Ch. 2: Tragedy Thy Name Isn't Tara

Next Saturday, I told my adopted parents that I would be hanging at the mall with some friends of mine. I arrived at the mall within an hour, waiting in the food court and sipping lazily on a soda I had bought while Star arrived. "Tara!" Came a call, causing me to look up. Suddenly I was in a tight embrace, brilliantly red hair flashing by my eyes… "Star?" I asked questionably.

The girl who had hugged me stepped back. This couldn't have been my alien friend! Sure, the height was the same, but she looked completely different! Her hair was an orange red instead of the dark cooper color I was used to; her emerald green eyes (you could see the white around her irises). Her skin was two tones lighter than normal, a bronze tan on her skin instead of her normal golden orange, and had cute freckles arranged on her face.

The only thing that told me it was Star was that ridiculously huge grin on her face, the bubbly aura she gave off, and of course her manner of speech: "Shush, friend Tara! Please be doing the calling of my name as Kori. I am doing the cover of below!" So Star-excuse me- Kori was doing some disguised shopping. It made sense, considering how much of a riot their fans made once they had the Titans in their sights. Then there was a shadow, as someone blocked the light above us. It was a bulky, muscular African American teen, practically 6 feet tall or taller. In his dark blue muscle shirt, you could see his biceps ripple while his light jeans hiding his dark legs.

He would have been extremely intimidating if it weren't for the brotherly glint in his eye. He almost reminded me of- "Victor, Victor Stone's the name." He stretched out his massive hand and I slid my own tiny one into his, attempting to give him a firm greeting. He couldn't be have been whom I thought he was, he just looked to different from- "But you could can just call me Cy. Rich (at this he whispered Robin in my ear, apparently that was Bird boy's real name) wants to travel in pairs whenever we go somewhere crowded like this. I hope ya'll don't mind if I tag along?"

I grinned ecstatically! It was Cyborg! Out of all the Titans, besides BB, he was the one I missed the most. He treated me as if I was his baby sister and I enjoyed that. So this is what he looked like before-my thought was suddenly interrupted by a ferocious growl. The two of us looked at Kori, sweat-dropping as the alien princess simply blushed.

"Please be doing the pardoning, my friends," Kori apologized, placing a hand to her stomach(s), "It seems that in my excitement of thinking of today's activities, I missed the breaking of fast." I couldn't help but laugh at her little mistake. Since we were already in the 'food of kingdoms' as Kori called it we hit every single restaurant.

Between the three of us and our monstrous appetites, the mall was force to close the Subway, Chick-Fil-A, Panda Express, and Coldstone Creamery. While we had indulged ourselves, we also take about our lives. The two Titans told me about their most recent adventures and me… well I told them just about my school life, such as my classes and best friends.

It took me a minute, but I suddenly realized how I was behaving more like my old self-loud, laughing, and bright-instead of my silent and reclusive character I had been acting as. Even though I was Tara now, Kori and Vic treated me like I had never left the team. Like they had forgiven me of my sins and mistakes, and were ready to take me back regardless of my flaws…like I belonged with them, not at Murakami High. The thought almost brought me to tears.

Luckily Victor wasn't one to sit there and let his 'new' friend cry. He had suggested an eating contest, and after defeating half of the hundreds of men who had participated, it came down to Kori, Vic and I. The winner, which was a completely surprise to everyone, was Kori who looked like a super skinny school girl (she has 9 stomachs….9!). Afterwards we had begun to round the mall. Kori and I shopped for a variety of outfits and talked about various recipes we found watching Food Network or the Web, while Vic and I couldn't help but stop and drool at the Game Clock's window, which had a display for the newest Ending Dreams installment (it's up to 13 at the moment.)

It was fun hanging out with them, but of course it had to come to an end sooner or later. Once we had exited to the parking lot, my eyes instantly spotted a blue mustang with black racing stripe, which I knew at a glance was the T-Car. "We should do this again sometime." I started, checking the weight of the bags on my arms. Kori smiled and gave me a tight hug. "Oh we shall friend Tara! I shall ask Boyfriend Robin when we can meet again!"

Once she let me go, I could breathe again. Victor watched as she skipped off to the car, then he beamed at me. "It was nice to see you again-I mean nice to meet you. For the first time. Ever. So do you need a ride home? We got plenty of space in the car." He spoke rapidly, trying to cover his mistake of letting his tongue slip. I took him up on his offer and when they had dropped me off, Vic had decidedly helped me with my bags.

After dropping them on my doorstep for me, he handed me a ticket, saying "If you want, I can drive you to the stadium next Friday. None of the guys want to go with me, but you look like a rockin' enough girl." He beamed widely, suddenly picking me up off the ground in a bear hug before leaving with Kori.

I couldn't turn him down and just leave him hanging-consider it a debt being repaid for treating me like I wasn't a treacherous villain. So that Friday coming up, Victor picked me up and drove us out to the arena stadium. Vic took off his holo-ring for a split second as we drove into the parking lot, to let the toll booth guy know he was dealing with a special guest. Because of Vic's status as a Titan, we also received front row seats! I have to admit it was pretty entertaining to watch the giant monster truck crushing the little cars.

Afterwards Koori had invited me to dinner with her and Richard. I happily accepted, knowing that the world's second greatest detective was willing to play by my rules. Not surprisingly, Rich kept his mask on, which causing the other customers to stare had us intently with interest. Not that we were paying them any attention: during the meal, Rich told me all about their escapades in Tokyo as well as their mini-war with Beast Boy's old foes the Brotherhood of Evil. Both times when he mentioned how had if they had one extra member it would have gone easier.

Robin saying such was his way of expressing how he missed me. I was flattered truly, but I just couldn't respond the way he wanted me too. I could only smile and say, "If only." After they had escorted him home, it came to my attention that I was missing two of the Titans from my life. One of which I had left heartbroken countless (okay, so three) times, the other always being on ends with because we both knew we loved the same boy. Not that the dark Bird would admit it. If we ever did meet up (and she didn't try and rip my head off) I'd have to ask her if she knew how I was revived…

Then, unexpectedly, after not having seen anybody for weeks, one of the many TV's in the street windows displayed the news on that Saturday. It showed the Titans, my three friends and a Black girl in a black and yellow striped getup that I assumed was Bumble Bee. Robin cleared his throat, causing the chatter of reporters to cease.

What was he going to say? Where were BB and Raven? My eyes widened in shock and I covered a gasp as he made his announcement: "My dear friend and teammate Beast Boy is in our medical facilities in semi-critical condition after bravely taken three bullets for my sake. Bumble Bee, leader of the Titans East, and her team will be taking reign of the city for us, as we attempt to get back to normal and heal our fallen comrade to the best of our abilities."