Yes I know it's been a very long time so forgive me if I miss a few details. Upon receiving several kind and thoughtful reviews on my story I felt I couldn't stand it any longer and had to write again to make you guys happy :D. So please enjoy and hopefully I haven't lost my touch. Again thanks to all who kept reading you guys are awesome! Please review so I know if I should continue or not!

Titans Unite!

Chapter 4: Nightskin – God of Night

The smoke billowed into Nightfire's lungs. It was thick and black, consuming everything around them. She had lost sight of Spencer. Geez, why must everything go wrong when something is about to go right?

She searched the smoke for any sign of her friends and family. Even a silhouette would be helpful at this point. She began to float into the air and carried herself above the smoke, she quickly realized that she'd be able to see her friends easier this way. Nightfire may seem like a bit of a ditz like her mother, but she still had the keen instinct of her father rushing through her veins. To her left was Levitate, floating on his board, silent and stern as always, his eyes focused on the area below him. It seemed like he had the same idea. Though they hadn't know each other for very long, Nightfire had to admit: Levitate was the one she would turn towards for guidance if Spencer had ever…..

Woah, slow down! You've already lost him once and you'll be damned if you lose him again! She couldn't explain it, but ever since the Slade incident she couldn't help but feel her heart clench tightly in fear whenever she thought of Spencer. And with all the strange dreams she's been having only making it worse. She'd be damned if he ever escaped her again.

Looking down she caught a glimpse of Spencer and she felt an immediate rush of relief envelope her. Spencer was in his fighting stance, it was obvious that he couldn't see anything, but Nightfire wasn't worried. Spencer could handle any surprises. But there was something odd…. Something dark. Some of the smoke cleared and Nighfire's feelings of security quickly turned as she the dark figure slowly appeared behind Spencer, his arms outstretched.

"SPENCER!"

Spencer looked upward towards the mention of his name. He could barely make out the slim outline of Nightfire above him. Now what was she yelling about?

A quick blur in the corner of his eye was the only thing that saved him. Two black hands shot out towards his neck, forcing Spencer to backflip out of the way. He landed on his feet and instantly adapted himself into his fighting stance. His animal instincts and Nightfire had narrowly saved his life from that…. What the hell was that thing?

It was some sort of creature, not like any animal Spencer had ever seen. It was tall, very tall. Maybe about seven feet. It didn't even look humanoid. It had four dark claws stretched out where Spencer's neck had formally been. It's large, scorpion-like head stared straight forward at him. Drool was excessively dripping from its pincers. It was a black, shadowy thing. It reeked of evil. A long tail with a long stinger swung lazily behind it.

It growled a low rumble and tilted its head slightly to the side, inspecting its prey. Even more drool escaped its mouth. Spencer grimaced in disgust. Guess it was hungry.

The thing lunged forward at top speed. Spencer's eyes widened and he jumped to the side, the creature grazing him, scratching the ground in a pierce tearing sound as it stopped itself to charge again. Damn it was fast.

"Spencer! Heads up!"

Spencer turned to the sound of Nightwing's voice. He had his quarter staff out and was in midswing. Spencer was always in awe when he saw his parents and their friends fight. Nightwing swung his staff and smacked the strange creature with a mighty thwack. The sound of metal hitting the insect-like exoskeleton was a large crack. The giant creature flew back from the impact and into the smoke, Nightwing landed next to Spencer and got into his ready stance. They both knew that that hit wasn't enough to kill that thing. Another snarl came from behind them. And from the left. And the right.

"Oh shit."

About half a dozen stingers flew out of the smoke towards the two fighters. Spencer quickly put up a Shadow Wall to block the incoming barrage. The impacts were ferocious and relentless, but the shield held. The onslaught was so great the lashes began to clear the smoke, though Spencer began to wish the smoke had stayed.

I hope this will satisfy you guys for right now! Please review and tell me how it looks to you guys. If you have suggestions or observations please tell me :) Thanks a bunch!