Judging by some of the reviews, I've been wondering if some are thinking I'm using the animated versions of the Titans & JLU from the old cartoons. I'm not, but for any non comic readers out there, just know that Starfire,Raven, and most of the League could destroy Naruto with no effort. Also, Starfire was a bit of a jerk, but a sweet jerk. What's the saying? He's a big fish in a larger pond? or something? EDIT- Now that I think about it, some are probably thinking I'm using the DC Rebirth versions where certain characters became nerfed. I'm sure there's a name for it somewhere, but I'm using the modern version of DC set just a little before New 52 started.

Robin's brow furrowed in confusion. "Is Queen Bee involved in this?"

As the swarm of bugs drew nearer, Tyler stood up abruptly, pulling out an orange-colored 9mm pistol and aiming it at the Titans. His sudden betrayal caught them off guard.

"I'm sorry, Robin," Tyler said nervously, his hands shaking. "But I can't risk dying over this!"

"You won't," Robin assured him. "Just come with us and we'll give you asylum!"

"Robin!" Raven's urgent voice cut through the tension.

Robin turned just as the cicadas reached them, coalescing into the shape of a human. From within the swarm, a figure emerged—a man standing six feet tall, clad in a mix of armor and robes, his face obscured by a shemagh and shades. Bugs crawled around him, adding to his unsettling presence.

Tyler's voice trembled. "I didn't say anything, only a bunch of lies."

The masked man, his gaze fixed on the Titans, responded coolly. "Really? Like what?"

"Um… like where Brother Blood is and the whole thing about the pink-eyed people being in South Park," Tyler stammered.

"The Hyuga?" the masked man asked, his tone sharp.

Tyler nodded. "Yeah, them…"

"Good job," the masked man said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Although, last I remembered, you defected from the Church a while ago and should have no way of knowing that, given what rank you were in at the time… Tyler Mays."

The masked man slowly turned his head towards Tyler, who began to shake in fear. Sensing an opportunity, Robin and Raven sprang into action. Robin fired his batclaw, the wire entangling the masked man, while Raven unleashed a concussive energy blast. The masked man summoned his bugs to form a shield, but it wasn't enough. The blast knocked him to the ground.

Tyler quickly aimed his pistol at the now vulnerable masked man.

"Ty, WAIT—!" Robin shouted.

BANG-BANG!

Tyler fired two shots, killing the masked man instantly. The Titans were shocked.

Tyler sighed in relief. "That guy always creeped me out the most."

"You FOOL!" Raven yelled. "We needed him."

"Calm down," Tyler said, trying to placate her. "There's plenty more guys I know that can help. So I'll take your asy—"

BAM!

Raven was struck from behind by a spinning backfist from the masked man, sending her sprawling to the floor. Robin, though shocked, reacted quickly, leaping back and flinging his batarangs at the masked man's doppelganger. The batarangs hit their mark, but the masked man shrugged off the blows.

Tyler, still confused about how the masked man could be in two places at once, saw that the original one he shot was just a pile of bugs. Panicking, he made a run for it, heading down the fire escape.

The masked man pulled out one of the batarangs from his shoulder, examining it while casually dodging Robin's strikes. "Interesting weapon."

He then deflected a spin kick from Robin and countered with a kick to Robin's gut, sending him rolling across the pavement.

"Faega!" Raven shouted, launching a purple fireball at the masked man. She followed up with a flying kick, knocking his head clean off. But it was another bug clone. Raven, unfazed, watched as the remaining cicadas swarmed around her. Her eyes glowed light purple.

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" she chanted, releasing a burst of magical energy that eviscerated the swarm, raining cicada corpses around her.

In the background, Robin's weak voice called out, "GO, I'll catch up!"

Raven complied, teleporting to the ground below. She followed the sound of screaming to an abandoned building. Inside, she found Tyler's remains, his flesh devoured by beetles, leaving only bones and shreds of cloth.

Meanwhile...

Atop Titans Tower, a sudden swirl of energy marked Naruto's return. He materialized on the rooftop, his eyes scanning the horizon before settling on Cyborg, who was waiting for him.

"How'd it go?" Cyborg asked, his mechanical eye whirring softly as it focused on Naruto.

Naruto shrugged, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "I barely paid attention, to be honest. But the Justice League said they'll make sure I'm settled in on their Earth tomorrow. They even have a doctor who might help me get home."

Cyborg nodded, a hint of relief in his expression. "That's good to hear."

"So, where's Starfire and the others?" Naruto says as he stretches out.

A broad smile spread across Cyborg's face. "Well the good news is, the team found some leads that might help us track down Brother Blood."

Naruto's eyes lit up with excitement. "That's awesome! So, where do we start?"

Cyborg's smile faltered slightly. "BAD NEWS is, you'll have to wait here with me for now because they left hours ago."

Naruto's shoulders slumped in disappointment. "Seriously? Just waiting around?"

Cyborg chuckled, clapping a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Hey, it's not all bad. I can teach you how to play some video games while we wait."

Naruto tilted his head, confusion evident on his face. "Video games? What's that?"

Cyborg's grin widened. "Oh man, you're in for a treat. I'll walk you through it. Trust me, you'll find it addicting."

As they headed inside, Cyborg threw a playful warning over his shoulder. "Just don't break anything like you did in the medical room last night, okay?"

Naruto laughed, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, yeah, I promise."

Elsewhere...

Raven looked on in frustration as a voice echoed around her. "You shouldn't feel anything over worthless trash. Being the daughter of Lord Trigon, I would think you would feel nothing at all."

"Trash he was, but a life is still a life," Raven replied, her voice steady.

She moved through the rundown building, her eyes glowing in the dark. "Wondering how you can't enter my mind?" the masked man taunted.

"One of Sebastian's many new spells, I assume," Raven said.

"That's right. We're all well prepared for you this time," the masked man replied.

Unbeknownst to Raven, the masked man moved silently behind her, like a ninja. "And yet you all continue to flee and hide, corrupting innocent people as your meat shields," Raven said. "As much as I'd love to burn you and your little bugs to a crisp, I'd rather end this with as little damage as possible, Shino."

After a long pause, the masked man, revealed to be Shino Aburame, stepped into the light. "So Naruto told you about me. I'm flattered he remembered the people who were actually important in his life."

Raven scoffed while holding back a smile. "Pfft!"

"Something funny?" Shino asked.

"Yeah… sorry to break it to you, but you're nowhere near as important or relevant to him as you think you are," Raven said. "Out of the three in your squad, the only one he actually finds important and considers a friend is Hinata."

"That makes sense. She was the most supportive of him compared to Kiba and me," Shino admitted. "Anywho, you and Naruto are major key factors, so you both best accept your fate when the time comes."

Shino prepared to attack, but Raven thrust him away with her magic, sending him flying out the window. His body was once again surrounded by cicadas as he disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Never..." Raven says icliy.

To Be Continued...