Jean went into the med-bay, as Amanda finished her soup it was clear he had a lot of questions and she wondered what they were about.
"Jean, what's wrong?" she asked.
He sat on the edge of her bed and sighed.
"I know of the titans only by reputation, what are they like when they aren't in battle?"
"Why do you ask?" Amanda replied.
"Curiosity…"
She glared at him reminding him briefly of Raven and he sighed in defeat.
"Okay… I've gotten some impressions…" he replied.
"What kind of impressions?" she asked.
"Well, I had gone exploring and I found this room with stars on the ceiling…?"
"And a mural of the desert at night on the wall?" she asked.
He nodded silently.
"I also noticed a chest in Raven's room."
Amanda took a deep breath and sighed it out.
"Those aren't my stories to tell. More importantly why were you in Raven's room to begin with she barely lets me and Beast Boy in her room."
"Okay first of all we were getting to know each other and second of all I feel like you're getting payback…" he glared at her good naturedly.
"Well… yes and… it's true neither of those are stories I am willing, nor able to comment on as they are events that took place prior to my tenure with the team." She replied, "and involve people I am very close to, and I don't wish to betray the confidence in which they told me those stories. Now what do you mean 'getting to know each other?'" her tone turned suggestive.
He nodded, "I understand. First you know me better than that and besides second this isn't exactly the time for teasing."
"I've been stuck in this room for two days dying of boredom, c'mon a girl has to find her entertainment where she can get it" she sighed then got serious "Truthfully you'll have a hard time trying to find anyone willing to talk about those events." She continued "I will only say that they caused a great deal of pain that is imprinted in the walls of this building."
"I only wish I could help in some way."
"Believe me Jean, they are healing… it is just a slow process."
Jean looked at her and smiled.
"So, what about you… how have you been doing?"
"I found out that I'm not a metahuman like my brother and sister…" she said looking at her hands not sure if she should even be telling him this. How would he react to the revelation that she was actually a witch.
"What do you mean?" he asked in concern.
"You remember the accident where that mutagen, 'big bang' was released over Dakota… we always thought I got my powers from being exposed to that like Madison and Mason did… turn out I was born with powers that had been suppressed or bound we aren't sure which… that leads me to what I really am… a witch" Amanda sighed her eyes finding the opposite wall from where Jean sat not sure what he was going to say and not wanting to see a pained or angry expression on his face.
"I see…" he replied his tone holding an undercurrent of regret "I'm sorry I haven't been around… if I had maybe I could have helped you more."
"Jean… I don't see how you could have helped me… Raven only figured it out a couple of months ago… Madison and Mason had no idea about any of this." She replied forcing herself to look at him.
He nodded silently.
"Time to be a little bit tactless, how did you end up with food poisoning?" he asked.
"I went out to eat with my brother and sister for their birthday, they are twins after all, and I got improperly managed chicken." She replied.
Jean shook his head.
"Some people don't know how to do their jobs."
Amanda started to ask but decided against it and asked if he wanted to watch a movie with her.
"Sure" he nodded with a smile and rearranged so he could watch the tablet with her and soon they were watching a random anime they had both had thought looked interesting.
Syphon had just finished healing Blackfire's injuries, and he was beginning to get to know the Tamaranean. Getting a feel for what she could do.
"Okay I'm going to put up a forcefield and I want you to give it everything you have."
"You sure you can handle this… I am pretty powerful." Blackfire replied with a grin.
"I'm sure…" he replied with a smirk of his own.
"Okay… it's your funeral" Blackfire took to the air as the forcefield took shape around Syphon. She took off at speed giving it everything she could muster but found herself unable to penetrate it.
"Good…" Syphon replied "You are more powerful than the rumors say."
"If that's so why couldn't I penetrate this?" she asked tapping the barrier with her fist for emphasis.
"I wouldn't be powerful myself if I couldn't come up with a strong forcefield." He replied.
"True, but what are we going to do about the witch and her magic?" Blackfire asked as he put the forcefield down.
"Let me take care of her… all you have to worry about your little sister."
"How do you plan on taking her out of the equation rumor has it she's the daughter of the all-powerful Trigon… the only reason I almost took her down is I got past her magic and went hand to hand. She isn't Tamaranean after all, her physical strength is no match for me."
"Simple, how do you get to any witch… use her emotions against her." He shrugged.
"Oh… but that makes her more dangerous." Blackfire pointed out sitting on a large bolder to see what Syphon would do next.
"Fear not… we won't be the ones dealing with her raging emotions… we won't have to deal with the fallout of our new adventure." He said walking up to her feeling her crush growing as he showed his leadership skills.
"Hansom and clever… my kind of man"
"I'm in good company… a beautiful princess such as yourself deserves the throne" he replied, "And you will soon have it."
He smiled wickedly then claimed her lips in a kiss, Syphon knew he was playing with fire, but sometimes living dangerously was fun.
Blackfire preened at the complement but then was completely stunned as he kissed her, this wasn't for the reason Tamaraneans kissed this was a sign that perhaps he felt of her the way she did of him. She wrapped her arms around him allowing him to do what he wished with the kiss. She had no idea the truth of what was happening, the words he spun for her about regaining the throne were nothing but empty promises.
Meanwhile: Supergirl and Nightwing were deep in the city waiting for Batman and some anonymous informant to come and catch them up on details about Syphon and Jean. She thought back to earlier that day when she'd had a conversation with Superman about what was going on to see if he could get her any new information on the case.
Flashback
Supergirl sat at the computer waiting for Superman to answer her request for a video chat. She had so much she needed to ask him, and she felt like she didn't have nearly enough time to ask all of the questions. She let out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding when her cousin's face appeared on the screen.
"Kal… I really need your help…" she said cringing at how desperate she sounded.
"Kara, calm down, what's wrong?" he asked his expression instantly morphing to one of worry.
"Kal, I would greatly appreciate it if you used that watchtower computer of yours to see if there are any records of a Jean Xavier floating around. Also need to find out about a villain, a meta known as Syphon."
Superman's eyes went wide, and his eyebrows almost hit his hairline.
"Hold on…" he said then the screen went to the Justice Leage logo and the Flash's voice came on, but Kara tuned him out rolling her eyes at what she could assume was his attempt at a joke turned it a "please hold on" message.
What seemed like forever passed before Superman returned looking, if possible, even more concerned. Suddenly a message came through holding a set of coordinates.
"Kara, you need to meet Batman at this location in an hour, he'll have an informant with him that can answer your questions." Superman said simply.
"Thanks Kal" she said disconnecting the transmission and printing the coordinates. She then stood and turned around only to almost run directly into Nightwing who had been eavesdropping the whole time.
"I'm coming with you." He said in a tone that brooked no argument, even from her.
End Flashback
Supergirl looked at Nightwing in concern, she hadn't had the chance to let Superman know that Nightwing was going to come with her so she was worried Batman would be upset to see his former protégé had come along uninvited.
Suddenly the bat plane lands on the roof in front of them and two individuals get out, Batman was obvious but the other they didn't immediately recognize.
"I told you we could have gotten here faster if I made a portal!"
"No" Batman replied in a simple monotone "It doesn't matter we're here."
"Could have been here thirty minutes ago if we'd used a portal" the stranger muttered.
Batman stood taking Nightwing in, it took him a minute to recognize his former protégé in the new suit.
"Couldn't expect you to be Robin forever, the new look works for you." He commented.
Supergirl let out a breath as she realized the bat wasn't angry to see Nightwing.
"I'm not surprised you came… what surprises me is she didn't argue with you about it." Batman said.
"Didn't give her the chance." Nightwing replied "I would have come with or without her permission… my team is in danger I'm not sitting on my hands and letting them get hurt… I already almost lost one of them."
Batman quirked a brow in confusion.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Yesterday evening one of my teammates, Raven, was attacked by a Tamaranean named Blackfire and almost strangled to death, and we believe Blackfire is working with Syphon." Nightwing explained "Raven is back at the tower thanks to Supergirl and with her powers she's fully recovered but I can't help think Blackfire will still be after her and I'm not going to get caught unprepared."
Batman could see the rage in Nightwing's expression as he went over the highlights of what took place. He could tell the Titans were a close-knit team and the idea of losing one of their own didn't sit well.
The stranger approached.
"So, you came in search of information." He said feeling the tension rise as the events surrounding Raven's brush with death came up. He then nudged Batman in the shoulder with his staff to remind him that he was there, and Batman had yet to give any introductions. Granted he knew who the two teenagers in front of him were, Nightwing and Supergirl, they had no idea who he was.
Batman nodded realizing his mistake.
"This is Mystic Sage; he is the informant Superman spoke of." Batman replied, stepping to the side to present Mystic Sage to them.
Mystic Sage nodded and stepped forward to greet them.
"Of course, at this time, you know me as Jean Xavier." He said watching the bewildered reactions from the two teens in front of him with good natured humor.
"Woah… wait… are you from the future?" Supergirl asked beginning to put two and two together.
Mystic Sage didn't speak just winked and put a finger to his nose as if to signal she had it spot on.
"How is that possible?" Nightwing asked in shock.
Mistic sage looked between them "I assume my past self has told you about our powers, right?"
"Some… but he hasn't gone into any real details" Nightwing replied still trying to wrap his head around the idea of time travel.
"You have to understand, where we come from, people like us aren't exactly accepted for who we are, we are usually feared for what we are." Mistic Sage sighed looking away from them.
Supergirl looked shocked, she understood what he was saying but it still hurt her heart to hear it said.
Nightwing looked to Batman.
"So can we trust him?" he asked the genuine worry about every member of his team, including Mockingbird who was still convalescing in the med bay and the most vulnerable, dripping from his every word.
"Yes, you can trust him… but his sense of humor is an acquired taste… it takes some getting used to." Batman explained.
Mystic Sage just grinned.
"You know you love me." He said then turned to Supergirl feeling her sympathy for what he'd seen before.
He grabs her should gently.
"Don't worry there are people in my world making great strides to change that for people like me." He explained "It's a slow process but I have faith that one day things there will be better for those born different."
She nodded silently.
"Is there anything you can tell us that will help us deal with Syphon and Blackfire?" she asked.
"Let me put it this way Syphon is the bigger threat" he paused briefly "Compared to Syphon, Blackfire is a mere fly."
Nightwing and Supergirl looked at each other, they knew in their last encounter with Blackfire she was way more than a mere fly.
"What do you mean?" Nightwing asked.
Mystic Sage rolled his eyes.
"Do I need to spell it out he is nearly omnipotent, but his biggest weakness is his ego." Mystic sage replied in exasperation.
Nightwing looked at Supergirl wondering what they had just gotten themselves into when Mystic Sage continued speaking.
"That's pretty much all I can tell you," He sighed as he and Batman started back to the jet. Then he stopped suddenly as if remembering something he'd nearly forgotten.
"Supergirl I have a message for my past self," he paused pointing to a spot on the center of his forehead "'Gemstone' he said, you will know when the time is right to tell him."
He started walking again and said over his shoulder "This is shaping into one interesting crossover."
"What does that even mean?" she demanded as he got into his seat.
"What, you've never seen an anime crossover?" he asked as Batman let a small, almost inaudible chuckle escape at that phrase before the top of the jet came down cutting off the sound.
"Did… did Batman just laugh… in all the time I've known him I don't think I've ever heard that."
They were taking off as the alert came in, there was a prison break and several of their most notorious rogues had been released.
They arrived at the prison and were soon separated to find and recapture the foes in question when suddenly the portals opened, and they were all pulled away.
Starfire looked around herself in fear as she realized she was in an empty warehouse and her eyes rested on Raven.
"Stay behind me sister, I will protect you" Starfire whispered in Raven's ear, trying to hide the fact that she was low-key terrified that she would not be able to protect Raven from Blackfire.
Suddenly a bubble formed around Raven pulling her high, away from Starfire and out of the way of the coming battle. This way she would be out of danger until the fight was over and the winner allowed to get to her. Starfire would mean safety and freedom, Blackfire, certain death. Raven couldn't hide that she was absolutely terrified watching as the two Tamaraneans squared off and wishing there was more she could do to help Starfire.
Meanwhile Supergirl found herself facing off against one of the strangest villains she had ever met in her life. He seemed torn between the fight and having a fanboy fit at seeing her.
"I am Control Freak" he said, and she had to admit the tricks he could do with his remote were entertaining at first, then she just got annoyed. Her super speed got her within range to grab his remote and break it in half ending his tricks. She then secured him to be carted off to jail.
"Can I have your autograph… or your phone number… or… I know… how about both!" Control Freak rambled in excitement.
"No… eww hell no… and absolutely not!" she replied with a noticeable cringe.
"Oh my God my cellmate is going to be so jealous, I got captured by Supergirl!"
Supergirl rolled her eyes.
"I've got more important things to deal with, like friends that need my help." She took off at speed her hearing picking up the two Tamaraneans fighting and a mix of the Tamaranean and English language being volleyed back and forth as the girls argued and fought. Though it was clear Blackfire had the upper hand.
Supergirl pushed for more speed knowing that if Starfire lost this would not end well.
Blackfire was kneeling over Starfire reaching back to punch her younger sister in the face when Supergirl arrived and rammed Blackfire off of Starfire with such force that Blackfire was put through the metal exterior wall of the warehouse.
They get through the wall and notice that Blackfire was gone and in her place was a glowing green rock.
"That was too easy" Supergirl commented then it all crashed down on her as she got within range of the glowing rock.
"Supergirl!" Starfire cried as the 'Girl of Steel' fell to her knees.
"Kr… Kriptonite!" she muttered as if it were a curse word in itself.
Starfire picked up the Kryptonite and took off towards the sky breaking through the atmosphere like it was nothing then taking off towards the sun.
"You may be pretty, but you are a bad rock" she said to the Kryptonite stone before hurling it into the sun where it was immediately destroyed.
She returned to Supergirl who was barely keeping herself upright.
"Do not worry, friend." Starfire said running her fingers through the blonde's hair "It is gone."
Meanwhile: Nightwing arrived at the warehouse guided by Raven's emergency beacon to find her on the warehouse floor clutching her right wrist in pain. He runs to her side. and she bites back a cry of further pain as his hand hits her shoulder and he realizes it too is injured.
"Raven, what happened?" he asked kneeling at her side to take stock of her injuries.
She glares at him from under her hood.
"I hate Syphon" she bit out pain completely overshadowing her usual monotone.
Cyborg runs in as she says this and comes down to one knee in front of her using his cybernetic eye's built in x-ray technology to try to see exactly how badly she is injured.
He has her move her left hand so he can get a better view of her right one.
"Broken wrist…" he commented.
"What about that shoulder?" Nightwing asked.
"Jammed and dislocated" Cyborg replied simply.
Nightwing winced this was not going to be pleasant.
"I'm going to have to put that back in now… waiting is only going to make it harder" he explained one hand taking a grip on her bicep and the other over her should so he could feel how the bones were misaligned and how to best realign them.
She looked at him under her hood fear edging into her expression as the pain of where his hands sat mounted. She knew this was going to be bad, for some reason her magic wasn't working to put right things the way they normally would, so they were having to do things the hard way.
"Try to relax… let me take the weight of your arm… this is going to hurt I'm not going to lie but I have to do it now!"
Starfire helped Supergirl back though the hole as a strangled cry of pain fills the air at Nightwing putting Raven's shoulder back in place. Supergirl sees what he's doing, and winces visibly then looks away.
"Ouch… even I felt that one" she commented.
Starfire, on the other hand, can't tear her eyes away from Raven, as her hood falls revealing the extent of the pain what Nightwing just did had caused her.
Beast Boy runs up behind them stopping a few meters back afraid that if he got any closer he would attack Nightwing when he knew Nightwing was only doing what he had to do to help Raven.
Cyborg left and came back with a large first aid kit from the T-Car and Nightwing pushed Raven's sleeve off of her hand so he could apply a wrap to her wrist until they could get back to the tower and splint it properly as he realized it too wasn't healing as fast as it ought. Then put the arm in a sling to support the shoulder staying in place.
Then the call came in from Amanda that Syphon was in Titans Tower attacking Jean.
They all exchanged shocked looks and rushed out of the building, Nightwing grabbed his motorcycle while Raven and Beast Boy piled into the T-Car. Raven was momentarily shocked when Beast Boy insisted she took the front passenger seat but didn't protest. She looked into the rear-view mirror as Cyborg helped a weakened Supergirl into the back passenger seat where she scooted over to lean on the rear driver door.
"I hate this!" she muttered angered at her own weakness then devolved into what Raven could only assume was Kryptonian profanity.
To Be Continued…