Chapter Four: And then there were two.
...
Richard briskly strode into his dimly lit bedroom. Each step seemed to echo, creating an atmosphere of urgency. With a sense of haste, he flicked on the room's light. His phone illuminated his face with eerie shadows as he prepared to answer the incoming video call, casting a dramatic aura in his private space.
"Hello, Bruce." He answered, his eyes locked on the ever-stoic figure displayed on the screen. Bruce Wayne was a man of few words, particularly in personal conversations. Richard knew that Bruce didn't call just to chat, so he put on a serious face, prepared to delve into the matter at hand.
"Dick." Bruce acknowledged in his characteristically composed manner. "There is something important I would like to discuss."
The gravity in Bruce's voice was immediately apparent, setting the tone for the conversation. Richard's jaw tensed as he anticipated that this call would disrupt the already demanding rhythm of his life. He adjusted his stance, his expression transitioning into one of unwavering attention.
"What is it?" Richard inquired, his eyes locked onto the screen, seeking the truth behind Bruce's call.
"There has been a new predicament here, and I need you to come to Gotham." Bruce explained, his tone carrying a weight that was impossible to ignore.
"Predicament?" Richard pressed, hating when Bruce was ambiguous. He was well-acquainted with Bruce's tendency to withhold information, revealing only what was absolutely necessary. "Care to tell me what the predicament is?"
Bruce's gaze remained resolute, his eyes unwavering in their intensity. "It's on a need-to-know basis." He replied, his firmness sparking frustration in Richard. "But it's crucial that you return to the manor."
The room's atmosphere grew denser as Richard grappled with the weight of the situation. "Bruce, this isn't a good time." He confessed, his exasperation evident. "I can't just pack up and leave. I'm sure you are well aware that we have new members coming soon, and we just lost an important teammate."
"It's important." Bruce repeated, his voice underscoring the gravity of the matter.
"How important can it be if you can't even tell me what it is?" Richard retorted, his anger bubbling to the surface. "What's happening here is important too, and I can't just leave my team shorthanded."
Bruce's next words delivered with a solemn tone, struck Richard like a tidal wave. "It's Ra's Al Ghul. He's dead."
Stunned and wide-eyed, Richard stared at his phone in disbelief. The name Ra's Al Ghul carried immense weight in the world of crime-fighting. The implications of his demise were colossal. While he was still frustrated that he had to practically beg Bruce to reveal the nature of the crisis, Richard now understood how important it was that he returned to Gotham.
"Let me talk it over with the team." He told Bruce before ending the call.
Gently placing his phone on the dresser, Richard felt a foreboding presence envelop him. This was no ordinary situation. If circumstances at the tower were different, he wouldn't hesitate to pack up and leave. But his team needed him right now. His friends were hurting with Raven's abrupt departure, and they depended on his leadership for the new recruits.
As he surveyed his room, a repository of memories from battles fought and victories achieved, it seemed as if his past was beckoning him back to Gotham. But for now, the weight of his responsibility to his team kept him grounded. He was torn between the loyalty he owed to both his mentor and his team. The timing just wasn't right.
"Richard." Kori began, her gentle voice cutting through the tense air of his room. He turned towards the open door, where she stood, staring at him. "You should go." She told him, her voice gentle but resolute, her sad eyes conveying her emotions.
Richard's heart tightened as he regarded her, profound confusion etched across his features. "But Kori..."
"I heard everything." She informed him, her voice steady and calm as she gently walked into his room. "Gotham needs you, Richard."
The gravity of her words settled heavily in the air. Despite the determination in her voice, Richard could still discern the undercurrent of sadness that lingered in her eyes, a lingering shadow from Raven's sudden departure.
Richard's face contorted into an expression of concern, his brows knitting as he weighed his options. His loyalty to Gotham and his responsibility as the Titans leader tugged him in opposite directions, each demanding his undivided attention. "The Titans need me too." He found himself saying, the gravity of his responsibility evident in his voice.
"We all know Bruce wouldn't have called you if it wasn't important." Kori spoke, her gaze unwavering as she looked at him directly. "And despite what's happening here, I think you know where you are needed most right now."
Richard let out a resigned sigh, the weight of the decision pressing down on him like an invisible burden. "Kori, who will lead the new Titans if I leave?" He asked, the genuine concern etched into his voice reflecting the depth of his dedication to his team.
Kori's response was unwavering, her determination shining like a beacon in the night. "I will." She stated, her eyes locking onto his with an unwavering resolve.
...
In the common room, Victor found himself in a state of disbelief, his gaze fixed on the large computer monitor. Taking a step back, he needed a moment to process the call he had just received. Stepping back a few paces, his eyes remained wide with shock before slowly sinking down onto the couch.
"Join the Justice League?" He muttered to himself, the words sounding almost unreal.
It was a tremendous honor, and the fact that they had chosen him out of all the heroes left Victor in shock. The thought of becoming a member of the iconic Justice League was a dream come true, a pinnacle of achievement for any hero. As he contemplated the notion of standing among the most iconic heroes, fighting alongside figures like Superman and Wonder Woman, he couldn't help but be captivated by the prospect. However, despite the allure of it all, he knew he couldn't accept the offer. The Titans were more than just teammates. They were his family. He couldn't fathom leaving them behind.
"You going to do it?" Garfield's voice shattered the silence in the room, cutting through Victor's thoughts.
Startled, Victor swiftly turned to face his friend, not having realized that Garfield had entered the room. "Gar? Hey, man, when did you get back?" Victor inquired, quickly rising from the couch to meet his friend.
"I just got here." Garfield replied with a sense of dejection that was hard to miss.
Victor could tell that things hadn't gone well in Garfield's pursuit of Raven. "What happened?" He asked, genuine concern etched across his face. "Are you okay?"
Garfield brushed off the inquiry with a dismissive wave of his hand. "It doesn't matter." He replied, his voice laced with a sense of frustration as he redirected the conversation. "Are you going to go?"
Victor shook his head. "No, of course not." He answered resolutely, his gaze unwavering as he looked at his friend. "I would never leave you guys."
Garfield, however, probed further, his eyes boring into Victor's. "But do you want to go?"
Victor hesitated for a moment, considering his response carefully. "Well." He began. "I mean, who wouldn't want to join the Justice League?" He admitted honestly, his mechanical shoulders shrugging. "But I'm not going to leave the Titans." He reassured.
"You should go." Garfield stated plainly, his gaze unwavering.
Victor stared at him, taken aback by Garfield's words. Then, a knowing smirk crept onto his face as he realized that Garfield must be pulling his leg. "You're joking, right?" He said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Garfield shook his head, any joking or mischievousness absent from his expression. "Vic, I think you should go. Being part of the Justice League is a huge honor. And if you really want to go, what kind of friend would I be if I said you shouldn't?"
"Come on, man." Victor argued, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "Even if I did want to go—"
"Which you do." Garfield interjected firmly.
"I can't just up and leave you guys now." Victor continued, his tone more serious. "I mean, considering everything that has happened."
"Why not? Raven sure made it seem easy." Garfield countered, bitterness evident in his voice.
"You're just proving my point." Victor said, his concern deepening as he regarded his friend. "Raven left, and everyone is hurting because of it, especially you."
"Just because Raven left doesn't mean you shouldn't." Garfield persisted. "Besides, it's not like we're going to be short-staffed with the new recruits coming soon."
Victor weighed Garfield's words carefully. "Which is another reason why I can't leave now. You guys are going to need all the help you can get training the new Titans."
Garfield didn't back down, crossing his arms as he faced Victor with determination. "Now you're just making excuses, Vic. You know as well as I do that we can handle a couple of junior heroes."
Victor took a moment to absorb Garfield's words, the weight of their conversation sinking in. "Do you really think I should go?" He asked, searching for his friend's genuine opinion.
Without hesitation, Garfield responded firmly. "I think you would be stupid not to."
...
Bidding farewell was one of life's most arduous trials, serving as a stark reminder that change was an unwavering companion on our journey. The Titans found themselves at a juncture where growth demanded acceptance, and in that acceptance, change became an inescapable companion.
On this picturesque summer morning, nature seemed to conspire with the Titans emotions. The birds serenaded the day, their melodies echoing through the tranquil air. The sun, a radiant orb in the sky, painted the world in hues of gold and warmth. This beautiful day contrasted sharply with the emotional farewell the Titans were about to undertake, creating an almost surreal backdrop for the momentous occasion. For on this beautiful day, the remaining Titans had gathered outside the tower to bid farewell to not one but two cherished members of their team.
Victor was meticulously organizing his belongings in the trunk of his car. His movements were methodical, each item placed with care, and his mental checklist ensured that nothing would be left behind.
"Don't forget to send pictures." Garfield remarked, his words carrying a touch of wistfulness as he gazed at Victor. He tried to maintain a lighthearted smile, but the impending farewell cast a shadow over his features.
Victor responded with a confident grin, the weight of the moment momentarily lifted. With the car door securely closed, he turned to face his friend. "Don't worry." He assured, his tone imbued with warmth. "I plan on capturing plenty of candid shots of the League."
Despite his efforts to stay cheerful, Garfield couldn't help but sigh. "Dude, it's going to really suck without you around." He admitted, his voice tinged with a touch of melancholy. The thought of Victor's absence was already weighing heavily on his heart.
Victor chuckled, offering a reassuring pat on Garfield's shoulder. "Look at it this way." He began, his eye reflecting a glimmer of hope. "In just a few weeks, you'll have a group of eager young heroes looking up to you."
Garfield managed a smile at the thought, finding solace in his friend's words. "I'm really going to miss you, Vic." He confessed, the sincerity of his emotions laid bare. The reality of Victor's departure was settling in, and it was hard to hide the genuine sadness that it brought.
Victor reciprocated the sentiment. "I'll miss you too, Grass Stain." He said with a warm smile. Playfully, he pulled Garfield into a heartfelt hug, his knuckles gently ruffling the younger hero's hair in a fond, brotherly gesture.
Their laughter resonated for a moment, a reminder of the countless shared experiences and unbreakable camaraderie they had forged over the years. However, as they turned their attention toward a nearby couple, it was clear that not all farewells within the team were painted with such optimism.
Richard's arms enveloped Kori in a loving embrace, holding her tightly as if unwilling to let go. Their goodbye was an unspoken exchange of emotions, the pain and love they felt for each other evident in their shared silence. He buried his face in her long hair, inhaling her scent as if committing it to memory, and he could feel her reciprocate by nuzzling his neck.
Reluctantly, they separated, but their gaze remained locked, conveying a depth of emotion words could not capture. Richard's face bore the weight of his feelings, his love for her and his concern for the challenges she would face in his absence.
"Are you sure you'll be able to lead the team short two members?" He asked, though the concern in his eyes betrayed the lightness of his tone.
Kori, ever confident and resilient, returned his smile with reassurance. "I'm sure I can handle anything those teenagers throw at me." She declared, her confidence unwavering.
His voice softened, brimming with sincerity. "Well, if you need help with anything, and I mean anything, don't hesitate to call." He promised, his words a heartfelt pledge of unwavering support.
As their lips drew near, they shared a final, lingering kiss. The world around them seemed to fade, leaving only the echo of their heartbeats and the touch of their lips.
"Come on, Lover Boy." Victor's voice rang out, interrupting their moment. "We best be hitting the road." The interruption was gentle but held the weight of reality, a reminder that the moment of farewell had arrived.
Reluctantly, they parted, the connection between them lingering in the air. Richard still held Kori's hand as they began to walk away, and he refused to release it until the very last moment, their fingers slipping apart reluctantly. Kori strained to maintain her cheerful facade, though teardrops welled in her eyes.
"Oh, Star, don't cry for me." Victor spoke up, his playful remark momentarily lifting the atmosphere.
Kori turned to face him, her gaze warm yet tinged with sorrow. "Victor, I'll miss you too." She admitted as she embraced him tightly.
Releasing their hug, Victor shifted his attention to Garfield, adopting a more serious tone. "Now Gar, don't be slacking off. Kori's going to need your help with the new Teen Titans."
Garfield stood confidently beside Kori, offering a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Vic. We've got this."
With final nods exchanged and shared glances laden with unspoken emotions, Victor climbed into his car, the engine purring with readiness. Donning his helmet, Richard straddled his motorcycle, the familiar rumble of the engine resonating with determination.
As their vehicles revved to life, the sound fading into the distance, Garfield and Kori were left standing there, with somber expressions and heavy hearts. Garfield heaved a long sigh, his gaze fixed on the departing figures. He wrapped a comforting arm around Kori, allowing her to rest her saddened head on his shoulder. "And then there were two." He spoke.
But as the quiet moments lingered, both knew that their dynamic duo would soon expand and evolve.
...