The following morning, the team woke and begun their daily rituals as they always did. The television blasted with the sound effects of videogames, the kitchen bubbled and gurgled as Starfire prepared another of her unique delicacies for her friends, and Raven sat silently in a far corner of the room reading another of her treasured books. Everything was as it always had been. As the others all continued with their business, the main door opened as Robin entered and- smiling- looked around at his team. However, it seemed that someone was missing; he looked around and saw the usual tower inhabitants: Starfire, Cyborg, Beast Boy, Raven… "Have you guys seen Apollo?" asked the leader in confusion.
"Not since last night," answered Beast Boy, his attention still focused on the videogame.
"Yes where is Apollo?" asked Starfire cheerfully. "I wish for her to try my new Galorfian egg pudding," she continued as she approached Robin- a spoon covered in a hairy substance in her hand. "Taste" Robin stared at the spoon fearfully; he then turned to Raven and- to avoid eating Star's concoction- asked her about Apollo's whereabouts.
"Haven't seen her," replied Raven in her usual monotone. "She's probably still sleeping."
"Yeah, after the freaky stuff that went down last night, the girl could use some rest," added Cyborg as he stood and prepared to perform his victory dance before a defeated Beast Boy.
"I guess," sighed Robin as he walked back through the main doors and headed towards Apollo's room to see if she was okay. Once down the hall, he approached Apollo's room to find the door wide open. Assuming that she was awake, he entered; but before he could even wish his friend a 'good morning' he realized that the room was empty! The bed was perfectly made and not a thing was out of place- it was as if she was never there. Confused, Robin instantly feared that Apollo had snuck away that night- still intent on facing Slade on her own! Fearful, Robin bolted from the room and back to his friends. "She's gone!" he shouted. Instantly, the others all turned around in response to their leader's cry.
"What do you mean gone?" asked Cyborg.
"She's not in her room; has anyone seen her since last night?" questioned Robin as his friends all shook their heads in response. "We have to find her. Search the tower! We have to bring her back, before Slade does." Immediately, he and the others all scanned the tower calling for Apollo- all without any luck.
"She's not here," said Raven as she returned to the main room with Beast Boy and Starfire.
"I wasn't able to find her either," continued Cyborg.
"She has to be somewhere," answered Robin, a clear sense of concern in his voice.
"But she couldn't just leave," said Starfire sadly. "She promised to stay."
"Wait!" shouted Cyborg. "I'm picking up a signal from her communicator!" immediately the others all crowded around to hear the news.
"Well?" demanded Robin.
"She's still in the tower," answered Cyborg reassuringly. Relieved Robin and the others let out a sigh and calmed themselves.
"But where?" asked Beast Boy. "We've checked everywhere inside the tower." Instantly, Beast Boys question sparked an epiphany as Robin looked out at the sun, then up to the ceiling. Calmly he looked at the others and nodded, confirming that he knew where to look.
The waking sun shone brightly over the sea; its warming rays embraced Titans' Tower and all who lived inside- including its newest inhabitant who sat peacefully on the rooftop. Alone, she sat on the edge of the roof and looked out on the horizon deep in thought; she stared down at the crashing waves, then over to the city- listening to car horns and the ecstatic chatter of the inhabitants. She looked up to the clear morning sky and watched the clouds slowly hovering by. In silence she continued to watch the landscape from her temporary home.
Slowly Robin approached the rooftop. As he opened the door, the bright rays of the sun enveloped his body. Once on the roof, he looked around anxiously in hopes that his friend had not left. Soon his searching allowed him to see a black silhouette resting on the far corner of the rooftop alone; the sun wrapped around her body- creating an angelic glow. Happily, Robin released a slow sigh of relief when he saw that she hadn't left; he walked forward and approached the lonely girl. "It's nice isn't it?" he asked casually as he continued to walk forward, taking a seat next to Apollo.
"Yes," she responded, not turning to face her friend; she closed her eyes and continued, "It's not often that I get to see it- the sun." she sighed and slowly faced the Boy Wonder. "Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere" she continued sarcastically. Robin smiled in response- trying to cover his initial feelings of fear and concern. "I couldn't sleep. I've been up here since sunrise- thinking, planning; appreciating the view."
"The others are inside. Breakfast is waiting if you're-"
"I'm okay," Apollo interrupted. "It hasn't even been a full day. I don't think I'm ready for group meals" she looked at Robin with a faint smile. "Besides, I don't think they're ready for me either."
"How will you know unless you come in and find out?" replied Robin as he placed his hand on Apollo's shoulder. "They're just as willing to look past everything as I am; just give them a chance and they'll do the same for you." He smiled warmly as he rose to his feet and put his hand out to help his friend up.
Reluctantly, Apollo shook her head and smiled, "You guys are just too nice," she shighed as she too stood up and followed him inside, but only after taking one final look out at the sea.