Titans: Elemental

Chapter 8: Rose

Moments after the last chapter….

The Titans were all standing in the hallway as they looked at Rose. She was sitting on the couch, playing with Percy as he swatted at her locks of white hair that still covered the left side of her face in a scraggly mess. A plate of cookies sat on the table. Well, half a plate now.

Even if she was the same age as our heroes, she was still starving. Rose had not eaten in days, and the cookies really hit the spot.

Vic said, "dang, the way she acts, it's like she's never had these quiet moments before?"

Jack asked, "what're we gonna do about her?"

Dick said, "she may be our only lead on who Slade is, and what he might be planning."

Vic said, "she obviously wants to find him as much as we do."

Jack said, "don't forget, she's his daughter, so there must be some reason why she's against him."

Blackfire said, "she might be able to help us."

Dick asked, "but can we trust her?"

Jack said, "I feel like we should let her explain herself first."

Starfire said, "I agree with Jack."

Raven said, "so do I."

Dick said, "alright then, let's see what she has to say."

The others all walked in as Rose turned to look at all of them. Dick, Vic and BB sat on the couch. Raven stood with Jack.

Starfire and Blackfire sat on a nearby footrest for the couch they got.

Dick said, "now, Rose?"

Rose nodded.

Dick asked, "what exactly can you tell us about your father?"

Rose explained, "not much as of where he is. I haven't seen him in years. I know a lot about his past though. I guess, I can take you to the beginning."

BB asked, "that being?"

Rose said, "… it's a long story."

….

"A long time ago, my father was signed up for some sort of super soldier experiment. Some say it failed, others say it was a success. Regardless, he became one of the most skilled assassins in the world. Slade Wilson, code-names; DeathStroke, the Terminator, Slade, Blade, Mr. Wilson, and many others."

We see Slade, still shrouded mostly in shadow as he slices up various robotic drones sent at him, showing his incredible skill with a blade.

"Less than twenty years ago, I was born. A few years later, my brother Jericho was born."

We see Slade standing in front of an old mansion with his children.

"When you're a little kid, you never really question what your parents do. Seeing dad strangle a man seemed like an average evening."

Rose holds her teddy bear as she watches her father beating a man to a pulp.

….

The others were horrified by what Rose said.

Rose said, "we weren't a normal family. While our butler, WinterGreen, would watch us and homeschool us, my father would be out there taking lives and causing chaos…"

….

"… Growing up, I wanted to be just like my father. I was a naive girl who thought her father was amazing. That he would love me more if I were just like him. So I kept training, and training, and training."

We see Rose growing older and older as she becomes more skilled with the weapons her father used. Staff, swords, even guns.

"But even after all of my skill, dad still wouldn't show me any form of compassion or pride. I was a broken kid. And I thought, 'I have to be just. Like. Daddy.'"

Rose grabs a shard of glass and moves to plunge it into her eye!

….

Rose moves the hair from her face, showing that her left eye was covered by an eye patch, shocking the Titans.

Rose said, "after I did this, he held no reaction to it, treating it like it was a simple paper cut on a thumb. To me, it was like a slap to the face. My father was an evil man who only wanted to hurt people. I realized I shouldn't be anything like him. And I didn't want to be like him anymore. Who doesn't even show a reaction to their child slicing her eye out with a shard of broken glass!?"

Rose took a breath before continuing.

….

"I ran away with Jericho, or Joey, as I call him. When I learned that Joey had powers, a telepathy of some kind, I knew I couldn't leave him with dad. Especially with how he became a mute, and only I could understand what he would say in his own sign language he created. When Joey first showed his powers, being able to possess people, dad focused his attention on him. Wanting to turn him into a weapon. I couldn't let that happen."

We see Rose and a toddler, her brother, rushing onto a bus, paying the driver to head towards a certain destination.

"We ran away. We found a place to stay in the country. An old friend of dad's that left the merc lifestyle. He took us in, knowing the kind of monster our father was. We've been living with him for years now. We tended the land, farmed and raised livestock. A peaceful life out in the country. But when we heard that dad was in Jump City somewhere, it sparked something in me. I knew I had to help stop any of his evil plans…."

….

Rose said, "… and that brings us here. I wanna help you guys stop my father, and whatever he has planned."

Starfire asked, "you wish to join the Titans?"

Rose nodded.

Blackfire asked, "you understand we don't kill people?"

Rose nodded.

BB said, "if we ever find your father, we bring him in alive."

Rose nodded.

Vic said, "let's put it to a vote."

The others nodded.

Vic said, "all for Rose joining?"

Everyone actually raised their hands!

Vic said, "the vote is unanimous. Rose stays and helps us track down her father."

Starfire cheered, dashed over and hugged Rose, who was a little shocked by the sudden act.

Blackfire stood and said, "I don't entirely trust you…. But I'm sure you'll prove me wrong."

Rose chuckled at the words.

Dick said, "if you're gonna be a part of this team, we need to see your skills."

Rose said, "oh, okay. Where can I do that?"

Dick said, "the training room."

….

Later, we see the team gathered together off to the side as Rose stood in the middle of the training room.

Dick said, "now, we'll be putting you on the lowest setting to start off."

Ross nodded as Dick pressed a few buttons. Emerging from the ground were several training bots.

Dick tossed one of his staffs to Rose who said, "I'm usually used to handling a sword."

Dick said, "then this will be some good training, trying to use a new weapon. Now, go!"

The training bots all dashed at Rose, and she quickly jumped into the air, tossing her jacket off and revealing her armor underneath. It was a silver color with dark blue padding on top. Rose quickly pulled on a mask that covered the top part of her face, one half being orange and the other half black.

One of the bots ran at her, and she quickly side-stepped and hit it in the head as hard as she could with her sword, slicing the head as she spun around to avoid the strike of another bot. Rose jumped up and delivered a bycicle kick to the bot, managing to loosen its head away and sending it to the ground.

Jack muttered, "impressive."

Rose spun her sword as fast as she could as two more bots approached. She jumped out of the way, making them collide with one another as she spun the sword and stabbed another bot right through the chest.

Rose ran at the last bot, but this one tried to dodge her strikes left and right, but Rose was faster, and quickly spun so fast that you swore smoke was coming from her feet before tossing the sword at the bot, stabbing it in the chest, making it fall down.

Rose stood among the bots.

Everyone was wide-eyed at the skill she showed before they all started cheering!

BB exclaimed, "dude, that was awesome!"

Vic exclaimed, "major butt-kicking!"

Starfire exclaimed, "glorious!"

Blackfire said, "very impressive."

Raven said, "you didn't even get hit. Nice job."

Jack exclaimed, "a great job is more like it!"

Dick approached with a communicator.

Dick said, "congratulations Rose. Welcome to the Titans."

The others clapped as Rose smiled and took the communicator, and then hugged Dick, who was shocked at first, but then hugged back.

Starfire said, "now, what is the first thing you would like to do to celebrate, friend?"

Rose plainly said, "… A shower."

Everyone was confused for a second.

Rose clarified, "I haven't had one since I left the country."

That's when everyone caught a whiff of the air, and cringed at the smell.

Jack said, "uh, Blackfire, how about you show Rose the bathroom?"

Blackfire nodded and took Rose's hand and said, "c'mon."

The two went off and went down to the next floor. When they went in, they opened a door to reveal a rather large bathroom.

Blackfire said, "feel free to use my soap. Whichever product belongs to someone is labeled with their name, so just use the ones labeled Blackfire."

Rose nodded, "thanks."

Blackfire said, "we'll leave out some extra clothes for you to wear. Tomorrow, we'll take you shopping for some new ones."

Rose smiled, hugged Blackfire and said, "thank you."

Blackfire was a little startled at first, but quickly pushed it aside and hugged back.

Rose had no friends growing up, so it was understandable that she would show affection to the first people to treat her with such kindness.

When the hug ended, Rose went into the bathhouse, and Blackfire made her way onto the elevator to get some extra clothes for Rose.

Rose began filling the tub with warm water, and getting the soap she needed.

Rose gets ready to drop the towel….

….

Dick activates the communicator with the others watching.

A few moments later, Batman is on screen.

Batman said, "Nightwing, good to see you again."

Dick said, "I wish it were under better circumstances. What can you tell me about a man named Slade?"

Batman asked, "Slade? I haven't heard from him in years."

Starfire asked, "can you please explain?"

Batman nodded and said, "during my first two years as Batman, one night, the Joker, disguised as Black Mask, put a bounty on my head. Several assassin's came to Gotham for my head. And one of them was Slade Wilson. After that night we fought, and I put him away, he escaped, and I haven't heard a word about him since."

Vic said, "well, he's somewhere in Jump, and we've recently had a visitor."

Batman asked, "who?"

Raven explained, "Slade has a daughter. Rose. She's recently joined our team in hopes of finding and stopping her father's plans."

Batman asked, "can she be trusted?"

Jack said, "if she couldn't, I don't think any of us would be talking."

Batman nodded and said, "I'll find everything I can on Slade. Let me know if any of his plans affect Gotham or one of the other major cities like Metropolis."

Dick said, "right. Talk to you later Batman."

Batman said, "right. Goodbye."

And with that, the call ended, leaving the Titans to wonder about their next move regarding Slade.

….

About thirty minutes later, Rose finished her bath, feeling as clean as ever, her hair now untangled and clean as can be. Her hair was actually more white, being the color of freshly fallen snow. She wore a towel around her waist to cover herself up as she opened the door, seeing a black shirt and pants for her to wear until she got more clothes.

….

The others were all sitting together in their civilian clothes on the couch when they heard the door open. They saw Rose walk in with her black clothes on.

Rose said, "thanks for the clothes."

Dick said, "no problem. Now, since you've introduced yourself, how about we introduce ourselves?"

Rose said, "that'd be nice, knowing the names of my teammates."

Dick stood up and said, "Dick Grayson, Nightwing."

Starfire said, "I am Starfire."

Blackfire said, "Blackfire, her sister."

Vic said, "Victor Stone, aka; Cyborg."

BB said, "the name's Beast Boy."

Jack said, "Jack Benzo. My hero name is Zivel."

Raven said, "Rachael Roth, but I prefer Raven."

Rose saw Percy crawl up to her, and she picked them up.

Jack said, "and that little scamp is Percy."

Rose chuckled as she petted the kitten.

Jack said, "now, you'll need a hero name, right?"

Rose nodded and tried to think of one.

And then it popped into her head.

Rose said, "Ravager."

Jack asked, "Ravager?"

Rose shrugged and said, "why not? Criminals might find it scary."

Vic said, "neat idea. Well, welcome to the team, Ravager."

Rose smiled.

Dick said, "I'm getting tired. What say we all turn in?"

The others nodded as they got ready for bed.

Raven said, "I'll show Rose to her room."

The others nodded as they walked off.

Raven turned to Rose and said, "follow me."

Rose nodded, and the two walked off.

….

We see Raven leading Rose to her new room.

Raven said, "and this is your room. Try not to make it too messy."

Rose said, "thanks."

Raven said, "… I don't entirely trust you…. But I know what you're going through."

Rose looked confused.

Raven said, "my father…. He is pure evil. My mom and her people kept me away from him all my life. I'd give anything not to have him as a father."

Rose could see the similarities between them.

Raven said, "and, when I came here, I had no-one. Until…. I met my friends. My family. Please…. Don't do anything to hurt my family."

Rose said, "Raven, I promise you, I will never hurt this team if I can help

it."

Raven nodded and said, "have a good night."

Rose said, "thanks. You too."

Rose entered her room as Raven walked away.

It was a gray room with blue carpeting.

As Rose sat on her bed, she felt something she hadn't in a long time... Hope.

Hope that her new friends will be able to get her through all of this.

And this hope is what helped her get to sleep that night.

….

The next morning, Rose awoke and made her way to the main room of the tower.

When she entered, she saw each of the Titans doing something.

Jack and Dick were working on breakfast, Raven was reading a book, Blackfire and Starfire were listening to some music and BB and Vic played a fighting game. Percy crawled up to her, and she picked up the little kitten.

As she stared at her new team, she felt like she was a part of a family.

Something she had not felt in a long time...

….

Reviews:

Canadude2029: thanks. Indeed, a lot happened in this chapter.

SuperSentai199: thanks. Glad you liked the chapter.

….

And thus, Rose joins the Titans as; Ravager!