TW: Some abuse, because Slade is here and he's still himself. It's basically the same as what he did to Robin in the last chapters of Volume 1, so if you've read that already you know what to expect.

Two minutes later, Titans were already in T-Car, aside from Robin who was riding on his bike as usual. The entire team was going through the hidden tunnel at top speed, while the Wonder Boy started the briefing. "Alright, team, bad news. It's Slade."

"Slade? Didn't he have enough last time?" Beast Boy asked, making a fist. Terra, sitting in the car, was reminded with full force that despite the childish and happy personalities, they were indeed the Titans, and she could now see that side of them. The change was almost unsettling. Beast Boy was now serious, and radiated with strength she would never expect from the lax, cat-like Titan who overslept a lot.

"After what he did to friend Robin, I will not let him escape this time." Starfire's voice was full of fury and fire, and Terra could literally feel the heat radiating from her. Terra remembered that the girl was rumored to be one of the physically strongest superheroes, and feeling that heat she could totally believe it.

Cyborg was silent, focused on driving. But the laser-focus he was now showing felt like his competitive nature suddenly jumping up to eleven. If not for the fact that she knew they were going to fight a dangerous villain, she would feel sorry for this Slade; she remembered a video showing Cinderblock being literally annihilated by Cyborg in just one hit a year before.

Raven was… unsettling. Yep, Terra was going to leave it on that. Raven was not scary, and Terra was not afraid or anything. Not at all.

"A large group of Slade-bots was spotted in the mine on the outskirts of the city. Fortunately, miners managed to escape without any casualties, but whatever Slade is doing there can't be good. We're gonna go in and stop it."

"Any idea what he's doing there?" Beast Boy asked, going through his underground-suited forms. Just like at sea, being underground actually gave him a terrain advantage over most enemies.

"Last miners to escape managed to see them bring some equipment from the surface, but that's it. Could be bombs, but the mine doesn't have anything worth it to be a valuable hostage; in fact, it was going to be closed next year, so if Slade blows it up the city won't really care that much." Robin tried to remember as much as he could about the area. "No tectonic activity reported, and even if Slade got bombs there the city is too far to feel anything serious. League is on standby just in case, but there was a metahuman prison break and they need to take care of it as well."

"You think Slade was the one doing the prison break?" Starfire asked.

"Or he just used it to make sure they won't intervene."

"Um, sorry for interrupting but, can you tell me something about this Slade? I heard he caused some trouble here, but nothing that serious." Terra asked. To her surprise, the atmosphere in the T-car became much heavier. Why? She thought he was a small danger compared to some other enemies that actually threatened the city.

"Not everything he did is public knowledge." Robin said slowly after few moments of silence. "It would take too long to explain, but Slade doesn't target the public unless it helps him in his main goal. He attacked us directly, multiple times. Almost killed us."

Terra took a sharp breath. Killed the Titans? She instantly put Slade close to top of her 'most dangerous villains' list. "What powers does he have? Anything I should look out for?"

"He doesn't have any powers." Beast Boy answered, the mood in the T-car still heavy. "He is a master of martial arts, strong, fast, but that's not why he is so dangerous. He is very intelligent, creates dangerous and well thought-out plans. Unlike many other villians, he doesn't just stick to some exotic technology or ability; he will use whatever it takes to win, and always plans ahead. He is a master manipulator, and he already managed to temporarily corrupt a superhero to his side for a short time before we stopped him."

Terra shivered. This Slade sounded like some kind of opposite Batman, and considering the Dark Knight's reputation she definitely didn't like what she heard.

They reached the main entrance to the mine without any opposition. Robin quickly took command, on guard in case of an ambush. "Starfire, you go first; try to engage as many Slade-bots as you can, grab their attention. Cyborg, try to locate whatever technology they brought with them, find out what it is and stop it. Beast Boy, after Starfire engages I want you to attack Slade-bots as well, make sure they won't notice Cyborg. Raven, you're the backup; if anything threatens Beast Boy or Starfire, or Slade-bots notice Cyborg, engage."

All other Titans nodded, and Robin continued. "I'll try to locate Slade, but I doubt it'll be that easy. If I do, I'll let you know; I'll definitely need some backup, but I should be able to at least slow him down so you can catch up. Terra, don't take it the wrong way but you didn't train with us and I don't want friendly fire on accident, so keep behind us for now. If you see any groups of Slade-bots that are getting ready to attack and we're too busy to deal with them, feel free to attack, but I mostly want you to be on guard in case the ground above us goes down. Try to keep us from being buried if that happens."

Terra swallowed nervously, but on the outside she just nodded with determination. She wasn't going to disappoint them.

They entered the mine without any problems. Fortunately, the lights were still on, and there was barely any sign of any collateral damage. Everything was solid and not on the verge of collapsing.

Shortly after entering, they found a huge, open (as much as underground can be 'open') space, used to store equipment from outside and ore from deeper into the mine. It was full of equipment, huge crates, and was generallyleft in disarray after miners escaped.

It was also full of Slade-bots.

Not wanting to lose the moment of surprise, Starfire instantly felt wrath, remembering how Slade hurt them. Hurt Robin. She shouted and shot her starbolts at the biggest group of Slade-bots she could find and instantly dove towards second biggest, punching through two machines before they realized what happened.

Even more Slade-bots appeared from behind crates, equipment and generally hiding everywhere. Much more than they expected; fortunately, Robin planned for that. The moment a group of them stood up, hidden on a good vantage point at the side of the cave, Beast Boy charged in his newest form.

As traumatic as his experience with Batman's contingency was, he was slowly but surely breaking out of it. Therapy helped. And, determined to not let this make him fear his powers, he doubled down on his childhood dream of becoming a dinosaur. Real, full-sized one.

And now, after careful work and training (and spending some time in the Tower's medical after some failed experiments… few times), he was ready to use his newest form.

Huge, and strong enough to ram through Slade-bots like they were made of paper. Massive, able to crush enemies under his feet. Armored with thick scales, capable of withstanding the energy weapons Slade-bots used. With mace-like, spiked tail, capable of tearing through rock, let alone through some small metal machines.
A giant Stegosaurus.

"Robin, it's a set of bombs. I don't know why, but Slade definitely wants to bring this place down! I'll get to disarming them immediately." Cyborg reported, and Robin winced. Bombs, being underground, and facing way more Slade-bots than expected. Good thing he was prepared and made the plan accordingly.

Sadly, he was facing someone equally good with planning. Hidden Slade-bots suddenly emerged, sitting in control chairs of massive industrial and mining equipment. Moments later, massive trucks and drills went for the massive dinosaur, while other mining equipment started turning and moving towards the rest.

Robin almost cursed. Again, his planning succeeded in minimizing the damage; Raven managed to see a truck that almost rammed Beast Boy, and with a chant of "Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos" she managed to redirect it, making it hit a drill next to it. Moments later, she took a steel beam and run it through Slade-Bot running another drill, destroying the machine on the spot.

Moment later she had to focus on her shield, as another hidden group of robots tried to shoot her in the back. Seriously, what's with people shooting her in the back?! Now even mindless machines do that!

New Slade-Bot jumped into the drill, kicking the destroyed machine out, but he was instantly hit by Robin, who jumped into action. His reinforced bo staff made short work of both the robot and the controls in the cabin.

Another drill changed course suddenly, running full speed at Cyborg. And the bomb. Damn. "Raven, protect Cyborg! Terra, we're getting swarmed here, engage!" It was a risk, but at this point, while he was sure they could win, it all looked like a massive diversion; he couldn't risk it taking too much damage before they face whatever Slade was actually doing here.

Terra nodded, and steeled herself. This is it. She focused her power, looking for any suitable targets. There, a group of Slade-bots was firing all their guns at Beast Boy, pushing him back; and above him, a platform full of steel bars was hanging, ready to fall and crush him.

No. That's not going to happen. Terra felt her power, and pulled. A huge stone hand emerged from the wall and hit the hanging platform. It fell apart The pieces of steel, instead of falling onto the green stegosaurus, scattered among the Slade-bots, crushing and smashing them to pieces.

Yes! She can do this! Terra smiled with sudden confidence, and quickly found another group of robots getting ready to attack. Just moved her arm down, and the ceiling crashed on them, way too fast to dodge. Terra joined the battle, and the environment made her, for a moment, the most dangerous fighter on the battlefield.

Her powers were far from subtle. Earth is not flowing like water. It is not easy to move like the air. It is heavy, and resists moving it.
But once it moves, it is nearly impossible to stop.

Terra crushed Slade-bots. She threw them into the air and smashed on the ceiling, pushed them into rocks, smashed them to pieces. For a short moment, her doubt was gone, and her powers followed her every gesture, every thought. In this underground mine, she was literally in her element, and these machines were unable to resist her. Even heavy mining equipment was bent like paper with barely any resistance.

But the robots were only a tool, a means to the end.

For all her power, Terra wasn't a truly experienced superhero. She had some experiences running away and fighting those who wanted to use her, but this was her first time on an actual battlefield. In the chaotic fight, it wasn't hard for one of the bots to hide in her blind spot and shoot her in the back.

In truth, the attack missed – barely. The energy beam went next to her, so close it scorched her clothes and slightly burned her skin. And while it wasn't a dangerous wound, it was enough to distract her for a moment.

Her powers went out of control. Terra screamed, and tried to hold it, but it was already too late. Sparks of her powers jumped over the cave, causing massive earthquake. Heroes scattered, while Slade-Bots fell, crushed mercilessly under tons of rock.

Beast Boy, still in his massive dinosaur form, and engaged with multiple robots, noticed what's happening and tried to change and dodge – but the moment he did, multiple suicidal Slade-bots jumped on him and held him in place. Raven tried to use her powers to teleport him, but the shaking ground made it nearly impossible to focus. She quickly said the Mantra of Azar to help with concentration, and tried to get her teammate out – only for one of the remaining robots to shoot her in the back, breaking her focus. The robot was crushed under the rubble moment later, and lightly wounded Raven was forced to make a dodge herself. It was too late.

Beast Boy disappeared under the unending stream of rocks.

"NO!" Terra screamed, and flew through the falling apart mine. Any rock in her way was smashed; any bot still standing around her goal was flattened so fast it wouldn't even have time to smoke and explode. Terra landed next to the huge pile of rocks, and used her powers to push them away in an explosion of dust and fragments.

There was nothing. Just some destroyed robots, and the sharp, crushed fragments of what used to be the ceiling. No trace of Beast Boy. Not even a drop of blood remained.

Terra fell to her knees, and cried in despair over the tomb of her friend. In the other parts of the partly-crushed mine, dust covered everything, grey clouds rising and blocking the sight; not that there was much to be seen, with all the lights knocked out. Other Titans, fortunately not wounded, started getting through the wreckage and rubble, trying to find each other, avoiding still unstable ground and falling rocks, and fighting few remaining Slade-bots. Robin, being the most vulnerable among the Titans, was heavily bruised and battered; even when he managed to dodge the big, instant-killing rocks, even the relatively smaller ones were still painful. Starfire tried to blow up some of the falling objects, only to accidentally cause more of them to fall from unstable ceiling. Cyborg, somehow unscathed, was trying to disarm the bomb before it exploded, thankful that whatever explosives Slade used wasn't easy to blow up – already some rocks hit the metal casing.

Raven, standing alone in the rubble and unable to see anything in darkness and dust, focused her power, and felt the other Titans around her. They were unharmed, except… she took a sharp breath when she felt Terra's emotions. The girl was breaking down, and her pain was overwhelming. The empath found it hard to focus over this avalanche of emotion, actual avalanche of rocks still falling around her, and slight burning of her wound. She winced, feeling her own powers trying to break out of her control. Perfect. Exactly what they needed, more uncontrolled powers. She tried to push them down and control them, when another rock hit her on the head, almost stunning her here and there. She used her powers to create a shield above her, split between focusing on saving her life and trying to control her dark magic over a splitting headache.

Terra wept and cried, alone in the dark. She did it again. She brought ruin and death with her, as always. How stupid she was, thinking she could be anything else. She was cursed, and now, she killed the one person who trusted her to keep him safe. It was all her fault. She never should have come here.

Terra's thoughts went into the darkest of places, before she suddenly saw a small light in one of the corridors leading out of the central chamber. She wiped her tears, trying to see, and instantly realized who that was.

Slade.

He was trying to run away, holding a small flashlight in his hand. He was visibly limping and looked terrified as he disappeared behind a corner, and Terra could hear his irregular footsteps as the villain tried to escape.

Her sadness and despair turned into rage and fury, and she got up, drying her tears with her arm. She run after Slade, thinking of nothing but vengeance. When he started speeding up, and they got to the area of the mine where lights were still working, she decided she has enough of running after him. When he disappeared behind another corner, she just blew straight through it, ready to crush him on the spot.

Instead, she got kicked in the head moments after emerging from the wall.

Dazed, Terra hit the ground, only for another kick to throw her at the jagged wall. She tried to hit whoever it was with her powers, but apparently missed, since another kick pushed the air out of her lungs and made her quietly whimper on the ground, unable to defend herself.

"That's better, Terra. Let's be civilized. There is no need for violence between us." She heard, and opened her eyes, seeing Slade, now no longer limping or scared, standing in front of her. Large, armored man blocked the flickering light behind him, like some kind of demon, and Terra felt a wave of fear wash over her. He was so close, if she moved to attack, he would just kick her again.

To her surprise, he turned around, giving her a perfect shot at his back. "Of course, this may just be a waste of time…" He didn't manage to finish before Terra sprang into action, tearing parts of the wall and throwing at him.

Or at least she tried to. Slade turned around with amazing speed, grabbed her arm and forced it to the side, making her entire attack miss. "Or not. It seems you may be barely enough."

He forced her arm against the rock wall and squeezed painfully, causing her to cry out in pain. She tried to use her other arm to fight back, but it was quickly pushed into the wall as well. Slade was now standing in front of her, as the tunnel shook from her uncontrolled powers, holding her tight and looking at her so close his face was all she could focus on. Emotionless mask, covering equally emotionless eye; it felt like this wasn't even a fight for him, but something mundane, boring almost. It shook her to see someone so uncaring and cold. There was something else in his eye, but she could not recognize it; whatever it was, it made her shiver ad much as the uncaring coldness around it.

"Better. Now, Terra, here is what will happen. I will let you go, and you, knowing that using your powers will make me angry, won't try to fight me." True to his word, he let go, and Terra, not even trying to get up, just stayed on the ground, holding her arms in pain. "Good. Very good. You are a quick learner, it seems. You will go far with me."

"I will never join you! Titans already told me everything about you. You are a manipulator, a monster! You killed Beast Boy!" Terra nearly used her powers again, but one, cold look from Slade made her stop.

"Very good, Terra. You need to learn when not to use your powers." He praised her in the slightly sweet voice, not much different from emotionless tone he had moments before. "And to answer you, of course you will. After all, you attacked him, not me. And, more importantly, I can make you control your powers."

Terra look at him with incredulous look, shock from his absurd claim overpowering even fear and pain she felt. "What? How?!"

"You control them now, don't you?" He pointed out, with a slightest tone of amusement in his voice. She looked around, and was surprised to see that at some moment her powers stopped ravaging the tunnel. "I will make you control your powers. I have… experience, working with teenagers. As you can see, my methods are very effective."

"Effective?! You nearly broke my arm!"

"Control yourself, Terra." His voice was cold, cold as a wave of fear that passed over hear. The yellow aura, surround the rocks around them, disappeared as she regained control over her powers. "Very good. You will do your best to keep your powers down until I leave." It definitely wasn't a question.

"You, you lie and manipulate." Terra said weakly, fighting her powers to keep them down.

"And Titans do not? You lie to yourself if you think they don't. I know Robin well. He already knows what you're hiding, and the rest knows as well. They just hide it from you, Terra. Say what you want about me, but I will never lie to you. You will see it with your own eyes, soon." Slade took few slow steps past her, and disappeared deeper into the mine.

Terra was panting and shaking, tears pooling in her eyes. She was in pain, scared, and now her old worries about Titans came back to her. As she fought them, she heard Slade speaking for the last time, from somewhere far away.

"Oh, and Terra? I am gone now, for now, so feel free to lose control over your power."

"You can't tell me what to do!" She screamed into the mine, her voice breaking up at the end. Emotions flew out from her, and she could feel her power breaking out of her control. Just as Slade said. She hated him for doing this; she hated herself, for losing control when he told her to. She fell into a loop of self-loathing, and her powers exploded, creating a tornado of rocks, wrecking the tunnel completely.

She didn't know how long it lasted. She was trapped inside her mind, feeling nothing but pain. She hated herself, feared herself, she hated Slade, feared Slade. Everything else was gone. She was gone.

"Terra? Terra!"

And now, she heard Beast Boy. Was she dying? Was he calling her from afterlife? How will she explain to him that she killed him?

"Terra, please, snap out of – ouch! Snap out of it! It's me, Beast Boy, please, snap out!"

This… did not sound like afterlife. She forced her eyes open – when did she close them? – only to see herself flying. She was floating inside a tornado of rocks and dirt, destruction all around her.

And with her, in the tornado, holding her leg and trying to reach her, was Beast Boy. His uniform was ruined, and she could see he was seriously bruised, but alive.

She felt the relief wash over her. Exhausted, she fell down, green Titan catching her and managing to avoid various falling rocks. "Terra, Terra! Please, stay with me! Don't leave me!" Beast Boy pleaded, hugging her.

She slowly and hesitantly put her arms around him, and felt herself crying as well. They still hugged and cried in the dark tunnel when the other Titans found them moments later, Cyborg using his mounted flashlight to light the darkness around them.

They stopped, unsure what to do, and finally just sat down and waited. Robin kept his poker face, but it was obvious to the other Titans that he was just masking the intense pain. In fact, his body was growing more red and purple then healthy from all the rocks hitting him in the past minutes, but as usual, he wasn't going to show any weakness.

Raven started meditating, a large scratch visible on her normally perfect face. The torrent of emotions she could feel from Terra earlier, and now from everyone, was too much for her comfort. Especially combined with the stinging and burning feeling of the wounds on her back and head.

Cyborg and Starfire weren't wounded, but they were worried about the other members of the team. Everyone was hurt, fortunately no one severely at least. Cyborg was already preparing himself for the next few hours of taking care of the wounded Titans in the medical room, while Starfire was keeping guard, straining her ears and making sure nothing dangerous remains.

Finally, after few minutes, Beast Boy and Terra finally separated. They still held each other's hands, but were now aware of other Titan's presence. Normally, they would be very conscious of the looks they were getting, but now they were just focused on each other.

"I'm, I'm so sorry." Terra said, still in tears. "I almost killed you, Beast Boy!"

"But you didn't. Besides, I'm not so easy to kill." Beast Boy half-joked, half-boasted, and saw Terra smile slightly. Bingo.

"Yeah, you can't get rid of the green stain here so easy. He grows on you… like green mold." Cyborg joked, causing Beast Boy to sputter and turn around, looking at him angrily. Seeing this, Terra managed a slight, but authentic smile. It reminded her that she had home here, among the Titans. The nightmare of Slade was finally over.

"Alright, everyone, I think it's time to get home. Whatever Slade wanted here, he didn't get it and that's important." Robin saw everyone relax, and made a cocky smile. "And you know, this whole place inspired me to get some new raining equipment. We could use a good eight hours of supplementary underground training combat when we're back."

Everyone, even Terra, groaned. "Why did we make you team leader again?" Beast Boy asked, feeling the pain from the fight finally catch up to him. He was very happy he could dig as fast as he could, otherwise he would be crushed back there, but it didn't stop him from a lot of pain before the other Titans helped him get out.

"Hey, want me as team leader? I will get us less training and extra budget for video games if you do." Terra joked, feeling her pain leaving her. That was perfect.

"First you need to become a full Titan before you try to run for a leader." Robin answered with a smile, unhooking a backup communicator from his belt. "Speaking of which, here. You deserve it. We just need to do some paperwork and training, and you will be an official Titan."

Terra slowly took the yellow communicator in her hand, not believing her own eyes. She endangered Beast Boy, and all of them, and even after that, they still wanted her to be part of the team?

In the background, Beast Boy congratulated her, Cyborg did his signature "Booyah! Atta girl!", and the only reason Starfire wasn't crushing her in a hug was Tamaranian being mindful of her injuries. But she hugged her regardless, just carefully.

Robin continued: "And we can help you get better control over your powers. You seem to mostly have a hang of it, and it won't be hard to help you get total control over them. We may even ask the League for help, if you want, I'm sure they would be happy to help."

The atmosphere suddenly grew tense. Terra slipped out of Starfire's hug – barely succeeding – and looked at Robin with shock. "What?"

Beast Boy immediately realized what happened. "Terra, wait! That's not what you think it is, I didn't tell him! He just figured it out, he's Robin after all. Terra?"

"Didn't tell me what?" Robin was confused. What was supposed to be a secret?

Terra felt numb. He… Slade… was right. Titans knew. They lied to her. Beast Boy must have told them. She could her them suddenly start saying something, try to explain, but she could only hear her blood rushing in her veins.

They lied to her.

'Say what you want about me, but I will never lie to you. You will see it with your own eyes, soon.' That's what Slade said, and told her they were lying to her. And he was right, she was foolish to trust them.

She jumped, and flew through the rock above. She didn't want to hear what they say. She felt anger, disappointment, fear. Her powers were again getting out of control. She had to run, run as far as she could, away from the city, Titans, Slade. Away from it all.

In the now completely buried tunnel, Beast Boy cried in the darkness.

They returned to T-car in silence. They were all tired, some of the bruised and wounded, but mostly crushed by sadness. Even Starfire was walking next to them instead of flying, trying t to understand what happened. Friend Terra looked so happy, everything was good, why did this happen?

Robin cleared his throat. "Beast Boy, I'm…"

"If you're trying to say you're sorry, save it." Beast Boy answered rudely, only to stop and take a deep breath. And another. "It… wasn't your fault. Terra was too scared to stop and listen. I… I really want to be angry at you, but I know you couldn't have known. And, if she just waited for a moment longer…" He stopped. There was nothing else to add.

Robin got on his bike, and drove to the Tower alongside the T-car with everyone else. No one else said anything.

They arrived to the Tower without problems, Robin contacting city on his way and summarizing situation. He promised to deliver more detailed report tomorrow, for now only saying that parts of mine collapsed, but were clear from robots and the bomb. Analytical part of him started calculating if costs of repairs are so high that it would be more efficient to just close it - and the answer was 'probably yes' - but most of his attention was focused on the situation with Terra minutes ago.

He couldn't have known that what he said would cause such an extreme reaction. It didn't stop him from feeling horrible, and analyzing his actions endlessly, looking for anything he could have done better. He could, in fact. He could have asked Beast Boy for information on Terra; he knew they were closer to each other than other Titans were. He could keep his guesses on Terra and her control issues to himself. And many other moments that he could see in hindsight. In fact, what failed him was his newfound respect for his teammates' privacy, and his openness with them.

Was it wrong? Was his old way better? But that lead him to becoming Slade' apprentice, an even before that to hurting his friends.
Why was this so complicated? He was a prodigy, Robin, the Boy Wonder himself. Why did he keep making those mistakes?

In the meantime, Raven was focusing on herself more than others. Last days were just tiring, and now, her Sadness was overflowing the Nevermore. She knew she would need long meditation sessions to balance her emotions, otherwise Nevermore will be just flooded with tears.
Which is not to say she did not feel bad for her friends. The opposite was true; she felt sorry for Terra. She remembered her pain, her fear. Things so well known to her. Feeling of being a curse, a 'problem'. Fear of losing control over her powers. Shock over finding acceptance. She knew this all so well. Some small part of her wondered, could this be her? Could Raven have ended up on the run, hunted, without control over her powers in a different circumstances?
And Beast Boy felt miserable. She had no idea how to help him, or anyone else.

Cyborg was also hurt inside, but managed his pain best of all Titans. Which doesn't mean he didn't feel it at all; merely that he knew he would be able to work through it. It hurt, now, seeing Terra and all his friends hurt, but he knew everyone would get through. He would do his best to help.
And he hoped he would see Terra again.

Beast Boy left the T-car when they reach the underground hangar, and went to the elevator without a word. He walked through the atrium, and slowly made his way to the rocky beach, passing through abandoned, half-destroyed outdoor training course.

He sat on the same rock he sat on before. It was now mostly submerged in water, but he didn't care. He slowly took a stone from the shore, looked at it, and threw it into the ocean.

It hit the water. Skip.

Beast Boy remembered meeting Terra. On the run, exhausted, but still far from damsel in distress, ready to fight to her last. Crushing that huge mutated scorpion with the last of his strength.

Skip.

Terra waking up, fangirling over the Titans. Spending time with them all.

Skip.

Their talk, in the very same place he was now alone. Skipping stones. Talking.

The rock hit the water for the last time, and sunk. Moments later, not even a trace remained; only small waves, swallowed by the uncaring ocean.

Terra panted and stopped, trying to level her breathing. She was now reasonably far from Jump City, from Titans. They could call League on her, but she had a lot of experience in hiding. And her powers allowed her to move literally without any trace. She was safe.

"Very good, Tera. It seems you know how to hide."

She screamed in fright, jumping around. Few rocks started levitating, only for a muscular, armored hand to catch her arm and twist it. "Remember what I told you, Terra? No powers in my presence without my permission."

A wave of fear passed over her, and her powers started getting out of control. But the moment the earth shook, she heard a loud crack and a scream. Only moment later she realized it was her own scream.

"Focus, Terra. Don't lose control, or you will lose more than just a finger."

The cold voice was still the same. Like he was on a walk, not breaking her fingers. Terra shook, with tears flowing freely, as she fought the pain of broken finger to push her powers down. Fear forced them down, and ground stopped shaking.

"Good, Terra. Very good. See? I told you I can make you control your powers, and I will. I never lie, Terra." He let go of her arm, and looked at her with his single eye. "What I am going to do to you will hurt me more then it will hurt you, trust me. But when I'm done with you, you will never lose control again. Do you understand, Terra?"

She swallowed, feeling nauseous – from fear or effort to control her powers, she wasn't sure. But she slowly nodded, not trusting her voice.

"Again, very good, Terra. I told you before you're gonna go far, haven't I?" He stood closer, forcing her to look up to see his metal mask.

"And you will… my apprentice."