"So," Robin had just finished operating on a computer in the tower's research facility, "What do you two make of it?" The leader turned to Cyborg and Starfire who were observing data on a computer screen of their own. The Titans had decided that if the two newcomers were going to become members of the team, they might as well begin brushing up on Lance and Terra. Getting to know them personally hadn't been too difficult so much as finding out more about their capabilities. Terra proved to be the easier one to observe in the end, the Titans had merely continued holding training sessions with her outside at the tower's base. Lance on the other hand, had been unable to provide any more demonstrations after his mishap, and as a result there was considerably less information about him. Sure, there had been a story or two about his exploits, but that still wasn't concrete information. However, there had still been the watch. Lance had generously allowed the Titans to run numerous scans and tests on the device in hopes that they could both learn more about it. It had been a very slow and steady process for the watch had proven to be a piece of technology that was more complex than anything they had seen put together.

"Well," began Cyborg, "It wasn't made on this planet."

"The device contains DNA samples that would have required technology for deep interstellar travel to obtain them," explained Starfire. She moved away from the computer screen to allow Robin a better look at the findings. "I have been able to identify from the device's databanks samples from a Tetramand, a Petrosapien, a Piscciss Volann, a Lepidopterran, a Vulpimancer, a Kineceleran, a Galvan, a Pyronite, and even a Galvanic Mechamorph." As Starfire listed the name of each species, the computer screen flashed an image of the corresponding alien, data that had been gained from scanning the watch.

Robin peered at the screen and began reading the data. "So it basically transforms Lance by combining his DNA with alien DNA—"

"Changing him into a completely different person."

Robin looked over his shoulder to see Raven with her arms folded, her face solemn. He mentally sighed to himself, Robin could see where this was going. Raven had actually been the main reason why the watch was being examined. She had spared no time in telling Robin about the premonition she had had upon touching the watch. As irrational as this lead sounded, experience had taught the Titans that Raven's powers were not to be taken lightly. Nevertheless, they still needed evidence indicating that there was anything hazardous. "It's still too early to say if there's anything to worry about," stated Robin.

"It's also too early to say that there isn't anything to worry about," retorted Raven as she approached the computer screen, "We've been looking at this thing for days and we don't know what half of that thing is or what it can do. For all we know the watch's method for transformation could have some side effects on its user…" At least when Beastboy transformed he was merely rearranging his own DNA, Lance's method involved exposing his own biology to a number of other genetic make-ups. Surely, there was some lurking hazard behind all this.

Cyborg actually suppressed a chortle. "Rae, if that watch was making him lose it, I think we'd see something by now. Besides," Cyborg resumed his position at the computer and punched in a few keys as he began reexamining the data they had obtained so far, "I think I remember seeing a safety feature…somewhere." Even the team's technician was having some difficulty with the watch's schematics, which considering his expertise was saying something. After over a minute punching keys and scrolling, Cyborg found what he had been searching for. "Aha! See?" Cyborg pointed to a page that had popped up on the computer screen. It was a recording of what their equipment had picked up on the watch. "The watch has a mechanism that can keep any DNA it has completely separated from its user's while it's not in use and—" Cyborg suddenly peered closer at the computer screen, "Hey, Star, how many DNA samples did we find again?"

"Nine, I believe," replied Starfire, somewhat apprehensive at Cyborg's tone of voice, "Why?"

Raven's eyes narrowed. Could this be the thing the premonition had warned her against?

"I think we missed something," Cyborg answered in an oddly tense manner. The 'something' that he had just had not been there before, had he and Starfire simply overlooked it? "From the looks of it, it's one more DNA sample—"

Loud crashing noises began carrying themselves from another part out of the tower. "Looks like it'll have to wait," Robin said sternly. With that the four Titans either flew or raced out the room door and into one of the hallways, only to nearly collide with a green cheetah. "Beastboy, what's going on?" barked Robin as the changeling resumed his human form.

"Plasmus!" answered a distressed Beastboy, "He broke in! I think he followed me, so y'all better—" He stopped when he looked over his shoulder to see nothing, "Oh no…"

"Beastboy, what is it?" asked Robin tersely.

"T-Terra and Lance! We split up!" Beastboy's face was becoming increasingly pale, "Plasmus was clobbering us! I went to get you guys, I-I thought he'd be following me!"

Robin lurched forward. "Where are they now?"

XXX

"Omph!" A blue alien dinosaur carrying a blonde geomancer had just made it out the front door to the tower, when a blast of slime sent at the creature's feet sent it slipping and tumbling.

Terra fell out of Lance's grip and landed a good few feet away from him in the process, face down in a pile of dirt. Terra couldn't have been happier to feel the substance on her face. Earth, sweet, sweet earth! This hadn't been present in the tower. Now she could really fight! Terra scrambled to her feet and turned to face the now charging Plasmus.

"Hey, blob! I've got something for ya!" With a massive swing of her arms, Terra removed a large chunk of rock from the ground and flung it at Plasmus. The projectile hit its mark and succeeded in tearing off a large chunk of Plasmus' head.

"Whoa," Lance had painstakingly pushed himself back up and was taking in what he had just seen, "Nice shot!"

"Th-thanks," said Terra while breathing heavily from the sudden exertion, "I've been practicing." The two turned their heads upon hearing additional shrieking. Plasmus was actually clutching his head in pain. "He's actually wearing down!" Terra exclaimed in a delighted astonishment.

"Ugh!"

Terra turned her head in alarm to see that Lance had just barely kept himself from losing his balance. "That makes two of us," he said through gritted teeth. Even though Lance had recovered much since he had received his head trauma, he had still not made a full recovery. Today, Lance was supposed to be taking it easy. However, no one had been expecting a mutated home intruder, whose strength and gelatinous anatomy made him a difficult opponent. "I-I don't think I can k-keep this up much longer," said Lance through gritted teeth as his world. Terra nodded in acknowledgement, this fight would have to end quickly.

"An even bigger hit should do it," concluded Terra as she observed Plasmus gaining his second wind, "But I'll need him to stay still…" She then gave Lance a look that said 'are you up to it?'

"I'll keep him busy," assured Lance before taking off as a blue blur. If he could make it this far, he could endure a few more moments of this…hopefully. Upon seeing Lance, Plasmus began firing volleys of slime from his body and spraying acid from his mouth. It was taking everything in Lance's power to maintain his balance as he avoided the onslaught. He was feeling nauseated again, the world was starting to spin; he was pushing himself too hard too soon. But he had to keep going, he had to keep Plasmus distracted, Plasmus had to be made a sitting duck. Lance circled around Plasmus before rushing back and forth at the mutant several times, using his claws to inflict deep gashes on Plasmus' legs. Plasmus screeched in pain and turned his back towards Terra in his effort to better face his current attacker who had now stopped.

Lance could see that Terra was almost ready in launching the extra large piece of earth she was extracting. Plasmus would only need one more distraction. Summoning every last ounce of strength he had, Lance charged at Plasmus and swerved around him. Lance increased in speed as he continued swerving around Plasmus until the beast was engulfed in a blue tornado. The effort sent Lance sprawling while Plasmus was left misshapen, disoriented, and sent full force into the direction of an equally fast chunk of earth…

SPLAT!

Red globs were sent raining everywhere, covering everything in the vicinity. Lance wearily pushed himself up and began taking the scene in. He wiped some slime off of his helmeted head. Was it over? He tensed upon seeing movement among one of the larger pieces of goop, only to see the slime melt away to reveal a sleeping half naked man.

"YOU WON!"

Lance and Terra both turned to see that the Titans had just arrived onto the scene. Beastboy was jumping up and down in excitement while the rest of the team looked on amazed. Just then, Lance resumed his human form in a blare of red light. "That's good news," he wearily answered before allowing himself to flop on his back and onto a bed of slime.

XXX

"I still can't believe it…"

Even after the many hours it had been since today's event, Beastboy was still ecstatic from its aftermath. It was sunset and the green changeling was currently seated on a rock located at the shoreline near the tower's base. His seat was also, rather conveniently, located next to the spot where Terra was currently seated. Just looking at her made the giddy feeling that was swelling in his chest come bursting out. "YOU'RE ON THE TEAM!"

"I know," laughed Terra. Even though it had been the fifty-sixth time Beastboy had mentioned this since her induction, it was still nice to be reminded. In subduing Plasmus, the home invader, Terra and Lance had proven themselves Titan material and were offered positions on the team. Naturally, both of them had accepted.

Beastboy and Terra both turned at the sound of footsteps to see Lance walking towards them. "Hey guys," greeted the watch bearer.

"Hi, Lance," Terra returned the greeting, "Feeling any better?"

"Much," Lance happily rubbed his now bandage-free head.

After exerting himself too soon, Lance had sent himself back to the medical bay. At first it seemed that Lance had gone a few steps backwards on the road to recovery. But then, a closer examination revealed that Lance's head injury had somehow further healed. The only explanation anyone had been able to come up with was that transforming into an alien and then reverting back had encouraged cell growth, accelerating the healing process. It was then a simple process of having Raven fully repair the remaining damage and then getting enough bed rest. Now, Lance was up and running again.

"Where'd you get the new suit?" Beastboy was referring to the fact that Lance had completely changed from his usual attire. Instead of his usual blue short-sleeved jacket and tan pants, Lance was now wearing a light gray jumpsuit equipped with a simple utility belt and a pair of black boots.

"This?" Lance plucked at the jumpsuit's top in emphasis, "Well, Plasmus ruined my last set of good clothes. Robin said you all had a couple of spare suits and this one fit me." Lance then took a seat next to Beastboy and Terra. This was it, the start of a new life. No more having to wander around like a vagabond. No more having to run away like a scared wild animal. Now, he would have a use, a purpose…

However there was one more thing that Lance had been considering. "I'm thinking about getting a codename."

"Hm?" Both Beastboy and Terra turned their heads in Lance's direction with interest.

"It's just that everyone else has a name, I mean, I don't think Cyborg was always a cyborg…And I already changed outfits, so I thought—"

"Have you thought of anything yet?" asked Terra.

"I was thinking about something involving this," Lance held out his left arm, exposing the watch, "Maybe, it could be Watchman! No, too obvious. Or how about the Green Hourglass! No, there's another name like that. The Timer! I mean no…" Lance's eyebrows furrowed in annoyance at his failed endeavors, "Clock, Symbol Guy…ICON?" Lance stopped at his last outburst, "Hey, that could work…"

He pointed to the hourglass emblem on the watch. "See the watch has a symbol, and icon is just another word for it. And it's kind of catchy, or at least I think it is. What do you two think of it?"

Terra shrugged. "I like it."

Beastboy scratched his chin quizzically. "I guess it's okay, but I something still bugs me."

Lance sat up straighter. "What?"

A smirk spread across the prankster's face as he pointed to the watch on the newly renamed teammate's wrist. "Can you shower with that thing on?"

XXX

"Enjoy them while you can, Titans."

Concealed in the shadows in a dark area unknown, was an enigmatic man who was viewing his quarry on a wide computer screen. Unbeknownst to the three laughing youths on the screen, a secret satellite from above was currently tracking their every move.

"Today, your new additions passed another test. But of course, there will be more to come. Soon, you will all fall before me…"