Here is the original chapter, like I promised. Hopefully it will be good enough that I can take some time off; writing has become a lot harder than I remember it being.

XxXxX

"Hey, Solor, how about a little bonding spar?"

The dragon glared at the spiky-haired leader of the Teen Titans. For weeks now, people had been bugging him, either on their own or at Robin's request for a training session. He was getting rather sick of it; Robin was the third person today interrupting his workout session as he lifted Starfire's weights.

"No", he said bluntly, grunting as he began another rep.

"Oh, come on! You're the only one that hasn't sparred with me!" Now Robin was pushing it.

"I don't care. When I fight, it is for keeps. Starfire is the only one that can handle the damage I dish out", Solor said, starting to put the weights down. "I do not wish to harm you, seeing as you are the only one here without some way to counter my claws or fire."

"Hello? I have freeze bombs and a bostaff. I think I can handle it."

"No, you can not", Solor countered. "I have strength, enough strength to bite through your staff and break through a block of ice that is denser than a steel beam."

"Just fight me!"

"No!" With that, Solor walked out of the weight room, growling.

Robin smirked. "Oh, I get it… you're afraid you'll lose."

If the Boy Wonder could see Solor's face, he would have regretted saying that a tad bit sooner than he did now. Suddenly, the dragon lashed out with his tail, striking Robin in the chest and sending him flying into a wall, leaving a considerable dent. Solor then pinned Robin to the wall, snarling.

"I would never lose to a piece of human filth like you", he growled, sounding both angry and insulted at the same time. Finally, he let his leader go, and turned, walking away. "That is why I do not fight you."

Robin could only stare as he held his chest, amazed that his own teammate had the gall to attack him.

XxXxX

Cyborg and Beast Boy both stared in horror at what had happened. Solor was sitting in one of the chairs, facing a computer. And upon that screen were a bunch of white letters with a blue background.

"How did you get the blue screen of death", Beast Boy started slowly, "just by hitting the enter key?!"

"I do not understand this technology", Solor growled angrily, crossing his arms as his face flushed with embarrassment. "It is… unnatural."

"What's unnatural is how you managed to crash the system with just one click!" Cyborg complained, moving the dragon out of the way and beginning to fix the computer. "Why don't you just play games with BB?"

"No way!" Beast Boy said, holding his arms up. "If he can do that to a computer, I'd rather not see what he can do to my precious!" The changeling then gather up the controllers and held them in his arms. "Don't worry, the mean old dragon can't hurt you."

Solor only glared, and with a slight whip of his tail, knocked the green member of the team off of the couch, sending the controllers flying. As he left, Cyborg stopped him. "You know, Solor, if you want to learn how to use a computer, I'd be more than happy to teach you."

"No, but thank you for offering." Solor then left the room, leaving a dazed changeling on the ground and a frustrated half-metal teen to work out fixing the computers.

XxXxX

Now, as the sun set, Solor was on the roof, watching as the star slowly lowered into the horizon. He was so focused, he didn't notice the soft pit-pat of another joining him.

"You're in my spot", came the soft monotone, and Solor looked up to see Raven. He scooted over, and she joined him on the roof. "Hiding from the others up here?"

"They… irritate me." He shrugged, a bit helplessly. "Robin refuses to leave me alone with my fighting skills, Cyborg and Beast Boy make fun of my inabilities to adapt to technology… and even Starfire has been bugging me as of late."

"Really? Star's the only one that can actually get you to smile. What did she do?"

"Let us say it involves me being the… test subject for her cooking."

"Ouch. I don't envy you." Raven looked to the sunset. "So, what is it you're here for?"

"Pardon?"

"I mean your mission", she clarified. "You mentioned it a few times that you're here for a reason that doesn't involve the Titans. Maybe, while you have a break, you should try to fulfill it?"

Solor snorted. "As if it were that simple. My mission is… complicated."

"Well, I have some time before I need to meditate… mind filling me in?"

With a heavy sigh, the dragon nodded. "My… people have gotten aggravated with me as of late. They call me arrogant, narcissistic, and most of all, violent."

"Gee, I wonder why…"

"One day, my mother had given birth recently, and was about to name her child… when one of the… medicine men, I believe is the term, came to our home, and checked the baby."

"You don't live with doctors?"

Solor nodded. "We have those that can help bring life, and those that bring death. This one… was a man of death. He said the child was too weak… too vulnerable to survive in the world. Which to my people is a sign of mortality. Which was an insult to my young mother." Seeing Raven's confused look, he decided to clarify a bit. "My mother was a young bride. She has helped give birth to many children in my tribe, and saying that she had a weak child… it is a nightmare for the family. Because it means the mother is becoming too old to bear children. Needless to say, I wasn't happy."

"So, how did you get in trouble?" Raven asked, assuming that he did something wrong.

"I attacked the death man", Solor told her, making her eyes widen. "Unfortunately, he was much stronger than I, and in the end, I lost for the very first time in my life. And it cost too much of me, for I had attacked the leader of the Death tribe.

"They called a meeting of all the tribal leaders. And it took hours for them to decide my fate. The leader of Fire wanted me killed, while the leader of Water wanted me to become her protege, so that I may learn her way of curbing my anger. To everyone else, it was not a worthy punishment for the crime."

"So… you were banished?" Raven asked softly.

Solor nodded sadly. "I am banished from the tribe, until I can learn my place, and become more humble. To do this, I must live among the people of the normal world, with so many differences to my own."

"Then… why don't you talk to Robin and…"

XxXxX

"… take a break?"

Solor was currently meeting with the leader, standing his ground against Robin's intimidating glare. I've seen things twice my own true size. There is no way I'm going to be scared by a boy that won't even reach my human chin. "I am unsure that I am going to be so useful right now. The city has been calm as of late, and I wish to spend this night on the town, as the phrase goes."

"You're sure that you'll be ready to fight if you need to?" Robin asked, unconsciously rubbing his chest. He had been struck pretty hard earlier.

"I am certain. I will also keep my communicator on me, in case I run into any trouble."

"… Then I don't see the harm in giving you the night off", Robin eventually decided, waving his hand. "Go. Mingle with us common humans."

"Thank you, Robin." With that, the dragon left, walking by Starfire without a word. She held up a hand in an attempt to stop him, but she saw his determined look, and decided rather to leave him alone.

XxXxX

Now, if one wanted to mingle with humans of a similar age, one needed to know where they tended to hang. Fortunately, being friends with Starfire had its perks, and he had been a given a flier for a grand opening for a night club the last time he had been dragged to the "mall of shopping" with her. Currently, he was outside, waiting in the line for the club.

For about an hour.

Solor soon frowned, irritated enough. It was time for him to act. He began pushing past the people in front of him, ignoring the angry protests behind him before he stopped in front of a rather large man who easily dwarfed him. "Excuse me, sir, but I've been waiting in this line for an hour. I demand you let me in."

The bouncer lowered his sunglasses, looking at Solor. "You ain't on the list, you ain't gettin' in."

Solor pulled out his communicator, punching up his identity on it before showing it to the bouncer. "I suppose this is good enough?"

The look on his face was priceless, before the red rope was lifted, and he was allowed inside. The loud music immediately flooded his ears, but not too much to deafen him. He could still easily hear the individual voices of every person talking, laughing, and all in all having a good time.

"So, how'd you get in?" he heard someone ask as he approached the bar. He turned, and saw a girl about his age. Her skin was pale, and her clothes were gothic, but he really noticed were her eyes and hair.

They were pink.

It didn't take long for him to figure out who she was. But she didn't seem to be there to cause trouble; she wasn't even dressed like she normally did when she was causing trouble. She wore a dress, a very dark dress that stopped at her knees. Her hair was down for once, and black heels. She wore her usual choker, but that was the only thing that resembled her usual uniform.

"I could ask the same of you", he said, looking at Jinx as he showed his slightly sharper teeth. "After all, it is not common a villain is allowed into a night club, is it, Jinx?" When her eyes flashed, he raised his hands, stopping her. "I am not here to fight. I am here to… relax, I suppose."

Immediately, Jinx seemed to relax a bit, but not much. "You're… not here to arrest me?"

"If I were, I would have done so", the dragon replied, sitting at the bar. "A pepsi, please?", he asked the bartender.

"So, if you're not here to fight… then what do you want?"

"Tonight is my night off", Solor said, taking a sip of his drink. "So I am here, mingling among the normal folk. What about you?"

"I think I'd rather not", Jinx replied, looking a little nervous. "I'm not even supposed to be here."

"And yet you are."

"Why am I even talking to you? You're a goody two shoes, and I'm a villain! We should be fighting like cats and dogs!" she exclaimed, charging her hex bolts.

"I would rather not", Solor said calmly, taking another sip. "Just sit, relax. There is no need to cause so much trouble on this club's opening night."

It took a moment, but eventually, Jinx lowered her hands, and sat next to him. "So, taking a break from being super powered?"

"You could say that."

An awkward silence ensued between them, as the bartender got Jinx a pepsi as well. She took a lady-like sip, then looked at Solor.

"So… you're half dragon?"

"Not at the moment, no. It is… hard to explain."

"Well, we have all night. And since we're not fighting, we might as well figure out something to do…"

Another awkward silence.

"Would you join me on the dance floor?"

XxXxX

"It was not that funny", the dragon in disguise grumbled, looking at his laughing company.

The two had danced late into the night, just enjoying each other's company. They'd probably never admit it at all if someone held a knife to their throat, but it seemed that they could get along easily. Once they got over the fact that they were supposed to be mortal enemies, they realized they had one thing in common.

They couldn't stand their teammates at the moment.

So, they had decided to have fun. Or at least try. Turns out, Solor is not only bad with computers, but he's a terrible dancer. One step turned into a stumble, and soon into a strike as he knocked down ten people at once. He could feel his face flush as Jinx tried (and failed) to contain her laughter.

Of course, he was too proud to admit his flaw, and kept trying.

Finally, it was mostly Solor dancing and Jinx trying her best not to laugh at her company. Unfortunately, the owner eventually asked both of them to leave, saying that he couldn't afford any property damage yet, and led the two outside, where she finally burst out laughing, while the dragon flushed.

"Yes it was!" she exclaimed, still laughing. "That was the funniest thing I've ever seen! Who knew a Titan couldn't dance!"

"Well, I did not see you dancing too much… are you not that skilled either?"

"Hey, I can dance! I just figured it's too dangerous to be anywhere near you when you flail around like that!"

"Oh really? Perhaps you can-" All of a sudden, his sentence was interrupted by the sounds of steps, and a group of about ten people surrounded him. He did not recognize them, but they seemed intent on getting to him. He quickly grabbed Jinx, throwing her over them, where she landed safely outside of the circle. "Run! They are only focusing on me!"

With that sentence, the first man attacked. Solor quickly shifted into his half-dragon state and began to fight. He punched the man hard in the stomach, and for a brief moment, he could have sworn he heard a metallic thunk before the victim went flying, hitting two more and falling to the ground. He finally saw their uniforms, and noted they seemed dressed like ninjas, with metallic, clawed gauntlets and metallic boots. He sniffed the air, and finally noticed what he smelled that was so off about them.

They didn't have a smell.

"They are not human", he muttered to himself, grinning. "That means that I do not have to hold back!" With that, he roared, launching into the group of… whatever they were. He slashed at one of them, slicing a hole into its armor, revealing the circuitry that held it up before the robot collapsed. He snarled as he grabbed another robot by the arms, ripping them off before bashing its skull in. Another grabbed him by the neck, but using his wings, he managed to force it off, before crushing its legs.

Only four left, and Solor could only grin as he breathed in, letting loose a hot jet of green flames. Three of the robots succumbed to the attack, while the fourth charged. Finally, the dragon grabbed the last attacker by the head, and with a twitch of his tail, crushed the head before popping it off. The decapitated body fell to its knees before it slumped over, and he threw the crushed head aside, letting out a roar in victory. He then scanned the area, not noticing all of the terrified faces that he could see.

"Hm… she must have left", he decided, not noticing the pink haired girl. "Good. Then she did not risk either her identity or well being." He flared his wings. "I think I am done being normal tonight. I must head home."

XxXxX

"Hello? Is there anyone awake?"

Solor arrived in the tower late, later than he expected. Then again he did have a fun time with a villain, and fought ten robots that attempted to take him out.

It was only when he arrived at the tower that a voice called out to him. "Late night, huh?" He jumped a bit, and turned, facing Robin, who was sitting next to a computer. One, that fortunately, wasn't all that damaged.

"Yes. I spent more time than I intended, and I apologize", Solor said, bowing his head. "It will not happen again."

"You're right, it won't", Robin said with a growl. He clicked a few buttons on the computer, and all of a sudden, there the dragon was, on screen, dancing with Jinx and destroying the robots. "Fraternizing with an enemy, picking fights… what did you think you were doing, Solor?"

Solor felt himself puff up indignantly. "What are you accusing me of, leader?"

"You said you would call for help if you needed anything", Robin said. "And now, thanks to your little stunt, you're called the lone wolf of the Teen Titans! And everyone is terrified of you!" He zoomed in on Solor ripping the head off of the last one, and for the first time, the dragon noticed that it seemed to flail like a human would when he was crushing it's head, before it's arms fell limply to its side.

That didn't mean he was in the wrong. "I was attacked, and I defended myself. I do not see an issue."

"Then why were you with Jinx?"

"I simply ran into her."

"She's a criminal!"

"She committed no crime!"

"Dammit, Solor, if you're dancing with her, then how can I trust you?!" Robin cursed. "How do I know you aren't planning on pulling a heist with her, or her cohorts?! How do I know that you won't do this to a civilian or a criminal?!"

Solor felt a sharp tug at his heart. He growled and pulled out his communicator. "I suppose that you don't." He threw it angrily at Robin's feet. "And if you cannot trust me, even after all that we have been through… then I do not belong here." He turned, letting smoke escape his nostrils. "Do not look for me. My business with you has concluded."

"Oh no you don't", Robin said, getting in Solor's way. "I'm not letting you go until-"

"You are no longer my leader!" Solor shoved him aside, throwing him onto the couch, which broke in half under the force. "Attempt to stop me, and I will have no qualms with breaking every bone in your body!" And with another angry snort, left the living room, and soon the tower, flying back to the city.

XxXxX

The city was dark, and Solor required more time alone. He knew now that leaving the Titans for a second time was a blunder on his part, but after that threat against Robin, there was no doubt that letting his anger take a hold had sealed his fate. His wings ached now; he had been flying for hours, and took no chance int he city below. He stopped a few petty muggings and drunken fights, but didn't stay long enough to receive thanks or to see the frightened looks on their faces. After all, the way that he had crushed that robot no doubt left a lot of the citizens terrified.

Eventually, he made his way to the tallest tower of the city, besides Titan's Tower, and rested on it, looking like a gargoyle atop a church. It slowly began to rain on him, and he looked up to the sky.

"No matter where I go", he mumbled aloud, "all seem to oppose me, or my ways. Is it my fault? Have I… done wrong?"

"How could someone with power do anything wrong?" came a calm, cool voice. Immediately, Solor turned, standing up and preparing his breath attack when he saw who he was facing. A man in what appeared to be ninja attire was holding his hands up, his one eye visible from the shadows. "Hold, Solor. I do not wish to fight you. In fact, I think we could be good friends."

"Who are you?" Solor snarled, flaring his wings. "Speak your name, so that I might know who demands my audience!"

"As you wish", the man said, and despite the fact that his face was covered, the dragon could practically feel the grin behind the shadows. "My name… is Slade."