The day progressed pretty much as it normally did after the message from Nightwing; apart from the team deciding to forgo training that day and decided that the day would just be a day off for them unless the crime alert went off. After breakfast Changeling and Billy found themselves battling it out on the Game Station, seated next to the green leader and leaning against him contently was Raven who had delved into yet another of her fantasy books whilst seated on the back of the chair behind Billy were two of his clones who were yelling out encouragements at the original.
Sitting at the kitchen table silently were Jericho and Mr Wykyd who were playing some sort of card game together. Kole was lounging out on the floor by the window admiring the view which she did often, after all she grew up in a hole on the ground with a caveman so the view of the city from their window always amazed her.
"Do you think they'll make us spar like last time?" The real Billy asked whilst slamming down on the controller.
Changeling chuckled. "Doubtful; after last time." He answered without taking his eyes of the screen. "I don't think he's gonna want us to show everyone up again."
Changeling was referring to two years ago when Nightwing had called all of the Titans and honorary Titans together for a day full of contests to see who was better: The Jump city Titans (Who consisted of Nightwing, Starfire, Cyborg, Kid Flash and Jinx), Titans East (Who consisted of Bumblebee, Aqualad, Speedy and Mas y Menos), Dodge City Titans (Changeling, Raven, Billy Numerous, Kole, Jericho and Mr Wykyd who was still Kyd Wykyd at the time) and the Honorary Titans who competed as one team and vastly outnumbered the other teams.
The first round had been a battle of the leaders: Nightwing vs. Bumblebee vs. Changeling. Bumblebee had not lasted long in the match and soon it was an all-out battle between Nightwing and Changeling which lasted for about half an hour before Changeling came out on top but just barely. What had been truly impressive is that after the match Changeling helped Nightwing back up to his feet and both heroes shook each other's hands and gave one another a look that almost said 'well done'.
The next match was a battle of the women. Raven had elected to sit it out as she decided that she didn't need to prove anything which everyone else agreed with whole heartedly. Bumblebee who had recovered after the match with Changeling and Nightwing was a clear favourite to win after Raven had decided not to enter but to everyone's shock she was not the one who caught everyone's eyes. By the end of the match there were three women left; Bumblebee who was panting hard and looked pretty beaten up, Pantha who was equally exhausted and Kole who hadn't even broken a sweat. After two years of being trained by both Changeling and Billy Numerous she was by far the most well-conditioned of the women and thanks to her training with Changeling she had learnt how to only crystalize certain parts of her body. She had spent most of the battle with her arms crystalized from her elbows down making a very formidable offense and defence. Bumblebee didn't last much longer after that and was soon taken out of the fight and to everyone's surprise Pantha lasted only a few seconds after Bumblebee was taken down leaving Kole as the winner.
The final match of the day was the men's match but due to their injuries Nightwing and Changeling were forced to sit it out by their girlfriends. The men's match was similar to the women's with many surprises along the way. Jericho had fought valiantly but didn't make it as far as he would have liked. And Wykyd had to hold back because he had not yet finished training with Raven so he didn't last long into the match after Hotspot and Wildebeest decided he needed taking down. In the end there were four contestants remaining: Cyborg, Speedy, Aqualad and Billy Numerous. Aqualad and Speedy quickly took each other out when they got distracted and started fighting over a girl but no one really knew who they were talking about leaving only Cyborg and Billy. Billy amazed everyone by showing off his new ability to make his clones explode when he concentrated on them which shook the metal man around quite a lot but unfortunately for Billy it also rather pissed him off. Taking a powerful sonic blast to the chest he was knocked out and thrown unceremoniously into the crowd.
"Woohi! I can still feel that sonic blast in my nightmares!" Billy exclaimed as he and Changeling rounded their final turn on the racing game they were playing.
"You dream about Cyborg?" Raven intoned slyly. "Is there something you're not telling us Billy?"
"Say what?" All three of the Billy's shouted together; completely losing their focus as they stared shocked at the dark grinning empath. It was all the distraction Changeling needed to win the race.
"Yeah!" The green leader yelled happily. "Take that Billy!"
"What no fair!" The real Billy protested. "Your girlfriend distracted me!"
"And how is that any different to what your clones do?" Raven quipped.
Billy stared slack jawed at her for a second before crossing his arms and grumbling himself, his clones mimicked his actions perfectly which made Raven smile to herself.
Changeling took the time to look at the clock that hung above the massive TV in the common room; it read 3:43pm. "Jeez we've still got ages." Changeling grumbled to himself.
"Well I don't feel like playing no more." The real Billy stated from beside him.
"We could always do some team building exercises." Kole said from her spot by the window, the rest of team groaned in response except for the two mutes at the kitchen table who merely let their heads flop loudly onto the table in perfect unison. Kole often suggested this but it was only because she was very curious as to everyone's back stories; the thing was Changeling and Mr Wykyd were very secretive about their pasts and for good reasons. Raven was the only one who knew their back stories 1. Because Changeling trusted her more than he did himself so when she asked about it he told her (Which was a very emotional night for the both of them) and 2. Because she needed to know in order to help Wykyd with his powers.
"Kole we know what that means…" Changeling mumbled.
"Yeah it just means you want to learn about our pasts." Billy grumbled loudly.
Changeling sighed before leaning forward, he had developed his own leader mode that rivalled Nightwings and when he spoke in it you couldn't help but listen intently to every word. "I'll tell you what when we get back then maybe and I stress maybe we'll discuss our pasts alright?" He asked kindly; Kole smiled and nodded.
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The hours passed quickly enough and soon the team was assembled in the common room ready to leave. It was now twenty minutes past five and the team were leaving early so that Changeling could keep his mysterious meeting with Nightwing.
"Ready to go?" Changeling asked his team whilst pulling on one of his gloves. His team all agreed and turned to Mr Wykyd awaiting their transport. With a wave of his black clad hand Wykyd opened up a black swirling vortex before them. Changeling was the first to step through followed by Raven and then the rest of the team with Wykyd the last to step through.
The Dodge City Titans were not the first to arrive; it seemed that many of the Titans had arrived early in order to greet the growing number of reporters and paparazzi who had gathered around the tower. Raven and Mr Wykyd grumbled at the sight of the press, both were creatures of solitude and really didn't speak to anyone but their friends and for some reason no matter how hard they tried the press always tried to paint them in a dark light. Changeling looked back at his team and took his girlfriend's hand in his own and smiled warmly at her before turning to the rest of his team.
"Alright guys let's just grin and bear this, we'll move quickly and get through this." His face turned to one of dismay. "And whatever you do, do not and I repeat do NOT let Billy talk to any reporters!" He pleaded. The rest of the team grimaced at the memory of Billy trying to chat up a reporter who ended up slapping him in front of many other reporters.
"In my defence she over reacted!" Billy chuckled at the memory but then started to rub his face with his hand. "But man did she ever slap me harder than government mule…" He sighed.
Changeling shook his head but couldn't get the smile off his face. He gave one last reassuring squeeze to his girlfriend's hand before leading them into the fray. As soon as they entered the swarm of reporters they were bombarded with questions that only Kole or Changeling were able to or allowed to respond to. The team continued moving through the crowd smiling and answering the less invasive questions.
After what felt like hours to the six heroes they finally made into the lobby of the tower where the reporters weren't allowed in.
'Reporters are worse than most villains.' Jericho signed panting for breath just as the others were.
"BB!" Came a loud bellowing voice from across the room. Changeling smiled widely as he turned to face the owner of the voice but was caught in a bone splintering hug by the half metal man. "It's been too long you little grass stain!" Cyborg yelled without letting go of the green shape shifter who was now turning a strange shade of purple.
"Cyborg he needs to breathe at some point." Raven added but instantly regretted as she too was enveloped in a huge spine crushing hug but the owner of these arms was someone different.
"Oh friend Raven I have missed you so!" The resident alien shouted loudly.
"Star… need to… breathe!" The demoness gasped. Both of the Titans were released from their respective hugs. Both Cyborg and Starfire looked sheepish for a split second before smiling excitedly again and gripping the other in yet two more life threatening hugs.
"It's great to see you guys too." Changeling whispered as he begged the air around him to enter his lungs. Raven who was doing the same thing next to him merely nodded in agreement.
Cyborg looked at the other Titans of their team and smiled happily at them, even at the ex-hive members. "Alright ya'll you guys can move along inside and start mingling but BB you got to head on up to Nightwings office." Cyborg stated.
"Ok. Any idea what he wants?" Changeling asked.
Cyborg just shrugged. "No idea. He won't tell us."
Changeling shrugged and looked over at the lift that led up into the rest of the tower. He looked back at his girlfriend who was beginning to return to her usual pale grey like colour and kissed her before heading off to the lift on his own.
Raven watched him go but then felt a massive metallic hand on her left shoulder and a smaller but still strong hand on her right shoulder. She looked at the hands owners with a cocked eyebrow before being dragged off to a secluded corner in the room.
"Err guys?" She asked, her monotone wavering but only slightly. Cyborg and Starfire looked back at her with impish grins on their faces.
"We will be doing the catching of up!" Starfire proclaimed happily.
"Oh joy…"
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Changeling stepped out of the lift and into the hallway of his old home. Although this tower was practically identical to the tower in Dodge City it still felt very different, this place held so many memories. He was 17 when he left this tower; he had lived here for three years with the first real family he had ever known. The feeling of nostalgia ran through him and left him feeling both happy and sad to be back there.
He continued to trudge down the hall; deep in his own memories until he came to a door he remembered all too well as Robin's office. Raising his hand he knocked on the door that was now marked 'Nightwing's Office'. He waited for only a second before he hear the ominous 'Enter'.
Changeling opened the sliding door and stepped into the room; he took a quick look around and smiled when he saw the notice board with clippings and files pinned to it, all of which were about Slade even though he had been gone for more than five years. He looked away from the board and looked at the almost nervous looking Nightwing standing before him.
"You ok dude?" Changeling asked.
Nightwing sighed heavily. "How can you be so forgiving all the time?" He asked under his breath.
Changeling chuckled. "Just in my nature. So what's up?" He asked trying to seem happy but truthfully he was pretty nervous. Nightwing gestured for him to take a seat in front of his desk which the Changeling did; Nightwing followed by sitting in his own chair behind the desk. He still had the downtrodden look on his face.
"Look Changeling." Nightwing began. "I need to apologize for what I did four years ago. I should never have been so rude and mean but I really don't know what came over me. And it really should not have taken me so long to apologize but I'm not like you… I'm not 'good' with people." Nightwing said sadly.
Changeling was taken back by all this but didn't let it show. Instead he smiled and offered his former leader his hand. "Don't worry dude. I accept your apology." He said happily which made Nightwing smile for the first time since his old friend had entered his office. Graciously Nightwing took Changelings hand and shook it firmly.
"Thank you Changeling."
"All good man." Changeling stated happily. He looked around and then back at Nightwing. "So should we go down stairs and get ready or something?"
Nightwing shook his head and smirked. "No not yet, we've got time. I want to talk to you first." Changeling looked at his former leader with mock concern which made Nightwing chuckle. Nightwing leaned and crossed his arms on the table. "Now you need to know that I still consider Raven my little sister so I think it's about time you explain your intentions." He said in his interrogation voice but with a soft smirk on his face.
Changelings face dropped. "You have got to be kidding me…"
"Nope. Now spill green bean." Nightwing said as he leaned back in his chair.
Changeling sighed. "Alright but you have to promise that what we say in here stays in here. And if I find out that there's a hidden camera in here broadcasting to anyone else I will kill you." Changeling said all this lightly but the look in his eyes made Nightwing question how far he'd go on that threat.
Nightwing raised his hands defensively. "I promise. Now spill." He commanded.
Changeling took a deep breath and then let it all out before looking up at his friend. He looked him dead in the eye before he spoke. "I'm going to ask her to marry me." He said confidently.
Nightwings eyes bulged and his jaw dropped a bit before turning into a warm smile. "Seriously?" He asked. Changeling nodded. Nightwings smile grew wider as he stood up and walked over to the green shape shifter. Nightwing patted him on the back. "Good on you. I know you'll make each other happy." He said kindly.
Changeling smiled as he stood up and brought his old leader into a bro-hug. "Thanks man." He said pulling away, but once he pulled away Nightwing noticed a very thoughtful look on his face. "Maybe you could help me with something." He stated quietly. Nightwing nodded. "I don't know how to ask her. I mean I know it should be romantic and serious at the same time but I don't really know what I should do… How did you ask Starfire?"
Nightwing blushed and scratched the back of his head. "Well you see I kind of didn't." He replied nervously.
Changeling furrowed his brow in confusion. "But you two are engaged right?" He asked concerned.
Nightwing sighed. "Yes we are but you see on Tameran it's the woman who asks the man… and you see well she just sort of blurted it out and asked me in the middle of the common room." He confessed. He waited for the obnoxious laughter that never came. He looked up at Changeling who didn't look like he was about to tease him. "Why aren't you laughing?"
"Coz it's not that funny? Women ask men on this planet sometimes to Nightwing." He stated matter-of-factly. "So it's not that big of a deal." Nightwing felt like a massive burden had been lifted from his shoulder. He'd been in the same room with this green man for a little more than ten minutes but he already felt better than he had in a long time. "Thing is." Changeling began again. "That doesn't help me figure out how to ask Raven."
Nightwing put his hand on his friends shoulder and smiled. "You'll figure it out. You always do the right thing." He added cheerfully. "Now come on. We really should be heading down now."
With that both the men left Nightwings office and began heading down to towers lobby; both of them felt a hell of a lot better now.
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Cyborg and Starfire had just finished dragging the nervous looking Raven over to the corner after Changeling had begun heading towards Nightwing.
"So Rae… how's life?" Cyborg added cheerfully.
"It's Raven; only Gar can call me Rae. And life is very good thank you." She stated in her monotone. Starfire giggled.
"He makes you happy yes?" She asked happily.
Raven blushed and tried to look away but the two Titans kept in her vision no matter we she looked. She sighed. "Yes. He makes me very happy." She said, she couldn't stop the small smile that crept onto her face as she said this.
Starfire giggled again. "Oh friend this is most marvellous! Have you asked him to wed you?" She asked merrily.
Raven thought she would look shocked but found herself answering almost against her will. "No I haven't because… well because…" She sighed again. "I think he's going to ask me soon." She said. The small smile on her face was now a full blown smile that would have looked extremely out of place when she was younger… before she started dating the emerald eyed wonder.
Starfire squealed with joy but was quickly hushed by the half metal man. "Starfire shush!" He commanded; but he was still smiling like the Cheshire cat. He looked back at the still smiling empath before him. "That smile looks good on you Rae." He commented. After all these years Cyborg still acted like her older brother and that made her feel very happy.
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Short chapter I know but that's because the next chapter will be where the main plot begins. So please review because I am always very happy to read what you guys think!
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