Hello, my lovely readers! The beginning may seem to drag on to this story (it did for me writing it), but I needed to start it off pretty well. I hope you like it! Feedback always welcome!
Chapter 1
Three years ago, the Titans had defeated the Brotherhood of Evil. Ever since, the crime rate in the city was dropping. Or was it just getting too easy for the now young adults? The Titans went from stopping acts of crime from five times a week to once every two. The city had began cracking down on punishment and incarcerations, in favor of Robin. There wasn't much left for them to do really. They could feel the toll taking on their bodies from all the cans of whoop ass they'd opened all those years. Robin had discussed bringing up new teens and forming a new team, allowing the Titans to "retire" if they wished. Cyborg had already had plans to move up into the Justice League. Robin himself had decided to venture on his own with Starfire. The other two had no clue what to do, but there was still plenty of time to decide. The new Teen Titans hadn't even formed, yet alone train.
Robin had been on the phone with Bruce Wayne all evening discussing how they wanted to approach the new Titans recruitment.
"Yes, sir," Robin's voice echoed the entire room as the four other Titans remained quiet, trying to over hear Bruce through the phone to get the entire conversation.
"Alright. Alright. Will do," Robin hung up the phone.
"Well, Titans," he began, "The Justice League will be sending over the files they have been holding for potential recruitment. We will go over them as a team, pick the best six or so, and have them come by for training."
Bleeoop. The main computer alerted the Titans that the files have been retrieved from the JLA.
Raven was the closest to the chair, looked around to make sure no one else wanted to take the controls, and sat down. She double clicked the attachment and displayed the contents on the TV.
"I guess I'll just go down the list," she said, "It looks like Barry Allen was one of the applicants. We all know what he can do, and he has my vote."
She looked all around the room and noticed everyone was nodding in agreement. She drug Barry's file to a separate folder.
"Next is Heather Granite. Her powers include flying, mind control, and teleportation. She has never used her powers unless she absolutely has to. She doesn't believe in violence, but will do anything to protect her family. Here's a video," she opened the video to reveal a very young girl, about the age of 14 using powers that were under immense control.
After looking through 30 or so files, the Titans had come to an agreement on who they thought would be the best benefiting team. Barry Allen, Heather Granite, Justin "The Chameleon" Walker, "HotHead" Dylan Jacobson, The Blue Devil, and Indigo, the tech-savy girl who could hack anything known to man.
"Alright team," Robin stood up off the couch to look around the room, let's all get cleaned up and ready to make a video to send to these recruits and get them in here for training. We'll meet back here in an hour."
The team took their time dispersing the room. Raven and Beast Boy were the first two to walk out of the common room.
"What do you think of the new team, Raven? And honestly, I want your true opinion," Gar asked.
She sighed lightly, "Well, to be honest Beast Boy, I think they will make a great team. They have strengths with hardly any weaknesses, but I am also… afraid."
Gar stopped in his tracks, Raven mirroring him.
"Why are you afraid, Raven?"
She looked to the ground, "Because… Where am I supposed to go when this is all over? I have no family, no home, no friends."
Gar's heart broke in two.
"Raven. We are your family. We are your friends. What are you talking about?"
"Exactly," she argued, "That's the thing. Robin and Starfire are moving in together out in upper Gotham. Cyborg is going to Quantico to work for the FBI and the JLA and I'm sure you're going back to your house with the Doom Patrol. I don't have the slightest clue what to do."
Gar placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, "Raven, you're super smart. You'll figure something out. And I mean, I don't have anyone to go back to either. I'm not going back to Steve and Rita, my biological parents left me this huge mansion in Staten Island. You should come stay with me. You know, until you figure out what you want to do."
She gave him a strange look.
"Gar, that's too much."
"No it's not! You know how lonely I'll be in that place? I want you to! It'll be nice to have a familiar face," he smiled.
"Well, okay," she finally agreed.
"Just until I can figure things out. I don't want to take advantage of you."
He chuckled, "Raven. If you ever wanted to take advantage of me, you have to do a whole lot worse than that," he seductively winked.
She rolled her eyes trying to cover the fact that her cheeks flamed up with blush.
"I'm going to get ready now, Beast Boy," she turned to leave.
"But seriously, Raven," he called, "Think about it!"
She gave a small innocent smile, "I will. Thank you, Gar."
Raven's shower took longer than usual because it consisted of a lot of thinking.
What do I need to do? Clearly, I want to go live with Beast Boy. I wouldn't want anything else in the world. But would he still offer if he knew how I really felt about him? Maybe I'll just stay there a week or two and then move on with my life. He'd never love me back anyway…
Raven noticed as she was putting on a clean uniform, it was getting close to an hour. She hurried to blow dry and fix her hair. Why it was necessary to shower before making a video was beyond her, but this way she wouldn't have to take one later.
To her surprise, she was the last one to come into the common room. The others didn't have to be an empath to know she was feeling a little down, Beast Boy the closest to know why. He nodded his head to have her stand beside him. He put an arm round her in a comforting way, and without her noticing herself, she leaned her cheek against his collarbone. She was too tuned in to her thoughts, she failed to notice the butterflies she gave Beast Boy by leaning into him the way she did.
Robin finished setting up the webcam and came to join the others in stance.
"Alright, team, let's look good."
He pressed the red button and and paused for a small moment.
"Greetings. You and five others have been elected to become a potential member of the New Teen Titans. After years of crime fighting, we as a team have decided it's about time for us to retire. We need you to train and fulfill our place as the Teen Titans."
