Chapter 6: Normal day?

Eventually, Terra came to terms with what had happened and, like the other Titans, refrained from speaking of the event either among themselves or among others. She became a valued member of the team and, with a little hands- on training from Robin, learned to fully control her powers.

Eight years passed with nary a sighting of Slade, much to everyone's profound relief.

In that time, all the Titans matured and, no longer teens, they shortened the team's name to simply, the Titans.

Beast Boy grew to 5'7", though he was still the shortest member of the original Titans. He had filled out, no longer scrawny, though he still far behind Robin and Cyborg. Though he still pulled pranks every now and then, he was a lot less childish then he was when the team had formed…most of the time. He still had his original name…but he was debating whether or not to change it…maybe Changling?

Cyborg had worked with some of the major tech companies and had found a way to improve upon his systems. He had somewhat streamlined his mechanical features and had increased his height to an even six feet. After all, he couldn't let Robin beat him, could he? He had also discovered how to strengthen his tech as well. He was still everyone's big brother and Uncle Cy to Rosefire, whom he knick-named Rosie.

Raven was still the dark creepy one to the people of Jump City, but to those she was close to, she was much more open. She still spent hours meditating but had refined her powers to the point that she could show a greater range of emotion, so long as they didn't border on the extreme edge of the spectrum.

Robin matured greatly with his fatherhood. He had mellowed, no longer the "spiky haired, obsessive, and sometimes annoying kid" as said by Raven and Cyborg. He still tried his hardest to defeat every criminal that came their way but he made time for family and friends. He even made occasional trips to see his former mentor, a.k.a. Batman, a.k.a. Bruce Wayne.

Starfire filled out beautifully. Her eyes shimmered with emotions and her face was always bright and cheerful. Her hair had lengthened until it flowed past her hips. Even so, it never got in the way. She also got taller, breaking 5'6", an inch shorter than Robin.

Rosefire grew to be a beautiful little girl. She had ebony hair like her 'father's" and the exotic emerald eyes of her mother. She had her mother's powers and Robin's skills in martial arts, as she had come to adore watching her father and he had laughingly taught her everything he knew. She was loved by everyone and, in a few years, would join the titans fighting crime.

Rosefire had no knowledge of the identity of her true father and believed with her entire being that her dad was Robin, the superhero. She had been told stories, however, of the evil villain Slade, how he had forced both Robin and Terra into apprenticeships, how he had tricked the brothers Thunder and Lightning into doing his bidding, and how he had sought to destroy their city. She knew nothing of his greatest crime…that is, until today.

Eager to join in the fight against evil, she often tagged along with the Titans, hiding in the shadows as she watched them take down the villains of Jump City. Afterwards, they would celebrate with pizza and video games (Rosefire excelled in these and beat everyone, including Robin, much to the amusement of BB and Cyborg). Today however was different, even though it started out normally.

Beep! Beep! BEEP! Rosefire's alarm had gone off as normal. She reached over and flipped it off, the red numbers flashing 7:00 a.m. She was trying to get used to waking up early…and besides, Cyborg was making waffles and Beast Boy would probably throw a fit. She loved watching those two fight, or, as Raven put it, "argue like immature pinheads who have nothing better to do than disturb my meditation." Rosefire giggled and sat up. Listening carefully, she could hear that the others were already awake. She flew quickly to the dining room.

"Dude! Do we have to have SAUSAGE?! Can't we have, you know, tofu eggs or something?!" Beast Boy yelled.

"Come on BB. Can't you just try it once?" Cyborg grinned and waved a sausage link in front of the resident shape shifters nose.

"NO WAY! I'D BE A CANNIBAL! NO WAY!!!!!!!" Beast Boy turned blue in his over emphasized denies.

Rosefire chuckled and all eyes turned to the door, a temporary truce in place between the arguing pair.

"Hello Rosefire! It is a glorious morning, is it not?" Starfire bounced over to her daughter and gave her a gentle hug. "Come. Eat."

Rosefire smiled. She loved the way her mother spoke and moved. She was beautiful and Rosefire thought she was the best mom ever.

"Hey squirt. Up early as usual."

That would be her dad. Robin smiled, looking proudly at his daughter. Rosefire grinned. Her dad was the best in the world!

"Come on. After breakfast I have a surprise for you."

Scratch that, her dad was the best in the galaxy! She sat down and breakfast continued with the usual groans from BB and rebuttals from Cy. After everyone was done, Robin took Rosefire to the garage.

"You know, this was supposed to be a birthday gift, but I think you're ready for it now" Without another word, he whipped off a sheet from her gift. It was an R-cycle, polished in rose pink and violet. Rosefire squealed and hugged her dad.

"Thanks Dad! You're the best!"

BRRRRPPP! BRRRRPPPP! Red lights suddenly flashed, the alarm blaring. Robin pulled out his communicator and began running toward the Ops room.

"What's going on?"

Cyborg's face appeared on the mini-screen.

"Some guy is robbing the bank on Main Street. Sensors can't identify him and video input has been disrupted. Whoever this is, they're a pro."

"All right. Let's go"

Video screens captured several people in motion. The screen was paused and a man at a console typed in an order. The screen zoomed in on two figures, Starfire and Rosefire.

"Come along Titans. I'm waiting." A familiar laugh vibrated in the street, its sound filled with malice.