Part 2: Little Hero

by Cerulean Leader

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Raven glided up to her daughter who was standing at the bottom of the stairs of their home. She had two things in her hands, both of them which Hope was going to keep on her while she stayed with her father. She was smiling proudly, for it was about time that Richard allowed her to go on the job. She'd be as committed as her parents before her.

Richard was smiling as well, but was inwardly frowning. Was she really going out in that? The costume wasn't that revealing, but it reminded him of Starfire's a little too much.

Her hair was tied up a high ponytail, looking like a purple ponytail as it tumbled down her back, held up with a sparkly band which Richard had clipped a tracker too before they had left her room earlier. Her bangs were left out, and her eyes were uncovered. She wore a baby blue crop top up to her belly that then connected to a black belt by a thick strip of material that covered her belly button and some of her flat stomach leaving her hips bare at the front while the rest covered her back.

The neck-line was black and silver, similar to the top of Starfire's costume that as well had a gem in the centre, to match the belt which had the same gem. She had four bands on her arms, two black ones on her wrists and two silver one on her triceps, right above her elbows. She had a pair of black leggings on with blue boots to match the top. Clipped to the neckline was a black cape which was light blue on the inside, similar to the one her father wore when he was still under the identity of Robin(1). There were clip holes on her belt in case Richard decided to give her any of his gadgets.

"Is this okay?" she asked hesitantly, a bit shy about her costume. She noticed her father's slight discomfort. What was wrong with it?

Raven turned and raised an eyebrow at Richard who nodded. "Yeah, but something is missing." He said, reaching into Raven's hand and pulling out something that was black and white. He unfolded it, and it was soon revealed to be his old domino mask. "This is the mask I wore when I first began working in Jump City. I'd prefer it if you wore a mask, though."

Hope glanced over at her mother who nodded. "I agree. I didn't have one, but I always have my hood up whenever I go to fight, so no one sees my face. Just because your brothers and sister don't where one, you're the youngest, so I'd rather if you wore one as well. Besides, I don't think the league would be happy with us if we didn't, right, Dick?"

"Most likely," Richard agreed with an annoyed frown. "They've been right on my back since I told them about Hope wanting to join me on patrol."

"Is that why you were reluctant?" Hope asked with a sigh. "I should have known it had something to do with the Justice League. Do they not like kids being heroes? But wouldn't it be better to train children around my age and younger to be heroes?"

"Yes, but they don't agree with that." said Teether, interrupting their parents from responding to her question as he walked into the living room. The blonde baby whom Raven had rescued all those years ago was now a nineteen year old teenager. He had let his hair grow so it was floppy on his head, some of it still spiked up but his bangs sort of covered his own blue eyes. He was still sort of scrawny, but was an average size and height for someone his age. "Even though people like him," he explained, gesturing to Richard. "Or Wally were trained from a young age, they just don't agree with that anymore. They think that kids are being introduced into the world of crime at to young of an age, and that they should enjoy a fighting-free childhood."

"Why? That's just stupid! How does Grandpa feel about this?"

"He doesn't agree with it, neither does most of the League, but the older members keep insisting that this is the right thing to do. Even though they don't agree, they relucantly go along with it out of respect. Even though heroes like me, Wally or Gar were heroes as kids, they think it's not best. Also, because I'm a member and one of the only people who has spoken out against the decision, they've been keeping a close eye on me without my knowledge, according to Bruce."

"Does Cyborg and all that know as well?" asked Raven, who was frowning at the new information her husband had just revealed to her. "Why didn't you tell me that they were watching you?"

"And risk my family getting hurt? No way, you saw how they reacted when they found out who your father was. It took them years to trust you again. How would they react if they found out that Batman had told me about keeping an eye on me? I actually don't know if Vic knows. Speaking of him, he should be calling to check in soon."

Raven rolled her eyes and turned to face Hope once again. She opened her previously clenched hand, revealing the contents. "This is a Titans' communicator. You will use this if you wish to contact us while on a mission. That means any of the older heroes, not your friends. Do you understand?" she said strictly. Even though she spoke calmly, her voice was firm.

"I understand!" she said, saluting in a joking manner as a cheeky smile appeared on her face. It immediately slipped off when she noticed her mother's unamused look. "Alright, alright, I mean it!"

"Right," Raven answered, eyeing the girl.

"Alright," Richard said with a clap of his hands as he put on his own mask. "Tonight we're just patrolling the city. That means it's not an actual mission, we're just keeping an eye on it for a couple of hours into the night. The other Titans' who are in Jump City take it in turns, other than Speedy and Bumblebee who go back to Steel City with their own teams when it's their turn. There will be no fighting unless needed too. You stay camouflaged, and please avoid drawing attention to yourself."

"...I don't think I've ever seen him this serious before." Hope whispered to Teether who snorted in response.

Raven couldn't help but snicker as well, while Richard turned to them. "Not funny, Hope. Now, all you neeed to do is choose a name for yourself as a hero identity."

"Should I go something to do with a bird as well because both of you are named as birds?" Hope asked innocently. "I don't know what name to have."

"You don't have to have it as an actual bird name. Why don't you have it something to do with a bird?" suggested Teether, who was now leaning back comfortably on the couch with his hands behind his head.

"A variation, you mean?" Hope questioned, slightly unsure of what he meant. "I guess I could, but wouldn't that mean that I'm sort of copying you and dad?" She directed this question at her mother, who just shook her head simply in response.

"Well, what bird or variation, then?"

"How about 'eagle'?" asked Teether. "They're majestic, mysterious and easily one of the most graceful birds."

"No, I know that they're graceful birds, but I don't want to copy my parents. I mean, is it that hard to say that I don't want to live in their shadow, no offence mum and dad..." Hope said hesitantly, looking up at her parents faces as they stared down at her.

"...What about Lapsae?" Raven said slowly. "I was just thinking of another word. What about a name that is something else in another language? Seeing as I can speak other languages other than English, I thought of something in Latin. Lapsae means 'soaring'."

"I like it," Richard agreed, wrapping an arm around the demoness' waist. "It suits her."

Hope pondered over the name for a moment, before her eyes glowed an eerie blue and with an outstretched hand, she levitated over a piece black material. "Mum?" she asked, and Raven's own eyes glowed white, while she wrote elegently with her finger an 'L' on the circular fabric before it pressed itself to the blue of Hope's uniform.

"Lapsae..."

"Looks like you're all set, sis." Teether said, placing an arm around the younger teenager. "Have fun, okay?"

"I will!'

"Hope, don't run ahead!" Nightwing said as he did a long jump after his daughter, tumbling as he landed. He sighed, running after his young daughter as she giggled.

"It's Lapsae on the job, dad." she said, laughing as she stared up at the sky with the mask covering her blue eyes, the glowing stars that shone in the dark sky reflected off the mask, giving them a certain shine. "This is awesome!"

"We're on patrol, so be serious." Nightwing said frowning as Lapsae smirked up at her dad.

"Grandpa said you were even more excited on your first night on the job than I am right now." she retorted playfully as she ran forward, her cape flapping behind her. Nightwing rolled his eyes under his own domino mask and chased after her with ease. He'd been a hero since he was nine years old, so he was obviously quicker with his reflexes, speed and stronger than the new hero now running beside him. She glanced beside her, to see her father's figure, and scowled, Nightwing getting out his grappling hook and shooting it into the distance and swinging off the surface of the building.

"That's not fair!" she complained, beginning to levitate herself. She would've made a platform for her father to stand on, but wasn't as expierienced as her mother with her powers yet. "You're faster than I am!"

"Hurry up, Hope!"

"I'm coming, just wait for me!"

It felt good to be travelling through the city skies, swinging through the lit up city streets on his grappling hook with his daughter flying behind him. It felt nice until his communicator decided to go off. Groaning, he flipped it open to see his friend's face. "Hey, Cy. What's up?"

"Dude, did you not get the signal? I sent it to your place so Rae could send it to you! Why didn't you answer?" asked an obviously annoyed Cyborg. He was glaring at his friend through the communicator with his human eye, while his cyber one continued beeping. "Gar's trying to contact me. Anyway, head towards the park. I'll call the others and we'll meet you there."

Cyborg had hung up before Nightwing had a chance to respond, or even get a word in to interrupt. He glanced at his daughter who was standing beside him, debating on what to do. "Alright, Hope, I want you listen to me. We'll be heading toward's Aunt Kori's, and I want you to stay with Ty. Do you understand? You're not ready to go onto a battlefield with me and the other's yet."

"No, I want to come! Let Ty come as well. That's not fair that we're always in the dark with stuff like this, when Melvin, Timmy and Teether have been heroes since they were practically babies!"

"Hope Mary Grayson, you will not come with us!"

'Richard, just let her come.' Raven's voice said, floating into his mind. 'It'll give her more of a taste of the hero life to see if she truly likes it or not. If she does get hurt, I can still heal her.'

'Rae, she's not ready yet.'

'Is any child?' his wife asked with a hint of force in her voice. 'Were you truly ready? Now look at you.'

'Are you sure about this?' he asked reluctantly in response to her statement. 'What if she does get hurt?'

'Dick, she's our daughter, she'll be fine.'

Raven finally disconnected their telepathy bond for the moment, while Nightwing opened his eyes, and looked at his daughter who was staring up at him hopefully. "Alright, but you have to do exactly as I say."

"Right!"

A/N: Hey, readers! One more part until the end. :) Sorry for the delay on the update, I've been busy with homework and studying for my exams which are in two weeks. D; HELP! ;~;

Word Count: 2,200

Review, please!

~CL