89. Give to the Earth

Beast Boy didn't sleep that night. Though he spent a good part of the evening and early morning curled alone in bed, he couldn't even wink once. Eventually, the changeling sauntered up when the digital clock on the bedside table flashed '6:59'. He switched the device off a minute before the alarm he set hours ago would go off.

Sighing, he limped into his bathroom to change into dayclothes. They were strangely dark that day.

-T-T-T-T-T-T-

There was a knock on the door to Robin's room.

The Boy Wonder yawned, got up from bed, and shuffled to the door. In his eyemask and bed clothes he blindly reached for the wall panel and opened his door with a SWISH!!!

"Y-Yeah….," he mumbled.

"H-Hey…," Beast Boy stuttered. He stood in a black shirt and dark blue jeans. He waved nonchalantly and bit his lip.

Robin stared at him. "…..hey what?"

"Um…..it's today, Robin."

"What is?"

Beast Boy looked down. His eyes trailed.

Suddenly, the exhausted Boy Wonder gasped. "Ohhhh…..oh jeez. Yeah. Of course. I'm so sorry, Beast Boy. Totally slipped my mind."

"S'ok. You coming?"

"Y-Yeah. Wait for me, all right? I'll be with you in no time."

"Cool. Thanks. See you in the Main Room."

They parted ways and the door SWISHed closed between them as Robin hurried to put some casual attire on.

-T-T-T-T-T-T-

Beast Boy was walking down the hallway when he ran into two figures.

He brightened ever so slightly.

"H-Hey dudes….what're you doing up?"

Raven and Cyborg walked to a stop. Raven had on a black turtleneck and jeans. Cyborg had accentuated his blue glow into a darker hue.

The android Titans smiled ever so slightly. "What do you think, man? We're all in this together."

"I-I was about to go and wake you—"

"What for?"

"Well…Robin was sleeping in."

Raven rolled her blue eyes. "Not everyone's perfect."

"I suppose…," Beast Boy shrugged.

Silence.

"Come on…," Cyborg patted Beast Boy on the shoulder and swung him around to move towards the elevator. "Let's go meet up."

"B-But….what about Star?"

"Don't you worry about that, man. Trust us."

-T-T-T-T-T-T-

"Star??"

Starfire looked over from the kitchen. She was putting together sandwiches for the road. Edible, earthling sandwiches. "Greetings, friends," she smiled pleasantly…but softly. "I hope I am not late in my preparation."

"Hardly, Starfire," Raven said.

"You….you remembered t-too, Starfire?" Beast Boy blushed.

"Hehehe….how could I not?" she smiled, wrapping the last of the sandwiches in tinfoil and putting them into a protective cooler. She was dressed in a modest, ankle-long dress of dark green. "I would not be much of a Tamaranian if I forewent tradition. And I would not be much of a friend if I forewent today. I am happy to be a part of this."

Beast Boy nodded. "Th-Thanks…all of you…."

"Today's important for all of us, B.B.," Cyborg said. "It'll always be important to us…"

Beast Boy sighed. "I just hope 'always' isn't forever…."

Silence.

Robin hurriedly entered the scene, still adjusting his dark polo shirt and slacks. "I swear….I set my alarm! I-I knew about today, it's just that—"

"It's okay, Robin," Beast Boy smiled weakly. "It's cool. Lord knows we're all tired."

"I made witches of sand!" Starfire smiled.

Everyone chuckled lightly at that. A slight level of tension was peeled away.

Then silence.

Beast Boy bit his lip. He looked up at Cyborg. "Um…..wh-what about Noir?"

More silence.

Cyborg rubbed the human part of his skull.

"I thought we all decided this on our way back from California…," Raven muttered.

"That is correct," Starfire somberly said. "And yet…is it too late to go back on our decision?"

Nobody had an immediate response to that. So everyone looked in one accord at Robin.

The Boy Wonder sighed. "We….d-don't need to bring Noir into this. That was what we agreed upon. And it's what we're sticking too. Right?"

Silence.

"Right???"

"Yeah, man."

"Affirmative."

"Yes."

"Sure…."

Robin took a deep breath. "Allright then…." A beat. "L-Let's go, Titans."

The five shuffled off like a funeral possession. At some point, Beast Boy looked over his shoulder and uttered: "Say…the t.v.'s on. What were you doing in here?"

"Oh…..uhm….I-I was viewing the D of V of D…"

"A DVD? Which movie?"

"One of our recorded ones…..from…."

"Oh…."

"P-Perhaps we could all view it later? T-Together?"

"Let's take it one step at a time, Starfire," Raven said. "And not rush."

"Understood."

And they were gone.

-T-T-T-T-T-T-

My alarm went off.

Dreamy images of Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, and Green Arrow laughing at my e-mail while dressed in pirate costumes faded from my black eyes. I suddenly wondered if superheroes hired psychiatrists…

I got up and the first thing on my mind was meditation. I showered up, suited up, and gently lifted Myrkblade and its scabbard from the mantle in my room. I took a close look at my weapon…smiled…and rested it over my shoulder as I exited the cellar, whistling.

-T-T-T-T-T-T-

When I exited the base of the Tower and sauntered out past the bluffs to the small patch of grass, I noticed something glinting in the morning sun. A bright ray of light shimmered in the distance and stabbed its way through my dark shades…piercing my black eyes.

Wincing slightly, I glanced over with squinting lids and noticed something.

The T-Car was rolling down the bridge towards the City at a casual speed.

I leaned my head to the side, stared at it for a while, then shrugged it off.

I soon was relaxing and meditating….

-T-T-T-T-T-T-

Starfire sat in the front passenger's seat. She pressed her face to the glass and smiled pleasantly at the familiar skyscrapers and buildings streaming past the whole group of five. She let out a long sigh and genuinely smiled.

"It is ever so glorious being back home. I wonder…if I choose someday to permanently reside on Earth…would I choose this City to dwell in?"

"I had no idea you were here temporarily, Star," Cyborg said from the driver's seat.

The girl bit her lip. "Well…hehehe..," she giggled and sweatdropped bashfully. "The 'temporary' nature has turned into something much lengthier indeed. I must say…I am addicted to this planet."

"If Earth was a drug, I'd need therapy by now," Cyborg chuckled. "Ain't that right, Raven?"

"Right it not ain't…," the dark girl droned.

"Now that's the spirit!"

"Eh…I've been to better cities than this," Beast Boy muttered. He looked at his feet on the floor of the car. "There're some quaint places in Africa. When I was a kid, I saw a ton of really cool villages. Small places. Not many people."

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder…," Rave uttered.

"I admire the beholder who possesses an eye for this City!" Starfire beamed from the front.

"Yeah…whatever…," Beast Boy hummed.

Robin looked his way. "This day bumming you out too much, Beast Boy?"

"Don't let me ruin your conversations," Beast Boy sighed and leaned his chin on his hand. "I thought I'd be more cheerful. But I'm wrong about a lot of things."

"We won't force you to talk or anything," Robin shrugged. "Just….try and cheer up, okay? We're all with you on this. We're all together."

Beast Boy looked up and raised his eyebrows over unenthused eyes. "You sure Noir doesn't need to be with us?"

"No, I'm not," Robin shook his head. "But….well…." The Boy Wonder lingered.

"You want to be the first to invite him?" Raven said.

Beast Boy winced. "No. Guess not."

Silence.

"Well…we're almost on the bridge," Cyborg said. "Won't be long now."

"Take your time," Beast Boy mumbled and calmly shut his eyes. "Take your time."

"Ooh! Water! Can you count the fishies with me??" Starfire uttered.

The carpool couldn't help it. They chuckled again.

And the T-Car rode over the suspension bridge, passing westward across the Bay…

-T-T-T-T-T-T-

I felt content after meditation. As usual.

I walked back into the Tower and made a bee-line for the Main Room to get something to drink. I was well winded from the exercise and felt like cooling off.

It struck me as interesting that nobody was in the hallways or elevators as I ascended. But such isn't too odd of a thing. Six teenagers aren't enough to fill a huge building shaped like a 'T'. Sometimes it would feel downright lonely and depressing inside that place.

And I liked it.

But at that moment, I was confused. Especially when I entered the Main Room, and nobody was around. Beast Boy and Cyborg weren't gaming. Raven wasn't reading. Robin wasn't…wasn't….doing whatever he does. Not even Starfire was around.

I took a long sip of orange juice and surveyed the interior with my black eyes. Thinking.

Did they all leave in the T-Car?

Was there a mission? An emergency in Town somewhere?

I sauntered over to the computer. I typed blurriedly and checked the alert program.

Nothing.

Speedy and Green Arrow might as well still have been there.

I sipped some more orange juice from the mug in my metal hand.

A pause.

I looked around the room.

I noticed something on the kitchen counter, which made me feel stupid because I had just walked from over there.

I sauntered back and noticed the remains of someone making sandwiches.

I blinked.

A picnic?

I scanned around the kitchen area. My eyes settled on a calendar. There was something noticeable on the last day of August.

Today…

I walked over and stared up close.

The day was highlighted. In bold, black ink…the letter 'T' was splashed across the day panel. Cyborg's writing. Very straightforward and noticeable. Intense pressure of his titanium penmanship.

There was something special about that day.

But what?

Curiosity got the better of me. I went back to the computer. I typed a flurry. I brought up a map of the City on the huge screen and activated the tracking device of the T-Car.

And my eyebrows rose.

There was indeed a blip on the screen showing where the T-Car was. The vehicle was parked across the Bay. Besides a dry ravine in the tiny desert south of Town.

-T-T-T-T-T-T-

About a dozen feet away from the T-Car, the Titans had spread a blanket and were all sitting in a circle…enjoying Starfire's sandwiches. Things seemed a slight bit more lively right there and then. The food was hearty and the conversation was lighthearted.

The view…was magnificent. A canyon stretched beneath them. Not a huge drop by any means, but definitely one of God's finer carvings in the yellow, granite earth.

"She was always a tough cookie," Cyborg mused after finishing another bite of bologna. "That's what I liked about her. She could be as cute as the dickens, but she knew how to rock. Heh…no pun intended."

"Pun accepted, regardless," Robin winked under his mask.

"Hehehe," Starfire giggled. "She was certainly huggable, was she not?!"

"Don't look at me," Raven droned.

Robin smirked. He took a bite of his sandwich and swallowed and said: "Ya know…sitting here…thinking back to the first day we met her….I can't help but think. How does a scorpion GET that big?"

Cyborg shrugged. "Lexcorp genetic engineering leakage?"

"Whatever the case…Terra could squash it," Raven said.

"Squash she did," Robin nodded. "I don't think we'd have faired so easily against the creature."

"That sounds rather pessimistic, Robin."

"I'm not saying we couldn't defeat it. Just, it wouldn't have been easy."

"Hey….um….," Beast Boy bit his lip. "Can I ask something?"

"Shoot."

"Were you and Raven….like….not so thrilled about her visiting the Tower that first time?" Beast Boy asked the Boy Wonder and the dark girl.

"I didn't see the point of it at the time, to be honest," Raven said.

Beast Boy winced.

"Ahem," Robin cleared his throat. "I agreed that she needed a home. And I also saw the potential in her powers being contributed to the Titans in crime fighting. But, truthfully, I was doubtful that she could be a permanent member. That doesn't mean I didn't appreciate her company or anything. Just, I saw that she needed room to grow. Her powers needed to be worked on. I made mention of that…..er….u-unfortunately."

"Yeah….r-right…," Beast Boy simpered and scratched his head.

Silence.

"I am happy that she enjoyed my cooking," Starfire said, still cheerful. "Even if technically thirty percent of the Tamaranian diet I shared with her is incapable of being digested by human stomachs."

"Whoah," Raven blinked. "Is that true?"

"She did not swallow all of it," Starfire blinked innocently.

"Is that why the toilet was clogged up?" Robin asked.

"I do not understand."

"Sounds realistic to me…," Raven muttered.

"Can we…I dunno….talk about something other than Terra's vomiting?" Beast Boy remarked.

"Allright, man," Cyborg grinned. "Was she a good kisser?"

"Er….b-back to vomiting," Beast Boy blushed furiously.

The others chuckled. Raven smirked.

Beast Boy eventually smiled himself.

-T-T-T-T-T-T-

I finished a keystroke.

A photocopy of a newspaper clipping appeared on screen.

It was dated 'September 1, 2003'.

The article spoke of a raid by Slade and his minions on a diamond mine southwest of the City. Rumors spread of a 'Sixth Titan' present when Robin's team confronted the enemy.

I scratched my chin. Curious. Studying.

I thought of something.

I returned to the root program of the newspaper files. I scrolled ahead by three months. I paused. I looked at a random headline.

"Titans and Sixth Member Capture Mumbo Jumbo".

I squinted my black eyes through my shades.

The photocopy on the page displayed a grainy photo of the five Titans that I knew. But floating above them and emitting a gold aura was a figure I could only imagine in my head.

'The Sixth Titan'.

My lips parted in wonder. For I had never seen her before.

The real…Sixth Titan.

-T-T-T-T-T-T-

The Titans had returned to the City. They took the bridge back forty minutes into the 'picnic' and were heading towards the center of Town. But instead of drive the entire way, Cyborg parked the T-Car a mile away from the destination so that the Titans could walk.

That way…they could stop by the flower vendor on the roadside…

"Roses? You sure about that?"

"What?" Beast Boy glanced at Raven wyrdly as he handed a handful of coins to the seller. "Too romantic or something?"

"Well…they're….um….," Raven sweatdropped.

Cyborg elbowed her gently.

She cleared her throat. "R-Roses are fine, Beast Boy."

"Just as I thought! Terra would have loved them. You better not choose lilies!"

"Don't worry," Raven rolled her blue eyes. "I won't." She approached the vendor and pointed at a bundle of blooms. "Tulips, please."

Beast Boy wandered over where the other Titans stood with their own bundles of flowers in ritualistic fashion.

"Well…," the green-skinned Titan simpered. "Now for the silly apart."

Cyborg remarked. "Man…if anyone's watching. It's because we're the Teen Titans. Not because we're walking down a city street with flowers in our hands!"

"Still….f-feels kinda fruity," Beast Boy blushed and scratched the back of his neck.

"It's for a good cause though," Robin smirked slightly. "Right?"

"Yeah…r-right…"

Starfire gently stroked lavender petals in her grasp with a finger. "I have always enjoyed this part. I am quite certain she would have been happy with our open merriment!"

"Or bravery…," Raven droned as she walked in with her petals. "Don't we have someone to visit?"

Beast Boy took a huge breath. "Yeah. Tally ho, everyone."

"After you, B.B.," Robin gestured.

"Why, thank you."

"Okay…so maybe this is fruity!"

"Dude!"

"Hehehehehe!"

"Can we please just go???"

-T-T-T-T-T-T-

I performed a keystroke and a photocopy of the newspaper flashed into view displaying satellite photos of the City under Slade's controls. The headlines vomited: "Sixth Titan Actually Apprentice of Slade's"

I bit my lip and quickly exited the program.

I didn't want to focus on that…

I leaned back in my chair.

Were the Titans doing something in honor of their memory of Terra?

And if so, why is it that her eventual betrayal didn't make them hesitate in doing so?

And while on that topic…why wasn't I invited in this?

I wasn't so much feeling angry or envious as I was confused….and concerned.

But heck, I'm always concerned for the Titans.

I swiveled around in the chair, thinking to myself. A beat. My black eyes scanned the edge of the Main Room near the windows/t.v. monitor. I saw a line of DVDs inside a bookcase-like structure. One of the DVD cases was loose.

I raised an eyebrow.

Maybe I have an answer to one of my questions…

I got up and gently sauntered over to where the case was sticking out. I picked it up and held it before my vision.

It was a recording of some sort. The label on the case was written in Beast Boy's handwriting, but decorated with pretty markers of joy in numerous colors by Starfire. It read: "December 2nd, 2003. Terra's Birthday Party."

I smirked.

Feeling exploratory, I popped the DVD into the player, shut the door, sat back on the sofa with the remote, and pressed play.

-T-T-T-T-T-T-

Snkkkttt!!

Snow.

Snkkkkttt!!

A familiar carpet floor.

Snkkkktt!!

Someone's green face: "How do you turn this damn thing o—"

Snnnnnkkkktktkktt!!

The kitchen unit of the Main Room.

A young, blonde person is sitting at the end of a table. Before her is a birthday cake. A silly party hat is placed over her crown. The edge of Cyborg and the clasped hands of Starfire edge in on her as the camera zooms in on her blue-eyed face and tries to focus in. She looks flattered to be there and wounded all the same. Her smooth blonde hair melts around her as if a secret fire is burning above the bashful creature.

Beast Boy's Voice: "Allright! Now I got it to work!"

Cyborg: "About damn time, man! The candles are liable to melt!!"

Beast Boy's Voice: "Dude, shut up!! This is Terra's big day!"

The Girl: "S-Seriously, guys. This isn't r-really necessary. Just h-how did you know it was my birthday to begin with?"

Robin's Voice: "Hey, you filled out the information sheet when you became a Titan, didn't you?"

The Girl: "Well…I-I…"

Beast Boy's Voice: "Just blow out the candles, Terra! The camera's waiting!"

The Girl: "Well, okay. Here goes—"

The blonde's lips purse and she leans forward—

Cyborg: "Yo yo yo!! Wait, girl!"

The Girl: "What?! Wh-What?!"

Starfire: "You must make a wish first!! Hehehe!! It is Earth custom!"

The Girl: "Uh……y-yeah! Sure!"

Beast Boy's Voice: "Better make it a good onnnnnnne!"

There is a pause. The girl smiles bravely.

The Girl: "Okay…I-I think I've thought of something."

Beast Boy's Voice: "Blow away!"

Cyborg: "Man…that just sounded wrong."

Beast Boy's Voice: "Who asked you, Cy?!"

The girl leans forward and blows the candles out. The flames flicker. Her eyes glow yellow for a split second and she jumps with a gasp…then blushes.

Starfire giggles and Cyborg claps in tune with two sets of clapping off camera.

Robin's Voice: "Way to go, Terra!"

Cyborg: "A little shabby. But Hey! Who's keeping score?"

Starfire: "That was a mighty show of sportsmanship over the miniature waxed torches!"

The Girl: "Ah jeez….you guys are too much. I don't deserve this party."

Beast Boy's Voice: "Why not? You're certainly pretty enough!"

He either creeps in or zooms in with the camera. Whatever the case, the image is bobbing as the blonde giggles and waves her hands up in the air to push him back.

The Girl: "Okay! Okay, B.B.! Not in the face!! Hehehehe…Not in the face!!"

Snkkkkkkkttt!!

Cyborg and Robin are standing against the windows of the Main Room in the background. They're both eating cake slices rather greedily from paper plates.

Beast Voice's Voice: "And what are the alpha males of Titan's Tower up to? Two hundred calories at least, I bet!"

Robin gulps down his bite and his eyemasks glare at the camera.

Robin: "Beast Boy…what'd you process this stuff with?"

Beast Boy's Voice: "What?! You'd think I'd use real milk and eggs?!"

Cyborg begins to wretch.

Cyborg: "Ah man!! I knew he was gonna be poisoning us with that soy stuff!!"

Robin: "Beast Boy!! Ptoooie!! You no good son of a b---"

Snkkkkttt!!

Carpet and ceiling and lens flare twirling around.

Robin's Voice: "Gimme that camera!"

Cyborg's Voice: "We're gonna beat you over the head with it!!"

Beast Boy's Voice: "What?! No!! Jeez! Hey!! Stop it!! Terra's party, remember?!"

Snkkkkkttt!!!

The blonde and Starfire pose besides the kitchen counter with party hats placed goofily about their noses and ears. They wave and try not to break up laughing.

The Girl and Starfire: "Hiiiiii. Greetings from the Citadelian Empire! Do you like our noses?!"

Beast Boy's Voice: "Oh….my….androgenous….God. Like…totally…"

The two girls start giggling their heads off.

Beast Boy's Voice: "That's about the closest you get to girl-on-girl action in this Tower!!"

The Girl: "Hey!!!"

Starfire: "Girl-On-Girl? Does Beast Boy wish us to play piggy back?"

Robin's Voice: "Beast Boy!!!"

Beast Boy's Voice: "Daw crap!"

The camera nose dives.

Snkkkkktttt!!!

An extreme closeup of Raven reading a book above an uneaten slice of cake.

Beast Boy's Voice: "Duh duh duh duhhhhhh!! Who knew I was filming a horror story?"

Raven: "Cute."

The dark girl doesn't even look at the camera.

Beast Boy's Voice: "Look out, ladies and gentlemen!! It's…ATTACK OF THE KILLER CHAKRA STONE!!!"

The camera zooms in and out rapidly on Raven's bejeweled forehead.

Beast Boy's Voice: "Wreee!! Wreee!! Wreee!! Wreee!!"

Raven: "Aren't you supposed to be filming your girlfriend?"

Beast Boy's Voice: "Whatcha talkin' about, Raven?"

Raven: "I'm giving you to the count of ten…"

Beast Boy's Voice: "Wree!! Wree!! Wree! Wree!!"

Raven: "Ten."

She reaches a hand out without looking and glowing streams of black zoom down below the camera.

Flash!!

Beast Boy's Voice: "Ah jeez!! My pants!!"

The camera tilts and—

Snkkkkkkttttkktt!!

The blonde girl is curled up cutely on the couch and seemingly trying to hide from the camera.

The Girl: "Beast Boyyyy!! Stoppp! Aren't I embarrassed enough for one evening??"

Beast Boy's Voice: "But you're smiling!"

The Girl: "Soooo??"

The camera scoots in horrendously.

Beast Boy's Voice: "And you're blussssssshiiiiiiing!!"

The Girl: "Hey!! I am not!!"

Beast Boy's Voice: "Yes you arrrrre!!"

The Girl: "How about I turn your bedroom into a sinkhole?"

Beast Boy's Voice: "All the girls are threatening me today. It must be their way of flirting!"

The Girl: "Hehehehe…well, so are the guys threatening you. You ever think of that?"

Beast Boy's Voice: "Eeek!! Gross!!"

The camera tilts downwards.

The Girl's Voice: "Hehehehehe!!"

Snkkkkkttkkkkkkttttkkkkttttt!!!

Snkkkkkktttttkkktttttkkkkktt!!!

Snkkkkttktkkkkkktkkktttkktt!!!

Something black and fuzzy is blocking the camera's lens at point blank. Probably a couch or something. Two voices speak in muffled tones. The camera is likely recording by accident.

"So what did you wish for, Terra?"

"I can't tell you that, B.B."

"Why not?"

"Ya know…it ruins the wish!"

"Well, if you had another wish. Like…for a second cake. What would it be?"

"What's the point me in me telling you that?!?!"

"That's just it!! There is no point!! Because there is no second cake!!"

"Well….."

"Come on! I'll keep it a secret! I promise!"

"Okay. If I could have any wish at all…it'd be…it'd be…."

"Yes, Terra?"

Silence.

"I-It'd be for you guys to stay my friends forever."

"Pfft!! Terra, I said a wish! Not a reality!"

"Awwww….B.B. You're too sweet."

"Sweet…as in soy milk and tofu eggs cake sweet?"

"Well……er….I don't want to insult you…."

"Oh come on!!"

"Hehehehehehe!!"

"Hey Terra?"

"Hehehe—yeah?"

"Happy birthday."

"Th-Thanks, Beast Boy. Thanks….v-very much."

Silence.

Silence………

Silence………………………………

…………

SNkkkktktkkktkkktttt!!!

-T-T-T-T-T-T-

The DVD of the camera recording went to permanent snow.

I took a deep breath and drowned in an undying grin.

She was so adorable. Utterly innocent.

How could……could…

I shook the invading thoughts out and resubmerged into the aura of what I just saw. The warmth. The friendliness. The joy of it all.

And then when I realized how easily all of that collapsed, I couldn't help but wonder more.

How badly were the Titans hurt?

I took a deep breath as a lump formed in my throat.

It was awkward because….having watched that, I wanted to meet Terra. I wanted to see the girl that made Starfire so giggly and Beast Boy so debonair and Cyborg and Robin so calm.

And yet…I knew who she was in theory. And what she had become.

What I myself had almost become…

I took a deep breath.

In theory, I knew something else. Something of greater permanence in regards to Terra than a simple DVD record.

I jumped up and swiftly grabbed my shoes and jacket from various places in the Tower. If I hurried….If I hurried…

I may have still had time….

-T-T-T-T-T-T-

One by one, the Titans wandered down into the hollow cave. Their eyes fell onto the figure at once and they all froze. Side by side. A cluster of empty souls.

Terra's stone figure stood before them. Her mouth in an eternal exclamation of strain and shock. Her arms stretched out like a savior.

Beast Boy bit his lip. And naturally he was first. He wandered over and laid his roses down at the statue's feet. Remnants of the Titans' last few visits were still there. The wind hadn't reached in far enough during their absence to have disturbed the scene. The plague still designated Terra as a 'true friend'. And it was upon such an epitaph that Beast Boy leaned and sighed and said:

"It was one year ago that we first met you, Terra. And my life hasn't been the same since. And before you stop worrying, the answer is 'no'. It's not because of…b-because of the way things ended up. But rather, I-I'll always remember you for your smile and way of making me laugh and stuff. Of making me feel….making me feel like the attention of the world didn't matter. For once in my life, there was me and there was you. And I didn't have to be some macho dude or some kickass superhero for you to l-like me. I just had to be myself. You're the truest friend I ever had, Terra. Truly….truly truly…."

Silence.

The boy heaved, as if he had spent the entire day (and the night before) gathering the strength to say that. He stumbled to the side and gestured towards the other Titans.

Starfire walked up next. She curtsied gracefully in her green dress and said: "I do truly miss you, friend. I miss hugging you and performing braiding maneuvers on each other's hair, and playing goofy games of jocular nature. But what I truly miss the most is you yourself. For you are so innocent underneath all of the hardness and razor edge anger that Slade painted on you. I truly believe that, Terra. I like to envision a little bit of good in everyone. And more than once, I have let the pain of betrayal blind me to the righteousness of good, good people. On Earth as well as in this wondrous galaxy we live in. Jablarkaan leeneosaad blibberoda karkablub. 'My heart and green fire go out to you'. May X'Hal look after you." She knelt and placed the lavender flowers by the stone girl's feet. She stepped back beside Beast Boy and sighed, biting her lip and trying to keep her green eyes dry. Beast Boy hugged her side and she hugged him back.

The android Titan stepped up. "Yo yo, Terra! Remember me??" Cyborg smirked, holding a bundle of daisies like a football under his arm. "I sure am missing your spunk around here, girl! The Tower's a soft place without you around to toughen things up a bit! But I'm not letting my guard down!! Nuh uh!! I trust in my family…and my family's all around me. But not just B.B. and Rae and Star and Rob. But you too, girl. You too." A beat. Cyborg kept smiling…but slowly that smile faded into a weak grin as he sighed and said in a subtler voice: "I've lived through enough physical crap and hardships to know that death isn't as easy to fall into as everybody thanks. You may not be doing jumping jacks anytime soon the way you're all stone and all, but 'Terra' is deep inside of you somewhere. Maybe it still hears us. Maybe not. But you do me a favor, girl. Whether you hear it or not. You don't give up, you hear me?? That's an order. You're tougher than this! I know it! And you're gonna pull through! You're a role model for all of us, Terra. And we all look forward to your next ass kicking!"

A few of the others chuckled lightly at that.

Cyborg smiled, knelt down, and laid the daisies out onto the feet of the statue. He walked to the side and folded his arms, staring resolutely into space.

Raven stepped forward.

"Look…I'm not good at speeches and I'm certainly not good at handling other people's emotions, especially not mine. So I'm gonna make this short, okay?" A beat. The dark girl said, "You surprised me, Terra. You really did. On more than one occasion. I find myself….a b-better person because of you. Truly, I do. And it's not because of the…..well….unfortunate things that you played a part of. When you gave your all to save us and the City after Slade's disappearance, it shocked me. It truly did. For it was not a selfish act. And—as much as you were probably fed up with the crappy things that happened to you—it was pretty brave of you too. I knew that you valued your life. I could sense it. It's the only true thing I've ever sensed from you. All else was ambiguous. Terra, you truly loved life. And a big part of your life was us, the Titans. I am…………flattered by your respect. As much as I have a hard time showing it. I'm still learning how to manage that these days. When I think back on you and your legacy, I realize that you're something I wish I could be. I wish I could make decisions so monumental and yet so simple, and still be relaxed to know that my friends would live in spite of how much….I-I indulged." Silence. "I….I-I guess that's all I have to say."

She placed the tulips down below the statue and stood over besides Cyborg. She glanced at him and placed a hand on his shoulder. The android Titan looked down, managed a brave smile, and took a breath and watched as Robin took center stage.

The Boy Wonder held a collage of different types of flowers representing all of the Titans' contributions in one bundle. He took a long, good look at the statue and spoke:

"Terra, for your life and your fate…I feel responsible. No, I am responsible. As a leader of the Titans, I should never have let this happen to you. But alas, I failed. You're here not because of Slade. Not because of 'betrayal'. You're here because of me. Because of us. The Titans—I believe—are their own worst enemy. And we gave up too easily when we should have been finding ways to appeal to you and relate with what you were going through with Slade. The Titans were there for me when I was coerced. And yet…we fought you mercilessly when you were under his influence. And as if that wasn't the worse, we repeated history….l-long after you ended up like this." A painful pause. "B-But I'm not here to cast woes. I'm here to make a promise. And—if necessary—it's the last promise I'm ever going to make you. It's that ultimate and precious to me and the rest of us, Terra. We…are…going…to…get….you…out…of…this. Someway. Somehow. There is a cure for what happened to you. It may lie in your power. It may lie in technology. But before I so much as become an adult, I swear, you will be out of this rock and back in the flesh where you belong. And—if you're willing—we would love to be your friends forevermore. Keep fighting, Terra. We certainly are."

He placed the flowers at her feet and stepped back.

And once again, the Titans were more or less forming a straight line.

Silent…..

…………….

………………….

Raven coughed once or twice.

Starfire sniffled and fought tears in her eyes.

Robin breathed heavily through his nostrils.

Silence………

Until…a good handful of minutes later….Beast Boy spoke softly for them all.

"Th-Thanks, guys. I-I think we can all g-go home now…."

Everyone dazedly nodded. Slowly, sorrowfully, they all turned around from the statue and headed up towards the mouth of the cave. Robin wandered over to a teary-eyed Starfire and offered her a shoulder to lean on, which she gladly offered with a shudder. Cyborg and Raven exchanged silent glances as they walked side by side…as if somehow alleviated by each other's company. Beast Boy walked alone…ahead of the group. His thin, gangly form seemed awkwardly strong all of the sudden.

And in such somberness, the Titans were gone.

……

……

……

……

I slowly materialized.

I was standing silent as a piece of the cave itself in the shadowed corner.

My black eyes rested on the blinding exit of the cave. Where my friends and partners had departed.

A beat.

I looked back over at the statue and took a painful breath.

I had watched the entire thing. On blurring feet, I rushed effortlessly to the sight where the statue allegedly was. I beat the Titans to it. I kept hidden and invisible as they performed their ritual, not showing myself in the least. I didn't want them to know I was there. Just like they purposed for me not to be there.

And…I wasn't angry at them. Not in the least. They had every reason for me not to be there. For this girl meant as much pain to them as she meant joy. And being a person with his fair share of pain in life, I knew it was only foolish to dictate the decisions of others' in dealing with heartache. Even if I wasn't entirely clear as to why they kept me outside of this visitation on the anniversary of meeting Terra. I would respect the Titans. After all, they had boundless respect for me.

I walked up to the statue. Breathing gently through my nose. My hands dug into my denim jacket's pockets. My black eyes were round. Sorrowful.

I couldn't just 'leave'. I had to give something. For I was a Titan myself. Like Terra was. Like she is.

So I reached into my pocket and pulled out my deck of cards. I stared at it. I stared at the statue. I knelt and nestled the entire deck with the flowers. With magician's fingers, I squeezed the package of the cards just right and made the ace of hearts poke out the opened flap and grace the soft petals of the flowers before turning around, walking away, and cloaking into a shadow of murk.

If I hurried…I could make it to the Tower before my friends. It helped to run on water.

-T-T-T-T-T-T-

And I did get to the Tower first.

I sat in the Main Room for a good twenty minutes, thinking, before the elevator doors swung open and the Titans sauntered in. Much livelier than before. They were in the middle of some reminiscing conversation.

I stood up—put on a casual smile—and gestured to Cyborg in the distance.

"Huh?" the android 'read' as the Titans gradually wandered my way. "Oh….we were going out for a drive. Thought we'd leave you to your meditation, ya know?"

I nodded cheerfully. I took a deep, knowing breath. Somehow satisfied--

I was suddenly being hugged. Being hugged by Starfire.

I was truly shocked. I looked down at the Tamaranian head of hair against my chest. She hugged me for a good twenty seconds…amazingly not crushing me in her stereotypical fashion. Thus, it was a very meaningful, respectful hug.

She looked up at me with moist eyes and said: "It is most glorious to see you, Noir…" That murmured, she wandered off.

I didn't have a time to watch her walk away when Cyborg was suddenly there and giving me a high five. "Looking good, Noir," he said with an incredibly forced grin.

He walked off to some distant part of the Main Room as Beast Boy wandered over.

"Hey there…d-dude…," he gave a thumb's up. But gave up. He quickly walked to the nearest stairwell as his face started to grow long.

I felt a painful lump in my throat.

Robin walked by and saluted me. "Good job holding the fort while we were gone, N-Noir."

I waved back and shrugged.

Then Raven stood before me. She took a deep breath and barely muttered: "Always good to have you around, Noir…"

And she was gone. Everyone was gone. Diffusing upon contacting me like nothing had happened. And yet, in each back of their shoulders as they shuddered off—I noticed hesitancy. Longing. Nervousness.

And it hurt. It hurt so much—in a bitter sweet way—to realize how much of a blessing I was for the Titans. How much I had become their 'Sixth Member'. How I had taken their entire painful construct of betrayal and turned it around with the sacrifice of my limb. How they once had a girl that they seemingly lost forever and they desperately needed someone to make them feel sane in spite of all their sorrow. It hurt so much to be so much of a healing.

I quickly excused myself to visit the bathroom so no one could see tears pouring out from under my shades. But—to my surprise—I didn't cry. For it wasn't my pain that I was dealing with. And though it hurt right then and there than anything I had bee personally put through, I didn't have the tears of the Titans. If there be a God, they welled with salt water clarity from the eyes of some innocent statue somewhere empowered by their hope in a future when all wounds would be sealed and the dead would walk once again among them twice as alive.

I felt so proud…so very proud to be the stepping stool for my new friends.

I once again felt like a good person.