Garfield had flown across the sky, and didn't stop till he reached the edge of Jump City. Where open hills and mountains separated him from the buildings and the citizens, from the other Titans.
He crash landed to the ground, changing from his eagle form, to his normal human body.
He sat up, taking deep breaths. He wasn't tired, but the strange and oppressive feeling he'd felt in the tower still disoriented him. He sat up, and placed his head in his hands.
He didn't notice at first, since he was still waking up, but there was this feeling… he couldn't stay there. He could have ignored it, but the shock of his room being empty, being old. That feeling intensified.
And the letter…
He looked to his other hand, and the note was crumbled in it. He must have carried it in his Eagle form.
He slowly opened it, and reread it.
—-
'You have to leave. We… You can't stay here.
⁃ Logan
—-
What?
Logan…?
No one called him by his last name, no one ever had, but…
They called him that name. The others, outside his room. They called him Logan, and were worried. They were worried about him…
But why did they call him Logan?
He looked down at the note again.
Why was there a note… by this guy? In his room, a room that looked nothing like it did before…
Before they left to invade The Brotherhood.
He crawled over to a small boulder, before propping himself up and sitting on the rock. He sat there, soaking in the early morning sun.
He… he needed to think…
So he hunched over and evened his breathing. Just like Raven showed him all those years ago, to center himself.
Raven…
He ran away from her. He never did that before. He was always there, whether she called for him or not. And she did… but all he could think about, was to run away. To not see her.
He felt guilty, but he needed to sort out this feeling inside him, before he could look to her or the others.
So he sat, and tried to remember what had happened.
They had invaded the base used by the remaining members of The Brotherhood. He had snuck ahead, after leaving a clone to assist the others when they travelled inside.
He made his way to the control room, right above the main floor. He had spotted The Brain and Mallah, waiting for General Immortas to engage the heroes.
He was caught by The Brain, he remembered the high caliber round that shot from a rivet along his housing.
He fought Mallah, while his team and The Doom Patrol engaged Immortas.
He had to rake his brain. It felt like… so long ago.
But it wasn't…
After some time, the pieces started to come back, and he remembered that shot by Immortas, meant to kill Raven. And his clone had pushed her out of the line of fire.
That's why they thought he was dead, cause he was hit. He was burnt and bleeding. He LOOKED dead. Maybe his clone was, they wouldn't know. To them, he died saving Raven.
Then he defeated Mallah, then fought The Brain. He stopped them, but something was… activated.
He remembered, everything was being torn apart. Raven… she released so much energy, the base couldn't withstand her. So it was torn apart, but something survived her powers.
Something behind him.
They were lifted.
And he was lifted, but not to them.
They were saved, by Titans and Justice League members. While he…
He reached up and massaged his head.
He… went somewhere.
He remembered the control room, and the main floor. But there was something else.
…
He thought he was dying.
He saw… his life, flashing before his eyes. That's it, he thought he was dead, and was watching his life up to the point where the base was being destroyed.
But he didn't die.
He was alive.
And they came back, to bring him home.
He felt his chest, afraid that he might be a ghost. Then he settled down, and looked back up to the sky. It was still morning, and he had raced away from the tower. He began to pat himself down, realizing that he didn't have his communicator with him. He must have left it home, or maybe it was destroyed at The Brains base.
He stood up, wondering what to do. He couldn't do much, other than return to the tower. But that thought didn't sit well, that feeling was coming back again.
Maybe he could head to town, but the others might spot him. He didn't want to see them right now… this feeling. He needed to shake it off.
He looked over the horizon, then down to the ground. Then he stared. Something was… different. He shifted his weight, and blinked his eyes. The ground looked, funny. He couldn't describe it. He shook his head.
So he turned, pocketed the note, and changed into a falcon. He soared up high, then flew in the direction of Steel City.
—-
He had flown to Titans East, and hovered around the large window that shielded their Ops Room. He looked through the glass, realizing that he couldn't make out anyone. No one on the couch, or at the kitchen.
He didn't have his communicator, so he couldn't call them. He flew around the tower, hoping to spot one of them through the windows, but didn't see anyone.
He flew up to the cliff side that hid Titans East Tower. He landed, then shifted to his human form. He looked out to Steel City, seeing the city was going about its business.
They must be in town.
So he turned into a dove, then headed to one of their favorite eating spots.
After some time in the sky, he still couldn't find them. Where were th-
Boom!
Some kind of monster shot from the streets below… and Titans East came rocketing behind it. He wanted to help, but decided to hang back. He landed on a roof one block away from the action. Not wanting to break up the team dynamic, he'd say back in case-
... What?
Bumblebee flew low to the ground, firing her electric stingers at the monster.
W-What? What was she doing here? Why wasn't she back in her hometown?
She'd taken a leave from East to help-
"I got him!" Aqualad dodged an attack, then raised his hands above his head. The nearest fire hydrants, and water was blasted to the monster. The water irritated it, since it let out a loud scream.
"Hit it with enough water to immobilize it, then Speedy can hit it with a freezing arrow!"
"Got it!"
Garth raised the pressure, and Speedy got a clear shot. He fired an arrow at its upper body, freezing its head and torso.
It stumbled, then Bumblebee called to Mas and Menos.
"Spin it around!"
Mas grabbed the monster by its tail, then with his power joined by his brother, they spun it in a fast circle. They went around and around for a few seconds. When they stopped, they released it, and it hobbled and swayed. The monster walked a few steps, before falling to the ground, and the ice around it shattered.
It was out cold.
They came together at its downed form. They looked over it, before talking as a group, giving each other a props for a job well done.
Garfield stood atop the roof, staring at Titans East.
They…
They…
W-What was going on?
He was feeling it again. That pressure, that uncomfortable force that was coursing through him. He stumbled back, not wanting to be caught by them. He turned and jumped over a few rooftops. He settled on one, hiding behind an AC unit of an apartment complex.
He sat down and…
They were young.
He raised his hands and rubbed his eyes. He needed a few seconds.
...
okay.
They were young!
He shook his head, not believing what he had just seen. No. That wasn't Bumblebee. That wasn't Garth. Speedy just left the team five months ago, replaced by another hero he never got to meet. Mas and Menos were away in Guatemala.
He slapped his cheeks before grabbing the sides of his head.
No. This didn't make sense.
It was like their first days as Teen Titans, when Cy went to the HIVE Academy. When they met Garth during the fight with Trident.
He. He was hallucinating. That's it. Heat stroke. He slept too much. He ate some bad tofu, and his body was conjuring up past memories of their earlier days as heroes.
Man he wanted to throw up.
He looked to the sky, it was midday, but he felt… out of it. Like something was wrong.
Different.
He decided to rest on the roof of the building. He wanted to calm himself before he headed to anywhere in particular.
It was the early evening, and the first street lights began to turn on. The bright lights and windows from Steel City skyscrapers illuminated the sky.
Garfield walked along the rooftops of the buildings, jumping over alleys and parking lots separating the structures. He had his hands in his pockets, still nowhere close to figuring out what to do.
He must have headed to Steels busiest Main Street, because the street lights and shops were blinding, even up here where he stood.
He looked over the edges, watching traffic crawl along the busy street. He never stood out late in Jump City, the team often found themselves enjoying each other's company in the tower… when they were present.
So he walked and jumped along the roofs, with the sounds of citizens walking and laughing. Chatting about their work weeks, their plans for the weekend. He saw teens in groups, enjoying the late afternoon with their friends.
And he was jealous, remembering when the team were all together. Wanting nothing but to hang out, and enjoy each others company.
He didn't know what day it was, it must have been a Friday, with all the people in semi business wear and teenagers excited to be out.
Up ahead, he saw Steel City's Jumbotron. At the center of Main Street, in the busiest part of downtown. They were showing highlights of the last game between the Jump City Jaguars and the Steel City Rockets.
"An excellent game, that we can't wait to see where they go next. Maybe with this win, the Rockets will finally get that new stadium that's planned for the north west of Steel City. So that's it for sports, please stay tuned for tonight's evening news. Thank you, and have a nice night."
Music began to play, and the screen changed from team logos, to streaks of red white and blue.
"Hi, and thank you for joining us this evening with tonight's news…"
Garfield sat on the edge of a commercial building. Legs dangling over the ledge, he looked down to the people enjoying their free time.
... This was nice.
He could spend more time outside, watching the people go about their day. Listening, to the carefree lives of those that didn't have to carry the burden to fighting crime or monsters.
Just their personal lives. Work. Family. Friends.
"We hope that they make a full recovery. Also on tonight's news, an unknown monster caused havoc in the streets on the corner of Slate and Pews, we have eye witness reporter Frank Edward's on the scene."
"Thank you, Elizabeth. Just hours ago, police reported to the Titans East here in Steel City, of underground vibrations that were unlike anything they and the city contractors knew of. What was moving below, moved fast and risked water lines, sewage pipes and structural foundations, before it reached the surface and jumped out into the open."
Garfield turned to the Jumbotron, and saw the image of the monster Titans East fought earlier.
"… some kind of underground being. After the heroes defeated this monster, we were able to interview Leader Bumblebee, to ask her about where the creature came from, and what they and the police will do with it, now that it's been captured."
Then the screen changed to Bumblebee, and Garfield stared, wide eyed.
"We reached out to a local branch of STAR Labs, one that specializes in unknown creatures that have not been documented. They asked the police to-"
Garfield wasn't listening to her, but he stared at her face.
Her young face…
He was grabbing the ledge, and he was shaking. The screen changed to Garth, who was explaining something about the water lines, then to Speedy.
They were all young. Just a few years from when he had last seen them.
The TV changed to the next recording of the news, but Garfield no longer gave it any attention.
He stared at nothing.
What.
Was going on…?
He thought… and thought.
But he wasn't getting anywhere. Nothing was coming to mind. It didn't make sense, he stood up and backed away from the ledge. He started to pace, combing his fingers through his hair. He was looking at the ground, and getting that funny feeling again.
So he stopped, and angrily huffed.
"What is it?!"
He looked around. He was tired of this… feeling. Something was going on, and he was out of the loop. So he looked around, searching for what didn't make sense, then he finally looked at his legs.
They were different...
He stared at them, then lifted them one at a time, to pay more attention.
His legs were… longer? He raised his arms and looked at them, his elbows… weren't where they were before. He stood on the tips of his toes, then shifted between them and the soles of his feet.
…
He was taller…
… and Titans East were younger.
…
He leaned over, and threw up.
—-
Hugging the railing that was the emergency ladder for the building, Garfield looked up to the night sky scared. He clutched the metal like his life depended on it. Attention shifting from everywhere to any sounds that he heard nearby.
He was taller… and Titans East were younger.
He was taller…
…
And Titans East were-
He wiped his mouth clean on his sleeve, and rubbed his face. He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to find his center that Raven had showed him before.
But he couldn't find it… because he was taller, and Titans E-
He stumbled up, grabbing onto the railing. He looked around in the dark, where the city lights didn't reach. This… wasn't funny. He reached up and lightly slapped his cheek, then did it again with a little more force.
He braced himself to release the railing, then slowly walked along the roof.
He turned back to the Jumbotron, to see the evening news anchor say goodnight. Then the screen shifted to the weekly forecast. Cool, all week long. Partly cloudy, with rain this Thursday.
Where would he go?
Titans East?
Him tall… and them young?
How awkward would that be, to walk up to them and rub their hair like an older brother. They'd be the ones looking up at him.
… Wait.
If… they were younger.
What about everyone else?
The citizens..?
The bad guys..?
…
…
…
…The Teen Titans?
…
He grabbed a hold of another railing, getting dizzy.
Wait… Wait..,
If East were younger, then the Titans would be younger too…
And they called him Logan…
'You can't be here.'
Who was Logan? Who was this guy, that screwed up his room, got rid of his stuff, leaving a note that didn't even say he was sorry?
God, he wished he had his communicator.
He needed to walk, he needed to keep moving.
So he walked.
Around the block on the rooftops. Looking down to the streets, fighting with himself about what the heck was going on.
Then he spotted… an Internet cafe…
Bingo.
He knew e-mails, he could reach out to the others. He felt sick at the thought of seeing them, not in a bad way, but he could always message them.
So he hopped downward from ledge to ledge, finally jumping to the street away from citizens, not wanting to startle them.
He walked to the entrance of the cafe, seeing it almost packed with teenagers playing games, and adults video chatting. He looked around to see a section of computers not being used. Ah ha. He looked for an employee, then spotted one.
"W-ho are you? What d-do you want?" They asked. They backed away from him, like he would attack them.
Garfield looked confused. Didn't they recognize him. The Teen Titans have visited Steel City a few times.
"… I wanted to use one of the computers real quick." He raised his eyebrows.
"A-Are you an alien?" He asked.
…
What?
Did this dude seriously ask if he was an alien? Was it because he was green?
"Is it because I'm green?" He asked him, more in surprise than anger. No one ever asked him a question like that, maybe because he spent time away from the citizens when they first formed the team. They were probably used to a green guy by the time the city was interviewing them.
The guy nodded.
…
"No… I'm not an alien." He said.
The guys uneasiness didn't change much. So he looked around the cafe, and saw people looking at him.
"I'm not here for any trouble, I just want to send an e-mail."
The people slowly turned back to their computers, then they returned to their games and conversations. But he did hear some people talk about him and his green skin.
So he looked back at the guy. "Can I please use one of the computers, I just need to reach out to someone, and I don't have a phone."
The guy pressed something behind the counter, then turned to the group of unused computers along the far wall.
"You can use computer #23… you don't have to pay."
…
Did he think he was going to start something? Over a charge to use a computer? Whatever…
"Thanks… I won't be long."
Then he walked over to the empty area, away from the others that were engrossed in their online activities. He pulled out a chair before his computer, and took a seat. The computer was already logged in. So he opened up the browser, and began to type the search engine.
He went to a private website that Cy had showed him a few years ago. A communication message board, that could reach the tower to deliver a message, in the event they lost their communicator in the field. To anyone else, it looked like a chat room, but all the conversations were fake.
He opened a new e-mail, and typed that the receiver would be 'Home Server."
He selected the body of text, then…
…
What would he type?
He flew out of there like a bat outta hell, now he was messaging them hours later… through an Internet cafe in Steel?
His fingers rested in the keyboard, then minutes went by. Then an hour. And he didn't move, because he couldn't think what to send to the others.
Frustrated, he pressed down on the keys. Which was dumb, because he hit the 'popular news story' tab. Then he got a bunch of celebrity gossip and local infrastructure news.
He went to go back to the chat room, but spotted…
"Unknown 'S' in the sky never explained. Media gives up search."
'S'
The Mark of Scath…
In a blurry photo from what could be a port camera, or a boat out in the waters.
He stared at it… confused and scared why the symbol of Trigon was in an article for Steel City News.
He hesitated, but clicked the link.
The next pictures showed boats, full of police officers and… hired gunmen? HIVE soldiers. In the corner of one of the pictures… was the T-Ship?
He looked to the article.
"Mass arrests were made beneath the ocean waters outside of Steel City. At the ocean depths, known public enemy Brother Blood had build an underwater base with an unknown weapon, whose description was not shared with the media."
Garfield nodded.
"A tip by Jump City's Teen Titans was reported to the SCPD, that Blood was in possession of a weapon, and had the intent to launch an attack towards Jump City. The Titans, along with ally and local hero Aqualad stormed the underwater base, engaging Brother Blood."
Garfield nodded again.
"Sometime later, the authorities for both JCPD and the SCPD were called, informed that Blood had been apprehended and that armed gunmen were making a last stand. After the fighting between gunmen and heroes, the call that the fighting was over and that police could travel down to the base was given."
This… was old news.
"Towards the end of the mass arrest, Brother Blood escaped capture, and launched an attack at our heroes."
What?
"Brother Blood was later declared DEAD, after a self explosion that sent shockwaves across the waters."
WHAT?!
"The large letter 'S' in the sky captured by cameras, was the result after Blood's death. It's unknown what…"
…
What the heck did he just read? That's not how it happened… the first part yeah. They stopped the sonic resonator. Joined forces with Bumblebee. Cy fought and beat Brother Blood… who was arrested and sent to a maximum security prison out of state.
Brother Blood DEAD?
The Mark of Scath?
Then the last pictures…
'Teen Titans… along with allies Aqualad and Bumblebee.'
Starfire carrying the JC Chief of Police.
Cyborg nowhere to be found.
Bumblebee holding Robin above the waters.
Garth on top of the ocean waves.
Raven floating in the air.
And him… off in the distance. On a police boat, guarding the SC Ocean Officers.
Red, White and blond…
—-
"Hey!"
Garfield was jostled, he turned wide eyed to the worker from earlier. They looked nervous at raising their voice to him, so they collected themselves.
"We're closing." He said.
Garfield stared at him, casted his gaze across the empty cafe and turned to the computer, then slowly got up and pushed out of the chair. He walked towards the exit, like a zombie. The man watched him go, worried that he might do something.
But he didn't, he just kept walking.
Out the door, around the corner. Down an alley, in who knows what direction. He needed to walk, he couldn't stop. If he stopped, he would think. He didn't want to think. He bumped into a dead end.
Damn…
—-
This… This was a joke
It had to be fake.
Blood didn't die during the sonic resonator event. He wasn't on that boat with SC Officers. He wasn't wearing this red and white suit.
He didn't look… normal.
Blond hair. That's what it used to be. He remembered, and that face.
He stared at it the day Raven confessed to him.
He decided, to not go ahead of the team as Beastboy… but someone else.
…
That's how he looked, when he went to fight The Brain.
This suit.
It needed to come off. He didn't want to look at it, didn't want to wear it. And it just happened to have…
Looking around to make sure there were no civilians in the darkness of the alley, he stripped the suit from his body, and was in his boxers. He laid the suit atop of crates that lined the dead end.
He held the suit, opened it, then began to separate the interior and exterior fabrics. It was like a double suit, both capable of handling his shape shifting. But the inside provided comfort and a breathable fabric. While the exterior provided a limited resistance to cuts and burns.
Once separated, he dressed in the interior fabric, which was a dark grey. Then he rolled the exterior, red and white fabric, into the tightest roll he could. He looked around and found a loose strap, which he removed from the crate, then bound the suit.
He stared at it… he didn't want to get rid of it. No matter what he felt about it, it was still a gift, it had a meaning. Even though he wore it, for another.
He tucked the suit under his arm, then walked down the streets, avoiding people on the sidewalks. It was evening, so the only lights that were on ran along the streets. He walked along the streets, then veered off to a cliff that overlooked the coast. He kept walking along the grass until he found a bench that had a view of the ocean.
He sat down.
...
He couldn't ignore it anymore.
He was taller than he used to be. Titans East were their younger self. The new Steel City Stadium was missing, where him, Robin, Cy and the other guy Titans went to watch away games. The missing housing development where he first landed after leaving the tower earlier.
The date on the computer.
He was back in time…
By what, three… four years? And he was older by what… three or four?
He placed the suit on the bench, and leaned forward. He rubbed his face, and evened his breathing.
He went to the past… and they called him Logan.
Why?
What happened? He fought The Brain and Mallah, the base was ripped apart, the team was saved, and he was lifted… back.
To yellow and black…
A portal…
His breath grew shaky, but he waited for the fear to subside. After a few minute's, he looked up.
"Oh man…" he exhaled loudly. He looked around the cliffside, thanking there were no patrolling officers in the area to question him.
He could go back...
Go to the tower, they would trip out he was from the future, that he knew things ahead of time. He'd shrug his shoulders, and go 'Oh well,' then go about his business.
What was three or four years in the grand scheme of things. Everything would chug along like usual.
Robin would go to Bludhaven, Star back to Tamaran. Cy would come here to Steel City, and Raven…
…
…
No, they won't.
...
"… Ha… haha… hahahaha!"
He laughed. His sides began to hurt. He laughed because they wouldn't. They wouldn't leave, cause they still had years of being 'Teen' Titans left. He laughed some more. They should put him in a straight jacket. Send him to Arkum Asylum, and lock him away. Right between the Joker and the Riddler.
"Haha haha ha haha ha…" tears started in his eyes.
He laughed. Laughed until it wasn't funny anymore. But he wouldn't stop, so he held his head in his hands, and waited till the laughing stopped.
…
No…
He couldn't go back.
They… They weren't his team.
They were…
Logan's.
…
That's who he was, here. The people called him Logan. Just like the article. Just like when the team called to him back at the tower.
Tears started to run down his eyes.
Why was he Logan?
Why wasn't he Beastboy?
He closed his eyes and leaned back into the bench. He breathed in the cool night air. He remembered the date on the computer.
Yesterday was Ravens birthday. Her sixteenth.
The end of the world was yesterday.
He opened his eyes to look out at the crashing waves.
It was the day after her birthday, and everything was fine. Well… Titans Tower, Jump City and Steel were fine. So. They saved the world again.
That's nice.
But he ran away from Raven, when she was finally free to express herself. He felt like a jerk, he could have at least talked to her, but it would have been pretty awkward with the whole 'time travel' thing.
So…
Slade, Blood and Trigon were out of the way.
That's cool.
That only left…
…
Even the crickets grew quiet.
The Brain.
He raised his hand, and wiped away the tears. He even sniffed his nose. So they would be seeing The Brotherhood again.
That also meant…
The Doom Patrol.
His eyes opened wide. His Family, his second… right after his parents. But still.
He'd see them again. But his looks. Garfield looked down to himself. How would he explain his age difference. He wasn't the scrawny kid he used to be when he left. He had his growth spurt, and if the math added up…
He was YEARS older than the last they saw of him…
He looked down to the bench, to his suit. He'd have to part ways with it, for now. He changed into a falcon, grabbed it with his talons, and flew to Titans East.
He flew around the cliff side that hid their tower. He dipped low to the entrance of their home, and dropped it at the front door. They would recognize his suit. If news broke out that Logan was missing, they would keep it.
Then he flew in the direction of Midway City.
—-
He'd flown for some days, taking a break to release amoebas into the air. They brought him nutrients from the surrounding fields and forests, while he sat and tried to think how he'd talk with his family.
He'd been resting his eyes, allowing the small beings to carry calories into his body. With nature, he could recreate or mimic any natural substance. So he no longer needed to stop at rest areas to fuel up. Even water wasn't a problem, since it too was condensed.
His father's work was really something else…
He opened his eyes, feeling as though he'd gotten a good nights rest. He created brain chemicals, allowing him to function well past any normal limits.
'I wonder…'
'What did Logan do?'
He closed his eyes, and shook his head. It was time to head out again. So he stood up, and looked to the town up ahead. Just another day, then I'll see the old gang.
—-
He finally made it to Midway City, and he reached Dayton Manor by the early afternoon. He flew above the mansion, looking to see if any of the Doom vehicles were parked on the property.
He saw Steve's personal cars out in the driveway, his personal grounds men were washing them. He didn't have much of a relationship with the men, since they didn't care for him or his antics when he lived here. Up ahead was the head butler, addressing the gardeners about Rita's rose bushes. He was another guy that suffered from his pranks and misadventures.
He was a handful when he was younger.
Not seeing anything out of place, he descended to the roof, and changed into his human form.
He walked over to the entrance way, that would lead to the top floor. He went to the keypad, and typed his personal pin that would allow him into the home.
…
Nothing. What the heck? Mento told him, when he left the team, that his code would still let him inside the manor, " when you stop acting like a child and return home."
He shook his head. So the code didn't work, Steve could have blocked the roof entrance. So he looked over the ledge, and seeing no one in sight, jumped over it and hopped his way down to the ground floor, to the west entrance.
He walked up to the door, and tried his pin on the door.
…
What the heck? He used his pin… sometime after the first Brotherhood fiasco. His pin worked that time.
So breaking and entering was his only option. Minus the breaking.
In a split second, he was an amoeba. He pushed himself through the brick, stucco and other materials that the house was built from. Making sure to weave between the steel mesh hidden in the walls, that Steve used to block outside frequencies and psychic powers.
He chuckled, remembering when he used to sneak out of the manor. Or tried to. Since he would try to shift to his smallest animal and crawl outside, often getting caught or struggling to actually get in.
Finally through, he turned back to his human form. He was in the west side of the manor, one he didn't frequent when he lived here, but he knew his way to the main area and sleeping quarters.
So he headed in that direction, looking around corners for any butlers or maids. Or maybe he'd bump into one of them. After sometime, he stood in the main area and he'd yet to see anyone.
Did… Did they leave already? Did they go after The Brotherhood. Maybe, they left to the Amazon.
He slapped his face. Stupid Beastboy! Why didn't he think about that? He tried to rake his brain, on where exactly they found Robotman. But he could find the base with the black hole creator.
Then he heard it.
The soft hum of… electric wheels.
He smiled. SOMEONE was here, and he knew exactly who.
He walked in the direction of the study, seeing that the door was open, he walked in. And right ahead of him was…
"Chief!"
The man was startled, and he jerked his electric wheelchair around to look at him.
"W-What?!" The man said in surprise, but Garfield walked to him before grabbing the armrests of his chair, keeping it from tipping over. He gave the man a smile.
"Let me go!" The Chief yelled.
Garfield let go of his chair, and The Chief rolled backwards, away from him. He stared at Garfield in shock and… fear?
His smile faded.
"What's the matter Chief, is the age difference that noticeable?"
The man stared at him.
"I know it's been a while, and me being taller must be a real shock, but c'mon, why the freaky face?"
"Who are you?"
…
…
"What?"
…
What… What did he just ask him?
"It's me… Beastboy."
…
"What are you doing here? Who let you inside the manor?" The Chief asked.
…
"This isn't funny Chief. Why are you asking me these questions?" He looked outside the study door, seeing no one. "Where are the others?"
"I asked you a question, and I expect you to answer it." He said and glared, slowly rolling back to the other door in the study.
…
"It's me… Beast… boy… And I let myself in."
The Chief was still looking at him, like he was an… intruder.
"Where are the others? Where's Steve and Rita?"
Then the Chief stopped, and looked at him funny.
"You know Steve… and Rita?"
…
Garfield laughed.
"Do I know them? Of course I know my own parents."
The Chief looked scared now, he mad his way backwards to the door again, but this stranger was slowly following him.
"Where's Cliff… where's Larry? Are they out driving around again.
The Chief stopped again, and stared wide eyes at him. This wasn't funny anymore, so he walked up to the older man, and crouched down grabbing his chair.
"Where is everyone? Did they… did they go to fight The Brotherhood?" He finally asked. When it finally hit him that they could have left, he was afraid that he'd wasted his time coming here.
…
"How do you know them? How do you know The Brotherhood?"
This was ridiculous!
"Chief! I'm in the Doom Patrol, or I was… but I left. Why are you asking me-"
"Who are you?!" Someone entered the study.
Garfield turned to the butler… who was pointing a gun at him it.
He looked to the older man.
"Step away from Mr. Caulder!" The butler yelled.
Garfield turned back to the Chief, looking in his face. Completely confused, he spoke.
"Tell him. Tell him you know me. It's me… Beastboy!"
"I don't know a Beastboy."
"Of course you do! Steve and Rita adopted me! I joined the Doom Patrol, with you! Mento! Elasti Girl! Robotman and Negative Man!"
"I'll shoot!"
"No…"
The butler turned to Mr. Caulder, surprised.
"Leave… I'll, see what he wants."
"But sir, he's crazy. He could attack y-"
"You can go… I'll be alright."
The butler hesitated, then gave Garfield a dirty look before leaving the study.
The door closed.
The two looked at each other.
"How do you not know me? I'm Beastboy!"
He was standing up now, but gripping the armrests.
"Remember?"
"Steve is superhero Mento, and Rita is Elastigirl. They adopted me, when my uncle tried to have me killed."
The Chief stared at him.
"They brought me here. Where I met Cliff, who lost his body in a race car accident. You rebuilt him into Robot Man. And Larry! He was a fighter jet pilot, he flew an experimental plane that gave him his radioactive powers!"
The Chief looked at him in shock.
"I'm Beastboy! I can turn into animals! I got bit by a monkey and developed Sakutia, then my father cured me. But it gave me my powers!"
"I'm Garfield Logan!"
…
Then the Chief looked at him. Really looked at him. That face… finally SEEING the young man's features. Then recognition came to him, despite the green skin, hair and eyes. Dr. Niles Caulder knew who he was looking at.
"G-Garfield…" he said.
And Garfield released a breath. He smiled. The Chief remembered. He-
"You're not Garfield Logan."