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 34 is finally out! The heroes struggle to find their footing, where through this sinister darkness, the faint whispers of defeat echo, and a daring call to action is given. "One good turn deserves another." -Aesop- (620-560 BC)
Chapter 34 - Trepidation
The ear-splitting high pitched whistle from numerous explosions, continued to ring within the young man's eardrums as he regained consciousness. It felt as if he had been standing much too close to the firework mortars that would ignite during a Fourth Of July celebration, and the rapid thumping of his heart within his ribcage, it made him feel queasy.
As he struggled to stand, his legs wobbled like wet noodles, and suddenly he felt something other than the salty sweat streaking down his forehead, and beneath his shirt. His right eye behind the domino mask was swollen shut from a severe lump, and his right leg was terribly stiff.
"I guess that parkour routine I do for my work-out regiment, came in handy after all." the young man chuckled, only to quell his jubilation as the pain intensified.
He touched his forehead, and the red smear of crimson made him groan the moment he noticed this. He tried to outrun the numerous opponents, and every time he crossed paths with one, a personal battle would ensue and he gained a different injury.
Speedy blinked his left eye behind the black domino mask, where there was nobody in sight, not even the enemies that attacked him. As he glanced about his surroundings, he had found himself sealed off in the building's armory.
"Well now. You really got yourself into a bind on this one." He winced, as a searing hot needle type of agony was jammed into his busted hip. Three deep slashes had been inflicted into his side, while blood began to drip down his pant leg. "That girl . . . she sure has claws. Me-ow."
The seventeen-year-old was leaning against a countertop, as he dwelled about the green kimono deadly martial artist, who called herself Cheshire. The two had a brief flirtatious duel a long time ago, during the conquest of The Brotherhood Of Evil. There were other times their paths merged, and each time they left a mark of their own.
While he smirked, all around him there were various weapons. Things from Samurai Katana's, to daggers, throwing stars, and of course spare bows and a trident were hung upon the walls.
Speedy was clenching his skull with one hand, while his other was gingerly holding his battered hip. After jumping over the railing in the Common Room, kicking and punching his way past the enclosing enemies, and unleashing dozens of arrows, he had become the target.
He had plenty of ammunition at his disposal, where each arrow was suited for a different task, and he had primarily utilized the exploding ones, to disorient the attackers. His teammates took full advantages of this confusion as well, to unleash their own fury and battle plans.
The ruckus that was first caused by multiple rockets hitting their home, combined with the battle as it became waged on all fronts from countless enemies, and in every room; it was a dog-fight for survival. This mess created such a cacophony of noise, that it was hard to hear any of his teammates. While all around him there was nothing but absolute pandemonium.
"The last thing I remember was Bee telling me to . . . oh no! Bumblebee!"
He limped towards the large circular door, and he stopped himself while reaching it. The smashed panel and the popping wires that protruding from the underside, this observation made him squint his good eye.
"Oh that's right. I made sure that Cheshire couldn't get in here after me, where I destroyed the locking mechanism to buy me some time."
He shook his head while he gradually backed away.
"Great." He spoke to himself. "Not only did I lock them out, but now I need to figure a new alternative way to get back to the others."
He looked down and noticed his bow was snapped.
"Dang-it! That is like the fourth one I've gone through in a month! Well, I am in the Tower's Armory, s-o-o-o-o, that's some good luck."
As he hobbled back to the long workbench, he began to examine his various choices for a suitable replacement. He pulled one down and he looked at it closely, where the color was solid black unlike his last one which was golden colored, and it was a bit heavier. As he pulled on the string a few times, his reflection in a mirror made him instantly stop.
He rubbed his chin while saying, "I need to clean myself up."
Off by a far corner, he spotted a metallic box with a cross symbol in vibrant red paint, imprinted over a white colored background. It was the emergency medical box.
"Bingo."
Speedy grabbed it, and he began to sift through the items. The orange haired Titan's East hero, began to place the contents down in front of him. Everything from bandages, to scissors, antiseptic ointment, cotton balls, syringes and even stitching gear of a needle with thread.
He sighed after looking over everything. He did not have any clue as to the time that had passed, and the more pressing matter was trying to get in touch with his allies.
They had scattered, and he glanced over his shoulder to spot his communicator still placed upon the table. His attempts to call anybody had not worked. He had passed out after trying to contact his friends, nobody had answered.
With the reflection of his swollen right eye, the scars and bruises across his arms from his sleeveless shirt, this was observed from the long mirror once more. This time he gave a much closer inspection over his appearance, and he was stunned at just how severe a beating he had taken. He looked almost like a boxer in the ring after many rounds.
"I hope the others are doing better than me."
The famous marksman stared at the entrance for a long time, while his stance suddenly became tense. He was anticipating somebody to be there, but there was only the soft hum of the electrical lightbulbs over head.
"Don't tell me that I'm the only one who made it."
Just then, a slightly different buzzing sound zoomed in through the air ducts high up behind him, and the little creature suddenly transformed back into her normal size as the leader of The Titans East. This startled the domino masked young man, as he found that another of his teammates had in fact survived.
"Roy!"
"Dang Bee!" he smiled after uttering her nickname. A wide grin formed after she called him by his real first name, then he collapsed backwards. "I thought you were a goner back there?"
"You're one to talk." The African American shook her head while racing over to hold him. "You're hurt!"
"I just . . . I just need to rest a bit."
The Titans East Captain suddenly embraced him in a tight and wholesome hug. It was of genuine compassion, and the near fatal mishap and witnessing the attack first hand, she was still trying to come to terms with things.
"I'm fine." Speedy spoke up. "You can ease up on the hug now."
"No. You're not fine. Just look at you. You're all cut up, bleeding and your eye is swollen shut. This whole mess is my fault." Bumblebee squeezed her fists in rage. "This is all my fault. I should have-"
"Don't you dare!" Speedy's determination suddenly made her freeze up. "We all acted because this is our home. OUR home. These guys came here seeming to want to pick a fight, and we gave them a good show."
"We sure did."
"The last thing I remember, before heading down that hallway out there, was Mas and Menos giving them a hard time. The twins hurried down the main doorway, after knocking over Poison Ivy; where Aqualad was going toe-to-toe with somebody else."
"They sure did." Bumblebee chuckled. "I told them to get the attention of as many of them as they could, and to lure them to a place of their choosing. Preferably outside, and where they could fatigue them."
"Unfortunately, they were knocked apart by that really big guy." Speedy grumbled. "I saw it unfold from the main window in The Common Room."
"Bane."
"Geez." The archer rubbed his forehead. "What the heck is with this? Why are they here?"
"It beats me." Bumblebee interlocked her arms. "But we will get to the bottom of this."
"How?" He threw his hands up in aggravation. "Look around, it's just us! And I don't think the two of us, no matter how determined we might be, its not likely we can take on all those guys in our rough shape. I can hardly stand as it is."
There was a long and serious pause that gripped both heroes. Speedy's explanation was spot-on, and they did not have many options open to them.
"Why didn't you reach out to me through your communicator?" Bumblebee rasped, as she pointed to the table where his device was.
"What!?" Speedy sputtered. "I have been trying like crazy to get through to anybody! All I got was nothing. No signal, no bars, nothin."
"Well shoot. You're right that we are out-gunned, and we need help. Where if our ability to use our communicators is thwarted, we really are fighting blind."
"More than that." Speedy reached over and he opened the top flap of the device. "They knocked out the antenna at the top of the building, so even the primary network through The Tower is lost. Where I'm guessing that we can't use our communicators because they also brought a jamming device too."
Bumblebee punched her right fist into her left palm. "What we need, is a plan of action."
"Now I don't mind playing my part, but this whole 'defend the base to the last man' scenario is not my cup-of tea. We need to do something, sure, where I only have so many arrows."
Bumblebee's face became distorted into a frown. "We need to regroup."
"Good idea. But . . . Mas and Menos are done. Aqualad was wrestling against Killer Croc in the pool, and Kid Flash along with Jinx are still AWOL. Even if we somehow could link up with somebody, we need outside help."
"What we need . . . is to get in touch with Robin."
Three very loud knocks, echoed against the sealed door.
Bang! . . . Bang! . . . Bang!
"Looks like we are out of time." Speedy answered as he looked at the entrance.
Three more bangs reverberated once again.
"Ugh. This is getting old." Bumblebee rolled her eyes after saying this. During a lingering silence to examine the room, she continued speaking, "You already tried it block-head! It's not going to open for you, ever hear of super titanium doors before? They use that material as layers for the Abrams military grade tanks, for the United States Army. There is no way you are getting in here."
The orange haired archer restocked his quiver, and he loaded a fresh arrow. As he turned to his captain, she gave him a befuddled expression when she noticed him making preparations for battle.
"They can't get in." she commented. "Right?"
Speedy shrugged his shoulders. "If somebody is determined enough, forceful enough, and persistent . . . anything is possible."
Bumblebee tapped her left foot impatiently. "Well, we need to think of something."
Speedy pondered their choices, then he spoke up. "Well, I might not be able to keep up in this fight, but at least I can buy you a ticket to get the help we need."
Bumblebee was deeply shocked in listening to this self-sacrificing plan.
"No." she retorted. "We are going to get through this. We are going to get the twins back, we will find Aqualad and link up with him and his buddy Tramm. We will all-"
KA-BOOM!
The door was blasted clean off from the hinges, and a massive plume of smoke expanded about the entire area.
The two heroes turned and coughed heavily. There was no longer a chance of getting to debate over who was to do what, there was no longer time to go through things, to pick a plan of action. Panic of the inevitable battle was closing around the two fatigued Titans.
"You can make it out of here, at least get as far away from this place to send a signal to Robin." Speedy clasped her by the forearm, forcing her to focus on his words. "I will distract them."
"I won't leave you!"
Through the mist, numerous figures gradually appeared. The bald headed man with tally marks all over his upper chest and face was noticed first, it was Victor Zsasz and he was holding a knife. To his immediate right, Two-Face was standing while he pointed his duel pistols at the pair of heroes, and the sharpness of his black and white suit revealed his sense of style perfectly.
Scarecrow was in the middle of these villains, with his cane leaning against his neck, and the dark black trench-coat covering his body, as the swaying hangman's noose was draped about his neck. Next to him, Cheshire in her green kimono and her metal claws beneath the long sleeves, while the big emerald eyes of the mask and the smirk of the infamous cat made famous from Alice In Wonderland, this slender girl brought a strange calmness to Speedy.
She unveiled the very deadly weapons that had inflicted the deep wounds to his sore hip. Killer Frost walked in next, followed by Catwoman as she twirled her black lion tamer's whip, and Penguin with his trusting umbrella were all in the new opening they had created.
"Ohh . . . did you miss us?" Penguin rasped while he walked forwards. "Apologies about the door."
The dedicated sharpshooting archer pointed his arrow directly at the little fat man's chest.
"Be careful where you point that thing." Victor Zsasz chimed in next. "You know, I was saving a spot of carving for someone else. But you will just have to do."
Speedy squinted his eyes before saying, "That's nice and everything, but I think I'll be the one to leave a mark."
"Well . . . well . . . well." Penguin sneered with his thick British accent. "Looks like this birdcage that was your sanctuary, will become your graves."
"Back-off!" Bumblebee raised her pair of golden stingers, charging the weapons. "Nobody make a move!"
"Ha! You hear that?" Penguin mocked her, where he was dressed in his slick black suit and top-hat, where he did have a quality eye for elegance and pomp. "She thinks she has the upper hand, who do you think you are?"
"We are The Teen Titans!" Bumblebee snapped.
"Far from it." Killer Frost mocked her. "The real Titans are in Jump City, where you're just a bunch of nobody's, that just so happen to brandish their team name."
Speedy glanced to this new threat, then back over his shoulder to Bumblebee. While he was still aiming an arrow at the numerous enemies in front of them, his Captain gave a bold and unimpressed glare right back at the female opponent who made this jab.
"Oh no." The gifted archer said stoically. "Of all the ways to pick a fight, and you go with that?"
Penguin sneered. "Quiet boy! You are outnumbered, and there is no way out of this for either of you."
"Besides." A cold and merciless voice entered the banter now, it was Blackfire who emerged into the room. "You are just part of the plan."
"Plan?" Bumblebee asked with a confused expression. "You break into our home, you attack us, and then you mock us! By my rules, thats three strikes and now, now you will pay for all the wrongs you have wrought."
The ensemble of criminals that had gathered in the armory, every one of them began to laugh, with their own sinister tone.
"Thats a good one." Blackfire tilted her head to mock them. "But this is the end."
"While what you speak does have merit. That this is the climax of many things, and I don't really reckon I have long to fight either." Speedy retorted, as he pulled back the string where the tension in the bow was increasingly difficult to hold, and he took aim directly at The Tamaranean Exile's chest. He was mentally prepared for the final throw-down. "This fight however . . . is far from finished."
(~)
Aqualad had managed to push himself far beyond his normal limits, as his stamina and endurance were of a super-star Olympian, Gold Medalist. The first time he tried to enter the water during the attack, he had to step back; to try combating the numerous enemies outside of his natural element.
This plan was merely the opening move on behalf of all parties involved, where everybody knew that things were gradually going to become much more intense.
Once the battle started to deteriorate, Aqualad and his fellow Titan East members, hurried off to their own places around The Tower. It was a last ditch effort, where the pair of super fast brothers, Mas Y Menos, the twins had knocked down Blackfire and zipped around many others, causing as much confusion as possible while they bolted for the main door.
Taking a stand in The Common Room was keeping the heroes pinned, and the fray which started off late at night, had gone on a lot longer than anybody anticipated.
Explosions from the unknown outside force, continued to slam into the building. Bookshelves toppled over, paintings upon the walls became lopsided, while glass from many windows was heard shattering, all around their home.
Upon the cue to disperse from their Team Leader Bumblebee, Aqualad finished off Killer Frost with a high kick in her belly, and he backflipped away, to avoid her counter-attacks of freeze-blasts that the girl shot out of her hands at him.
He dove head first into the long deep pool that he practiced his laps in every morning. While parts of the building came crashing down, he swam deeper and faster to avoid the rubble.
Titans Tower was falling to pieces, random small fires broke out across The Common Room, nobody had contact where each of their communicators were not working. This deadly ploy unraveled a thought-to-be peaceful evening, into a hellish nightmare; one that The Titans East wished to be over with.
Luckily, Aqualad had been able to travel through an underwater passage that was part of the pool, yet Killer Croc was fast on his trail.
The distant rumblings of battle waged on the surface, where everything became muffled deep under the water. Aqualad had jumped in, as a means of diverting the attention away from his friends, and to hopefully re-establish communications to the outside world.
The great reptilian behemoth had chased the teenager through another passageway, where every-time the dark haired Atlantean turned to see the progress that his challenger made, the frightful monster appeared to be swimming at an even faster rate than he did.
The pair of combatants quickly became tangled under water, with the young man grappling with the reptilian creature three times his size. Killer Croc typically dwelled in the sewers of Gotham City, and the stench of rotting garbage clung to his green scales.
Utilizing his telekinetic superpowers, the teenage meta-human coerced a nearby swarm of squids, to interfere with the lager than life adversary. Killer Croc tried to bite at the arms of the hero, with his frightful maw, getting closer with each chomp.
The multiple squids inked the villain, where the tactic worked! Upon creating a diversion, Aqualad swam like a sword-fish through another section of his underground maze, while the reptile fought to pull the tentacles away from his arms and legs.
One of the secret compartments led to another hide-away, linking to a vastly different pool, and it was a concealed place on the other side of their home. After passing through the underwater tunnel, Aqualad slammed the control panel to seal the door behind him, keeping his persistent foe locked out.
As the teenager emerged from the water, he pulled himself up while the speedboats and water craft were parked in their respective places. This was a secondary garage that linked to the waterfront, and the young man felt right at home.
Off to the corner of the room, the team's mechanic and Garth's old companion called Tramm, hurried over to help his trusting friend to stand.
The strange bug-looking, and backpack wearing Atlantean Mechanic was extremely old, but his knowledge with technology and gadgets of all sorts rivaled Cyborg at times. He was extremely loyal to the black haired Titan.
"Well, am I sure glad we had this installed as part of the foundation." Aqualad said after taking a deep breath to calm his heart-rate.
Tramm raised a fist in pride, as he replied in his native language. To anybody else, it sounded like absolute gibberish.
The cave's ceiling shook, and dust fell from above their heads. The stalactites wobbled, while another barrage of rockets echoed faintly from the outside.
The strange bug-eyed like creature, waved his hands as he held his communicator. He pointed to it and to the walls, making gestures that something very serious was happening.
"I know, I know." Aqualad commented as he walked closer. "I couldn't get through to anybody either. They must have brought a jamming device, to keep us isolated. Now that we are totally separated, I honestly don't know how we are going to link up with the team."
Tramm spoke very quickly again. Uttering a response while pointing to a large computer he had. It linked to The Tower's mainframe, and it displayed cameras and security footage from numerous locations.
Countless cameras were knocked out, and others had only static playing across their monitors, as the building had sustained considerable damage.
"Right. They knocked out the antenna, so our only other option till we get this fixed, is through our communicators. Which we cannot use just yet, until we unscramble whatever they brought with them."
Tramm walked over to the edge of the pool, and he knelt down.
"I locked it closed." The teenage Atlantean commented as he remained hunched over the computer. I was followed by one of them, but I had some help from our friends. Don't worry buddy, he won't be getting through anytime soon."
BOOM!
A large hole had been formed from another wall. Standing there in the mouth of a wide cavern, was the red haired Plant Conjurer who had destroyed the Tower's Main Doorway in a very similar fashion. Multiple roots seeped into the opening, and flowers began to blossom.
"That however, I was NOT expecting!"
Tramm pointed at the intruder, while Aqualad conjured a spiral of water to copy the stalagmite formations found in the cave. The brave Titan was going to use the water spouts, to flush the intruders away.
"You clever boy, thinking you could barricade yourselves away from me." Poison Ivy said with a grin, as she played with one of the flowers near her shoulder. "How touching."
Aqualad squeezed his fists, as the uncertainty for the well-being of his friends, this was at the front of his mind.
"What do you want?" He asked, followed quickly by, "Whatever you have planned, its not going to work."
"Are you afraid, little one?" Bane's thick Mexican accent cut-in next, and the massive juggernaut entered the room.
Behind Bane and Poison Ivy, a wall of smoke billowed as the Tower continued to crumble and burn.
Tramm unlocked his superpower and like a pufferfish, he quickly morphed into a larger more muscular creature. Aqualad immediately resumed his fighting stance.
Bane snickered, clearly he was unimpressed and full of raw power; the likes of which these two heroes had never seen. "You are wise to take your true forms in order to defeat me, little one. Where I am not yet at my full potential."
"You talk a big game, and it is true that I am concerned with so many things." Aqualad answered, as his fists grew tighter. "But that fear will pass, and me and my friends will defeat you!"
During this unexpected pause, a large claw like hand burst through the floor, and out of the depths emerged Killer Croc, dripping wet!
Aqualad and Tramm had become cornered. Two deadly enemies were blocking the gaping hole, while to their rear that the Titan had thought to have sealed shut, out of the water came the fierce and deadly creature that dwelled within the Gotham Sewer system.
Garth had managed to reunite with one of his allies, yet as he glanced back to the large computer monitor, a few of the cameras were still operating, and the teenager felt his heart rate increase.
In one screen that revealed the entrance to The Tower, Mas Y Menos were unconscious and knocked out cold on the ground, as a little man with a dummy resting on his arm, stood alongside Black Mask, and another character dressed in a top-hat and green suit. These three gradually walked over to their fallen prey.
In a second screen, the armory room was revealed. Speedy and Bumblebee had become cornered themselves, they were trapped, as the shadows of numerous opponents seeped closer to them.
It truly was a challenge that none of them had expected, and the valiant courage they were so emboldened by, now it was transforming into fear.
(~)
Terra blinked her eyes as she slowly sat up in the bed, surprisingly she had been able to sleep for a long time, yet with the realization that she was in her old room in Titans Tower, she felt a wave of conflict toy with her slumber.
She primarily wanted to know, when the gang was scheduled to regroup at The Tower. She reached over to her nightstand where the T-Communicator was placed, and upon noticing there were no messages in the past few hours, she slid it back.
With the dangerous work that these superheroes carried out, away from their comfortable abode at any given time, the ex-Titan felt a pang of discomfort, in how she was not contributing absolutely anything.
Even if she could use her powers, her ability to control things was a grave uncertainty.
"I - I can't remember." She whispered to herself with sorrow. "I cannot remember why, but I . . . I know it's in there. I just don't want to stay here, I can't."
She breathed in a few deep breaths to calm herself, and she closed her eyes for a moment.
She understood that while the threat of Slade lingered, if she was out in Jump City there was not much she could do, and the longing for her foster home, it was still with her.
This was a crisis, and for as long that she could remember, she had been running away. Fleeing from horrors of her past, of things she had caused. What would anybody do if they were in her position?
She was being held against her will, for the general safety of others. The reason was simple enough, but when the girl thought she had this chapter in her life closed, she was smack in the middle of it, all over again.
To have no maneuverability as a person can have, to be unable to go to a favorite place or to travel anywhere around the city, from not being able to make plans for the day, in short the teenager felt like a prisoner.
Added on top of this, Terra felt like she was being watched like a hawk, and to be the culprit of so much division and anger, the sole reason why a group of people who took her in, they were left to question their own beliefs. Feeling heartbroken over such a disgraceful betrayal, this only made her tremble in her bed.
Beast Boy had decided to speak up for her, and he still believed in her. She smirked as his fang toothed grin came to her mind, and she let the memories play.
The quietness of her old room, the emptiness of everything made her feel strangely at peace. Yet this quickly caused her smile to transition into a frown, as the unfortunate events that brought her back to this place, were still heavily on her thoughts.
The ex-Titan yawned and stretched her arms over her head, while the drapes to the long window had been left open, to allow the starry night in. The alluring color of the sky, and the sun's early morning rays was gradually peeking through in the darkness. As she glanced to her counter, the clock read the time of 4:25 AM.
"Everybody took off in such a hurry, and they surely will be tired. And hungry." The blonde tapped her chin. "Hmmm, I wonder if getting something for breakfast might be too much trouble?"
Terra had been left stewing and pondering over her actions for as long as she had been reintroduced to Beast Boy, ever since the moment she had emerged from her deep rest at the hospital.
A flood of emotions was hitting her on full throttle once again, where being isolated made her feel something else entirely. She was injured, but the mental side effect was more apparent than the scar over her left breast.
The last thing she wanted was to have an argument with any of them, and if she could find a way to broker a truce it could settle the ire on all sides. At least, that was what she hoped. It was not yet a new day, and her disjointed emotions were difficult to soothe. Her injuries were still tender, but she was able to move about much more easily from before.
"I didn't plan to be here, and the others are all skeptical of having me stay . . . but perhaps a breakfast meal could be a way to get things off to a good start?"
She glanced to the wheelchair by her bed, and she felt the stitches against her bare skin and the memory of this was also a blur.
"Beast Boy must still be in The Tower. I think if there were any chance of getting to be alone with just him, without the prying and butting-in from the others, now might be my one chance."
She pulled the sheets back, and after a brief struggle at getting out of the bed, she hopped into the wheelchair and she managed to bring herself towards the door.
With a glance back around her room, she felt a sense of growing confidence in her new plan.
"I don't know what I am doing, but I can't fall back asleep. Not now anyway."
As she entered the hallway, she glanced around and took a deep breath. The door 'hissed' closed behind her, and the skinny blonde rubbed her left wrist as the slight drop in temperature, caught her off balance.
The complete quiet of everything was very unusual to the Ex-Titan, as she waited in the corridor. She had an unexpected spurt of energy, where her sleep schedule was drastically altered after the past few days.
While looking up, the dark letters of each hero's name was engraved against the doors.
"Of all the others, Beast Boy for sure will be willing to listen."
Terra went on her way, and as she approached another bedroom she stopped. It was the shapeshifter's room that she was in front of now. She held a hand to knock, but stopped herself.
"What should I start with?" Terra frowned after speaking, still holding her hand above the door. "What can I say really . . . this is not my element at all."
The lingering moment dragged on, while the Ex-Titan's thoughts raced from one scenario to another, and as she remained where she was in the hall, the footsteps of another person caught her unprepared.
"Hey Terra. Are you okay?" Delphi spoke up, as the seventeen-year-old with her piercing blue eyes was standing alongside the blonde.
There were a decent number of spare quarters that were being occupied by the new guests. It brought a welcoming feeling to anybody that came here, that there were multiple places other than the large couch in The Common Room, for privacy.
"Oh, uh . . . yeah. I was just . . . I - I couldn't sleep and I figured because Beast Boy was unable to participate in the call tonight, due to his injuries, that I could see him and . . . " Terra rambled on longer than she anticipated, and her heart thumped loudly within her chest. She felt like she had done something wrong. "I just couldn't sleep is all."
"It's alright." The white robbed sorceress replied. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I'm sorry?"
Delphi smirked, and she raised a hand up while saying, "No need to worry. I just came from The Common Room. Your friend is there."
"Oh. Wait . . . why are you up?"
"I tend to be a morning bird. And I need to get my meditation in early, so I can cleanse whatever unbalances there are."
"I see." Terra nodded in understanding this. "But why are you here, and not out-"
"With the others?" The tall Squadron Member cut-in. "Well, not everybody can go out and about in the late hours of the night. Somebody had to stay here to keep an eye on things."
"You mean like a babysitter? G-R-E-A-T!" Terra sarcastically moaned.
"Don't play it like that. You and Beast Boy are both injured, and while Titans Tower is the most secured place in all of Jump City, it was decided that one of my group keep watch on things here, just in case."
"I guess that makes sense."
Terra began to wheel herself further down the hall, and the the silver haired teenager walked beside her. Their shadows mirrored along the walls, and they did not say anything.
While they passed by spare closets and a bathroom, the name above the one of the doors revealed: 'Falcon' and this caught Terra's attention.
"You know, there can be a reason why things happen as they do." The ex-heroine softly spoke, while tilting her head. "Other times, there just isn't an answer."
"So you talked with Kimiko?"
"If by talk, you mean I had a long and quiet conversation by looking out into the ocean, then yeah."
"She never was much of a conversationalist. But then, that goes for me too."
"Huh." Terra smirked.
Before long, they approached the far end of the corridor. The other girl stopped, causing the ex-heroine to look at her.
"What is it?" Terra asked, secretly hoping to have some alone time with just the green changeling.
"There is some stuff I have to look into, and I figured you didn't need me to tag along beyond this point."
"Thank-you."
Delphi halted, she turned and remarked, "Things will be alright Terra. While this is a tough transitionary phase for you, understand that this is only temporary." She placed a hand onto her shoulder, and her touch relaxed her. "You might not have all the pieces, but they will come forwards."
"Sure."
Delphi's hand created an unusual tingling sensation that numbed the blonde. Then she uttered in a strange language, "Aoe-Lavurne-Enhoe."
"What was that?" Terra asked as she flinched away.
Delphi smiled and replied, "Consider this . . . as a form of prayer."
Terra nodded, and the white robbed girl departed her company.
"What the heck was that all about?" Terra clutched at her shoulder, and she shook her head. "Alright, on to The Common Room."
Once the teenager in the wheelchair entered the main doors, the iconic surroundings caused her to freeze up. She squinted her eyes as the lights in the main lounge area, these were much brighter than the ones out the hall.
There sitting by the long sofa and playing video games on the massive flat-screen that covered the front window, Beast Boy came into view. He paused his progress upon hearing the familiar sliding of the doors; turning his head over his shoulder and he quickly sat up at attention.
"Terra!"
"Hey Beast Boy."
"What's wrong? Is there anything you need? Cause I can get it for you, to make things feel more comfortable if you-"
She held a hand up. "I'm alright, thank-you. I just . . . well I need to talk with you."
"What's up?"
She stroked her chin and then she wheeled herself closer to him, down a side ramp and towards the curved sofa. "I ran into that girl out in the hall and . . ."
"Oh?"
"She said that nobody came back yet."
"Uh . . . yeah." he rubbed the back of his neck. "I mean, I was monitoring things from here, but they are doing alright. Even without my help. But everybody is still out on the mission."
"I see."
Beast Boy tilted his head to the left side, as he placed the controller down. "So, were you able to get any sleep?"
"A little."
"Hmmm." He leaned back in the wheelchair, and he exhaled before saying, "Well, that seems to be a thing around here. The lack of sleep and all. Honestly, it can be a bit much."
Terra nodded in agreement. "I'll say. How do you do it?"
He smiled his large familiar grin. "We are heroes. It's just part of the job description."
There was a lingering silence that became suddenly uncomfortable. Beast Boy lightly chuckled to ease the tension in his typical style, and Terra could not help herself but lightly smirk right along with him.
"There you go again." she said, as her cheeks blushed a little. "Ever since the hospital, you have been finding ways to cheer me up."
"It's just what I do best."
A sudden headache, like a squeezing of the skull from a deep freeze, of eating ice-cream much too quickly hit Terra.
"Hey Terra, what's wrong?"
"Not sure . . . something is . . . my head!"
She reached for her head, keeling over in her chair not responding. The pain became intensified, and she groaned while the room around her gradually became dark.
What the heck did that witch-girl say?
Terra felt her entire body grow limp, and the the last thing she saw, was the nervous look of concern spreading on Beast Boy's face, as he leaned forwards shouting her name.
(~)
-Flashback-
"I'll see you tomorrow!" Amber Eileen Mckenney waved with a smile.
"Yeah." The blonde waved back with less enthusiasm.
"Make sure you study for that bio quiz, for next Tuesday!" Dionne the African American girl said next, while she stood alongside the redhead.
"I will."
The two seniors turned and soon parted, leaving Terra by a corner of the metal gate that led to the front entrance of their school. The blue eyed girl in her uniform, was transfixed about her two classmates as they left.
Now to head home and get a head start on my English essay.
It was mid-day, the students at the Murakami Privet School had just been let out, and a variety of traffic was congesting the Jump City streets and highways.
Terra liked how things were, she had a good foster home, while her guardians could be a little impatient with wanting to be kept up-to-date on her grades, and her after-school curricular activities.
For the most part, they gave her a considerable amount of freedom, and with both adults working, they had built a unique trust that can be so difficult for any parent in their position to obtain.
The white light of the pedestrian figure walking switched on, and the skinny teenager adjusted the strap to her black backpack, that was slung over her left shoulder. Terra looked both ways before crossing the street, and then she stepped off.
A herd of many people intermixed around her, yet they all seemed to ignore the slender girl, and a constant influx of noise from the bustling city echoed in all directions.
A newspaper stand had images of Batman and Superman on their own front page headlines, she spotted scribblings of trade deals and sports teams, and of course the The Jump City Chronicles, which revealed The The Teen Titans in various poses. The photograph on the front page of one of the newspapers revealed a jet-pack wearing assailant, that had attacked the city not long ago.
Terra continued walking past, as a few kids stopped and pointed at the renowned Jump City Saviors from the stand. Some were wearing merchandise of the Bat-logo, and the Superman or Wonder Woman marks across their shirts and caps.
A retail store was walked by next, and the televisions in the windows were playing footage of things happening around the world, of classic cartoons and this caused Terra to glance over.
As a variety of people brushed by her, she pressed herself closer to the glass window to see what was on. The famous hunt of Wile. E. Coyote chasing the infamous Road-Runner was on display, and she snickered as the hapless desert hound was never able to capture the infallible bird.
*This is a Channel 5 Special Report!* the tv speakers could be heard outside, and Terra felt a steady stream of people begin to mingle around her, to learn what was happening.
*Good Afternoon Jump City. This is Janet Pierson, coming to you live, with a hot new story that just broke. Our affiliates overseas picked up on our city's protectors, The Teen Titans, having gone off on some daring mission to thwart a devastating issue in the Asian section of the globe.*
"Hey, mommy look!" A little boy pointed at the television while clasping at his parent's fingers.
"Be still." The older woman tugged at his hand.
*These images are coming to us live, from our foreign correspondents stationed in Tokyo Japan, and the reports confirm that The Teen Titans have tracked the assailant who unleashed an attack on Titans Tower. They seem to have managed to secure the safety for the residents of Tokyo.*
The footage began to show a gigantic Green Lizard being hemmed into a narrow spot, while Starfire was flying near it and tossing blazing star-bolts at the enormous beast.
The camera then showed a battle of countless creatures, fighting each member of the Titans, and the heroes were contesting against them very admirably.
*It would appear . . . that medals have been awarded to each member of the team. We now go live, to show you the ongoing celebration and - wait . . . it looks like, yes! Starfire and Robin have officially announced that they are a couple!*
The pedestrians around Terra let out vibrant hoots and cheers, some whistled and others pumped their fists as they all saw the cameras zoom into the couple holding hands on the platform.
"I knew that Boy Blunder would take a chance. Good for you kid!" A male's voice piped up from somewhere behind.
"Heck, with a girl like that, anybody would be a damned fool to avoid a relationship." Another voice chimed in.
As the local superheroes were noticed smiling and patting each other on the backs, Terra gradually snuck away from the display, and she continued on her journey home.
She smirked as she thought to herself, I am truly happy for them. At least some people can make it work, even in their crazy shoes.
Off in the distance, the long red extended Bay Bridges were seen, while Titans Tower was spotted on its little island, right in the center of the harbor. It was a very hot and clear afternoon day.
The cranes and construction crews had been working around the clock to fix the damaged 'T' shaped structure, where supplies were ferried from the mainland, to the building.
A great deal of confusion had occurred, when Siaco-Tek had flown into Jump City. He used his jetpack to outmaneuver and attack various locations around the West Coast metropolis, creating bedlam on the streets below.
When he finally caught the attention of the brave city's protectors, he headed towards their home base. He peppered the entire building with a blistering fast veracity, unlike anything they had seen before.
Explosive rockets slammed into Titans Tower, and grenades were tossed, blowing out every single window, dismantling their Command Center, and destroying various structures about the roof.
A sudden gust of wind picked up, and the breeze ruffled with her long silk hair while she recalled the event.
She was thinking about many things, and with the news coverage from The Titans most recent adventure, the instance of being brought back with Beast Boy, this made her clench her strap a little tighter.
I don't belong there. She glanced to the monumental landmark and she stopped walking. It was for the best.
"Excuse me . . . Ms?" A raspy and quiet man's voice picked up from behind her.
Terra spun around, and a very old man was standing before her. He donned a slick white suit jacket, with buttons and fancy gloves, he had white hair and once he removed his fedora hat, the baldness of his dome was visible.
"Can I help you?" The teenager asked, clearly on the defense with not knowing who this well dressed stranger was.
He looked to be in his late sixties, and there were many wrinkles under his eyes. He appeared like he was a servant or butler of some kind, and his fashion statement revealed he had impeccable taste.
He cleared his throat before speaking. "You are Terra."
Her blue eyes became wide, and she felt her heart-rate beating a little faster.
"Come again?"
"Terra Markov?"
"I'm sorry, you must have the wrong girl." she shook her head in clear disagreement. "People tell me quiet often, that I look like somebody that they think they know. But you are mistaken."
The teenager turned and as she was about to walk away, when he reached out and tapped her shoulder. There was a long a somber silence that lingered, as she glanced back once more.
"I'm sorry. You've got the wrong girl." The blonde did not know who this person was, where she blinked her blue eyes for a moment before responding with, "If you will excuse me, I have to get going."
"I will only be a moment. My name is of little importance . . . but there is something that I was sent to deliver. I am here on behalf of another."
"Another?"
"Yes. It has to deal with a critical matter. To this end, I have come to meet you here outside of your school."
There was a long pause. Terra did not know what to expect, but she was partially intrigued.
He cleared his throat before saying, "Will you at least give me a chance to explain?"
The schoolgirl frowned, and while looking down in mild bewilderment she replied without changing her pitch, "alright you've got two minutes."
"This is very wise on your part, what with today and how you can never be too careful about your surroundings."
"What do you want?"
"I can understand why someone would say something like that. For what happened here, in this city it is a painful reminder. You can deny it every way you wish till the cows come home, but there is something that only the real Terra would know."
"Who . . . just who are you exactly? Why do you keep calling me that?"
He began to turn his hat from one end to another, and then he hummed a rhythm of a childhood lullaby. Almost instantly, the world around her began to slow down, and the echoes of a child's laughter, of better times echoed within her skull.
"That's a . . . a nice song." she interlocked her arms over her breasts, still not budging in her defense.
"Down by the shore, of your old home from long, long ago. There is a place that you have fond memories of. You may not wish to dwell on this, but there is a song that you could not stop yourself from humming. As a little girl, you would sing this very tune."
"You've got just under one minute."
He slightly bowed his head, still struggling to win her attention.
"You were always a stickler when it came to being thorough. Your father had the exact same quality, as did your mother, and of course . . . your older brother."
"Well, I hate to break it to you but . . . but both of my parents are dead." This guy says some cryptic stuff, who is he? Can I accept anything from him?
"Forgive me." The older man continued. "But if the tune of a melody from long ago is not enough proof, then perhaps the mentioning of your brother who gave you a visible scar on your lower back, as you both used to wrestle when you were children. In one of these matches, a slight mark that you conceal rather well, was given to you."
Her ocean blue eyes suddenly became wide a second time. She preferred to remain anonymous to blend in with the average citizens, but this man telling that scrupulous detail of all things, that really captivated her.
She had zero clue as to who this person was, or what his name was, and that frightened her. Still, she decided to hear what he had to say.
"Who are you?"
He raised his hand to interrupt her. "You have a lot to keep you busy . . . and while you may choose to deny who you are, you are exactly her. Perhaps this letter might give you a sense of closure."
She was deeply perplexed.
"A letter? From who?"
"It is understandable Ms." he continued, undeterred and unfazed as ever. "This comes directly from your brother. I have fulfilled my errand and now, now it is done."
Terra paused for a long moment. This must be a trick. "What sort of game is this?" she leaned closer to him, and while tightening her fists, she demanded an answer. "Who the heck are you old man?"
He reached into his coat pocket, and he placed the white envelope into her hand. She then turned it from front to back, and curiosity got the better of her.
There was with nothing on it except for a red wax seal, with a cursive letter (M) having been pressed. No address or name was on the cover, yet there was something folded inside.
"What is it?" Terra asked while she resumed her focus back onto the strange man's face.
"This is not for my eyes to read, it was sealed intended for you, and you alone."
"From my . . . brother you say?"
Her grip loosened and she took the envelope. While she studied the very elegant paper, she glanced back up and was baffled. For an old man, he was stealthy as a ninja and he had slunk away. He had vanished into the crowd!
"Wait!" she cried, but it was already too late. "Damn. Who the heck was that old goat?" Furthermore, what does this have to do with me?"
The recollection of her previous life, of her family and that of her brother came rushing through her thoughts. Still, she had not the faintest idea as to who the old gentleman was.
-End Of Flashback-
(~)
The blonde jolted herself awake, and she found herself being shaken by Beast Boy.
"Terra! Jeez, you gave me a scare back there." Beast Boy spoke in his rasping pitch.
"Wha- what happened?" she sputtered while examining the room.
"You looked like you were having some vivid dream or something."
"I'm sorry." she rubbed her forehead.
"It's alright." Beast Boy consoled her while patting her on the back. "Want to tell me what's going on?"
Terra raised her head, as the panic and confusion was still eating away at her. This memory flooded everything else, and she slowly leaned back.
"I came to . . . talk with you." The blonde managed to speak.
"Terra." The green shapeshifter smiled. "It's okay. I know that things can be hard, and while I crack jokes and the like, but I am here for you."
"Thank you Beast Boy."
"So. What did you want to talk about?"
Terra took a deep breath before saying, "I don't know how to explain it all, and some of it only just came back to me."
"Take your time." Beast Boy reached over and he clasped her right hand. "I'm not going anywhere."
(~)
The Grey Empath slowly got back to her feet, as Starfire flew towards her and helped her comrade to stand. They had just secured the area, and a plume of intense smoke continued to rise.
It was like the contents of a terribly burned pizza, having been ruined as it was abandoned for far too long in the oven, where the stench was becoming disorienting. It continued to ascended upwards from various mounds of rubble.
"Raven!" The alien Princess exclaimed with an abundance of glee. "Tamaran be thanked that you are unharmed! I was quiet worried for your safety."
"I'm alright Starfire." The cloaked teenager brushed herself off, and she adjusted the hood to her long blue attire, revealing her ashen grey face, and the ruby red chakra gem in the very center of her forehead. "I'm just tired is all. What with us going on limited rest, and another long pursuit to secure the city."
Starfire smiled and then she yawned before saying, "It has been another of the . . . how do they say, nighters all."
"An all-nighter." Raven corrected her sister's terminology. "Yes, it most certainly has been. Luckily for us both, we have finally finished up with things here."
The pair of teammates looked about the downtown area, and they were at last able to catch their breaths without the recurring fear of being attacked. The numerous enemy drones had all been defeated, their objective of securing the stolen goods had been carried out flawlessly; the mission had been a success.
In the distance, the sounds of police sirens were heard to be getting closer.
The handiwork of The Teen Titans, like any superhero or meta-human was quiet recognizable; and for many of the locals it was just a minor part of living in Jump City.
Chaos would erupt, criminals and vagrants carried out their work, and The Teen Titans had to step in to do their job.
While some cities along the coast had to prepare for hurricanes or tornadoes, and others were faced with the freezing blizzards that blanketed the landscape in heaps of snow, the residents of Jump City had accepted the 'clean-up' from events that happened recently, as business as usual.
Similar to the citizens of Gotham, having to become plagued with criminals and mischief makers since the foundation was laid. Damage to the infrastructure was almost a sure bet, and people naturally worked and lived in the hostile conditions.
A few lamp-posts and smashed vehicles that were unfortunately found in the vicinity when a battle took place, many were noticed in the background turned over.
Any local who lived in the Californian metropolis wanted to be fully insured, to this sort of chaos and bedlam that took place on almost a routine basis. Insurance rates could be high, yet a person without a basic level of coverage would be left paying for the cost of everything.
There was even an open fire-hydrant, gushing a steady flow of bubbling foaming water out by their feet. The sudden cold wetness startled The Empath while she stood, and she stepped to a side to avoid the growing puddle.
Following the strenuous events from the previous days work, The Teen Titans continued to fight the good fight. Last night they had separated, each member of their group had chased down the countless identical foot-soldiers known as sladebots.
Raven and Starfire had linked up, while their destinations were the closest. For the rest of their teammates and the additions being The Titan Squadron, the heroes dispersed about the vastness of the metropolis.
The Empath's frown became more wrinkled. She knew what was being done, and why this was happening, where it all made her become furious. How much longer could she and her allies could keep up the pace?
The job that a superhero preformed, it was a very difficult one where things such as a steady sleep regiment, and any downtime that the average person so often overlooks was a luxury. A few golden perks of the job was the notoriety and fame that came with this career, apart of the cameras and glamour of being in the papers and on the news on a fairly regular basis.
People from all walks of life were watching every move that was made, eagerly anticipating the next. There had been a few times when things looked doubtful, and the citizens had every right to protest, like what had occurred with the destruction of The Train Station a few blocks away from their current spot.
When the city was in danger, The Teen Titans answered the call. Day or night, during bad weather or unpredictable circumstances, through thick and thin of what-ever was happening in their ranks, and their own fears and doubts, all of these things were constantly pushed aside.
Their duty was to protect the innocent, and to carry forwards whatever the cost. That was the ultimate goal of combating crime, and to capture criminals. They had sworn an oath, and it had been kept.
The artificial lights of the city hummed, and they looked towards the bay area to notice the shifting night sky from a pitch dark black, to a lighter purplish hue. The early morning was about to transform the cold, as the new dawn was steadily breaking through and bringing with the rays of sunlight, a new warmth.
"What time is it, do you think?" Starfire finally spoke up, while she clasped her hands by her waist.
"Bed-time." Raven rasped, while pulling out her T-Communicator to check on the hour. "It's a little before dawn."
The rumbling of Starfire's multiple stomachs gurgled, captivating her blue cloaked friend.
"My apologies." Starfire's cheeks blushed. "I am fairly hungry, as I have worked up quiet the appetite."
Raven unveiled a slight grin, as the mannerisms and child-like behavior from her sister-teammate only brought more comfort. From all the years they were together, and as truly alien that The Tamaranean Princess was, she still managed to find ways to soothe any situation.
"Well, not many places of business will be open at this hour." Raven looked about them after saying this, then she continued with, "We can probably whip up some pancakes when we get home."
"Oh joy! I cannot wait to partake in the bountiful feast, of the many flapjacks that are so accustomed to your planet. Perhaps I will have the cakes of blueberry, or the chips of pointed chocolate, followed next by the banana filled supreme ones, that friend Cyborg is so famous for making?"
It was said that by looking into a person's eyes, one can gauge a plethora of details. Raven looked like she was going to collapse, and Starfire stood close by, while the local police finally arrived in the background.
There was little sleep that had been acquired over the course of many days, where the sluggish state and weakened physical stamina, was even more apparent this night.
These heroines were partially slouched in their postures, the fatigue was easily seen in their eyes. Following the events in the sewer and in the hospital yesterday, they all had changed into clean clothes and had eaten during Beast Boy's renewed birthday celebration. While it was refreshing, that party was many hours ago, and they both longed for another respite.
What reserves of energy that they had, it was barely enough to keep them alert let alone to debate. Starfire faired a little better, but that was because she had slept for a minimum of four hours prior to the alarm going off.
Raven on the other hand, she had been up all night, and her moment with Beast Boy while amazing and wholesome, the two departed from one another to get some sleep.
It was in Raven's nature to be skeptical of anybody that was on friendly terms with her family. Despite The Titan's Squadron having rescued her and the others, Raven was still conflicted with a deeper level of trust, that so many of her clan were very easily willing to offer.
For the pale goth, she could not be swayed so easily. The sorceress remained on her guard, and she even did some sleuthing while everybody else was in their privet rooms.
"The others have yet to contact us back, we need to re-establish communications."
"We should return to The Tower at once." Starfire spoke as she scanned the surroundings. "You appear . . . paler."
Raven frowned. "I can manage." she lied.
The entire team had been worn down beyond a breaking point.
The last time we split up, it did not go so well. She clenched her fists by her side while glancing to her boots. I am afraid to hear what the casualties are this time.
Various places around Jump City were hit, from the high-end technology sector being computers and advanced electronic equipment, to the casinos; even the famous art galleries and historic museums, from the ATM's at banks, and even The Dockyards.
Slade had an army at his beck-and-call, unbreakably loyal soldiers of disposable drones, pawns that followed whatever orders he gave them. They were truly obedient, they never spoke out against their master's orders.
The Empath's attention was drawn from the spreading puddle, to the decapitated head of one of the sladebots. Raven knelt down and picked it up. Sparks were still sputtering, from the wires and torn material that held it together.
It was a hodgepodge of frayed components, of fragmented plastic and other scrap that was going to be tossed into a junkyard.
"What is wrong?" Starfire questioned while she clasped her hands by her hip.
"It just doesn't add up." Raven shook her head. "Why would Slade send out his drones to this place, of all places?" It just doesn't make any sense, it's not his typical attack pattern, to hit all of these places at the same time. And with this much precision and the extended hours of pushing our team through all this . . . something is going on here, and I don't like it one bit."
"Hmmm. I do not know. Um - perhaps this building had something of greater value than what we see?"
"Greater value?" Raven looked at the jewelry store window, then she turned the lifeless head she was holding from front to back, mulling over this statement.
The more she studied the smoldering battlefield, the more her theories began to spin and spiral into dark places of her brain.
"None of this makes any sense. Think about it Starfire. He attacked The Gold Depository yesterday, where tonight, barely a day after we fought him he sends his drones to rob and steal from every conceivable location, including the bank vault Robin, Cyborg, and myself had to secure. Then, the days before that - he went after various parts of Jump City's infrastructure, splitting our team up and we . . . well you know what happened."
Starfire tapped her chin as she pondered over the recent events before speaking. "I do believe that Slade is trying to deliberately weaken us. Both Robin and Cyborg have spoken of this concept as well, where I too am in agreement."
"Right, but it's more than that. It always is more complicated than it has to be, but that is how Slade operates. I can feel it in my bones." Raven looked to the pavement for a long time.
The Tamaranean Princess was perplexed. The question was burrowing deeply into her mind as well.
"We have won the day, victory is ours."
"There is something much bigger at play here." Raven said while looking back up. "It's right in front of us, and we are overlooking it as we sort through this gigantic mess." Her eyes were intently focused onto the eyes of the sladebot. "This whole time, when Slade did have an opportunity to do something, he went after the members of the team on an individual basis. Why?"
"Cyborg within the underground tunnel, to myself upon the roof of the Jump City hospital, from Beast Boy and Terra at The Jump City Dam . . . hmmmm, you are correct. In fact, he utilized tools and gadgets that were specific to each of our weaknesses."
Raven let fall the decapitated head to the ground, and she sighed. For any clues or information that her team did have, it was all muddied and fouled into more obscurity. Only questions with what exactly it could all mean, led to more questions.
"Fear not Raven, for we will overcome this, and we shall bring Slade to justice. Once and for all."
Raven took a long and deep inhaling breath, as she focused on this constantly repeated statement. It was spoken so often, and anytime someone did speak it, a sinking pit of despair and frustration would bubble and expand from within.
The Empath shifted her focus from the floor back up before saying, "We have said it too many times, and every chance since the last, Slade manages to elude us and he gets away."
"This is known, however there is a vast wealth of knowledge that we have acquired. And we do learn."
"Sure." Raven said, and she thought, I wish I had your sentiments, but I just don't know anymore?
Their Titan Communicators began to chirp, and they suddenly reached down to retrieve their devices.
*Titans, report.* Robin's face came through the center box, followed by other small windows in the screen with Cyborg and The Titan Squadron members.
*Well now . . . if Slade's goons thought they could just infiltrate the famous Jump City Art Gallery, and walk out the front door, with relics without a fight! Ha! Then that fool had another thing coming.* The Team Mechanic raised a fist in jubilation.
*Nice work Cyborg.* Robin congratulated his second-in-command.
*You have a story, but wait till I tell you about my adventure.* quipped Press, as he was seen standing in front of a large Woolly Mammoth from the famous Jump City Museum Of History.
*The Gold Depository is officially secured. Slade went after it in less than two days, that must say something about this guy.* Avatar replied while the local security in the background was seen moving pallets of gold back into the fortress.
"Yeah, that he doesn't know when to call it quits." Raven cut-in.
*I gotta say bird-boy, you and your team have a lot to deal with when it comes to this sort of criminal. How did you do keep managing to do it, after all these years?*
*Bird-boy! Ha!* Cyborg blurted.
*Your sarcasm is as old as time itself.* The Boy Wonder mocked Avatar.
*Good one!* Press jumped right back in.
*Hey!* The Squadron Leader decried. *Who's side are you on anyway?*
"So everybody is accounted for? Nobody is missing or got hurt?" Raven interrupted the banter.
*Yeah, it looks that way.* Cyborg confirmed.
*Things on my end are secured and all wrapped up.* Kimiko rasped, as she stood in front of an overturned bank truck, while the local police were cordoning-off the area from The Bay Bridge.
"I recommend that we convene back at Titans Tower." Starfire chimed-in.
*Alright. I'll be there in a bit. There are a few things I have to do first.* Cyborg answered.
*I'm on my way.* rasped Kimiko.
*No fair, you didn't let me get in my retort!* Avatar scolded Robin.
*Save it for The Tower.* The Teen Titan Captain replied, without any sign of stress across his face, and he quickly ended his transmission.
*Honestly, I thought Avatar was a little wound when it came to that sort of thing?* Kimiko questioned. *I didn't realize you guys had a similar issue.*
*Oh, you have no idea.* Cyborg deadpanned without delay, and his image turned off.
*HEY!* Avatar snapped back.
Soon all of the conversations had been turned off from their respective parties, and both Raven alongside Starfire put their communicators away.
While the two young ladies stood in the downtown area, pedestrians and various crews from the fire department, and the local police were beginning to clean up the area.
"It is a relief to know, that the others are all safe." Starfire took a deep breath after saying this. "Let us head home."
"Yeah." Raven deadpanned without emotion, and then she paused to become transfixed about a tiny fire that was created from a destroyed sladebot.
"Cheer up friend, we have been victorious! And nobody has gotten hurt. It is most certainly a victory."
"Victory?"
"Indeed." Starfire smiled. "The battle is over, and we have accomplished our objectives."
"Something still feels . . . out-of-place."
Starfire approached her, and she put her left hand onto her shoulder to comfort her.
"There is truth in what you speak, but we shall overcome this. Together."
"Right." Raven said, and she nodded to awaken from her sluggish state. "Let's go home."
The Empath formed the shadow disk below her feet, and she floated up and away. Starfire smiled back, and she shot upwards into the sky.
{{End Of Scene}}
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There were none.
Author's Note:
I had a rather difficult time in crafting this update, where I ended up having to rewrite and alter each of the scenes further than I originally had planned, (I did not expect to be so worn down from this one, and to take an entire month of working through it). I hope that you guys enjoyed it. It still feels like I could have done a much better job. As a writer, I strive for improvement, and no matter how far I grow in this field, there is always more that I can work at, to make things even better.
With so many sub-plots, and the abundance of characters with their own arcs throughout this story, it can be difficult for any reader to follow along. The good news is, that Slade's ultimate goal is about to be reached, and the Teen Titans are going to be in for a monumental struggle. A task that they (and myself at writing this story) have never before faced.
I want to thank everybody, for giving me a chance here, and to all of those that have stuck with this story since the very beginning, none of this would be possible without your generous support. It has been an incredible journey, one that I never thought to find myself on, where I hope to continue. Life can become difficult, unpredictable, and through the reviews and subscribers it emboldens me to keep at this and to not give up.
~~T.M.O~~