if…" Terra hesitated. She took a deep breath. "Is there a way that you can scan for just those minerals here, in Jump City."
"That would lead us right to the source of the cloaking," Jinx commented.
"And the devices too," Beast Boy said. He ran a hand down his face. "We can actually end this."
"It ends with beating Slade," Red X said. He sighed and looked at Fixit. "Can you make a tracker?"
"Yes," Fixit said. He turned to the main computer and his eyes flashed as he started to create a blueprint on the screen. "However, it will take some time to create a world-wide algorithm to scan for all the portal generators."
"Stick to the primaries," Jinx advised. "Major cities."
"I shall begin my work immediately," Fixit said.
Terra sighed in relief. "That was easier than I thought it would be."
"That's what's cool about this team," Beast Boy said. "Everyone will listen."
Terra looked over at Red X, who gave a small nod of approval.
"Beast Boy," Jinx called. "I think it's time to give Terra her new outfit."
Beast Boy nodded and walked over to a cupboard on the side of the room.
Terra walked up to Red X as the thief changed out a Xenothium vial on his belt.
"Thank you for taking me to Markovia," Terra said.
Red X glanced at her.
Terra shrugged. "You didn't have to come. But you did, so… thanks."
"Choose a side and stick to it this time," Red X said in reply. "Being buried alive is not my idea of fun."
Terra scoffed and walked away.
"That's his version of 'you're welcome'," Beast Boy said, handing Terra a bag.
Terra opened the bag and looked inside.
…
Jinx walked up to Red X. "That was harsh," the Titan commented as Terra exited the room with the bag.
Red X tested out his wrist-blades, keeping his back to her.
"Still," Jinx continued lightly. "It was sweet of you to leave Terra a card and the cassette tapes."
Red X turned slightly.
Jinx rolled her eyes. "X, next time you give somebody a present, give it to them yourself. Don't try to pawn being nice off onto someone else."
"I don't do 'nice'," Red X said.
"Whatever," Jinx replied. She handed Red X the card he'd written for Terra regarding the Walkman and cassette tapes. "And by the way, you write like a girl."
…
Terra walked back into the living room. She was now wearing a black t-shirt with a circled 'T' in the center. The shirt ran down to her waist and into her yellow and black belt. Her pants were black as well with a yellow stripe around each side and reached down to her neatly tied yellow and black boots.
"Soo…" Beast Boy said to Terra. "What do you think?"
"I think it's a lot more comfortable than the schoolgirl outfit," Terra answered. She looked at the Titans and Red X before glancing at her own outfit. "And it looks a lot cooler."
"Training room," Red X called to everyone. "Five minutes."
"What?" Beast Boy asked as everyone turned in surprise.
"Fixit finished the new modules three days ago," Red X informed him. "If I'm going to keep working with you, then I need to know you guys can keep up."
"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence," Jinx commented.
"Four minutes and forty-five seconds."
"Training would increase our overall odds of success," Fixit said, still looking at the central monitor.
"Don't think this means you're our leader," Beast Boy said to Red X bravely.
"Who is the leader?" Terra asked genuinely.
"It doesn't matter," Red X said. "We don't train, we don't win. Simple as that."
"He has a point," Terra said to Beast Boy.
"Dude!" Beast Boy said to Terra. "Don't agree with him! That's Jinx's job."
Jinx smiled.
"Let's go," Red X said, already moving out the door.
"Fine," Beast Boy said, folding his arms as everyone else followed Red X out the door. "But don't tell me what to do."
Terra grabbed his hand and dragged him out of the room.
…
Slade brought up the feed to the Titans Communicator he'd given Red X. For hours, he observed the Titans in the training room.
After shutting down the computer, Slade stood and moved over to a window. He was on the last floor in a wide, abandoned skyscraper. The building overlooked Jump City. He could see Titans Tower in the distance.
They are skilled. There is no doubt about that. However, they lack what the original Titans had. They lack synergy.
Slade placed his hands behind his back.
Red X is in position. He has already planted doubts within the minds of the Titans while proving himself to be a formidable ally.
Terra's discovery of her past and of how I hide the portal generators means nothing. Even if they were to find some of the portal generators and secure them for allied extraction, they will not have enough time.
It is far too late for the Titans and their allies now.
Within days, the Gordanian army that is surly on its way following its encounter with the first portal, will arrive.
And then the world… will be mine.
