Disclaimer: By this means, I rightfully claim ownership to this fanfiction story and my original character within it, by my trademark signature T.M.O at the conclusion of every update. Any other characters that may appear in this work and are new, these are the rightful properties by their creators as well and cannot be reproduced or duplicated without their individual consent. I do not own anything within the DC Universe, from Warner Brothers or on Cartoon Network. The only original character and the name that I created for him; that I accept half ownership on is Falcon from this telling. Scififanfreak222 owns the second half of him as well, for drawing him upon a collaboration of various new designs and sketches within the year of 2010; and cannot be knowingly placed into another literary document, writing community, comicbook series, and or televised broadcast without either of our written or verbal consent in front of legal consultants. TheForceIsStrongWithThisOne, Scififanfreak222, xSaffire55x, Novus Ordo Seclorum, and RavenxIsxAxBlackxRose; each of these fellow writers have helped me to press onwards with this story, everytime I have come across writers block. Without their outstanding guidance, the updates would have taken me even longer to complete.
Chapter 2 is in! Upon the verge of many things, our heroes do not expect to feel resentment towards the new kid. However, casualties from long ago resonate, and new boundries are quickly created. "The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it." –Dale Carnegie-
Chapter 2 - Fallacy
The group of teenagers came closer to their base, as they walked by the edge of the shore. The luster from the numerous windows placed across the building was truly mesmerizing to behold, and for the entire journey, Falcon could not part his eyes away from the amazing structure. As they began to approach the entrance, Cyborg diligently explained the rebuilding process as an architectural marvel, one that was intended to become a masterpiece of what he was able to create with his own hands.
Originally, the structure in the middle of that little island fell from orbit. Now, it was the team's main residence, which was a rather impressive accomplishment, but the tower was not the only thing Falcon was marveling at.
As they continued up the road, the necromancer was unsure as to why these people were being so kind; he had only joined during the fight, because he felt required in doing so. Plus, a little showboating made him feel human to a degree, in wanting others to notice his handywork.
Beast Boy passed a few jokes to Cyborg, where Falcon switched his focus onto Raven. From her gentle hair and goddess like figure, or her deep amethyst eyes and light gray color of her fair skin, he did not fully know what was pulling him towards her. At one point their elbows touched, but only for a brief moment and he was quick to pull away, yet a piece of him appreciated the contact.
A tingling feeling tickled his spine, where the little hairs on the back of his neck twitched, and a bead of sweat rolled down his brow. He tried to focus on the features of her face, of her nose and lips, yet she turned to look back at him where he immediately cowered and looked in the opposite direction, hoping that she would be unable to observe the emotions nearly pouring out of him.
Little did he know that Raven was able sense the conflicts all around her, and she could read them like one of her many books, through the vibes they subconsciously emitted. It was not to spy intentionally, but she would become curious and dwell over them. She was not forceably using her powers either, the Empath could sense when something is unusual or a powerful moment brews deep within oneself, for her mind managed to pick upon the feelings almost like bowl collecting water, as it seeps from a leaky faucet.
However, something was very unusual about their new friend, rare even. She could see it in his eyes, but the sorceress was unable to sense what he was feeling, it was almost like he was blocking his very emotions. It was as though he did not want to embrace his own thinking but his body was sending little vibes, and there was a mounting conflict raging inside of him. Part of him was trying to breach the surface, and his other half just wanted to keep it down.
Besides picking up a growing hatred at himself, she also honed upon his heart racing a little faster as his their elbows touched, where the side he held down was able to overturn his restraint, but then it faded. As his head turned away when she looked over to him, her mind began to wonder what he was thinking.
Is he attracted to me? Raven thought.
The enchantress did not want to use her powers to delve deeper into the mind, without his permission. It would breach their newfound trust. Maybe over time he would tell her what was going on in that masculine head of his? Raven's eyes were fixated on his dashing chin, his strapping arms and his muscular abs pressed against his shirt.
Am I attracked to him? She mused to herself, as her heart raced a little bit faster.
Falcon could sense something, although he did not retain the same ability she had, he did notice a bit of hope from the way she removed herself and stayed behind. His legs moved quickly, and he decided to drop the issue before it would make him grow sick. Just by thinking about a relationship with a pretty girl like her, it carried many benefits, but also a great many problems. He did not come to Jump City looking for that sort of bond; he was on a quest for revenge.
The lone wolf was finding it hard to breathe, as a tiny portion of him wished that he could do more, that he could have something many took for granted. He desired to form a connection beyond the physical attraction, outside of kissing and romance that drew people together, but more often it ended in heartache. He wanted to feel a stronger purpose, and that was a luxury that few couples have ever found.
Even if they did grow closer, if he somehow managed to win her heart and they happened to fall madly in love, how could he possibly tell her about his past, of the things that happened to him as a child? How would she be able to keep a grasp on that bond, with such a tragic and scar eyed freak? Most girls in that kind of relationship would leave to find someone less deplorable and more interested in their futures together, instead of thinking about the past.
Everything that brought Falcon to this point in time was because he focused so much energy and effort on his previous life, of the world he missed but could never return to. This incongruous effect of their relationship would be doomed from the very beginning, and he began to doubt his other traits that made him a dashing young man.
Regardless of the questions he brought to his own attention, the subconscious part of him knew that there was something that could possibly work. It was faint, a slight moment of joy in his normally bleak outlook on his world.
As the newcomer and Raven continued to spread farther from one another, Starfire stepped between them and placed her arms around both of their necks, thus brining them back in elbow distance.
"Well new friend, what do you think?"
Looking at her green eyes, Falcon became discomforted in being too close to the Empath.
"Uhhh … of what?" Falcon asked.
"What do you think of Titans Tower?" Starfire released a brief giggle. "Why, what do you think I meant?"
Growing concerned that some of his dividers were knocked over by the other beautiful girl, he stammered for a moment trying to think of what to say next.
"It looks great." Falcon stared at the ground. "I just zoned out for a minute, that's all."
Cyborg and Beast Boy were taking notice of this confab, where the changeling watched the Empath's head turn away from Falcon but for a split second, it appeared that her cheeks blushed.
"Not to worry friend Falcon, it is a rather wholsome place." Starfire begins to speak back up, to start a new conversation. "There have been many good memories that I have had here, to make my new home."
Falcon stopped in his tracks as the princess removed her hand off his shoulder; the others observed that he was falling behind and they turned to face him.
"Why do you keep calling me that?" Falcon deadpanned as he looked at her with a frown.
"I am not sure that I understand." Starfire spoke while looking to him with a confused and heartfelt glance. "From what I have learned about the definition of friend, it means a good thing; of one to be happy in the company of others."
Falcon remaind very quiet; he never intended to hurt the kind girl's feelings.
"What you speak is in fact the true meaning." The necromancer sighed; "It's just that I haven't been called that in a very long time."
Raven becomes the most curious as to his past from the others, of his origins and the emotions he had began crashing against hers. This made her deduce that something was being withheld from the group, and it did not feel good.
Robin walked over and crossed his arms before speaking.
"I know that it can be kind of hard, to ajust to a new city and all. When I came here from Gotham, I found it strange to be on my own, but I was fortunate to meet these guys."
As the seventeen year old stared into the leader's black outlined eye mask, he became fearful in not being able to see his full identity. Falcon had shown his entire face with the nasty scar, and he bagan to reconcider if putting his crimson cowl down was a good idea.
The newcomer broke away from the Boy Wonder's gaze, and turned to his own shadow.
"I'm beginning to think that maybe, this isn't such a good idea." Falcon raised his right hand to explain his actions. "You see, the thing is if I stay around with you guys too long, then you'll turn on me."
Raven's heart nearly jumped to her throat. Why? Why is he leaving when we have only just met and now he feels uncomfortable, why is he being so distant?
Her mind wanders as she desperatly tried to think of a way to keep him from abandoning them. As she did this, she began to question her own instincts.
"Now listen here." Cyborg's booming voice catches the others off guard. "I don't know who you are, or what your full business in Jump City is, but you're here for some reason. Something you can't fully explain, you may have doubts of yourself but what I've seen you do, well … we could use someone of your skills and class."
Falcon could hardly believe what he just heard, his eyes perked wide and it seemed that these teenagers were intent on keeping him as a friend. They generally wished to aid him when they could have let him walk away, and now they were standing together.
Of all the other people he had been around, they inevitably shunned and branded him as an outsider. This left him to deal with his own problems, where ditching him in his hour of need made him grow a tough outer shell when someone would try to bridge that gap.
"Don't feel so glum dude." said Beast Boy; "You don't have to be so open with us, take your time if you need."
Raven turned to Beast Boy and thought; Did I just hear what I think he said?
"It is okay." replied Starfire; "Some things are not required to be unveiled at first meetings. You can tell us of your past at your own convenience, when you feel that you are ready."
"I am …deeply humbled by your generosity." Falcon said at last. "But are you always like this to anyone whom just saved your hides from being destroyed?"
A look of shock hit Robin, he had been teased before but this was very different.
"What?" The heroic leader chuckled. "You did not save our butts in that street brawl."
"It's just when I arrived on the scene, you guys weren't doing so well agaisnt the villainous trio." Falcon grinned.
Beast Boy released a smug expression to the team mechanic.
"Let me get this straight." Beast Boy cut-in. "You think that it was you, who beat up those guys?"
Falcon shrugged his shoulders before answering back.
"Well I did tie up Dr. Light, and as you had your fun with Mumbo; I brought down the last one by destroying his cane. So by my count that's my two to your guy's one, right?"
Robin was getting deeply annoyed, and the bright red look could be seen fuming upon his cheeks. He knew that the newcomer was right; it was just that he did not want to admit it. Then without any warning, they all heard a quick gasp of laughter escaping from Falcon, and in that moment they each understood that he was not trying to be rude about the topic, he simply wanted to get them off his back. He recognized his poor mood was dragging them down to his level, to feel sorry for him and he never fancied that feeling, of being pitied upon.
"Alright, alright, I can see that I'm starting to get on your nerves. Why not take me inside so we can get a move on already?" Falcon asked and Starfire's eyes lit back up with enthusiasm, happy to know that the peculiar moment has passed.
"Would it be alright if I were to still call you, my friend?"
After the alien asked this, she placed a hand onto his shoulder. His eyes moved down, and then turned to the others watching him.
"I don't see why not."
Starfire joyously yelled out, as she raced over and hugged him, only this time she remembers not to embrace him in one of her home planet hugs, but the type from earth more beffiting as to not crush him like a compact dumpster at the scrap yard.
As Falcon stood with his arms held up like he was a bank teller that was being robbed, he was not sure on how to pry the compassionate goddess off of him. He noticed that the girl's eyes were closed and she has a smile breaming. He turned his attention to Raven, as she expressed a curious look as to how he would return the affection.
"Thanks, I guess." Falcon replied while bringing some distance between them, reaching for her shoulders as a point of leverage to peel her away gently.
"You are most welcomed." Starfire replies, still with the same emotion on her face going from ear to ear.
"I don't mean to be pushy in your hallmark moment." The changeling spoke up, rubbing his left elbow. "But if you guys haven't noticed, I'm half naked here!"
The assembly of teenagers unleashed their held in laughter at the same moment, all except for the prankster where he shook his head. The pressure on the new kid was finally lifting.
"Come'on." Cyborg said as he used his thumb to direct the heroes, like a hitchhiker would to capture a driver's attention on the highway. "If you think the tower looks cool on the outside; just wait till we get inside."
Falcon had always wondered what Titans Tower was like when he first entered the city, and he speculated what the heroes who lived inside the building were like themselves. The answers that he recieved were of an amiable bunch of caring friends, they were a group of teenagers who stuck together through the good and the bad, and they had good charisma. On a side note, the necromancer noted that when the moment presented itself, the heroes would share in with plenty of laughter.
As they finally walked beyond the main doors, Falcon began to ponder if the first impression he made was too harsh, but he had to keep a distance. It was too soon that he had tumbled into the lives of others, too soon for him to accept the trust of another human being, or a unit of superheroes for that matter.
His mental thoughts were interrupted as they come before a large desk that was in front the entrance. Some chairs are spoted nearby along with a couch, as magazines were scattared upon the wood. They were mostly used to keep the people who had important issues, like the mayor or a senator waiting in a lobby.
"This reminds me of the doctor's office, is that what this is … rented space?" The necromancer spoke while studying the furnishings.
"Naw, this is just for show. More of an opening to any that come by, where it lets em feel comfortable until we bring em upstairs." Cyborg interjected near the elevator.
The group moves inside and a familure; "Ding" from the lift doors being closed brings in a sense that the tower is just like any other high structure. After a relatively short ride to the floor labled C.M; they walk out and the six teenagers feast their eyes on the long couch, stationed in the center of the spacious Common Room. Falcon turns his head and recognizes that the elevator was planted in the middle of two others, while a wide door behind the small kitchen leads to the team's bedchambers.
He scans his surroundings and the sight of dishes piled in the sink, this brings the thought that they were kids like he was, where chores had to be completed but when your fighting crime most of the day, the little things such as washing the silverware and folding the laundry tend to be a task meant for the end of the day.
Falcon gazes up at the ceiling near the sofa, as each member of the group parts in their own style.
Cyborg went to the kitchen to make a sub, Starfire followed Robin like she was a lost puppy and he moved behind the jumbo flat-screen, and stood near the window that had a view of the entire city. The newcomer watched as the changeling dashed for his room, while the sliding door hissed shut as he left.
"What's his hurry?" Falcon asked with a small chuckle.
Raven who was standing near him replied;"Well, seeing that he's only wearing tattared pants, I would take it he went to get changed."
"Oh."
Falcon sat in the middle of the blue couch, the comfortable pillows and cozy atmosphere he was in, it made him unwind from any troubling issues.
"So new guy, did ya want somthin to eat?" Cyborg asked as he panned his way through the refridgerator and cubbords, grabbing a long loaf of bread, different meats, spices and toppings.
"Thanks, but I think I can hold off for a while."
The mechanic shrugged his broad upper body, and dumped the materials required to build his ultimate chef-d'oeurve.
"So, this is what the inside looks like." Falcon spoke with a light raspy pitch. "Who wants to give the grand tour?"
Robin gave back a look of intrigue.
"It's just a building." Raven deadpanned with her arms interlocked.
"I did not just hear what I thought you said." Cyborg chimed in. "This is one of the most technologically advanced structures in the world, hell I made it what it is today."
The Empath rolled her eyes; the gearhead could get caried away on his pet projects, where he always liked to prove it.
"Neat." The voice from the stranger was heard.
Falcon tilted his head to the side for a moment, and he grinned before finishing his sentence. "Nice digs, I'm kind of mad at myself for not wanting to come here with you guys sooner."
Starfire hovered by the sofa and looked into his eyes.
"Our home is adiquet to your tastes then?"
Falcon's smirk faded.
"I guess you could say that. Its just after being on the road for so long, constantly moving from one place to another, feeling adrift like a fallen leaf by a creakbed it makes you understand that you don't really care how you got from one place to the next."
Starfire sat next to him as he turned away.
"So, you do not have what we do?"
There seemed to be a double meaning in her words, and all he could do was to raise and drop his shoulders briefly.
"I think the only true home that I've really known, was on the train ride into this city."
Starfire became crestfallen, while the Boy Wonder and demoness were listening steadfastly to the conversation.
"But surely you must have lived in a warm place, one of friends and kin that was not moving but remained for you to return to."
Falcon coiled back inside of his darker self, he was saying too much yet a part of him wished that he could be more understanding to them on why he never had a home, on why he could never go back. Now his rage was getting the better of him, while he thought on everything that was taken away. He was quick to fire back as though an attack had been made.
"How can anyone call a place their home, if they themselves have only been here for a short time?" His brown eye seemed to darken.
What the necromancer did not apprehend, was that Starfire was also adrift. She was alone in the world until the titans became her new family.
As the red head stutters, trying to understand how she crossed an invisible emotinal boundry to switch him back into anger, the memories of her being held agaisnt her consent prior to meeting the others, it caused saddness to creep into her mind. The rest of the gang was now concerned, about him become defensive over a simple question.
"Hey man, what is your deal?" Cyborg jumped in; "She didn't push you or nothin, so why do you have'ta be so uptight and personal about yourself!"
Robin remained silent, and after looking at their captain Falcon's only choice was to support his decision.
"Look, I didn't mean to upset her, but from living on the road by the rules of the road, one has to accept that they must make tough calls in order to survive, to keep moving and to never look back."
"Do you think that you're the only one who has had a past of misfortune?" Raven deadpanned. "For your information, all of us at one point have been adrift, like you say that you have been. We've all had to make those difficult choices."
The newcomer was furious at her; he believed that the Empath would respect his attack and that she would go to his side instead of comforting the girl with the pushy interrogation. After all, it was Starfire who did explain that he could talk about his life, at his own leisure.
Falcon peered at Raven, his eyes scorching with ire.
"You do not know about loss, of nightmares and of angst on the same level as I do." replied Falcon. "How could you know what I have been through? You're a group of friends with a luxurious home to sleep in; you have not had to be on the move, living from one day to another, waiting for something good to come out of so much misery and destruction."
Falcon felt content in saying his part, thinking his choice of words would finally make them all see his side for a change. What he did not expect to witness, was the sorceress looking back at him with pure repugnance.
"You want to talk about pain?" Her monotone is now slightly altered, demonic to a degree. "Try to live your entire life thinking that you are an abomination. That the monster who ruined your life would return, and that the blood of countless innocents would be on your hands!"
Robin, Starfire and Cyborg were frozen in their places with their mouths ajar. Falcon stepped back and could see that there was indeed one who had been more afflicted by terror, than any person should have to bear.
"I…" He was perplexed, his one counter in the debate was to use anger and that had been taken down a level.
"What?" Raven walked closer. "Do you finally see that your incompetence, your stupidness to turn a moment of joy with meeting new people, now has been transformed into one of hate?"
Falcon expells the air in his lungs slowly, out from his nose.
"Raven, I was wrong to think like that. I-I am truly sorry."
The Empath gestured to her sister teammate before speaking.
"I'm not the one that you should be apologyzing to."
The necromancer faced the red head and could see the glistening of tears, streaked across her gentle profile.
"Starfire." He spoke while placing a hand upon her shoulder.
"Yes." She sniffles while meeting his eyes with her own.
"Can you forgive my rude outburst? It was very out of line and… and…"
"Well?" Came the monotone of the Empath, she was taking the role of a big protective sister athough she is a few of months younger than Starfire, and a few inches shorter.
Falcon became agitated; he wanted to make amends for understanding that he had crossed a line. Now his moment of redemption was cut off from Raven, and he glared into her violet eyes. The growing boundry between his rage and deeper feelings acted like a rift, it was the size of the Grand Canyon occuring within his fractured psyche.
While clenching his skull, Raven sensed that maybe she was grilling him a bit much, but he had it coming. To be so full of rage towards a person who has never hurt anyone, to be so oblivious to the fact of not knowing the history of others and expected to be treated on a superior level, these were traits shown by those who look down on others, of those who are real monsters.
Before Raven can continue the scolding, Starfire stands and to the confusion of everybody in the room, she hugs him.
"No." said Starfire; "It was wrong of me to ask such a thoughtless question, after already I have told you to take your time. I must be the one to ask for your forgivness, I am the one who made you upset."
She smiled with glee in hoping that her newfound friend would acknowledge her sometimes impending questions, like a six year old wanting to understand everything there is to know about the world. Falcon was thunderstruck, this was the third time in one day he had been hugged by that same girl, and after every embrace, the wrath deep within his spirit settled a little.
I just yelled at her less than five minutes ago, now she is asking for me to accept her apology? He asked himself with his arms held out.
"Why are you doing this?"
"I do not understand. This is what people from my home of Tamaran call a Glurpa Embrace … or what you may know as a hug."
"It's not the hug that I don't understand. Well, that is part of the reason."
Robin looked down at Falcon as he sat in the sofa. There were moments when Starfire had asked him the most redundant questions imaginable, and there were times her nagging got on his nerves, but he would never snap at her like Falcon had. To see the girl that he adored for so long, to be crushed by sadness it brought him to realize that this fresh face was more of a punk than a friend. It boild his blood to watch as the princess let him off the hook so abruptly.
"The thing is; that I don't know why you are asking for forgiveness?"
Starfire pushed away from his chest slowly, before speaking.
"This is entirely my fault."
Cyborg had finished making his sandwich, and with each bite into the juicy meat and soft bread, he could not take his eyes adrift from the drama transpiring. Raven was conflicted with how a person so mysterious and dark like Falcon, could be loved so suddenly by the innocent alien.
"What are you doing Starfire?" Raven shouted while stepping in.
The red head glanced from the pale demoness, then back to the new kid.
"I am making of the peace." replied the off-worlder.
"Are you insane? He yelled at you, he made you weep and now you're just willing to just forget all that! How can you be so open to a person like him?" Raven pointed at Falcon.
"I am not mentally unballanced." Starfire said back; "I can see that he never intended to do harm, to any of us."
Starfire noticed that Falcon was ashamed, he appeared to have been swayed and the look of his eyes being closed, it revealed how confused things were inside of his mind.
"How can you expect to be friends with a loner, when he is constantly shutting the door on you?" Raven questioned her teammate.
"One must always find the goodness in others, even if it becomes an obstacle from the start." She smiled at their recent companion.
A grin was seen on Falcon, and he laughed before talking.
"I've never heard anyone say that before." He got out from the smooth recliner. "Listen, I never intended to be a nuisance on any of you, but sometimes when push comes to shove, a guy can take only so much before he needs to hit back."
The right eyebrow upon the Empath's face bounced upwards. "Yelling at those who only ask questions makes it sound as though you've got something to hide. What are you so afraid of?"
"Afraid?" asked the necromancer.
"I notice that your anger acts like a shield for you, to hide something deeper."
Falcon was stunned, a few minutes earlier an irrational argument had ensued and now, it appeared like the heroes were trying to make amends in their own ways; or at least some of them were. The enchantress had a different expression across her face, it was of compassion. Just before he could speak however, the door to the back of the Common Room slides open, and Beast Boy trots in wearing his new clothes.
"Uh, did I do something?" The energetic voice from the changeling causes the others to look away from eachother. He scratches his hair while leaning against the kitchen counter, directly across from Cyborg.
The gearhead rolled his eyes, and finished eating.
"So, what did I miss?"
"Nothing much." replied Falcon as he stood up, desperately hoping that the uncomfortable issue had finally ended.
"I wouldn't say that." Raven was fast on his answer, with one of her own.
Beast Boy did a double take, between the Empath and necromancer as a lingering silence was felt.
"What happened between you guys since I left?"
"Just that our new friend, if he can even be considered as such, has proven to be a real jerk." Raven harrumphed.
"Now wait just a minute!" Falcon answered, trying to correct all that he had wronged.
"Friends, please this will solve nothing." Starfire interjected.
"I take it that a fight broke out between our new buddy, and Ms. Ice Queen." Beast Boy whispered to Cyborg.
"Pretty much." said the sophisticated repairman. "Star asked a question to Falc, it hit something sour and he got angry with her."
In the background, Falcon and Raven can be seen bickering, as Starfire was soon pushed aside. Fingers from both people point at one another, and then it becomse a contest of who is going to have the last word.
"He did what!" demanded Beast Boy; "How can anyone get mad at Starfire?"
"Well apparently he can." Cyborg replied. "Anyway, Raven got upset and defended her, then he felt bad and out of nowhere, Star apologized."
"Huh?"
"I know, but Raven wasn't in the mood to let him get off that quick."
The duo turns their attention back onto the debate. Things were heating up and the prankster was at last brought up to speed.
"I have a reason to keep you shut out!" Falcon's words boomed across the walls.
"What purpose would that be?" asked Raven.
"I have said enough. There are just some things about my past, that people like you would never understand. It takes time to create bonds of trust with new faces, and I still don't know all that much about you, or your group."
"Don't you dare lecture me! You aren't the only one who knows what it takes to build a friendship."
Starfire was unclear if the feelings she thought she noticed between them, were now gone? Just before she tries to negotiate a truce, Beast Boy steps in.
"Guys, this is starting to wear me out. When we came home everything was cool, yet you two seem like you want to rip the other's head clean off."
Both of the cloaked teenagers glanced at Beast Boy, and Raven was taken aback that Robin had yet to say his part on the topic.
"I can see your frustration at me, for holding back on the issue Raven." Falcon took a deep breath; "You got the better of me, so I'll tell you what I can."
The teammember's eyes bulged in the same moment, while their ears perked up.
"I was in the midst of a long search, not really looking to make friends but trying to tie up some loose ends." Falcon brushed his spiked hair. "See, I just made your point at why I'm a loner. I must remain on my own, out there."
The demoness reeled in ten times the anger. She was defiant like he was, and now that he made a new argument she felt the first one needed to be concluded.
"You know where the door is." She pointed towards the elevator they came from. "If you feel so content that things are beter out their on your own, nobody here is going to stop you from leaving."
Starfire was growing very fearful, she only wanted to see joy and in less than fifteen minutes, she was already feeling dread.
"Alright." Falcon deadpanned. "I'm gone."
As he walked away, each step he took felt to carry a hidden weight with it. He was done with the examination of his mind, he was tired of the shouting and nasty looks of mistrust, but something inside wanted to stay with them.
"Hold on!" said Beast Boy; "I'm sure we can work this whole mess out."
Falcon did not move, and with his back to the teammates he kept his index finger mere inches from the button to go back to the ground level.
"What more is there to work out?" He removed his hand from the panel. "If you won't ease off on my history, of my previous life, than that leaves you with not wanting to be near me. You would want to shut me out, like she has done."
"Shut you away? You are the one who is pushing us out, I may be a half demon but I'm human enough to know when I have crossed the line, stepped out of place." Raven said. "I think it would be best for all of us, if you just go and we forget we even crossed paths."
His heart sank even lower after reaching the same conclusion from before. A relationship would only obfuscate matters for him, and with her opinions explained in front of everyone, it was clear that she was not persuing a romance either. As he remained by the lift, his shadow felt to be his only ally.
"Raven, perhaps you have said too much." Starfire said and moved towards him.
"You defend him! Why?" The Empath requests in a seething tone. "If he wants to leave then let him go!"
"I defend him because he is my friend. Surly one who has kept me out of her sad past, than you can relate to what he has spoken."
"We have nothing in common; he is the total opposite of me!" said Raven.
"You do not see that he is hurt, that after we allow him a place to sleep, to find friends only do we remind him of unpleasantess by arguing amungs eachother." The red head causes them to focus on her. "Falcon is our friend and he will stay with us."
The outsider felt his heart race, and the alien goddess smiled at him before reaching a conclusion. "Won't you?"
"Am I still considered one, after knowing the buttons I have pushed to cause you to weep?" Falcon spoke as his tone was soft. "I forget sometimes that when I'm in a group of others, I have to be respectful of their questions. It's been a long time though."
"You were only defending yourself the best way any outsider should … with hostility. I'm not gonna lie, when I first met these guys I was a little on edge also." Cyborg replied as he walked over.
Robin conjectured a new side of Falcon, that he has a troubled past and any friends would be a rare commodity for him. It was like the new kid felt he was less than human because of this flaw, and he needed to keep people away because it only made things more troublesome when he had to leave them.
"But can you tell me, that I am a friend?" Falcon looked at their faces. "That I am something other than an outsider, even though I sound and act like one."
Robin placed his hand onto his shoulder and replied; "You will always be considered a friend, should you stay."
"But I shouted, we had a fight and I hurt you. Clearly this ousts any trust that we may have had; I can tell that you all want to kick me out."
"First impressions are not your specialty." Cyborg butted in. "That's all I know about you, but it doesn't mean I can't trust you."
"Yeah." Beast Boy chuckled; "I mean; you did have a cool entrance in the street though."
Falcon said nothing as his mind was blank.
"We could let you leave, if you wanted to go then you are free to it." Robin said as he removed his hand. "But I'm sure the way you have seen us; that must have given you the wrong idea too. There is more to all of us, and we all can learn from our mistakes.
Falcon nods solemnly.
"I know that I have my fair share of them."
"That sounds like teamwork." Falcon said back.
"It is."
"But I'm not on the team."
"Not right now, no." Robin spoke as Falcon stood in front of him. "In the same manner that you said earlier however, trust takes time to build with a new face."
Raven could not believe what she was hearing. The newbie had acted like a complete ass, and the others were welcoming him in, like they had with the girl who broke Beast Boy's heart. From that day forward she made a promise to herself, a vow to always keep an eye on anyone who had the potential to join the group. If they could win over her, then they could gain her trust and so far that factor had been taxing to obtain.
"Not to burst anyone's bubble here, but he made another point as well." said Raven, and the heroes turned towards her. "He wanted to keep us away, and he seems perfectly capable of handling his own issues."
"Raven, do not bring the feelings down once more." Starfire said; "We have moved on, why can you not?"
"Do you remember what happened the last time we accepted another so mysterious, so desperate to keep us out?" Raven sighed after a lengthy hush befell the gathering. "Am I the only one to remember Terra; the heartlessness, the confusion and each of our own discord? It all came from not wanting to uncover her past, and when we tried to help her, the very chance we all saw what we refused to accept, it was too late."
"I remember." Beast Boy said, where his face revealed that this was still a sensitive topic. "But that doesn't mean we must keep ourselves away from making any new friends."
"Or teammates." said Starfire.
The Empath shifted her amethyst eyes to her companions before continuing.
"But you know all to well how it goes in the end. They leave you heartbroken, angry, and deeply depressed."
"You're wrong." Falcon said next, bringing their focus onto him. "And right however, most people can leave a nasty mark on your memory."
Beast Boy paid close attention to the scar over his right eye, and became mute. It was difficult to fathom which side he agreed with. Then it hit him, the changeling wanted to win the struggle and needed the Empath to understand that as well.
"For one who was afraid of a prophecy to bring about the end of the world, for one who told me she was never meant to gain any friends, you are one to talk Raven." Beast Boy spoke as he peered at her.
"Beast Boy, I am not trying to bring up what you hate most." Raven frowned. "I just don't want to have another incident like before."
"But he isn't Terra!"
"You must understand though, can't you see he possesses those same exact feelings, that concern to shut his past away from the rest of us? That is a dangerous trait, and it's one we must always keep an eye out for."
Beast Boy clenched his fists; he never believed that the argument would focus on him.
"I never knew that your father was Trigon until the day of your birthday, and we didn't even know about your birthday until you insisted on keeping yourself away, when we went to celebrate the victory on Dr. Light! Don't be so fast to push others away Raven, when you yourself have kept me away for years."
Raven felt as though she was struck by a bolt of lightning and couldn't move, her eyes were wide open and her mouth was agape, trying to say something but the words were entangled within her throat. He was right, and as the others looked to her face they could see in her eyes how strong of a blow it was to the Empath.
Falcon placed his hand onto Raven's shoulder in an effort to rebuild the trust that was built so fast, yet shattared just as quickly.
"I am not her, and I would never betray you or any other." The red cloaked stranger caused her and everyone else to draw in with new speculations. "This fight we had has been a rude awakening for me. I've been alone from the company of people for so long, that this is still new for me."
Raven turned as the others watched, they were hoping that she would now embrace him as they had done, but she was holding a grudge deep down. That pent up anger from the geomancer had never left her system, and that pledge, the secret code to which she always reminded herself every time in meditaion, was to always protect her friends.
"Falcon." Raven's monotone was heard. "You have a dark aura about you, and though the others cannot see it, I can. I feel it, like a wave a heavy water, complicated and conflicting emotions that burns your mind, it hurts your soul."
Falcon stares at her, the girl who pressed him into giving answers was sticking with her gut instincts. He coyishly smirks back, where he hated to come to terms with it, but she was onto something.
"I'm afriad you have me confused with someone else. The heated argument has clearly clouded your instincts on who I truly am."
"Well then, who are you?"
"My name is Falcon. I came from Gotham in a search for someone."
"Who, who are you searching for?"
"I don't believe that is any of your concern."
The others were watching as the two played the new debate out and the curiosity of who he was, of what his real goals were drove them to simply listen as the sorceress grilled him.
"Before I can welcome you in as my friend; I need to know who you really are, of what is your real purpose in Jump City is?"
"I told you before." Falcon squinted his eyes; "I'm looking for someone!"
"WHO?"
Falcon could see the look of rage return on her face, and the others were not going to interfere and bail him out of this one. After sighing, he understood that there was no point in holding onto the problem anylonger.
"You want to know who I am searching for; it's me … alright! There are things from my past that I can't remember, and then there are things that happened to me that I wish I could just forget! For so long have I been on the road, searching for answers and one day it hits me, I placed some of the pieces in my head together and I know now what I must do. The reason that I'm here, is for revenge!"
The others become fearful; Beast Boy was taken aback for standing in on this kid's behalf, and he realized the facts in Raven's words. The shapeshifter concluded that maybe she had a point.
"Why revenge, on who?" Raven felt her mind jumping to thousands of various theories, but these were the fastest she could come up with.
Silence.
"Raven." Interjected the team leader; "Let it go.
"Wait just a minute as soon. Why is it that as I get him to talk; you ask me to drop it?" The Empath shot the Boy Wonder a death glare.
"That isn't your place to decide how far to take the matter. Just let it go; okay." said Robin.
"It's alright." replied Falcon. "Since she explained some things, I feel that if I am to gain any of your trust as she pointed out, it would be wrong of me to keep you guys in the dark. If I were in her position, I probably would have acted with a similar concern."
He smiled at her, and summed up his courage as best he could.
"I never wished for you to uncover that I have a lapsed memory… that I don't fully know who I am."
"What do you know then?" Starfire chimed in.
"There are fragments of what my life was like, in here." He gestured towards his skull; "It makes me feel weak though, in not being able to remember everything. Just the bits and pieces, scattered but they do keep me going."
"So that is where the vengence comes from." Cyborg spoke up. "From something that ended it all?"
"More or less." Falcon squeezed his hands by his sides. "The person that I'm after is the missing link in my childhood, the cause of so much tragedy and death."
"So then who are you chasing after?" Raven asked while Robin did not seem to mind.
"I only know part of him… a monster of a man, a shell of his former self by now I take it. For years he covered his tracks, I couldn't find him until he made one big mistake."
"And that is?" Robin questioned, he was now ready to add on the pressure.
"Well … he shouldn't have come to this city for starters. Those criminals we ran into today, you know the ones I was following and ended up bumping into you."
"What's that got to do with the dude from your past?" Beast Boy asked.
"Let's just say, he likes to run in the same kind of profession with them."
"So, he's a common badguy."
"Worse." Falcon could hear the screams of his family, and he could feel the heat of a fire from long ago. "He's a man bent on destroying everything good in the world. He had for me; I was lucky enough to hear rumors about his handywork and followed the bread crumbs across the country."
Feeling that the overdue explination was strong enough for now, Raven subduded her ire on him and felt sorrow. Robin saw the same drive for retaliation in himself, before his mentor guided him to take a higher path.
"Thanks for the offer to stay, but he is out there. He must pay for what he did to me." Falcon raises a fist, and walks to the elevator.
"Just where do you think you're going?" Cyborg blocked his path and extended his arms.
"You guys don't need me as an extra wheel. I'll just slow you down in your own endevours." The necromancer looked up; "Trust me, if you let me stay here, I'll just be some stranger to you all; a lone wolf."
"Now I'm not one for touchy words or nothing, but you've got to give us a chance too." The sophisticated repairman said back.
"Let me walk, it is simple. You turn your backs and never have to hear from me again."
Falcon pressed the button, and stood with his arms tucked into his pockets.
Raven could sense that he was telling the truth, that he was cast aside by others who had a lesser bond, but she could feel something, and that it was growing. At first it was a sort of physical attraction, and the anger he used that she also embraced was a fierce mental inhibitor.
She walked towards him."Why go back out there, in knowing the answers you seek are here … with us."
"What?"
Before she can continue Robin's voice was heard.
"I think what Raven is trying to say, is that if you leave and go on your own, it will be harder to find yourself. Just give us a chance to help you; who knows, you might even get more than you originally hoped for."
His demoralized and sunken heart jumped to life again. Could it be that this group of superheroes was leading him down a different road? It was overpowering to ponder, to refuse such an offer of open arms was foolish; yet he recalled hs fears and that his battles were to be fought alone.
"You guys can't be serious."
The five titans give the exact same look; they were not pulling his leg and the lift chimed, telling him that his chance to part from them was still on the table.
"Are you?" He asked as if he were bracing for bad news.
"Absolutely!" Starfire revealed a loving smile upon her face; it was one that reminded him of someone else.
Falcon felt as though his body was there but he was not in it, the immense joy in being considered part of a family again was one of the happiest moments he could remember.
"You are all true friends, I am very sorry for how I acted. Can you guys forgive me?"
"No sweat my man." Cyborg padded him on the back. "Let's go and help you settle in."
"Um, shouldn't I-"
"I shall escort you to your new digs!" Starfire said while taking his arm under her own; and all he could do was look back at Raven and Beast Boy with perplexity.
"Guys, this is really nice and everything, but think I should go."
"Forget it." Beast Boy called out as the Tamaranean Princess tugged him using her superhuman strength. "You're going to be our guest for the night, its fine."
"I'll come with you." Robin said, and he hurried up the stairs and out of the Common Room.
"So, what I said to you before." Beast Boy's voice caused Raven to look at him, as he combed a hand through his hair. "You know that I didn't mean to hurt you by saying that."
"What you spoke was the truth." Raven sighed; "I was wrong to bring up those painful memories."
The changeling walked over before speaking.
"Yeah, well … I guess what I'm trying to say is that the whole thing felt, weird." He looked at her attractive features on her face. He did not take notice before to how pretty she was, but standing in front of her; there was no point in dening that he had overlooked something, and he hated his younger self. "I'm afriad of him, and my own problem was my lack of seeing the hazards of what may come, by not doing what you did. It shows that I still haven't gotten over her."
"Beast Boy." Raven situated her right hand into his; "You are doing more by making him feel welcomed than I ever could."
"That's where you're wrong." He retracted his grasp. "Over time, I'm sure you guys will understand eachother."
"If he stays that is."
Beast Boy remained quiet, and he glanced to his shadow before answering.
"There is always a bright spot Raven, even when it seems like there is nothing but the complete darkness, all around you."
These words brought much comfort in her restless mind, it was driving her crazy and being reassured by the humorist that she was normal, she expressed an unfinished smile for his graditude.
"If you said things like that more often, the others might take you more seriously when you're not acting like a fool most of the time."
"Huh?"
"Come on, you know that you're a jokester when it comes to anything serious?"
"I guess so." Beast Boy responded as his mood became sullen.
Raven took a step closer.
"Is something on your mind?"
The changeling bit his tongue, and strained his glance.
"I dunno." He finally spoke up. "Something just, well it doesn't feel right."
The Empath stared back, as her eyes became wide from trepidation.
"Beast Boy, if there is something you want to talk about, you know you can trust me … we're friends remember?"
"Yeah, I know." He expelled a sigh of oxygen from his nostrils.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
He felt genuine security in hearing her asking this. It was just the two of them, alone in the Common Room and he sensed a complete protection that the others on the team would be difficult to match. He could tell the Empath all of his emotions and it would not matter, this was becoming a peculiar day.
"I gotta tell you, with this new guy … I think I see what you do."
Raven stood back after he brought up the bitter subject from before, she felt that he did not like being the center of attention when it came to personal matters.
"What do you mean?" Raven asked.
"I'm not sure, but it feels like the same vibe when Terra joined us; like she was always watching her back from somthing about to get her." He moved his eyes away from the floor and back onto her stunning face. "He's still keeping something back, and it seems like he really doesn't want us to know about it."
The demoness nodded in compliance, and made her way to the door but she froze moments before leaving, with her back to him.
"You know, I never thanked you for saving me today."
Beast Boy tilted his head up, while he rubbed his chin.
"Oh, that was nothing."
She frowned, not letting him observe it.
"Don't put yourself down like that; you proved something about yourself, something noble."
"Okay."
Her disgruntled expression transformed into a smile, and as she left the room her monotone was heard.
"Thank you."
Beast Boy leaned against the sofa with his arms crossed. As the door hissed closed, he turned his attention to the glass at the front of building. Now he had plenty of time to go over what had taken place on the rooftop.
{{End of Scene}}
I hope you enjoyed that, it was a bit of work, but I think it came together quiet well. What did you guys think?
Here are some reviews:
Linzerj: "Awesome Job! It's really long, but who cares? LOVING IT!"
~~ A million thanks for the uplifting coments! Without any feedback; then I wouldn't know if I was doing justice to the fans, comics or the show? Sometimes a lengthy chapter can be worth it, if you're hooked that is. ~~
Scififanfreak222: "Wow, pretty good! I liked how you started the story off, but it may have been a bit too long. Even so, a very good start to your story!"
~~ I thought of breaking the first chapter down, and combining it with this one to spread it out. Thanks for all of your help; I will continue to do my best. ~~
SkilletFan000: "This looks like it's going to be an interesting read, and I look forwards to it. On a personal note... darn. I had a character I was coming up with for a future FanFic, and I used the name Falcon for him. Oh well. I came up with it independently, so I'm still gonna use it. ;D"
~~ Falcon came to me in a dream, more or less; concealed in his crimson cloak, the hood was obscuring his face and there were massive flames roaring in the background. :-O I just saw what he looked like and placed that alias with him. ~~
100 Silver Wings: "Sorry it took so long for me to read and review, I suffer from chronic lazy-arsness, and I can't prioratize to save my life. Interesting story you have here."
~~ Thanks for joining the action! Don't feel too bad, we all have things to take care of in the world outside of fanfiction. I'm humbled that you read it, and I'm even more greatful that you left a review. :-) ~~
Nix in der hose: "Simply amazing! As I was readin this a vivid picture was painted in my head, that is some good writing right there! Very detailed and I like how you described the new character. I can't wait to read the other chapters!"
~~ I always had a passion to go into the depth around the characters, to help the reader understand what that person looked and sounded like. I'm pleased that my writing has brought you joy. :-D ~~
the stakes will be raized: "OH MY GOD ITS SO LONG! But it's still good. It seems like ya made Falcon Raven's twin brother or something. If you are going to reveal he's her brother, then that's just a bit creepy to make him like her."
~~ They are not related, but they do look alike. ;-) ~~
Lilswmr427: "Okay, I'll admit I haven't read one word of your story. I probubly won't either (sorry!). However, I would like to commend you on the length of it. OVER 400,000 WORDS? That's INSANE (-ly awesome!) You have dedication. Bravo."
~~ Thank you. X-D Yes, it is quiet a lengthy journey, but I put out so much for you the fans to read, because I have always wanted to build such a powerful and captivating masterpiece. It's just a small way, for me to keep Teen Titans going I suppose. ~~
Bk00: "The story is well written; it's developed and really thought out. I like Falcon, he seems pretty bad ass! He better not come between BB and Rae though or stuff's gonna get dicey! Bravo Mighty One, bravo!"
~~ Thanks for that, having to rewrite spacific parts of the story to make the pieces fit together, it's a tiresome process. I had the idea of Falcon come from a big pool of ideas and a dream, so I mixed them together. I like that prediction, you may be onto something. ;-) ~~
Wolvmbm: "I find this story to be off to a good start. As I did enjoy Beast Boy's prank on Raven, and how she was in the company of a cat. Also I did enjoy the three on five battles against the Titans and three of their most powerful foes. Plus nice idea of using Beast so early in the story, but I don't know why he'd forget all that, I'd love to see how Raven's trip into his mind turns out like. I even enjoyed the intro to Falcon, and I must say I'm curious as to what his true background story is like. Keep up the good work upon such a great story!"
~~ Trying to find the right way to start this story was a tad difficult; so I branched into multiple areas yet they each tied back into this one. The battle in the street was fun to craft out, I'm glad you enjoyed it. There is more to be revealed in the upcoming chapters, where the Beast may have a bigger part to play; as the backstory on Falcon has yet to be delved into. ~~
Momomiya Ichigo Loves Inuyasha: "Long story, but awesome! I love it. Please keep up the great work."
~~ Will do. I'm glad to see another is enjoying the story. It's about to get even longer, but in a good way. :-) ~~
A/N The last three reviews were on the previous time I posted this chapter, but they were erased when that update was taken down. I truly do not know why? If you were curious as to the dates being odd in those coments, or what some of the extra stuff they were talking about meant, that is because I took the time to repost this chapter again. Yes, I revamped the old, I changed the title, and I brought out an even stronger and much more fluid copy. I hope that the rest of the story is just as entertaining, as the first two have been for you guys. Rock on! In a similar topic, I sure miss the cartoons from the 90's; Rockos Modern Life was a classic. X-D Truly an awesome decade to be a kid in.
~~ T.M.O ~~