5:45 am. The team is on top of Titans Tower, starring out into the city. Matthaios sees them and proceeds to join them:
-Matthaios: Oh, hey guys, what's up? I thought you said 6.
-Robin:We spoke to Raven last night. You want to explain why you broke into a closed computer store?
-Matthaios: I suppose. Since I didn't need any sleep, I decided to take the time to learn more about this planet, as well as the time difference between our planets. In your time, I was 6 when my race of people was exterminated. I am now, only 16 Earth years old. Seems young to me but so be it.
-Robin:That doesn't excuse the fact you went sneaking around town, and broke into a computer store.
-Matthaios: True, but all has been taking care off. I re-locked the door after leaving the owner some cash for the use of their equipment. I left a note as well telling them to call the Tower if it was necessary.
-Robin:That's still not an excuse! We have to take you in.
-Raven:I told you we shouldn't have trusted him!
-Matthaios: Listen, It's all been taking care of. I'll tell you what, if he calls the authorities, or the tower, asking for 'justice' toward my actions I'll allow you to haul me off to 'Earth jail.' But let's just get some sparring in for now and see what happens. I've been itching for a fight since yesterday!
-Robin:Hmm, give us a second alone to discuss this over.
-Matthaios: Fine by me, I'll be in that open area behind the tower.
-Robin:Wait, you don't have 'super human' hearing too, do ya?!
-Matthaios: That's a weird question. If I did, I could easily tell you 'no.' But, since my ears aren't awkwardly goofed up like Beast Boy's, I can't hear any more than normal humans.
* Matthaios flies down to the 'training field' to await the others. *
-Beast Boy:HEY! I RESENT THAT!
* Beast Boy starts crying a bit *
What's wrong with my ears…?!
-Raven:Nothing, now stop crying!
-Cyborg:Don't let him get to ya, BB.
-Starfire:Yes, he is the mean one for sure. It is ok friend Beast Boy, we all still love you.
-Robin:Guys focus, we need to figure out what to do with Matthaios after last night. Raven, did you see if he broke or actually stole anything?!
-Raven:No, all I saw is he picked the lock and walked in. Than he just hooked up a computer. Based on where he's from, I don't know how he can know how to do all of this.
-Starfire:Yes, it is truly strange.
-Robin:There's clearly more information he's holding from us. Star, do you know, or have heard of, anything about his people when you were still living on Tamaran?
-Starfire:Not that I can remember … Wait! I think I overheard my parents say once, about a small group called 'The Chaos Warriors' who went around and caused trouble to weaker planets. They did this to prove some type of 'worth' to themselves.
-Robin:Anything else?
-Starfire:No. As far as I know, they did not attack or bother my people.
-Robin:So what should we do here?
-Cyborg:We should see what he's capable of. I think I can take him, so let me have 1st crack at him!
-Robin:If everyone agrees…
* The whole team nods *
-Robin:Than it's settled! Cyborg, you get the 1st crack at him. Try to take it easy so we don't cause him to do something drastic, nor do we want injure him TO bad. We still need more information from him.
-Cyborg:No promises, Robin. *Cracks a small smile*
-Robin:Afterwards, we will check up on the store and see what else he knows. We can ask him about that 'group' Starfire mentioned.
The team heads down to join Matthaios on the field. Everyone heads off to the side while Cyborg takes his position:
-Robin:Ok! You will be sparring with Cyborg. Remember it's not a real fight so no need to go 'all out' and risk injury.
-Matthaios: What? Aww come on, that's no fun!
-Cyborg:Agreed!
-Matthaios: Hey, why can't I fight the Tamaranean girl?
-Robin:Cyborg is your opponent! He's the closest to your size so it should be a fair fight!
-Matthaios: Sizes doesn't matter! Starfire people can lift way more than almost anyone in the System! But so be it, I can't turn down a fight, regardless of my advantages or disadvantages, my strengths and weaknesses.
-Robin:Ok! Everything is setup! You both may begin when you are ready!
Cyborg begins, without hesitation, to charge at Matthaios with his fist cocked back. Matthaios is standing straight up in front of a tree, looking cocky and confident with his arms crossed. Cyborg throws the punch. Matthaios quickly leans his head back a bit to dodge the punch. Cyborg becomes stunned at Matthaios' quickness for a few seconds and so does everyone else watching. Cyborg refocuses before throwing a fury of left and right punches. Matthaios continues to dodge most of them, but ends up getting hit in the jaw by one of Cyborg's jabs. Matthaios shows a small grin, then sweeps Cyborg's feet, tripping him. On the way down, Matthaios' right hand glows yellow as forces Cyborg to fall down faster and harder, buy punching his chest till Cyborg hits the ground. The power behind the punch sends Cyborg an additional 2 feet into the earth, creating a small crater the size of Cy's outline. Cyborg is temporarily stunned and small electric bolts surround him. The Titans are astonished and amazed at what just happened. The 4 release a simultaneous, "WOOW!"
Matthaios yells up:
-Matthaios: Who's next?! I was hoping for more of a challenge!
-Starfire:I will fight.
-Robin:Are you sure, Starfire?
-Starfire:Yes. He initially wanted to fight me. Plus I will make him pay for hurting friend Cyborg.
-Robin:Well, it's not like I can stop you. Be careful.
Starfire turns and sneaks Robin a kiss, winks at him, than heads down to prepare for 'round 2.' By now, Beast Boy has already headed over to bring Cyborg back to the observing area where the others are.
-Robin:*Blushing, Clears Throat* Um ok, well, now, ummm…Oh yea. Ok you 2, we are ready when you are! Matthaios, take it easy! There's no need to cause injuries!
-Raven:Maybe not to us, but we still don't know his full intensions on why he's here. So we still need to keep up our guard.
-Beast Boy:Yea, if he can do this to Cy, who knows what else he's capable of. Starfire is strong, no question. But I don't know how much even she can handle.
-Robin:We'll just have to see. After seeing what just happened, she still agreed to this.
Meanwhile on the field, the 2 are in a stare down. Light breeze blowing each other's hair around:
-Matthaios: Finally! I heard your people were strong…AND fast.
-Starfire:You are, correct. Our people can fly faster than the speed of light, and our strength cannot be matched by most.
-Matthaios: Nice, that sounds like a challenge. I'm ready when you are!
Standing in the same, cocky position he was in against Cyborg, Matthaios waits for Starfire's attack. Without warning, her eyes begin to glow green, than she blasts him with her Laser-Eyes which catches him off guard. He's sent through the tree that was behind him, and out into the water. A few seconds later, he quickly shoots out of the water and lands back where he originally was standing:
-Matthaios: Wow, was not expecting THAT! I didn't know your people could do that!
* Starfire's eyes are still glowing green, as well as her hands. *
-Starfire:Only my sister, Blackfire, and I can use what we call star bolts. I am the only one who can use Laser-Eyes Beams. Now stop standing around and fight me! UghAhhhhh!
Starfire flies right at Matthaios. He immediately flies straight up, she stops, turns and follows. He gets about 30-40 feet off the ground before stops, then turns around. He puts his arms up in front of his face in the shape of an 'X' to try to block most of Starfire's attack. With her eyes and hands still glowing, she punches him dead center of his 'X' guard. The power knocks him back and sends a concussion wave out, cutting a deep line into the ground directly between them both[1]. The blast just misses the Titans observation stand, than continues up the rocky hill side another 10-20 feet. It shocks Starfire a bit, so she jumps back a few ft. She see the blast almost hit her friends, which makes her angrier. Starfire puts bother of her hands together and fires a huge Starblast toward Matthaios. He braces again. Upon impact, an explosion occurs covering Matthaios is dust and smoke.
After a few minutes, the smoke begins to clears, Matthaios is standing with both of his arms down by his side. He also has a slightly different look to him. His eyes have a yellow tint over them, and he has a yellow energy-based aroura around him. -Matthaios: Ok, that hurt a bit. I congratulate you, Starfire. You are much stronger than what I have heard, or have experienced from fighting a few other Tamaranean's. Much better than I was hoping for, but our warmups are over!
-Starfire:Who said I was doing the 'warming up!'
Starfire flies right at him again. With her right hand forwards, she tries to fly right through him, aiming for his head. This time, Matthaios dodges to the side at the last second. Starfire misses, turns over to look at Matthaios in astonishment. He gives her a 'wink' than grabs her arm and flings her down toward the ground. When she lands, the force sends her an additional 10-15 feet through the ground. It takes a few seconds, but she shakes it off, regains her composure, than heads back up toward Matthaios. After that, Robin begins yelling at them to stop the fight. With both of them too involved and focused on the fight, they can't hear Robin's voice.
Starfire's eyes and hands begin to glow green again. She then throws a fury of punches at him. Matthaios is dodging and blocking everything. In the midst of this, he disappears, and instantly reappears behind Starfire. Before giving her time to turn around or react, he hits her with a strong elbow to the dead center of her back. This sends her slamming into the ground. This time she ends up close top 30feet down.
Now they are able to hear robin, as he yells in concern, "STARFIRE!" Being able to sense how weak she is now, he powers down back to his normal state. Raven uses her powers to enclose Matthaios in a black bubble. Beast Boy flies down the hole to pull Starfire out. He climbs out, as his usual gorilla form, with one hand and holding Starfire with the 2nd hand. He gently places her on the ground. Raven focus on holding Matthaios, while Robin tends to Starfire:
-Robin:Starfire, wake up! Starfire!
-Raven:We have to get her inside. A storm is closing in quick.
* The wind begins to pick up as dark storm clouds quickly begin to close in. *
-Robin:Right, I'll take Star. Beast Boy, go get Cyborg. Raven, take Matthaios inside and keep him sealed in a vacant room! Titans, move!
The Titans head inside and meet up in the Living room area. Raven locks Matthaios in a room. She places a spell on the bubble he's trapped in so he won't break free. "Don't Move!" She tells him, before heading to join the rest of the team. Beast Boy leans Cyborg up against the back of the couch. Robin heads straight to Starfire's room, and gently lies her down on the bed. A few seconds later, she wakes up:
-Starfire:Robin, wha-…what happened?
-Robin:Take it easy Star, your safe now. Just lie down and rest now. It's ok!
* Starfire slowly sits up. *
-Starfire:What happened? All I remember is Matthaios somehow disappeared. Then I felt a sharp pain in my back.
-Robin:You were fighting Matthaios. I yelled at you both to stop the fight after you got knocked down the 1st time, but neither of you listened and continued the fight.
-Starfire:I am sorry Robin, but I was not able to hear you yelling at us to stop, or else I would have surely stopped.
-Robin:I'm going to meet up with the others and check on Cyborg while we figure out what to do next. Matthaios can't be allowed here. We must figure out a way to get rid of him before he hurts anyone else.
* Starfire begins to get up off the bed. *
-Robin:Starfire, You need to-
-Starfire:Thank you Robin, but I am fine now. Let us go check on Cyborg and let the others know I am alright.
-Robin:Ok Starfire. I'm glad you are ok.
* Starfire blushes a little, than kisses Robin on his cheek causing him to blush. *
-Starfire:I will race you to the living room! Last one there is a 'Zorrgnarg Grebnacks[2].'
-Robin:Oh, I wouldn't be too sure about that!
Starfire flies out and Robin follows. They meet in the living room at the same time, looking at each other and laughing. They show up in time to see Cyborg begin to stand up, rubbing his head:
-Cyborg:What happened?
-Beast Boy:What happened is you got beat, dude. Pretty easily, I might add. I think I might fight you next week! Hahaha!
* Cyborg grabs Beast Boy and puts him into a head lock, than begins to give him a 'noogie.' *
-Cyborg:Why wait?! If you're so confident, why don't we settle this right now!
Beast Boy transforms into a fly to get away, than flies in Cyborgs face to try to annoy him. Cyborg is swatting at him while yelling at him to cut it out. Cyborg finally hits him away. Beast Boy transforms back to normal and tumbles in the air for a bit before landing hard on his butt, dizzy and disoriented.
-Robin:Titans, Listen up! Let's get serious now. We need to figure out what to do with Matthaios after he took out almost half of the team. He's clearly a danger to us all. Too much in fact, we can't have him around here anymore. Any suggestions?
-Cyborg:We can just send him away, or try see if there is a space version of the police.
-Raven:I can banish him to another dimension, where he won't be able to find his way back here again.
-Starfire:May I Spea-
-Beast Bouy:We could cover him in-
-Robin/Cyborg/Raven:NO!
-Starfire:Friends?...
-Robin:I don't know. Maybe we could see if Arkham would take him.
-Raven:I don't know about that, you've seen his powers. He may be able to escape with ease.
-Starfire:Hellooo…?
-Robin:Than we will have to go with Cyborg's idea. See if you could contact someone who has an interstellar connection.
-Cyborg:On it!
-Starfire:FRIEEEEENNNDDS!
-Raven:Wow, that was pleasant…
-Robin:What is it Star?!
-Starfire:Why are we 'sending him away?'
-Robin:What do you mean 'why?' Star, you've seen AND experienced what he's done. Who knows what else he's capable of! He's a threat to not only the city, but the planet. We can't keep him here!
-Starfire:I would like to speak my opinion on that matter, if that is alright?
-Robin:Of course.
-Starfire:I do not believe he is as much of a danger as all of you believe.
-Beast Boy:How?! He almost broke Cyborg and he threw you into the ground. You almost landed in China!
-Raven:Not even close.
-Starfire:Yes, he is strong. He has powers neither of us had ever seen or witnessed before. And I do not know how he was able to disappear like that, but I would like to know more about him. I say we give him at least 1 chance before we cast him away like a 'snervian blork worm.'
-Raven:I don't think we should take the chance.
-Starfire:I do not believe he did anything wrong. Yes, he is a little rough when he fights, but I do not believe he was truly trying to cause any real harm to us.
-Cyborg:Speak for yourself! He basically shut me completely down with one punch.
-Robin:I don't know if he was or wasn't trying to harm us. If we didn't step in, who knows what else could've happened. But if Star has faith in this, than we should stand beside her.
* Starfire flies over to robin to give him an oversized hug *
-Starfire:Thank you, Robin…Friends!
-Robin:*Gasping for breath* Uh, yea. No. prob…-lem, Star.
* Starfire lets him go than apologies for hugging him so hard. *
-Robin:Raven, show us what room he's in.
Raven leads them down the hallway to the 7th and only true 'unclaimed' vacant room in the tower[3]. "In here" she says, opening the door. Everyone but Cyborg (who is lagging behind for some reason), walks in and see Matthaios still locked up in Ravens bubble:
-Robin:Matthaios, we have agreed to give you one last chance. But you MUST tell us what we still don't know. Like, what that was we saw you do to Starfire, why you had something 'yellow' surrounding you after the 'explosion' from Starfire's attack, and why you were able to defeat Cyborg so easily when everyone else we face can barely put any damage on him!
-Matthaios: Fine, let me out than we can head to the roof to explain the situation.
-Raven:Robin…?
-Robin:*Whispering to Raven* Take him to the roof 1st, than let him go but be on your guard in case he tries something.
-Raven:Right!
Cyborg meets the others in the hallway, while Raven teleports herself and Matthaios to the roof:
-Cyborg:Ok, so I just finished checking out voicemails. Turns out he was correct about the store he broke into. The owner said everything was still setup how Matthaios left it yesterday. He checked the security cameras and seen everything he did. Turns out he didn't actually steal, or break anything. The owner was about to call the Jump City Police, when he seen the note Matthaios left. He opened the register and found an additional $5000 in the register. So basically, he called to thank him for everything.
-Robin:Ok, so that issue is now resolved. Let's go, we're heading to the roof. He's going to explain what he's been leaving out!
-Beast Boy:Hey Cy, you alright now?
-Cyborg:Yea, 'B.' Im alright now. I'll catch up with ya'll in a bit. I have to fix something that got damaged in the fight.
-Beast Boy:Alright buddy, see you up there!
Beast Boy catches up with the rest of the team while Cyborg heads to his room to make repairs.
Up on the roof, Matthaios is standing on the back side, back against the oceanic horizon. Robin, Starfire, Raven, and Beast Boy are standing on the front side of the roof with their backs facing Jump City:
-Robin:Alright, start explaining! Start with how you changed 'yellow' after the explosion caused by Starfire, and how you were able to disappear like that!
-Matthaios: As I mentioned yesterday, my power is based on the 'Energy' that we use, even our basic hand-to-hand combat skills. Depending how much energy we are willing to use, could vary based on what 'form' we take. What you're used to, is my normal form. Although I can still extra energy to put more force behind my punches. That's how I disabled Cyborg so fast. Now, stay back and do NOT be alarmed! I'm going to demonstrate all my different forms by showing them to you.
Matthaios stands in some type of 'power fighting' stance, than begins to charge up, groaning while doing so. You can see the energy around him moving around, followed by that yellow aurora beginning to surround him. His eyes become pure yellow:
-Matthaios: This is the 1st energy induced phase. We call it our 'Galben' form. I basically used a 'lighter' version of this form when Starfire and I fought. I'll explain that a little later.
He begins to focus a little harder and charges up once again. The same exact thing happens, except this time he groans a little more and the Tower slightly begins to shake. The aurora turns into a lighter blue color, with his eyes filling with the same color to match the aurora. Small bolts of lightning are striking in and around his aurora. His voice sounds the same, but now it's just slightly a little bit deeper:
-Matthaios: This is called, 'Albastru.' It uses energy a little bit faster than the Galben form, but it's about 3 times stronger. Now brace yourselves. This is going to be a tough one, and it might have a blow back effect. In fact…I'll be back …
Matthaios flies straight up, about 75-80 feet into the air. Then he begins to charge once again. His groan much louder and a white light covers him. The Titans are bracing themselves as they can feel his excessive energy field even being that far away from him. The Tower begins to shake a little bit more than last time. They can hear him creaming and groaning, ever so little. But it does sound like he is screaming in pain. It takes a little longer that the last 2, be he manages to complete the transformation. The Titans see something fall past them, looking like a chunk of thick, black hair. They look up and see Matthaios slowly start to descend. He lands in front of them, where he initially was for the 1st 2 transformations.
At this time, Cyborg rejoins everyone on the roof, fully repaired and just in to see Matthaios' new form. The Titans are starring at him mesmerized. His aurora has become red, his eyes have become pure white, and his hair has changed now. It's turned Red as well, and has been shortened a bit, and is standing up more due to the static energy surrounding him. Now he has an even strong aurora, so much that the Titans are feeling like pressure is being pushed down on them:
-Raven:Wha- What is that
-Robin:It's feels like, someone just increased…the gravity
-Beast Boy:It's Llke, the air…just got heavier.
-Starfire:I can barely…Move!
* Matthaios' voice gets a bit deeper than before, and is backed by a satanic-like voice *
-Matthaios: This! This is known as my 'Rosu' form! This is only the third time I have ever been like this. In this form, my energy drains much more rapidly than the others, even when I am just standing here. Because of that, I can't be like this for long … *He begins to pant and starts breathing a little heavy.*
Matthaios powers down to his normal state, aurora is gone, eyes are back to normal, and his hair returns to his natural black color. He falls to one knee, panting hard and trying to catch his breath. The titans regain their composure. His hair after being shortened, now only come down a few inches past his neck. The Titans try to regain themselves as well.
Matthaios suggests getting some food before they ask any more questions, this way everyone can relax for a bit and rest after all of that. Cyborg orders some pizza, 55 larges to be exact. After an hour or so or resting and eating, Matthaios continues to answer any questions they may have left:
-Matthaios: So yea, I still haven't figured out how to control my 'Rosu' form, but I do predict its 10x stronger than my 2nd form, which only 5x stronger than my current, normal condition.
-Cyborg:Why does that happen, with your 'aurora?'
-Matthaios: I like to see as the equivalent to filling with water, something that is enclosed. Eventually, too much of it will pour out. Well, that's the same with the amount of energy I am using. I need to access the soul, or the heart of my energy to use more power or strength when fighting.
-Raven:You mentioned a 'lighter' version of one of your forms. What did you mean by that?
-Matthaios: My forms are based on the level on energy I want to extract. Once in that form, the amount of energy I am using decides how much power I have with it. In my initial 'Galben' form, I was using the 'weaker' side of that. Meaning I was accessing to much energy to stay in my normal state, but not enough to use that form to its fullest extent. The shade in my eyes will tell you how much I am using. If it's just tinted to where you can still see my eyes, that's what's known as the 'lighter' version of it. When they are a solid color, I am access the full potential of that current form. We also have one weaker than 'Galben' called 'Verde.' But it's more for show than anything else that I know of.
-Robin:Wow, this is a lot to process.
-Cyborg:I'm working on getting all the information so we don't have to remember it all right now.
-Robin:Good, I'll look it over again tomorrow. When you were fighting Starfire, before u hit her in the back with your elbow, how were you able to diaper and reappear behind her like you did?!
-Starfire:Yes, I too would like to know how you were able to achieve that move.
-Matthaios: It's not actually teleporting. It's just a very quick-speed maneuver I can do at close range. Although Starfire can fly at the speed of light, I can move fast enough that, to the untrained eye, it looks like I disappeared, although it can only be used effective up to 50 feet away. The further I travel the longer it will take to reappear. That's why it seemed instant in the fight with Starfire. But, this makes me vulnerable to an open attack. My guard has to be completely 'down' and it takes a good portion of my energy in order for it to work, and I can only do it when I'm in one of my 'energy forms.' I learned it as well as other moves and tactics, such as helping my hand-to-hand fighting and focusing more when using energy attacks. Anyway, it's been fun but I'm going to head out. I would like to get some sleep after today. The food helped but sleep is always better. Come find me if you ever need me for anything…
-Starfire:You are leaving?! What if we have more questions? What if we DO need your help? Where will you be going?
-Robin:After all the chaos today, we would like to sort this out. But it will have to wait for tomorrow. If you want, you can stay here with us tonight.
-Matthaios: Thanks for the offer, but after all I caused today, Raven over there glaring at me, and everyone still having an issue trusting me, I'm better off giving everyone some peace for tonight.
-Raven:We will have more peace knowing you're here sleeping, not out breaking into more stores.
-Robin:Raven's right. Your best bet is to stay here tonight. Who knows, we might need your help tomorrow.
* Hesitates and thinks it over for a few minutes *
-Matthaios: … Fine. But I don't want you to get too comfortable around me. It won't help you when fighting, trust me.
-Cyborg:Than it's settled. Follow me I'll show you the bathroom 'cause dude, you need a shower!
-Raven:Glad someone said it. Beast Boy doesn't even smell that bad after playing in the mud or at the town dump.
-Beast Boy:HEYY! That happened ONCE Raven, and I can't just turn into animals, I get their instincts as well!
-Raven:Right… Whatever you need to tell yourself to help sleep better at night.
-Beast Boy:It's true! Tell her Robin!
-Robin:I'm staying out of this one. I know better to disagree or argue with Raven.
Beast Boy grunts and moans in frustration, Starfire giggles at the situation. Everyone heads to their separate rooms for the night. Beast Boy stomps into his room out of anger. Raven too tired and lazy to open her own door, just teleports herself through the door and into her room. Robin and Starfire spend about 10minutes in the hallway talking before say goodnight to each other and heading to their separate rooms for the night.
*** NOTE ***
1. Once the attack landed, it sent out a strong wave outward splitting them both. Almost like if a wall were to spit them up.
2. According to the TT Wiki, it means "Jerk Butt" which seems like an insult Star would say, I don't know. :D
3. I believe (for now) the Tower has 7 bed rooms; 5 for the main titans, the 6th was given to Terra, and is unused or unchanged in respect for her and in case she decides to return someday. The 7th and final room is nothing more than a guest bedroom at this point (where Matthaios is being held).