INNER DEMONS

by The Mighty One

Chapter 44 has been completed! Blackfire struggles to claim her prize outside The Jump City Observatory. The elemental wielders of ice and earth, are evenly matched at Titans Tower; Raven formulates a strategy with Avatar and The Squadron heroes, as the contest for Cyborg, reaches an unpleasant dilemma of its own. Meanwhile, Falcon and Elizabeth make their move.

5. Stealing The Show

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, comic book 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, every-time I have come across writers block. Without their outstanding guidance, the updates would have taken me even longer to complete.

Chapter 5 is finally finished! Members of the Hive return with a new purpose, where a fierce brawl in the Junkyard ensues. Will the Teen Titans and their unusual ally, be up to the challenge? "Drive gently over the stones." –Jonathan Swift-

---

Chapter 5 –Stealing The Show

The beams of the rising sun continued spreading across the carpeted floor; like the waves at the beach which collide into the shoreline, reaching further back where the warm light revealed the chaotic mess of things within the room.

The dirty laundry was contained in its own mountain by the hamper, the pant legs and shirt sleeves were outstretched as the socks and colorful boxer shorts, they were left in their own respective crumpled heaps. It was not yet wash day, but the way things looked in this specific bedroom, it should have been the occupant's number one priority. However, the day in the life of not your average fifteen-year-old superhero; was filled with more things to keep his time preoccupied.

Aside from his dirty clothing in a great pile, there were old boardgames and toys strewn about, a row of green and tan plastic army men shooting the opposing forces that were noticed on the desk, and there was a football next to a vibrant beach-ball on the other end of the room, while the familiar bunk bed was along the back wall, facing north to south. A slender arm was dangling over the edge, while the sheets were pulled into a mound as they covered the changeling, within a soothing cocoon of a deep hibernation.

The alarm buzzed loudly, resonating about the hospitable quarters and the arm moved as if it had a mind of its own, and fumbled along the nightstand desperately trying to locate the off-switch. After slamming a bear claw onto it, the device was smashed into a hundred equal sized pieces, and a low raspy voice groaned after turning his entire body away from the sunlight, that continued to grow much brighter.

"Ugh, is it tomorrow already?" He sat up and ruffled with his hair; his eyes were almost fully shut, as he could taste a complete dryness upon his tongue. "Maybe I shouldn't have stayed up so late, but there isn't anything that I can do about it now."

Beast Boy stretched his arms far behind his neck, where he morphed into an octopus to work the other parts of his body that he would normally have a great difficulty in reaching. After a very brief moment to get his extremities limbered, he transformed back into his normal teenage self, and hopped out of the bed.

"Why, hello there handsome." Beast Boy smirked at his reflection in front of the closet, where he shape-shifted into a beagle and he scratched his droopy ears. Shortly after this, he turned into a rooster to crow, and then lastly as a monkey to amuse himself. "Eyup, I've still got it."

He began to flex his arms like a professional body builder would do, and his smile became much wider. While he was overjoyed to have a new day to fool around with, and to plot pranks and gags on his cohorts, he began to remember the deep conversation with the gray Empath last night, where his smile was quick to erode.

Each of his thoughts were smashing within his brain, as the greatest threat that hung over his conscience was about the guest that had spent the night at Titans Tower. Falcon was a rather peculiar teenager, and the way he carried himself made him appear to be harboring a grave evil within his spirit. While it was also true that Beast Boy had his own problems with the werewolf inside of him, there was something simply unnerving with the necromancer, and the changeling could not put a finger on what that issue was. As Raven had said to the gang earlier, if what she understood about shadow manipulators and necromancers was correct, than this fire wielder in particular had allowed an ancient darkness to bond with him.

It was very odd to even consider this, why would anybody allow a mystic satanic cult do this to them? How could a person accept what they had become, if they were constantly reminded of the sinful power they had allowed to take over?

As Beast Boy mused over these and other troubling issues, he slowly began to uncover a disturbing connection between Falcon and Raven. There was much about the Empath that he was doubtful with, but the greatest threat that boiled down to the changeling and his fellow allies, was having no true idea as to the magnitude of Raven's own strength. While a third connection, could also be drawn from this theory towards the geomancer; and how their relationship became unhinged.

Terra had secrets, and the things she had kept hidden forced her away from the group, where Falcon was evasive to an eerily similar degree.

Yet despite the bombshell blond having explained the way things in life are supposed to end, and that people need to move on; even when Beast Boy did not want their relationship to be finished, the green hero contained a fragment of a chance, that maybe she would come back to her senses on a different day. It was less than a sliver of a speck; that something more would resonate from this heart crushing break-up at her school, and while it was so very faint it was still there.

Beast Boy always kept hope burning, even if all that was left of the mighty fire was a mere ember, the skinny teenager refused to let any chance burn out altogether. It was just part of his character.

While he pulled his lips back with his fingers, he scanned his mouth to locate any spots that he missed from brushing his teeth the night before, and then he gave his typical goofball smirk. He was very pleased with his body, despite his outward appearance as a slender pole with pointy ears, he ate very healthy meals yet being a strict vegan, the lack of carnivorous dinners did not help him either. He did go to the gym within the Tower to keep his endurance up, but he was not a weight lifting brute in any regard.

"Beast Boy, do you have a minute?"

Falcon's voice was heard on the other side of the closed door, where it caused the shapeshifter to turn his head. After shrugging his shoulders, the changeling walked to the panel and gave a complete wave of his hand in front of the sensor, allowing the door to open.

The divider slid wide, where the necromancer was seen just standing there, rubbing the backside of his neck with his left hand. Beast Boy was still puzzled as to why he donned a hooded red cloak, but he did envy the black letter 'F' in the middle of his shirt.

"What's up?" Beast Boy asked quizzically.

"Hi." Falcon replied simply.

Beast Boy raised an eyebrow before talking again.

"Okay, what is it?"

Falcon stopped his fidgeting, it must have been very unusual for the green hero to witness this, and his eyes rose up from the floor.

"I know that things haven't been going so great since I got here, and that you probably don't trust me."

"What are you talking about?"

"Look, I'm not one for any of this touchy, feeling type of stuff that deals with peoples emotions." Falcon's voice was stern as always with a calm and rolling rasp. "But I do understand the importance of being open with people."

Beast Boy scratched his hair.

"Alright, so what is it that made you come all this way down here for?"

"I know when there is mistrust afoot, and when people plot things. I prefer to be open with people, tell them how things are without going behind their backs."

"I see." Beast Boy replied while he cupped his chin. "That's something we've got in common then."

"But I haven't been so straight forwards with you, or any of the others for that matter because lets be honest, I am just a stranger you guys met yesterday. Some things are better left out on a first get-together, I'm sure that you understand."

Beast Boy turned and looked down both ends of the hallway, he was desperately searching for anyone, to be sure that this was really happening and he was not imagining it. With a short pause in between their confab, the changeling refocused his attention back onto his guest's face.

"Dude, are ... are you okay?"

"I think that I'd like a do over." The shadow manipulator held out his hand. "But, first impressions are not really my specialty, so let's just bypass the bull and get right to the point." His eyebrows furrowed. "You. Don't. Like. Me."

"What?"

A lump in Falcon's throat moved.

"I can see it in your eyes, and I can hear it in your voice. You along with your friends have something against me still, and I did not plan on opening up a new can of worms on a fresh day, but I just wanted to come forwards and explain that I understand if you in particular have a grudge against me; that it's okay."

"Falcon, um where is this negative vibe coming from?" Beast Boy placed his hand onto the fire wielder's shoulder. "Yeah, yesterday was rough, but today is a new start. I don't like starting my day off on a bad foot, so I'm sure you can understand why this whole conversation has taken me off my guard."

Falcon grinned.

"Okay." said the necromancer. "I'll give you that one, but I just thought I should explain my behavior from the other day. Again, this whole thing about being around a group of people, I'm still trying to-"

"Adjust, I know." Beast Boy smiled. "Now that you are here though, I was curious as to how things are going for you since you've had some time to … well, cool off."

"Beast Boy, I know when someone is concealing something from me."

The changeling stepped backwards a few paces.

"What has this got to do with me then?" Beast Boy asked.

The lone drifter turned his body, forcing the cowl to darken his features, yet moments before he could respond, the shapeshifter decided to continue.

"Can you give a guy a bone Falcon?"

"What?"

"Make it simple dude."

The fire wielder did not break his cold expression away from Beast Boy. Falcon remained where he was, as his posture was unbroken and very firm like his stern eyes.

"I came down here to let you know, that if you require council on anything, realize that I am willing to listen." His cold stare became narrowed again. "Think of it, as a type of trust."

Beast Boy's irises became wide from confusion, for Raven was the only other person he did confide with. Cyborg and Starfire were also close friends, but even they did not know all that there was about the team jester, and Robin was on a plain too far to talk with on certain issues.

The young hero gave a confident look back, where his smile was all but forgotten; and during the lingering pause he thought about where his loyalties truly were.

"Um, I don't know what to say about that."

"While I don't know when I'll be leaving, for the time that I am here, just know that I am trying to be a friend."

"There was another person like that before."

"I remember." said Falcon. "Her name was Terra, correct?"

Beast Boy folded his arms before answering.

"Seeing how you might just leave in a few days anyway, I don't really see the point in it."

"I see your point." The cloaked fire wielder began to walk down the corridor, but he stopped and moved his head slightly over his right shoulder. His right eye seemed to glisten, against the brightness of the hall. "It is not my place to decide anything around here, this is your home. I was just trying to be friendly."

"Duly noted." said Beast Boy, where he turned away and the door hissed behind him.

---

In a short distance, the view of the kitchen was by his side, and the long sofa at the front revealed the Common Room for the wandering outsider. He required some food in his belly, and his stomach gurgled where Falcon rubbed his mid section, and he halted in his tracks.

Everything from yesterday went from bad, to steadily worse and how this morning was going so far, the necromancer still felt like an off-worlder to these generous teenagers.

Why did I say that to him? You continue to make yourself look like a self absorbed ass. Falcon thought to himself while he studied the big and spacious room.

After making his way into the cooking area, the necromancer opened the refrigerator and found a plethora of things to make for himself. There were pies and frozen desserts such as pudding, and a chocolate cream cake, there were chicken wings and chicken tenders along with Chinese cuisine from a different day that was neatly packaged and wrapped, and the remnants of the pizza slices from the night before was in tin foil.

There was a bowl of rice, and plastic bottles of grape juice, soda and other beverages to drink on the top shelf; while a carton of eggs and a big measuring glass filled with a type of pancake batter, along with a jug of whole milk rested upon the door. The storage unit was filled from the front to rear, with all sorts of goodies.

Apart from these things however, there were also a few other objects that did not look all that appealing in any regard, and Falcon pondered if it was even food. One of these oddities appeared to be a green and purple jello mold, only it moved in ways jello is not supposed to; and the other object looked like it was a square block of some type of artificial soy bean product. In remembering Beast Boy's desire not to eating meat, in all probability it belonged to him.

His stomach grumbled once more, and the shadow manipulator's face could only express disgust at the last two sights, he was hungry but not desperate enough to devour something that could make him sick. Upon exhaling slowly, Falcon leaned against the smooth countertop and turned his attention to the massive window. He let the sun warm his skin and face, it felt good.

"You're up pretty early." Cyborg came into the room and yawned. "Even on a Saturday, I'll give you credit for that."

Falcon turned around quickly.

"I was never much of an early bird; this is kind of a first for me." His gut made a noise and the team mechanic raised an eyebrow.

"Tell that to your stomach." said Cyborg.

Falcon shook his head, with a mighty grin plastered upon his face.

"Sometimes, it has a mind of its own."

The gear-head journeyed forwards and opened the refrigerator, to make something for breakfast. As the two teenagers did not speak, Cyborg's mid section made a noise, and he turned his head back to await Falcon's desired comeback.

"Well, it seems that I'm not the only one; to have a belly that has willpower over the mind."

Cyborg cracked the joints and muscles in his neck, prior to generating any slick comments.

"I probably should have said something earlier, but with the way things happened last night ... well, it didn't seem like the right time to go over any of the details, about spending the night here."

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that whole thing." Falcon tightened his fists. "I never intended to bring that sort of darkness onto you guys. I lost control, and I apologize."

Cyborg rubbed his bald head, and a few wrinkles became visible.

"We know, and I feel rather bad about staying on the side for too long, when I should have heeded your warning about your skin." Cyborg raised an eyebrow. "So, it wasn't entirely your fault."

"Since that's out of the way, could you go over the hospitality arrangements?"

The Titan's superb mechanic smile was glowing, he was overly pleased that they were moving in a positive direction.

"Right, about that." Cyborg spoke up with a finger in the air. "You see, not one person really makes breakfast around here. I mean I did yesterday ... but that was more of a celebration for us to getting back home."

"Oh." Falcon answered despondently.

The doors whooshed open again, and the happy voice from Starfire caused everyone to turn and look.

"Yet today is a most joyous event, is it not?"

Robin was also seen entering the Ops Room; he followed closely behind the alien princess. Cyborg and Falcon gave each other puzzled expressions, these two were inseparable and it almost seemed like the team leader and the red head did something ... secretive.

The leader's cheeks were flushed, and Cyborg rolled his eyes. He did have some understanding to what teenagers and their hormones could do when left by themselves. As to what transpired between the Boy Wonder and warrior princess, it was anybody's guess but the black technician strongly believed that a make-out session had occurred, at some late hour of the night.

"What's the occasion?" asked Falcon, trying to keep everyone up to speed.

Starfire was standing directly in front of the gray necromancer, and she hovered while clasping her hands in complete glee.

"I hope it's not another Tamaranean holiday, where everybody must eat something you make for us." The big gear-head paused; "Not that there's anything wrong with that."

After Cyborg spoke, both he and the team leader revealed quick fear on what the unusual delicacy would be this time. Typically, the meals she prepared for her friends were always a grotesquely odd dish, or something that would cause stomach cramps for a good three and a half hours.

"Oh, well yes on my home world there would be a tremendous feast, in the main banquet hall." She placed her right hand onto Falcon's shoulder, yet was cautions about what had occurred the other day. "In my language it is called Gorfblock Glock, meaning a glorious meal with new friends!"

She smiled at him.

"Gorfbla what now?" Falcon tried speaking the word, but he quickly became tongue tied and gave up.

She giggled with a hand pressed against her lips.

"I don't know Star." Cyborg stepped back into the conversation. "If we really want to give him a better experience on the way things are done around here, then he should understand that we usually fend for ourselves when it comes to breakfast, lunch and dinner."

Falcon moved towards the fruit bowl and took out a shiny red apple, after brushing it against his sleeve; he bit into the crunchy and mouthwatering object. His eyebrows rose as he noticed everyone was looking at him, where he swallowed a slice and the piece rolled down his esophagus.

"That's fine." Falcon replied during the bone-numbing hush. "I don't require a big feast in my honor or anything too fancy. I can take care of myself; after all the years on my own, I think I can make myself something for breakfast."

"About what happened yesterday, I feel that I must ask of the forgiveness." Starfire replied with her forehead kept low. This quickly changed the mood for everyone in the room.

"Don't be." Falcon said as he looked into her eyes; "I was wrong to act so strongly about it, I just didn't want to drag anybody else into my problems."

The group passed concerning glances back and forth, they were unclear as to how they should respond where Robin felt that he should say something, in order to ease the mounting tension, but he was unable to speak. During this time, the necromancer focused his attention on the view outside of the big window, and he nodded three times.

"Well, thanks for the room last night, you guys are really cool." Falcon crossed his arms over his chest. "Perhaps I should be on my way though? I mean, I did have other plans."

"You're leaving ... already?" Cyborg spoke up from the other side of the counter.

Falcon was silenced from uttering a single response, as Starfire jumped ahead of everybody.

"But it is only the early morning, surely there is more together that we can do?"

The shadow manipulator raised both of his hands in defense.

"I do not wish to distort anything else for you guys. You have a city to protect; keeping an eye on me is just an unnecessary distraction. Besides, I have things of my own to take care of. This was cool and all, but I think we both know, that my stay here was only temporary."

"You do not have to leave so soon." Starfire spoke where her tone of voice was soothing. "Our friendship needs not to be broken!"

"On my account, we've gotten into a few arguments, I've managed to push you guys away and we still don't even trust one another." Falcon softly breathed in; "I'm not even sure that would be called a friendship in my book. Plus, I doubt you need someone like me, hanging around a place like this."

"But we must give it more time." said Starfire. "You are my friend! Is that not enough to hear?"

"Why do you feel the need to rush out of here so quickly?" Cyborg spoke, and his voice caused Falcon to turn and face him now.

"I just don't want to get close to anybody. I'm thankful for you letting me spend the night here, truly I am, but I don't think I should prolong my visit."

"This isn't about your powers, is it?" Robin asked.

"I hurt you guys." Falcon clenched his fists. "There is something you do need to know about me, about the things I can do. I've … done things, things that I'm not proud of and it has hurt good, honest people."

"Like when we touched your skin; and how it allowed you to see things, up here." Cyborg pointed to his temple.

"Yes, that is part of it." Falcon swallowed some air. "So then, Raven must have told you."

The team leader remained standing near the computer screen, and he patiently waited to ease his anxiety.

"We all deduced a few things together, but Raven helped to point us in a certain direction." Robin spoke with his arms interlocked.

"I should have guessed." said Falcon.

No sooner after saying this, the Empath walked into the room with her hood pulled back. As she came closer to Starfire, she waited near her sister teammate, and she glanced at the rest of the teenagers.

"What is it?" Raven questioned in her seductive monotone.

The fire wielder chuckled, where this outburst caught everyone off guard, and he decided to continue speaking.

"You told them then. Well, so much for words of trust, huh."

The Demon Princess was dumbfounded.

"I only explained what I knew, other than that there really wasn't much to go over."

Falcon strode three paces forwards, and he narrowed his cold gaze while Raven refused to dislodge herself. The others watched, as this debate became deeply more complex after a few more minutes.

"Neither of us are in the mood for a fight, at this early in the morning." Falcon replied with the ruby colored apple in his hand. "Meditation seems like a good idea right about now, I need to think and to clear my head. Excuse me."

He walked right past her, and began to make his way for the exit.

"Wait." said Raven, causing him to stop and barely look back. "If you wouldn't mind, perhaps I can join you?"

A long silence held out for what felt like three consecutive hours. Then without any warning he blinked, and he decided to end the humdrum dialogue.

"Thanks, but no. I do not plan on staying much longer; afterwards I'll be on the road. I think that'll work best for everybody."

The doors parted in the middle, and Beast Boy walked alongside the lone fire wielder as he went up the steps. These two did not speak; and once the doors became closed, the changeling rubbed the back of his right elbow.

"Quiet the character, isn't he?" Cyborg proclaimed.

"You don't even know the half of it." said Beast Boy waiting by the door, as he kept his head turned.

The others glanced at the changeling with mystified looks.

"What did he do now?" Beast Boy asked, as he refocused his attention onto everybody else.

"He intends to head out on his own." said Raven. "He is the very definition of a drifter."

Beast Boy slowly walked over to the Empath, and he tried to put the pieces together before speaking.

"Maybe it's a sign or something?"

"It could be." Raven replied. "He genuinely appears, to not want our help with his task of tracking down that unknown figure from his past."

"Why do you think that is?" asked Beast Boy.

"But even more importantly than that, the bigger question that has me stumped, is who's he after?" Robin asked.

Raven forced her eyes to look up from the carpet.

"I don't know, but whatever the reason may be, it cannot be a good one." Raven said quietly. "I can feel a building ire within his spirit; it is almost like his Yin has total dominance over his actions. I'm not even sure if that was the same person, we met in the streets yesterday?"

"He sure has a whole lot of hate in him," said Cyborg. "That's for sure."

Once again, a very long pause was felt by every person in the room, as no one had anything left to say about the conflicting drama unfolding before them.

"Maybe I should go and talk with him." Raven finally spoke up, and her raspy pitch caused everyone to break out of their trances.

"You don't have to." Beast Boy chimed in. "Besides, he seems rather pleasant to be all on his own."

"Maybe we should just let him walk?" Cyborg replied.

"I know that." She said while her amethyst eyes met with the changeling's green pair. "But I feel that somebody should say something, or we will all regret this."

"Beast Boy's right." Robin said next, and his voice forced the gray sorceress to look in his direction. "There is no reason why any of us should go to him. If he wants to head out on his own, then we shouldn't stop him from making that choice."

"Why is it, that he feels the mistrust of contempt around us?" Starfire spoke up. "Perhaps it is we, who are wrong on this matter?"

"A man has to make his own path in life Star, nobody can choose it for him." Cyborg spoke from the kitchen. "Falcon seems like he can handle his own problems, it doesn't make any sense on our part to run around in circles; if all the guy wants is to be left alone."

"We should respect that." said Beast Boy where he shrugged his shoulders. "Well, at least I do."

"Yet, because we are his friends," said Starfire; "Friends do not let boundaries separate them, we work together to overcome our strifes. If we truly wish to help him in his quest, than we can do it but it must remain on his terms."

"Is he really a friend though?" Beast Boy asked aloud. "I mean, he sure doesn't seem like he wants to hang around with us, his powers are dark, and he's very creepy."

Raven resumed her attention back onto the changeling's profile, where she cleared her throat allowing the prankster to resume his theory.

"Well, I can't be the only one who thinks this way about him." said Beast Boy. "We all have that weirded-out vibe!"

"It would not feel right to just let him walk out of here, without trying to mend our differences." Raven spoke up, while she looked at each of her friend's eyes. "I may have given him a hard time from the moment we first crossed paths, but we all did."

The gathering of allies nodded their heads slowly, and without a sound.

"Alright, maybe we should try a different approach than doing nothing." Robin followed up. "But how?"

The pale enchantress sighed.

"I'll go." She answered. "I can relate to his darkness better than the rest of you can."

After she looked at Beast Boy, it made him dwell over the remark he hastily made, and his stomach turned. As she left the room, the green prankster plopped himself down onto the sofa and began channel surfing until he came across Wil E. Coyote chasing after the infamous Road Runner on his Acme rocket powered running shoes, in the sun baked Arizona desert.

"Man, if there is one thing I do know, it's that Saturday Morning cartoons are awesome!" Beast Boy exclaimed in joy. As the rest of the group moved about the Common Room, the changeling scratched his spiked hair and looked into the kitchen. It was obvious that the recent topic did not fluster him.

"So ... like uh, what's for breakfast?"

Cyborg released a terrible groan of annoyance alongside Robin, for they both understood that today was going to be much longer, than the average ones.

---

Raven walked down the narrow hall, yet she could not help herself from feeling so overly high-strung from her actions, and what she and her friends had spoken. The Empath did not expect Falcon to recede from the debate so abruptly, it was absurd. He did not shout or get furious as he had done the other day; instead he simply secluded himself. It was a very bold new approach, where Raven was curious as to what caused the sudden changes?

She continued her lonesome journey and came across the different bedrooms to her teammates, where soon the geomancer's name in bold letters on the door caught her sight. Following a brief sensation of her stomach twisting when she thought of the previous member; it made her become nauseous yet she pressed on.

You have to do this. If not for yourself, then do it for the others.

She told herself again and again, to build up her confidence. It had some effect because it made the time arriving at towards destination, shrink a great deal faster than she had first hoped.

As the Empath stood in front of the black divider, her mind began to race with a million different questions. She deduced that it had something to do with a looming fear of taking a plunge, right before the end. However, all that she was going to do, was to simply have a conversation with him.

She wasn't fighting a monster hell bent on wrecking havoc across the city, she wasn't in a duel with Slade. Why was it so difficult to do even this, when she was the person who volunteered for the task?

It was a similar sensation that a person in the military might taste, the few seconds right before they step out onto the battlefield, where a wave of adrenaline kicks in and everything becomes silent or numb, except for the task before that very person.

Raven comprehended what she was there to do, she reminded herself that it was for the team, but even the simple answers that she gave to herself, they did nothing to ease the pressure one bit. She could not go back without making some progress; she had to settle the conflict between her team and the stranger, and of course ... there was an unintentional bond that was formed, and she needed it severed.

There it was again, that tingling feeling deep within her, and Raven truly hated it. She loathed it with such a passion because she could not understand it, or why her defenses were heightened to such a degree when she was near him? This was a quagmired moment, and while she wanted to just let Falcon walk out of her life, for some bizarre reason that she was unable to wrap her head around, it felt like she would be abandoning him.

You can do this; just try to make something work.

Her voice inside of her mind spoke, and she held her right hand in mid air yet slowly let it collapse by her side. She bowed her head and closed her eyes; then she released a brief exhale of her breath, and the sorceress lifted her hand once more. This time, she was going to do it.

Yet mere seconds just before she could knock on the door; it slid apart and the necromancer was standing in front of her! It startled her, and she took two giant steps backwards to regain her equanimity. Raven did not realize how tall he was until right now.

"F..F..Falcon?" She stammered, as her heart almost skipped a beat from the total surprise.

He looked up and kept his focus upon her face, while she studied the scar and complete white color of his right eye. It was an old wound, and he must have carried a powerful story to how he had earned it.

"I think I know why you are here." He said after moving to the side. "As far as I am concerned, this entire building belongs to you and your friends, so this room is really yours. I wasn't doing much anyway, most of my belongings are not with me, all I came with was what you see before you."

Raven's left eyebrow rose before she started talking.

"Mind if I come in then?"

"I don't see why not."

Falcon held out his left hand, and he showed her inside where she walked with trepidation. As she scanned the room, she saw that his bed was not yet made, where the sheets that were at one time tucked and folded, they were now a mess. As she stood over the bedside, she placed her hand onto the blankets and frowned. Before she could start to talk however, Falcon continued speaking.

"So, you came down here to see what's on my mind?"

She turned, and interlocked her arms before answering him.

"Sort of, but I just wanted to help you to understand, that you don't have to go right away."

"Sure I do."

"Falcon, I know what you are going through because I myself had those exact same doubts rolling around in my brain, when our team spent the very first day together. Look at us now."

The fire wielder walked towards the window and pulled the drapes apart, and he stood with his back to the Empath. As he peered at the view of the ocean and parts of the city, he put his hands behind his back and waited to respond.

"While you can have the luxury of friends, I ... can not. There is something I must do; none of you can follow me on this." His eyelids were now shut. "I know your team means well, but not even you would understand, what it is that I have to do."

Raven took a step closer to him.

"This must be of the memory in the snow, of the fire that destroyed everything." She answered; "Of the man who made you what you are today."

He exhaled slowly.

"That ... does not concern you."

"I am trying here, I am really trying." She briefly paused. "Falcon, we are your friends, don't push us away. Just give us a chance."

He revealed a puzzled glance before talking some more.

"Listen, things can only end in pain if I am to stay."

She took another step.

"You don't know that."

"Raven, there are things that I am going to do, things to which you and your friends would never approve of. I do not want to bring anymore people into my own troubles, only to become their burdens as well. Trust me, if you knew about certain things, of the kind of person I was before we met; you would hate yourself ... and I don't want that."

"Falcon, I …"

Just then, the alarm quickly sounded as the emergency lights in the hallway and bedroom switched to the color crimson, and they began to flash on and off. The cloaked teenagers observed what was going on around them, and both of them stood in total silence.

"What's that?" He asked.

"It's the security system, all team members are required to go to the Common Room." She shook her head, as the untimely ruckus forced their conversation to end abruptly.

"Things in life can be so … unpredictable." He replied to the constant noise blaring in the background.

She took a few seconds to readjust herself with the situation, while her slender legs began to move and she was exiting his quarters, but the Empath stopped herself short, to look at him as if she might never have the chance again.

"You don't even know the half of it."

He grinned.

"Go, you've got more important things to worry about at the moment."

He turned away as the door slid shut; Raven was now standing alone.

What is he so afraid of telling me?

---

Raven hurried back to the Common Room with a great deal of pity in not fulfilling her errand. While she did not think that her entire task was a dismal failure, she did uncover a few more things. Falcon had proved that he was conspicuously dangerous, and that his own mission was very sinister. Now the million dollar question that remained, who was he after?

"Well, that was quick." Beast Boy spoke up from the upholstered seat, and everyone was drawn to her sudden and unexpected return.

"So, did you learn anything?" Robin asked in front of the computer panel, as he shut down the bothersome alarm.

She glanced at both teammates, and replied in her calm raspy pitch.

"Yes and no. It could have gone better."

"That bad huh?" asked Beast Boy.

"You always jump right to the negative." The Empath was fast to answer the changeling, as she walked down the steps. "While it was brief, I was able to understand a few more things about our distinguished guest, that supports some of my theories."

"Well, it looks like it will have to wait." said Robin.

The noise of clicking on the keyboard was heard, and the Boy Wonder kept his focus on the flat screen in front of the room. He was poised with his task, as the remaining members gathered around the long sofa.

"I could have used more time though." Raven whispered.

"Sorry Raven." Robin answered. "But we've got a bit of a problem.

"Right, duty calls." She crossed her legs while sitting down.

The group exchanged glances to each other, they were all curious as to what the trouble would be? In a matter of seconds, the large flat screen revealed pictures of devastation at six major banks and other refined businesses.

The local art gallery was trashed, and prized treasures had been stolen, while a technology plaza had been hit also, as the thick mirky smoke was noticed rising from the upper windows, where many high end computer appliances were missing.

"This is something new." Cyborg spoke with a touch of cynicism. "I mean, who don't we know who likes to break into the bank, or steal some precious artwork, or even go into the technology sector for some top of the line gizmos'?"

"Yeah." Beast Boy chimed in. "That like covers the basics to almost all of our bad-guys."

The group's leader typed feverishly during the nauseating banter, and then he stopped to discuss his findings.

"There are many in the criminal databanks who carry those M O's." He then punched his right fist into the palm of his left hand. "But the main clues to each of them; are that they all lead straight to the Junkyard."

"Why there?" asked Beast Boy.

The Boy Wonder turned again, and he went back to the keyboard.

"Oh, I get it." The gear-head replied. "It's the perfect place to hide; nobody would suspect a criminal making a base in the middle of a dump!"

"Well there is that, but I think the feed from a traffic camera is an even better clue!"

Robin grinned as he brought up the image of the tiny bald teenager with his arms filled with stolen goods, as a villain of pure muscle and brute force from their gang, he was noticed carrying wide oil paints.

"No, WAY!" Beast Boy shouted. "I thought they were flash frozen, when we defeated the Brotherhood of Evil?"

"They were." Robin answered. "But, it looks like someone aided their escape."

Cyborg sat upright with a large smirk radiating across his face.

"Awe yeah, I always wanted a second go-around with that little pipsqueak!"

"Alright, I can head north and cut off any escape routes there." Robin explained his battle strategy while a section of the city around the target, became visible from the screen. "Beast Boy, you should take the west end with Starfire."

"Right." The changeling replied, as the Tamaranean Princess silently nodded in agreement.

"Cyborg can take the south road, while Raven has the east end of the compound." Robin glanced to each of his friends. "Now I think that is pretty simple, it covers all of the routes and we can link up in the middle, here. Any questions?"

"Yeah, you've got just one problem." A strange voice entered the deliberation, and all eyes focused on the door and the stranger who waltzed back in. "Where do I fit in with this plan?"

"I thought you were getting ready to leave?" Raven was the first to respond while standing up.

"I was, but I thought about what you told me though. Then it got me to thinking that maybe ... I can do some good here after all."

Beast Boy raised his left eyebrow while Raven stroked her chin. It was very evident that the necromancer was making things much harder to unravel.

"Falcon." Cyborg spoke after the lull. "You don't have to prove anything to us, we know you can fight."

"I know." He walked closer, and then he interlocked his arms. "But I can help you guys. I think I owe you this much for your troubles, and for the bickering that I've caused."

"That is rather ... nice of you Falcon, a true gesture of open arms." Robin replied. "But I don't see the point in bringing you along on this one."

"You're not afraid that I may get hurt, are you?"

"I know you can handle yourself just fine, but this is strictly hero business." The Boy Wonder looked away. "You wanted to leave us before, I didn't have any issues with you spending the night or hanging out with us today, but this is different."

"Care to elaborate on that theory?"

"Look, I know you seem interested in our cause, but I really don't have time for this sort of thing right at the moment. As the leader of this team, I need to look out for the well being of my friends."

"Oh, I get it." Falcon's pride became weakened from this low blow. "Being that I am not a Teen Titan, nor am I your friend; you would rather have me stay here so I do not get in your way. Is that it?"

Robin turned, and he peered directly into his eyes before talking.

"That's not it at all, and while you did help us yesterday, that was different!"

"How is this any different, from then?"

Starfire quickly switched her focus from her beau, to the foreign drifter. She exhaled slowly and then stood next to Raven, before generating a response of her own.

"Robin." The red haired princess began in her soft bell like tone. "Perhaps he should accompany us."

Falcon nodded with a tiny smirk at the Tamaranean Warrior, he was grateful for her kind input.

"This is not open for debate." said Robin. "I'm making a call here, while he does have powers that could prove useful, it goes beyond that!"

Now the Empath was intrigued, and she immediately locked her gaze onto the Boy Wonder's face.

"Don't make this about dark powers." Falcon defended himself. "I'm offering you help on this, and while my … abilities are difficult to understand, and they are easy to make connections to an evil person just because they are misunderstood; I realized that if I was going to be leaving, maybe I should exit on a positive note, rather than a displeasing memory."

The room was very quiet for a long duration, and Robin took advantage of this to give his final answer.

"Your powers have no pull in this."

"Then what is it?"

"Dude, you're jumping the gun once more." Beast Boy nudged the fire wielder as he stood alongside him.

Falcon tilted his body away slightly, and he revealed a bewildered expression. The green shapeshifter clasped the center of his belt before speaking to the group.

"Things are obviously not going anywhere in this argument. If we vote on it, at least we can put it behind us and get on with our task."

"What a splendid idea!" exclaimed Starfire.

"We don't have time for that! You each know where you have to be." Robin expelled a deep sigh of aggravation.

"Now hang on." Cyborg jumped into the mix. "Those criminals don't seem to be leaving anytime soon, so why rush something when we can hit two birds with one stone?"

"This is not helping!"

"All of those in favor of Falcon coming with us, raise your hands."

Nobody spoke a single word, they each simply looked back and forth, as Starfire lifted her left hand and then Cyborg was the next to do so. As Raven raised her right arm, Falcon's hand went up along with Beast Boy's. It was very clear what the group's decision was at this point, now there was no going back but the changeling felt he should do or say something to make it more concrete.

"All of those opposed?"

The Boy Wonder remained quiet; he kept his arms folded across his chest, simply shaking his head from pure disagreement and malcontent.

"Well, that settles it then." Cyborg concluded.

"We could form a new tactic." Raven spoke up. "Since there are six of us, our forces can be evenly divided, and it makes for a much stronger plan."

"Forcing those two criminals into a bottleneck like before, by blocking all exits is a sound attack." said Falcon. "Where do you guys want me?"

"Fine then, Cyborg, take Beast Boy on your end." said Robin. "Starfire can come with me to the north part of the compound, and then scout ahead to the center."

"That leaves only two more locations." Falcon chimed in once more. "The east and the west."

"Raven can go from her position on the east and link up with you coming from the west, here." Robin used the computer, to make the map of the area much clearer to understand.

"For what it's worth, it is a good, solid plan. At least this way, we could join up in pairs if one of them tries to take us out individually."

The Boy Wonder logged off of the computer, and he began to make his way to the back of the room. He stopped and turned around, and while pointing to the stairs with his thumb like a hitch hiker, he strongly desired to give the famous battle cheer.

"You all know where you have to be. Titans, move out!"

As his cape fluttered behind him, a vibrant commotion erupted from everybody else. In less than a blink of an eye, the gathering of heroes raced for the same exit, as their brave captain had done just seconds ago. The great deal of energy that had resonated within the Common Room remained, as Raven was the last to leave and she still felt the tension and unresolved pressures from her allies towards one another. The Empath never before, felt so grateful that a series of crimes had taken place; it was a much needed distraction to calm everyone down.

---

Falcon was the first to arrive on the scene, as the dark bubble he used to transport him to the junkyard, it quickly dissipated into nothingness. Standing in front of the towering chain linked fence, the crimson cloaked seventeen year old observed any landmarks that could point him towards the closest entry point.

Either a bold sign on the wall, a passage for the vehicles to go through, anything that could aid him in his search and after a short delay to catch his bearings; he finally located what he was searching for. The path he took led him from the sidewalk, around a corner where a deli shop could be seen along the western side of the facility. The road split off, and it led to a side of the wall, where a spacious pathway was located for vehicles.

"Well, that was easy." He said with a sly grin.

Walking underneath the arch, the gates were left open and the necromancer continued to move deeper into the waste land. Old trucks and cars that had been put through a devastating compactor, and broken furnishings such as tables and chairs were stacked in countless ways upon one another. There were broken couches and mattresses, the metallic springs to their cushions, heaps of computer monitors and old television sets, that had long since worn out.

The rust and oxidation from years outside due to heavy rain and snow, the heat and dryness caused many of the structures to have a reddish brown tint. Everything was no longer in its proper form, or it might not have been discarded so easily.

As Falcon stopped moving, the cloud his feet were causing to stir slowly lifted about his lengthy cloak. The ground was very musty, as the color was similar to the piles of garbage and wrecked machinery that were taking forever to diminish back to their core elements. Along the far edges of the combined dump and scrapyard, the wall that had barbed wire running along the top to keep trespassers at bay during closing hours of operation, this gave the place a similar feeling to a prison barrier.

"Well, you got here rather fast." Raven said from behind.

Falcon turned and noticed the gray sorceress was levitating. In hearing her classic tone, it caused him to chuckle. He did not understand what he found so humorous about the cold Empath now; perhaps it was just being around a group of superheroes, and the fact that she was being nice when typically they were prepared to kill one another, in a heated argument.

"Nice to see you too." He replied with a slick grin.

She lowered herself to the ground and stood alongside him. After pulling out her Titan's Communicator, the built in guidance positioning system; or G.P.S. for short revealed a miniature version of the map.

"Thanks." Raven answered as she scrolled through the device.

"By the way, what is that exactly?"

"It's our team's personal cellular phone. The range is better than what most modern devices come equipped with, and if something big happens, say a massive power failure knocks out the grid, then we can still communicate, due to the relay built in at the roof of Titans Tower. It carries many top of the line gadgets, that all make Cyborg proud."

"So, I take it that in order to have one of those, that you have to be a member of the team?"

Raven looked up slowly, before giving a reply.

"That's right. Come-on, let's go and do what we came here for."

While she put the hand held walkie back into the belt compartment, Falcon stroked his chin as he patiently waited for further instruction. He was more than willing to prove his might as a powerful ally, but being a team player was something he was still struggling against.

"Are you sure that we're going in the right direction?" Falcon asked while he walked behind her menacing shadow.

She partially looked over her right shoulder. "Trust me."

Falcon hesitated, before speaking again.

"I just hope that you know what you're doing."

"I've been fighting criminals for a couple of years now." She halted in her tracks and as he bumped into her, she peered directly into his line of vision, and the Empath was growing fearful about being so close to the dark necromancer. "I don't need a lecture, especially from some stranger that I met just the other day; I know how to handle myself. But above everything that goes on, I think I know when something is about to get bad."

"A sixth sense?"

She rolled her eyes.

As the pair lingered in the middle of the open junkyard, the blinding sun warmed their bodies and the heat of the afternoon steadily climbed to an almost unbearable degree, of even walking at a brisk pace. The unplanned disagreement was only getting on Raven's nerves, while the warmth outside was not cooling down the mood for either party.

"So, what was it that made you decide on coming along?" Raven tossed the question out. "And don't give me that simple line; because you wanted to make up for how you acted earlier. Remember, I can read peoples emotions rather well, you want something from me and my friends, don't you?"

Falcon blinked, he felt this would arise sooner or later, and now that it was in the open, there was nothing holding him back from explaining his motives.

"It would be pointless to hide, wouldn't it?" He asked with earnest."Okay, I'll bite."

Raven halted, causing him to wait also.

Falcon sighed. "Alright, there is something I do want, but it wasn't what I was expecting when I first came to this city. Now that I can see it, well ... I don't really know how to describe it."

"What is it?"

"When you came to my door, just before the alarm went off, you were trying to make me feel welcomed. Even after giving my clear intentions of wanting to leave, you insisted on making me understand something that you, and your teammates share with one another."

"Go on."

"I'm not a hero Raven." Falcon looked up at the sky. "Being called a friend, that is something that I never had the luxury to afford. Because I set out on revenge from so long ago, it forced me to abolish anything that could potentially weaken me. Getting stronger to defeat him, that is all that drives me."

"Stop wasting my time, and just come out with it already!"

"Like I said, I never fully understood this type of connection between others; on why people do things that complicate matters. Call me a loner or a stray dog if you will; but I was never fond of creating friendships because they could only tie me down. I've been on my own, mostly my whole life, with nothing but bad memories and a trail of agony and tears." Falcon glanced towards her; "I thought that if I were to just walk away, that if I simply left Titans Tower and never made an effort on doing the right thing for once in my own pathetic life; then I would never forgive myself. I wouldn't be able to, for having unleashed further pain into peoples lives, when all I wanted to bring was closure."

Raven started walking again.

"I can relate to that." She replied to his rebuttal. "However, if you think I even want you to be around me or my friends, when I realize how much of a greater threat you have admitted to being, well you're wrong."

Falcon jumped on the defense. "You told me once, that you lost your faith in the world, and in yourself. But there was something keeping you grounded, and I see that now."

"Why do I find that so difficult to believe?" She peered at him while poking his chest. "The issue is you."

"Right." He rubbed his chin. "But that's just it, the whole issue boils down to the simple and undeniable fact, of having trust in someone."

"Make your point." She tapped her foot on the dirt, with her arms crossed over her breasts.

"When the previous sixth Titan broke that bond you each shared, she unknowingly caused something else for your group as well. I felt it, and if I walked away from this fight here and now, then I would only be making that notion you all feel to this day, to become deeper. This would go against everything I am trying to do."

The enchantress scratched her forehead, and as Falcon began to walk past her, he instantly felt that her ominous presence was lagging behind his silhouette now. He sighed and clenched his balled up hands.

"So, that's it then?" She asked, with his back still facing her.

"What is?"

"Trust." She took a step forwards. "You do not place dependence upon another human being, simply because you feel weakness in being close to anybody. Yet, it is something you are longing for? If you did have trust, it must have been broken at some earlier point, thus making you this way. Isn't that true?"

He blinked his eyes as her rasping deadpan slowly became stern, where he could slightly pick up on how much closer that she was getting. Falcon shrugged his shoulders and observed each of their shadows. The outlines of their bodies were almost molded into one.

"What does it matter?" He turned around to look at her, and this time he took much closer notice to her smooth A-Line hair style, that revolved along with her blue cloak from the wind. "Putting your best, if not your only chances into another person, well that is just foolish!"

"Yet after everything you've told me, this is what you desire most of all; friends."

He gently sighed. "I guess that I'm not really sure, anymore."

"You know, having trust in someone else is never a bad thing. See, I stopped believing in myself, but my friends did not give up. They refused, even beyond the end of all things, past the point of no return, and onto the abyss of hell itself. They refused to quit, and they still searched for me."

His head sank.

"Please, don't continue to throw that in my face." He retorted. "I know about this, you showed me."

A lump was seen moving in Raven's throat. She waited for a few seconds, before uttering anything.

"In their final efforts, that powerful hope that the impossible I had unleashed, could be undone, they fought on. I don't know how, I will never understand why they stayed, but they did. It was more than the friendship we had, it was believing in something greater!"

"Perhaps." replied Falcon. "Perhaps this is what I could not wrap my head around? I knew that it was more than friendship, I guess I envied you for that."

During the lingering pause, he could deduce that she truly wanted to help him; that she was willing to listen and for what felt like the very first time, that this dark bird actually cared about him. If not for some misplaced logic about her own unpleasant backstory, and forming a connection to him, this bamboozled the lone wolf greatly and to no end.

I come to this stupid city, mainly to find the monster that ruined my life, and instead I find this! He bellowed at himself. What is happening to me?

"Falcon." Raven spoke up. "You may be complicated, and I don't entirely trust you."

"I figured as much."

"But, you have helped us, and you're here now." She blinked her amethyst eyes. "While it may be small, it is still something; and as long as you are willing to trust us, then we will be able to trust you."

Within seconds a massive side of a car was hurled like it was a tumbling boulder, towards the cloaked duo. The necromancer caught this horrific glimpse in the corner of Raven's eyes, and by sheer instinct he threw himself upon her to act as a buffer, and they both slid to safety in the nick of time; just before the obstacle smashed into the spot that they were standing!

"Are you alright?" Falcon asked while he tried to breathe at a calmer pace.

"Yeah." She replied. "I-I think so."

This was the second time in less than a week, in which the gray enchantress had been rescued from a near fatal blow. Her heart was beating so quickly, that she could not even argue or generate another snippy comment. As the dust cleared, the red cloaked teenager pulled himself away from her cushioning bosom; it was truly awkward for their bodies to be touching. Once again, they were in a tiresome conversation that only made her outraged as if she was talking to a stubborn mule, but it was cut short.

"Oh dear me, it looks like I missed." A feminine voice cooed. "Hey Raven, heads up!"

The Empath and necromancer turned to the voice, and they quickly dodged a second attack that was caused from a purple wave of energy, it was directed at them with great tenacity. As the pair stood up, three crumpled cars had flopped onto the dirt behind them.

"Jinx!" Raven called out with a burning ire, as Falcon returned his focus back at the stranger, standing with her shoulders to the blistering sun.

---

Her clothing was its normal black pigment, with the purple striped stockings, and a skirt that was donned over the upper portion of her slim figure. Her high heeled boots were meant for journeying beyond rough environments, while her long hair was the same bright pink color that gave the impression, that she had horns and was part demon. Her powers were a mixture of an elemental mystery, and bad luck when unleashed in the ripples of waves, from the palm of her hands.

She revealed a mischievous grin at these two, they had walked blindly into a trap and she was waiting for them. The turncoat was back to her games from the life she had cast off, but why?

"Well, well ... if it isn't a brooding Titan and her new best friend; how nice of you to drop on by." Jinx spoke sharply as she moved her focus from the Empath, and back towards Falcon. "Who's your friend Raven, he seems kinda cute."

She winked at him, and he was almost instantly stunned. Raven on the other hand, she remained slack jawed at the idea, of her old ally having attacked her.

"You helped us to defeat the Brotherhood of Evil, Madame Rouge and the Brain." Raven grasped her right shoulder and looked on with compassion, at the previous teammate. "Why are you doing this?"

The clever witch hopped down and placed her right hand over her hip, and she studied her fingernails on her left.

"Old habits die hard." The Hex Girl replied. "Would you believe that I am doing all of this for simple revenge? In all honesty, I don't really care what you think. I have my own plans and things to accomplish."

"But robbing banks and stealing artwork. I'm sorry, but doesn't this seem at all below your standards?" Raven waited briefly, and then she continued. "I thought you wanted to be something more, I thought that you were ready to do justice and to be a hero?"

Falcon looked back and forth, his thoughts were jumping at what he should do or say, but all he did was stand and remain silent.

"You have to spend money to get things done; there are buyers willing to pay a good chunk of change for some of the prints we took." Her tone of voice suddenly became more tempting, as she kept her entrancing gaze upon the red cloaked necromancer. "While I do enjoy our little reunion, I must be going."

The elementress waved her right arm; where yet a third purple shockwave was directed at Raven! She hovered to the side, as Falcon jumped to the boundary once more, covering his head as he moved. As he looked to his ally, Raven's eyes below the cowl became a pure white color, and he turned his attention back towards the mischief maker who continued the ruthless attack!

"For what it's worth, I never liked you." Jinx prodded her rival.

"I don't wish to fight you Jinx." Raven pleaded. "But you are leaving me with no other options."

Falcon stood up and he brushed away some of the dirt that was still clinging to his pants.

Where the hell are the others? He thought as a lengthy hush fell over the combatants.

"Enough of this! Come-on goth girl, I know that you want to hit me." Jinx revealed a sly grin that was larger than before.

"Don't do this. What happened between you and Kid Flash?"

"Let's just say, that we needed a break from each-other."

"But, why?"

"Things in this world move on my dear blue birdie, so do people and their relationships." She clenched her fists. "Nothing lasts forever. Nothing."

Raven held out her left hand, she was trying to offer an olive branch between the two since their bizarre encounter.

"Please Jinx, I want to help you. A duel over our misunderstandings from before, this is pointless!"

"Good, I prefer it when you cower in fear." Jinx's irises were glowing with a deep purple glow, and Raven recoiled her hand.

"I don't think that is such a good idea." Falcon spoke while he peered at the elementress. "If you get into a brawl with her, then I'll have to jump in ... and I really don't think you want to deal with me."

Jinx chortled with mischievous and uncontrollable pleasure.

"Oh, and why is that cutie pie?" She asked. "I can take you both on, all by myself."

The fire wielder leaned against a green pickup truck. The tires were gone and the hood was stuck open, where the rustic outer shell was all that remained.

"Funny." He shook his head. "Because the last person that said something like that to me, he ended up in a hospital; for nine whole weeks."

Jinx cracked the knuckles in her fingers, where the popping sound only gave the impression that she meant to do harm. As she stood in a high battle tier from her exotic jujitsu lessons, she waved her hand to goad him.

"Make your move ... scar eye." She spoke with a twinkle in her eyeballs. "Let's see what you're made of."

He narrowed his line of sight in pure rage, and while he lowered his left hand, a swirling vortex of energy combined with the oxygen in the air, and his abilities to create sparks in the palm of his hands; soon the orb burst into a little sun that did not burn him. His shadow became darker, and it appeared that a black aura was spewing from within him.

"My name is FALCON!"

After he belted his proud alias for the entire city to hear, in a low and demonic tone that even startled the gray Empath. He threw the fireball at Jinx and it became larger and hurtled quicker, as it drew in on its intended target. It began to pick up speed at a tremendous rate, and a few seconds right before it was going to smash into the witch, she backflipped to the left, avoiding any nasty scalding or injuries.

"You have some skills red, I'll give you that. But if you think that you can take me down, then you've got another thing coming." Jinx insulted him once more, and he exhaled slowly to relieve his anger.

Falcon spread each of his hands apart, and in the palms of them both, he generated two more spiraling orbs of a hot crimson color, that quickly burst into flames! The heat was growing, and where before he could not feel the sting, this time however, since he was so enraged he began to loose his composure and grip on his powers. His wrath was taking over, and the truth of this cruel ability was, that the longer he held onto the fire without remaining calm, the more he would feel a terrible burn.

"That was nothing," he rasped; "try dodging this!"

Again and again, the fireballs were thrown with great passion from the necromancer, destined to smash into the ever evasive target. Each time one of the projectiles came near, Jinx would simply preform a backflip or summersault out of harms way. Following a short tussle that was going nowhere, and proving only that the witch could be on the United States gymnastics team for the Olympics, Falcon was breathing heavily as the scalding on his hands intensified to the point that he had to stop.

His hands were callous, scarred and worn down to the point that it hurt to use this raw power, for the time being. It was uncomfortable just pressing his fingers into his palms. He needed a new tactic, and all this time Raven was observing by his side, as the blackness around him became darker and thicker. It was like a thick fog moving around him, and was now concealing him into a hellish void.

"Is that all then?" The deadly and lone sorceress jumped down from the wreckage, and spun around like a ballerina on the stage. Her cocksure grin was still there.

"I'm only getting warmed up honey." He deadpanned after puffing heavily.

She halted in the middle of her beautifully crafted floor routine; and smirked yet another evil notion his way.

"Funny," she scolded him with a laugh; "I was too."

As if on a cue of his own, a muscular and behemoth like blur smashed into Falcon from the rear, forcing the fire wielder to be driven into the wall, and to roll onto his side in great pain! When he slowly looked up to locate his new attacker, he noticed the towering giant with long reddish orange hair, with a vile grin of nasty contempt towards his foes.

"Red, I'd like you to meet someone who just loves to smash things into little, tiny bits."

Falcon stood up cautiously, begrudgingly accepting the obvious fact of hitting the hard dirt once more. While rubbing his head, and this time with Raven alongside him; he cracked the joints within his neck.

Before, he was merely annoyed with the shenanigans that Raven's lost comrade was using, to simply stall the moment, where now he was growing furious beyond comprehension, at the lure he had hooked himself into. Just like a hungry trout in the water being baited on a worm, chomping down onto the thought to be easy meal, where the poor creature was to feel the cold sting of a sharp spear, piercing through its upper lip and knowing it was about to meet a far worse fate, than that of the worm in its belly.

He quickly realized his mistake, and was now ready to make the malicious girl pay dearly. If there was one thing Falcon hated most, it was allowing himself to get ensnared when he should have just pressed the assault to a higher notch. Falcon was not tired; he just needed to reexamine the situation, before making his next move and while the burns were on his hands, the throbbing of his pulse calmed his nerves.

"So ... now there are two of you." The necromancer studied the enormous target, and then he grinned after spitting out some blood. "You should apologize for having done such a rude thing."

"Mammoth doesn't regret anything, puny hero." The bulky criminal boomed in his loud voice, where he spoke in the third person, to sound more imposing.

"You'll find that I'm full of surprises, you overgrown and clumsy muscle head!"

Mammoth grunted as he picked up a blue semi truck. Then he tossed the vehicle at his rival, as if it was a folding lawn chair to the average person. This time however, Raven used her dark powers and captured the heavy projectile in mid-fight, and she transferred it out of the arena with a harsh exhale of her own breath. Things were not getting any easier for the heroine and the ill-tempered wanderer, this brawl was quiet a spectacle to behold.

"So, which one do you want to take?" Raven asked while she hovered in the air, as her cold white eyes from her abilities, they were still peering in the direction of the two battle hardened fiends.

"Shouldn't you be telling me to hold off, until the others get here?" Falcon answered back without looking at her.

"What was that? Don't tell me that you're afraid of doing this by yourselves now?" The Hex Girl belittled the fire wielder, after overhearing the duo's banter.

"I guess they can pick up the scraps." Falcon answered his own question aloud, and then he shook his head upon hearing his very words. "Oh, you really shouldn't have said that." His left eye now became white to match his right, and the blackness from his feet began to stretch outwards, closing upon the cruel turncoat slowly tumbling in, like the tides of the ocean.

Raven grinned; "You still haven't answered my question."

The necromancer chuckled a rather sinister outburst, before responding fully. "Leave the big guy to me. I don't know how, but I've just got this inkling notion, that you want to take on your old friend."

Raven's eyes narrowed, he was right.

Mammoth scratched his hair and revealed a perplexed expression. "Um, he does know that we are standing right here, doesn't he?" He asked his ally with a hand over his mouth.

Jinx stared forwards, she was fully prepared to duel either the Empath or the necromancer if they bolted after her.

"For a Teeny Titan, you sure talk a big game." Mammoth badgered Falcon, and then he arched his back like grizzly bear from being on all fours, to show his entire physique while slapping his hands together. "Looks like it's time for the hurting to begin!"

"It's Teen Titan you ogre." Falcon corrected the behemoth's sloppy grammar. "But no, I am not one of them."

The Hex Girl took a step forwards. "Well you're not some simple civilian waltzing in, and people don't just work with those heroes, unless they're trying to get at an angle of some kind."

Falcon scoffed at this remark, and the Empath raised an eyebrow. "The only thing I'm trying to do here, is to prove a point to you idiots!"

"Really?" Asked Jinx; "and what would that point be, exactly?"

Falcon swallowed hard, his arms grew stiff and he was more aggressive when he was backed into a wall. There was no denying that he came to Jump City to locate the demon of his past life, but now there seemed to be a different purpose altogether, and it was one that he was having a great difficulty in wrapping his head around.

"You're about to find out." He deadpanned.

The lone wolf who had briefly joined the team of superheroes for two days, who had spent the night and had argued about his journey, and the many issues that was consuming them all; that was now ancient history. All that Falcon pondered over; was giving these enemies a fight and proving to his newfound comrades, that he was not to be mistaken for a coward in any regard.

Yet only the gray enchantress from the group he had come to respect, only she was there to offer him assistance. In truth, he did not require help, and he was more than capable to fight on his own. Still, the odds were in better favor now that the combatants had an equal number. It was going to be a fair duel.

"He's a tough one." Mammoth said sternly; "But let's just see, on how tough his outer shell really is!"

The great and powerful teenage juggernaut, used his entire body as a battering ram, and he raced forwards into the red cloaked wanderer. The bickering had gone on for some time, and the words themselves were growing mind-numbing that the giant desperately needed to break something else. Falcon seemed like the perfect item to obliterate, and once his hands were to grab hold of his neck, that would be the end of the fight.

The monstrous criminal kicked up much of the thick dust behind him, as Falcon curled his toes, bit his lower lip and waited for the onslaught that was bound to hit him. It was a moment that one feels when a train comes barreling down the tracks, about to hit the parked car that is wedged, unable to break free as the heavy gates closes from both the front and behind, the whistles and bells ringing to sound the alarm of the danger growing ever closer.

Nothing would end it now, there was too much momentum from the behemoth's legs, that he was going to either hit the spot, or miss entirely and go head first into a stack of crumpled vehicles behind him.

Falcon just stood in place, his eyes glaring forwards and he did not move an inch, even as a calm breeze was felt across his face. Time seemed to slow down, as the world around him and the sounds became too distant to even notice any longer.

Falcon did not flinch, he did not make any sudden movements, he just remained where he was, his outline on the ground was now long and had gone below the thick feet of Mammoth. For the fish that was baited and struggling in its most desperate hour, gasping for air and flopping on the deck to get back into the water, now the prey had one last trick up its sleeve, a tactic that would catch the hunter off guard.

A plume of white smoke rose from middle of the scrap yard, the battle was underway; and sounds of crashing and banging echoed across the location, far out into the streets of Jump City. It even caused the nearby pedestrians to run for cover, as they believed an earthquake was unfolding.

---

"Dude, what the heck was that?" Beast Boy asked his half-robot friend inside the T-Car.

The mechanic sighed while pulling the vehicle sharply to the side of the road. Someone was already brawling, and the conflict was close by.

"It looks like the party is here." Cyborg answered back. "Let's go."

"You don't have to tell me twice."

The pair jumped out of the car, and they raced into the south entrance on foot. As they hurried along, the technician flipped through a few buttons on his wrist to scroll down the com-link built into his arm.

"This is Cyborg and Beast Boy, we've reached our sector and are heading to the center. What's happened? Does anybody copy?"

Beast Boy rolled his eyes as they went deeper into the complex, the maze of metal and scrap was increasing in both size and quantity along the edges.

"This is Cyborg, respond."

A few seconds of static on the screen forced the duo to halt in their tracks, as the face of their leader came into view. Beast Boy tilted his head to show himself in the picture also.

*Robin here ... what's happened?*

"Well then, Raven must be in the center of it." Beast Boy talked while scanning their surroundings.

*Did Beast Boy just say, that Raven was in trouble?*

Cyborg stared at the changeling, and then nodded his head.

"I don't know, but there sure is a big commotion going on down here!"

*It could be that Falcon has already engaged the enemy.*

"That's what I was thinking, but we don't know for sure."

*Right, me and Starfire are almost at the north end. Link up with Raven if you can.*

"Copy that." Cyborg then shut off the device and walked up to the green hero, who was now standing some distance in front of him.

"Have you ever had the feeling, that you're being, oh, I dunno, watched?" Beast Boy asked while he stuck his nose into the air, sniffing for a strange sent.

Cyborg shrugged his shoulders as the smoke and trembling only grew much more fierce than before.

"It's possible." said Cyborg; "I don't like just waiting in the open, Robin said we should join up with Rae, now lets go grass stain before your instincts bring us trouble!"

Unfortunately for the two oddballs, their time had run out. Hiding in the darkness of the debris, a pair of small eyes had been observing this path and had discovered them! He was prepared to strike the first blow, and with them talking in the open, his opportunity to separate their force was bold.

Diving in on his jet-pack, the bald and vile tech master known by his infamous title as Gizmo, he darted straight for Cyborg with a large smile plastered all over his face! As he drew closer, he fired many rockets to distract the changeling, the criminal wanted to take his prize in one swoop before dismantling him.

"Whoa! Heads up tin man!" Beast Boy shouted as he ducked for cover, transforming into that very creature and squawking, to give his ally the basic clue that something was amiss.

Cyborg hit the floor, as the pest in his well crafted jet propelled device, strafed the dirt with his machine-guns on the sides, acting like he was a Stuka Dive Bomber and the heroic gear head only had enough momentum to roll out of the way, and then to make a hopeless dash for cover.

"You little punk!" Cyborg shouted over his shoulder. "Didn't you learn from our last encounter that you can't win!"

Gizmo growled below his breath.

"Maybe so, but at least I'm not the one running."

The road behind Cyborg was being peppered with high powered rounds and explosives. To Beast Boy who watched nearby, the amusing spectacle was like a vibrant fireworks show on the heels of his teammate, only it was not in good taste as the ruckus was intended to bring deadly harm.

With having enough of the ordeal, Cyborg turned quickly behind a barrier and powered up his sonic canon from his right arm. The expression on Gizmo's face altered from one of a confident manner, into utter horror.

"Guess what, you are now!"

"Damn-it!" Gizmo screamed as the mighty blue beam knocked out one of the backpack's engines, forcing the brainy kid to spiral out of control, and crash not that far away.

"You got him, nice shot dude!" Beast Boy expelled while giving his comrade a high-five slap.

Cyborg turned and chuckled. "Not to boast or anything of that sort, but I almost forgot how easy these guys were."

Gizmo picked himself off the earth, and he concealed the wings back into their compartment. He was not a happy camper.

"You don't even know what you're talking about, you skuz-ball!" The wise-cracking criminal sneered. "That was one approach, but that was just a taste of what I can do."

"Let's see the rest of it then!" Cyborg jeered while waving him on.

Unbeknownst to the pair of Teen Titans, since Gizmo and Mammoth had been freed from their icy prisons, they had been busy in their new home. The ground began to shake, as nearby obstacles and thought-to-be rubble started moving, and then hundreds of tiny mechanical spiders with four legs crawled out from their charging stations, as Gizmo used a remote control on his wrist. He had called the droid army to encircle the heroes!

Beast Boy raised an eyebrow before uttering a response.

"Oh man, you just had to goad him. Didn't you?"

"Well, it wasn't my fault!" Cyborg bantered back.

They each dropped into their fighting tiers, ready to bring a new fight to the unending enemy that continued to encroach upon their space.

"I can't believe that I'm about to say this." Beast Boy groaned.

"Well, don't. Not while I'm around anyway."

The two looked at one another, and then the changeling expelled a deep breath from his chest.

"I wish that Robin were here."

Cyborg smacked his forehead.

"Don't start with that!"

The dwarven brainiac began to giggle, with a purely evil tone. The backpack transformed into four long spider legs, and his height increased ten-fold. He stood out amongst his robotic creations as some sort of king, and he lowered his green welding goggles to increase his odds of hitting his opponents with rockets.

"Oh boy." Beast Boy whined. "Now he's not so small anymore. Well, this just keeps on getting better and better, don't it?"

"Put a sock in it booger boy!" Gizmo's voice cracked like a lion tamer's whip. "I can't take one more nanosecond of your bickering, you two have got to be the worst heroes of all time!"

The mountain of junk alongside this group began to shake. Something was slamming against it!

"What is going on over there?" Beast Boy couldn't help himself.

"It would appear that Jinx and Mammoth, are dealing with one of your friends right now. You can bet, that they are toast."

"No!" Cyborg gasped.

The metal heap shook again, as an explosion erupted from the other side. Gizmo glared forwards, he was ready to make his attack while the partners were focused on the wall and not on him.

"Eat my rockets you losers!" Gizmo cheered loudly as he opened fire from a great distance away. This was personal.

The ammunition was relentless and devastating; it cut through the air like an autumn breeze through the dying oak leaves, swishing and swirling in every direction, managing to hit everything but the pair of daring heroes still dodging the onslaught.

"Why don't you just give up already, you crud-munchers!" Gizmo heated up his verbal abuses.

While Beast Boy in the form of a Cheetah, and Cyborg tumbling over his own two legs, the two pushed forwards as they hurried for cover. They knocked out the spider droids with ease, yet the firepower from their bald overlord was both heavy and hard.

"A Teen Titan never quits you annoying squirt!" Cyborg replied while shooting his cannon at the robots.

"Yeah!" The changeling said after morphing from a polar bear, and clawing down the machines. "I'm only getting warmed up!"

Out of the middle of the sky, a green bolt of energy slammed into Gizmo's pack, effectively cutting off his ammunition! All eyes looked up, and the Tamaranean Princess was found hovering in the air, as noxious fumes bellowed upwards from the pip-squeaks equipment.

The little green suited genius, pounded a nearby sign with a clenched fist.

"Alright Star!" Beast Boy cheered; "Let him have it!"

"Right." The gorgeous alien replied.

Great, now there are three of them. This is getting out of hand. Gizmo said within his mind, where he calculated his options as everything was turning against him.

His best bet would be to join forces with his cohorts, and together they would make a final stand. It was either that, or run away and the small geek was not about to admit check-mate all of a sudden. As the trio of Titans battled the spider droids in their path, blasting and clawing them to bolts and scrap like the heaps of garbage around them, Gizmo darted for the barrier that the vibrations were coming from.

Turning his head, he revealed his large smile.

"Catch you later, lame brains!"

Using the massive spider limbs, he climbed across the wall and disappeared from site!

"Damn-it, he got away!" Beast Boy groaned.

"Not yet green bean." Cyborg responded quickly as he split a mechanized creature in half with his bare hands. "Let's finish this!"

---

Robin in the meantime, he had just entered the scrapyard turned battleground, from the north-most entrance. He had taken a detour that only made him hit traffic along the entire way, and it was a pain in his neck to get through. His plan had backfired from the very beginning, yet that did not fluster him.

Traffic was a sloppy thing that civilians have to endure, but not the protege to the world's greatest crime fighting detective. Especially when a destruction was underway, or his friend were in trouble. While Batman had his prized black shaded tank of a muscle car, the Titan's leader had a true beast of a street bike.

The Boy Wonder had traversed in-between the lanes of parked vehicles upon the California freeway, using his flashy crimson red speed-bike. The engine was a master Kawasaki model, with a modified two hundred and eighty horsepower, to give the bike a turbo boost that only race car drivers are accustomed to handling. It hummed an impressive vroom, that bounced across the buildings.

Once he arrived, he checked his yellow communicator to pick up on his teammates tracking signals. As he quickly assumed from his second in command's report, they were all in the heat of a terrible fray, with the thought-to-be dismantled Hive Five gang.

"Here I come guys." Robin spoke aloud, and he removed his helmet and bolted for the center of the scrapyard.

Just as the Boy Wonder turned around a blind corner, one of the man-made walls caved in, and a hooded figure tumbled outwards like a rag doll, to the feet of the team leader!

"Oh, why did I agree to this nonsense?" Falcon moaned as he brushed himself off. "This guy just cannot take a hint."

Robin looked up while Mammoth stepped through the gaping hole, parts of his clothing were torn and he even had a few burn marks on his arms and face. The fire wielder did some damage, but he repeatedly took heavy blows in the process.

"Puny man!" Mammoth grilled the necromancer, as he swiped the steady stream of blood dripping from his lower lip. "Mammoth's gonna make you extinct!"

"Good thing I got here when I did." The Boy Wonder spoke, while trying to assist Falcon back up, but the stubborn newbie pushed him away, and he breathed in deeply.

"Wha ...what are y ... you talking about? I ... I've got this guy." Falcon wobbled for a short stint, to catch his balance like a drunken sailor. The bruise to his cheek, and the blood on his clothing and hood was proof enough, that he had been slightly hurt. Sweat was trickling down his brow, he appeared to be exhausted, and it was a miracle that he could even stand!

"Maybe you should take a breather."

Falcon chuckled uncontrollably from this.

"You don't know me very well, do you?"

A blast of purple light shined before this group, where Raven was seen battling Jinx in the distance, as the witch backflipped across the structures to avoid capture. Beast Boy and Starfire were next to be seen, as they worked together to tackle the spider-bots, while Cyborg hurried his pursuit against the dwarf-like criminal mastermind. Gizmo was making fake copies of himself, and whenever the Titan's technician would get close or grab hold of one, the fake would disappear, acting as a mirage.

"We're all here then." Robin sighed. "Was I really the last one to make it?"

"Yeah." Beast Boy shouted in the background; "It took you long enough!"

"For your information;" Robin cried out, "traffic on the weekend is not something to be taken lightly!"

Mammoth studied the wheezing and puffing for more oxygen on Falcon's part, and he stared forwards with complete intent. The brute and unstoppable wrecking-ball was about to charge into the fire wielder once again.

"Well!" Falcon deadpanned at the ginormous opponent. "Come on, bring your best stuff you jughead. I'm ready!"

Robin's mask became wide from fear, as he summersaulted to safety, as the enemy barreled towards the hooded wanderer, who still owned up to that lone-wolf attitude about himself.

"FALCON!" The leader cried, and everybody turned to observe the soon to be carnage, of their newest companion.

A strange sensation overcame him right in these short seconds, he was never afraid of a battle, but he had never felt more alive than in this exact moment of time. Right before he was about to be crushed like the things that made up the arena, Falcon caused his shadow to envelope him and everybody became slack-jawed, as they observed him disappear right before Mammoth!

"Whoops!" His raspy voice mocked his much larger foe. "I'm right behind you."

The criminal took a heavy swing with his right fist, and he hit nothing but air!

"Nope." Falcon kept up the banter. "Now I'm on your left, no, your other left."

"Stop hiding from me!" Mammoth roared with a terrible fury.

Falcon sighed. "Very well then. You wanted me, well you've got your wish you overgrown slug!"

The necromancer reemerged from beneath the venomous criminal's shadow, rising from a portal of some kind that he had erected, using the sun's reflection that cast an impressive darkness. His red hooded attire fluttered, as everything around him became silent, while long and demonic tentacle-hands grabbed hold of Mammoth, picking him up as he squirmed in mid-air! He was unable to get out while Falcon used his right hand to guid his satanic powers.

"No!" Mammoth squealed. "Put me down, NOW!"

Falcon grinned, while the aura about him was pitch black. Everyone else watched this horrific scene unfold. Robin and his group of Teen Titans were frozen by fear of seeing more of the unknown becoming revealed, by the teenager that they had agreed to spending the night in their home. Jinx and Gizmo's jaws nearly hit the dirt as this occurred, they did not know how to handle this turn of events.

"DUDE! No. Way!" Beast Boy said near the Empath.

"This doesn't look good." said Cyborg. "Judging by that rate, he could kill him!"

The heroic captain drew his bo-staff, while keeping the droids from attacking him now. As he turned to the new spectacle, he thought up something quick.

"Stop it Falcon! He's out of the fight, you can drop him now."

Despite the orders, the necromancer was locked in a deep struggle with his very soul. He could not hear the others and was forgetting what he was even doing. The shadow manipulator squeezed his fist, this caused his hidden abilities to strangle the life of the muscular and far bigger opponent.

"Falcon." Raven's voice finally broke him from his fixated trance, where he felt a gentle hand upon his shoulder. "He's done, put him down."

As she recoiled her hand, the shadow manipulator did the same while his left eye became chocolate brown once more, and the tentacles evaporated into the portal from which they were spawned, thus it caused Mammoth to plummet to the dirt with a loud thump!

"Did he just ... did he just do that?" Jinx's voice cooed across the battlefield.

Gizmo stood near her.

"Well, we'd better get going."

Falcon shot his death-glare at them, and the shadows about these two forced them to abandon their running away tactic.

"I have played this game for long enough." The necromancer tilted his head at the odd pair, while the others stood by, completely dumbstruck. "Give up now, unless you want to end up like your friend here ... which I seriously doubt you want to have happen."

"I'm not going down without a fight!" Jinx replied; "You think that I've lost this round, but I'm not afraid of you!"

Falcon peered at her, where he appeared to be thinking sinister thoughts, where he grinned.

"That's too bad." He responded; "Surely you would have learned a lesson by now, but perhaps I can teach you some manners."

As she waited, he unleashed the darkness to clamp around her in a great manifested fist! She struggled to squirm free, to even breathe but it was becoming next to impossible, as she could do nothing further. Her very shadow had become her own worst enemy!

"Jinx!" Gizmo hollered to his ally.

"Give it up man, it's over." Cyborg spoke as he aimed his arm cannon upon the last standing target.

The computer thief growled with hostility, then he shouted as he charged after Cyborg, but the hero unloaded a bright blast of energy from his arm, and Gizmo's mechanical legs fell to pieces. As he rubbed his dome, Beast Boy, Starfire and Robin had destroyed the last of the spiders, and they watched as Jinx was released from the darkness, and she lay next to her defeated partners in crime.

The battle was finished.

---

"Well, these guys won't be a causing anymore trouble." Cyborg spoke as the others stood beside him, staring at their captives.

"Yeah." Beast Boy exclaimed. "Those moves you did were pretty good, but I don't think you took out more bad guys than me."

"Who was keeping track?"

While the group gave fist bumps and patted each other on their backs in jubilation, the sirens of police cursors was growing louder, yet Falcon stood alone. He was tugging upon his shirt collar when suddenly, he felt that someone was next to him. He turned and with his hood pulled away, his entire face was seen in the sunlight. Robin had an austere look of demanding a simple answer, for what had happened.

Falcon sighed.

"I didn't hurt her." The necromancer briefly paused, prior to finishing his answer. "I made a point that she shouldn't have crossed a line."

"I know." The Boy Wonder replied as he glanced to the Empath, who was giving him a thumbs up, that the Hex Girl was knocked out like Mammoth, yet both were still breathing. "But there is something that is bugging me. Care to give an explanation for what that was back there?"

"You don't want to know." Falcon rasped slowly, his eyes were focused onto each of the Titan's faces that were perplexed.

"Trust me, we do." Cyborg spoke while moving closer.

"Guys, I don't think this is the time, nor the place to discuss what happened."

"No." said Robin. "You will tell us everything, if you want our trust."

Falcon glanced to his shadow, and then back to their faces. He could understand they required some honesty, and if he wanted to gain their trust then he had to be willing to take the plunge into the unknown. Yet he was not willing to go over his entire history, but giving them an idea of his dark powers, it was a start.

"Alright." Falcon began in a quiet manner. "As you could have guessed, that was from another side of me, a darker side that's been bonded to my very being; ever since I was seven years old."

"Whoa." Beast Boy gasped.

Robin stepped closer, as the others observed this.

"Why?" Pleaded the compassionate alien. "Why is it a part of you, when you do not seem to approve of it?"

"Starfire's right." Raven interjected. "That spiritual pressure I felt, it did not feel at all like it was coming from you."

"That's because it wasn't." Falcon answered. "I don't know how to best describe this for you, but when I was really little, I fooled myself into thinking that I could make a difference. I was naive enough ... stupid ... but by doing something that nobody in there right mind would ever approve of, it felt like my only option I had left."

"So you took it?" Implied Robin.

Falcon nodded without speaking a word.

"Dude." said Beast Boy.

"That's pretty steep." Cyborg chimed in.

The Titan's captain folded his arms before talking.

"As little kids, we all can do pretty reckless things. It's just part of human nature."

Falcon clenched his fists, as Robin's words weighed heavily upon him.

"I was doing something, something that I should have understood the consequences for my actions." Falcon sighed as the group kept their distance. "But it was my blind arrogance that drove me in the end."

"To do what?" asked Raven.

With his eyes closed, a single tear fell from his right eye, and everybody took notice to the ancient scar across it. The old battle wound brought up mixed feelings for the others, they all had tragic misfortunes of their own, previous lives.

"To correct something, to fix something that cannot be fixed, for it goes against the flow of life itself."

The Teen Titans became glued to his every word. And as he looked at their faces, where it was in this moment, that they all felt an eery chill creep up their backs.

"What were you trying to correct Falcon? What goes against the flow of life? What did you do as a child, that still brings nightmares to you?" Robin demanded in front of his friends.

"Death." He chuckled. "We all know about loss, but to have the chance to bring someone back, someone you missed dearly, someone you needed to guide you and to protect you, someone you ... loved."

The five heroes were numb, and Falcon wiped the tears away.

"Forgive me." He sounded partiality choked up . "Look at me, I'm simply a mess."

"So, you thought that by learning these dark arts, that this could prove to be your solace?" Raven crossed her arms.

"It was like a journey for me, a test of my mind so to speak." Falcon picked up a handful of dirt, and he let the mixture fall in-between his fingers, as the others simply watched. "To see what I was capable of, to see if I could become stronger... but above all things, it was to make my family whole again."

"Your family?" Starfire was heard.

"There is a story of a boy, who ran from a broken home and tragic life, where he tried his best to overcome the shadows, and he always came up short. He always made the wrong choices, save for one."

"And that is?" questioned the Empath.

Falcon clapped his hands free of the dirt that was stuck against his palms, and he exhaled softly before speaking.

"He never gave up, in his quest for peace. Sure, he could never forgive himself for what had occurred, for the life he chose but he always sought out new beginnings. A new chapter in his sad and lonely tale, that someday, maybe, he could at least correct the countless harms he had brought onto others."

"And himself." Raven cut-in, and everybody turned to her now.

"So then, you've heard of this bedtime story before?" Falcon linked his arms over his torso.

Raven walked in front of the group.

"There is a very similar one, that my mother used to tell me when I was but small girl." The gray sorceress waited, as the sun warmed her back. "Instead of a boy on a journey, to find release from his emotional distress; that he is to blame for. Within this other story, it dealt with a small girl. She was not given a choice in things, she had to live through the hardships that were cast down upon her. They molded her into the young woman she became, not from the path that was shown to her, but from the actions she took to make things better."

Robin, Beast Boy, Starfire and Cyborg; each gave bemused glances. As a new hush came over everyone, the team's masterful technician felt it was time to break the ice.

"That is some deep stuff." Cyborg rubbed his chin.

"Indeed." said Starfire. "The part of the boy, searching in your story Falcon, and the one with the girl, being driven into something else, yet choosing her own path. Both were guided by hope."

"Yeah." The green jokester said. "Hey um, Falcon."

"Yes." answered the shadow manipulator.

"I don't know about you, but I could sure go for a bite to eat right about now."

Falcon revealed a smile.

"So could I."

"GREAT!" Beast Boy threw a hand into the air, but he quickly pulled it down as he awaited the reprieve from his superhero comrades. "I know a place that has some awesome tofu dogs!"

"B." said Cyborg. "If we're going out to lunch, there is no way that I'm going to let you take us to some vegan diner!"

"Well there's no way, that I'm going to eat at some buffet place, that only serves meat!"

While these two bickered about their choices of food dominating over others, Falcon held his elbow. Starfire came closer and stood before the necromancer; there was something else she needed to say.

"Friend Falcon." The princess glanced to her feet before she continued. "This story, about the boy and his kin."

"What do you want to know?" He answered with ease.

"Did he still have a home to return to?"

Falcon's grin receded into his blank stare, he understood what he had walked into, but felt it would be good if he rode it out, instead of leaving more loose ends.

"His home was lost, but he was not afraid to make a new one." He sighed. "He told himself to get up, and to start walking."

The sympathetic redhead felt warmth from him, and the answer he gave made her insist, that he was giving an effort to bridge a gap he had created on the first day.

Robin had heard enough, and he decided things were ending on a positive note. The red cloaked wanderer had shown strength beyond his dark abilities alone, he was trying to be a better person as well.

With the criminals having been caught, the day was still early and the Teen Titans were finally breaking new ground with the strange loner. As they walked out of the Junkyard together, Robin waited near his bike with his crimson helmet in hand. Cyborg, Beast Boy, Raven, Falcon and Starfire; they had walked with their leader, and were now standing by the north most entrance.

"Alright team, we did good today." Robin spoke while sitting on his R-Cycle. "Feel free to go downtown, I've got some things to look into, back at the Tower."

"You sure that you don't want to come along?" asked Cyborg.

"Yeah." Answered Robin while he put on the helmet, and he started the engine, causing the vibrating rumble from the powerful motor to shake the ground. "I'll meet up with you guys shortly."

"If you insist." Cyborg waved a hand, as he made his way towards the southern gate. "See you later Robin."

"Oh, and Falcon." The Boy Wonder asked, causing the drifter to turn around.

The Fire Wielder just stood without speaking, allowing Robin to finish.

"If it means anything, thanks for doing what you did. I may not fully approve of how you do things, and I don't entirely like the distance we created between ourselves yesterday, but we've seemed to move on."

Falcon nodded, he remained silent and did not wish to spoil the moment.

"Right." said Robin. "Take care."

With that short goodbye now out of the way, the Titan's leader drove off in a flash. The revving increased, as the impressive sight of the red blur, it was quick to vanish from Falcon's sight.

The necromancer had seen much, and he had done a great deal of good. He never really thought that he could come as far as he had, yet with a bit of his story being revealed, it proved that even someone as distant and dark as he was, had a shot at a better life. While he walked, his threatening outline across the dirt reminded him of the many burdens he had, and of the person responsible.

The laughter from Beast Boy bounced across the walls, and in a short while he would be with them again. However, he stopped and turned around where he thought a soft whimpering could be heard.

As he glanced over his right shoulder, sure enough a shadow of a canine was seen, and slowly while Falcon approached, the big hound came into a much closer view. Falcon noticed the thick fur that was black in the middle, and a light brown color across his body. His ears were pointed up at attention, while his tail was curled outwards, like a half crescent moon. His long nose was also a defining trait, that helped him to track any vague sent.

Besides the tongue sticking out, panting to help him sweat, the deep eyes from the pooch were locked onto the necromancer's; the German Shepherd was a stray, where he somehow found his way inside the junkyard, and was lost like Falcon.

The shadow manipulator knelt down, and he began to stroke the animal's clean fur coat. There were no tags, there was no collar, the canine did not appear to have a home or a family.

"Well, you seem lost." Falcon spoke as he rubbed his dome, behind the dog's ears. "You don't have any identification either, so I don't really know what to make of this?"

Falcon stood up, where the hound tilted his head and stuck his tongue back into his mouth. As the sorcerer tapped his chin, he mused over what he should do.

"Hey Falcon, what's taking you so long?" Beast Boy was heard as he came running back.

"Well, you see ... I found this dog and-"

"Dude!" The shapeshifter bent down, and he began to pet the stray. "Who's your friend?"

"I don't know." said Falcon; "He just came up to me, and he doesn't have a collar or anything claiming ownership."

"That's pretty sad." Beast Boy said.

"Yo, B!" Cyborg shouted, as he stuck his head out of the driver's side window. "What's taking you guys so long?"

Almost instantly, the changeling and necromancer looked at one another, and both rubbed the backs of their necks in confusion with what they had planned. The dog was still sitting, still panting as he turned his head from both teenage boys.

"We can't take him with us." said Falcon.

"You're right." Beast Boy replied. "He needs a name first."

"Perhaps we should leave?" Falcon turned his back, and he made his way to the T-Car as Beast Boy remained behind, where he was noticed petting the dog's fur once more.

"He doesn't have a home dude." The shapeshifter's low voice, caused the fire wielder to halt in his tracks. "I think he should come, at least for a few days, and if nobody claims him by then; at least he could be a new pet!"

"This isn't my call, and besides; do you really think that taking in a stray dog is for the best? He should be dropped off at the pound."

Beast Boy raised an eyebrow, and Falcon released a heavy breath.

"Okay, I see how you can relate him to me." Falcon defended himself. "But taking in another factor; without consulting with Robin in the first place, that might cause some issues for us down the road."

"Why are you two standing around here for-" Raven stopped shortly, as she laid her captivating eyes upon the fully grown German Shepherd. "Oh boy, this can't be good."

"Don't look at me." Falcon waved his hands in protest.

"Well, he did go over to you first." Beast Boy spoke up. "We can't just leave him here all by his lonesome either!"

"Beast Boy, I know that look." Raven interjected herself into the conversation. "That's the same one you had, when the issue of Silkie came up."

"What of my little Bumgorf?" Starfire came over now, this caused Falcon to slap his face as the big dog barked twice, and then he ran over to the necromancer wagging his tail.

"Ohhhh, no you don't." Falcon said while keeping his hands in the air. "Down boy, stay down! Sit!"

During these basic commands, the obedient wolf followed the teenager's instructions.

"Who is this bouncing bundle of joy?" Starfire asked where the dog turned and ran over to her, then he gave her a slobbery kiss on the cheek, and she giggled.

Falcon could only moan in confusion.

"So, what is your latest companion's name?" Asked the Tamaranean Warrior.

"We uh ... we don't know." The changeling answered.

"He's a stray." Falcon chimed in. "He doesn't seem to have a home, and he sort-of, just came over to me."

Raven pulled her hood back up, and she rolled her eyes.

"Well, don't look at me." The Empath said while she turned.

"But he needs a home. Maybe somebody's looking for him?" Beast Boy along with Starfire appeared to be the only ones, who wanted to welcome another drifter into their lives.

The hound focused his gaze onto Falcon, and the seventeen year-old was dumbstruck.

"He's one tough cookie, isn't he now?" Falcon asked.

"Yeah, but we need to give him a name." said Beast Boy. "And cookie is good, but it doesn't seem to fit."

The three heroes glanced at Raven.

"This is your deal, I don't want any part of it." The Empath answered.

Starfire looked up; "How about Wolfsbane?"

"Na." Beast Boy deadpanned. "That's too easy, but cool though."

"How about Sibs?" asked Falcon.

The dog barked as the third choice was spoken.

"I guess he likes it." replied Beast Boy. "Alright, Sibs it is."

The newly found companion hurried over to Falcon, and he stood alongside him on all fours from the rest of the gang. For some odd reason that nobody could explain, the German Shepherd wanted to be near the scarlet cloaked wanderer.

"Well, well, he seems to like you the most." said Beast Boy. "If he doesn't have an owner, I guess that make you his master!"

"Oh, I don't know." Falcon stroked Sibs dome again. "I'm sure that Robin and Cyborg may blow a fuse."

The four heroes began their short walk back to Cyborg's T-Car. As they grew closer, the tin man was seen leaning against the hood, with his arms folded.

"Gee, why the delay guys?" Cyborg asked, it was evident he became very impatient and his strong tone revealed that.

Sibs barked again, and as the Titan's repairman looked to the ground, the powerful dog jumped onto him, knocking him flat onto his back! While he lay on the ground, the hound wagged his tail even more.

"Beast Boy!" He shouted while pulling the dog away from him.

"Don't look at me, this was Falcon's idea."

"WHAT?" The necromancer gasped.

"Well this is just perfect." said Cyborg; "I didn't peg you, to pull this kind of stuff Falcon."

"It wasn't me ... I didn't ... Beast Boy ..."

"Forget it." Cyborg interrupted the necromancer's rebuttal.

Raven got into the passenger side, and while she looked forwards she replied; "I don't know about you four, but can we go now?"

Upon hearing the rasping monotone from Raven, the others hopped in, and they drove away. As they went deeper into the heart of Jump City, Raven looked out her window to concentrate on anything, but the chatter happening in the backseat. Beast Boy prattled one poor joke after another, where Falcon was the unlucky one, to be seated right next to him.

{{End of Scene}}

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Reviews from the previous chapter:

Wolvmbm: "Once again another great chapter update as it shows that Falcon's powers not only let him views the Titans origins, but it seems that it shows him things that he not suppose to see and isn't noticed by others. :)
Also I did enjoy the conversation between Raven and Beast boy as they're more alike than they care to admit to each other. :D Please do keep up the good work upon such a great story as it would be interesting to see just how Raven and Beast boy view each other in a romantic way. ;)"

~~ Thanks. It is true, Falcon's powers are both dark and mysterious, where the abilities we know of: is that he can create and throw fire in the palm of his hands, he can manipulate the shadows around himself and others, he can hover in the air, and when his skin comes into contact with another's flesh, he can see their worst memories to get a better idea, of who that person is. Frightening yes, but how he gained those powers is an even darker journey. :-O I'm planning on giving Raven and Beast Boy yet another moment together, we'll just have to wait and see, on what develops next for these two. ~~

Linzerj: "Yay! I think... um... whatever. GOOD CHAPPY!"

~~ X-D I often find myself speechless; thanks for the feedback. It always boosts my morale. ~~

Sififranfreak222: "Cool! Loved the BBRae parts! Can't wait to keep going!"

~~ Beast Boy and Raven are my most favorite pairing in the comics, and on the television show; I also enjoy Robin and Starfire as a couple. Truth be told, I never really enjoyed reading or watching, the overly sappy tellings on two characters, just falling head over heals for one another, without there being a strong framework that makes the audience, actually feel a natural tug blossoming between them. This is just as critical as the main plot.

Merchant of Menace: "I think that BB and Rae should be together, and Falcon should find another. Anyways, I also was wondering why Rae and Falc are so similar if they're not even related?"

~~ With the way things have been going, Falcon just wants to be on his own because if you can remember, he refuses to get close with others, and for quiet the obvious reasons. Yet now that he is a step closer to becoming a member of the team, other doors that were closed before, they are now open to him. The question in everyone's mind I think is, should he stay?

Falcon and Raven have a number of things in common, but the dark fire wielder once did live a normal childhood unlike the Empath, where as you will find out in the future chapters, he was not born into what he looks like. Instead, he chose this terrible path for himself. It had something to do with trying to bring the dead back to life, using dark magic, thus it altered his olive skin gray, and it granted him those incredible powers beyond comprehension. When Arella gave birth to Raven, the enchantress was already possessed by her father's evil, and she ultimately had no say in the matter. Again, I'll go into more detail in the updates ahead. ~~

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A/N Many of you who have watched the show, and or read the comics like in 'Teen Titans Go!' will remember that the members of the Hive Five were flash frozen, (as well as pretty much every single villain in the series) and that of course Jinx turned over a new leaf. I will go into much greater depth as to why she is back to her old schemes, all things take time. I think a bigger question that remains however, is who rescued them from their icy prisons? That's for me to know, and for you the readers, to wait and uncover.

~~ T.M.O ~~