An alert blared through Titans Tower—Cinderblock had escaped from prison during a transport. Robin's voice crackled through the communicator. "Full team mobilization. Tracks lead east toward the mesa."
Hikaru suited up quickly, Lucifer's sword secured at his hip. The team assembled in the garage—Cyborg fired up the T-Car, Robin mounted his R-Cycle, and the rest prepared to fly or run. Within minutes, they were racing toward the border of Jump City's eastern edge.
The landscape shifted from urban sprawl to rocky terrain as they approached. Moonlight painted the sandstone formations in shades of silver and shadow. Hikaru flew overhead, scanning the ground with enhanced vision.
"There!" Starfire pointed toward movement near a cluster of boulders.
They landed on an outcropping, only to realize a fight was already taking place below. A teenage girl with blonde hair dodged Cinderblock's massive fists. She moved with desperate grace, clearly struggling but holding her own against the twelve-foot concrete golem.
Is that Terra?
The girl created walls of stone that erupted from the ground, blocking Cinderblock's charges. Boulders the size of cars tore free from the mesa face and hurtled toward the villain. She manipulated the earth beneath his feet, causing him to stumble and crash. Each movement showed raw power barely restrained, like watching someone juggle grenades.
Yeah, that's definitely Terra.
The goggles, the earth manipulation—it had to be her. He knew enough about DC to know her tragic story, the betrayal, that led to her death. But seeing her in person, young and alive, and fighting, hit differently than what he saw in his memories.
"We should help—" Robin started forward.
Before anyone could move, the girl thrust both hands downward. The ground beneath Cinderblock collapsed, opening into a massive pit. Tons of rock and earth poured down, burying him up to his neck. She held the pose for several seconds, breathing hard, then collapsed the edges inward with a final gesture that sealed him underground.
The girl straightened, wiping sweat from her forehead. She noticed the Titans watching and adopted a cocky stance, one hand on her hip despite her obvious exhaustion.
"What? Haven't you guys ever seen a superhero before?"
For several seconds, the team stood speechless. Finally Robin stepped forward, extending his hand. "I'm Robin. We're the—"
"—Teen Titans! Rock on!" She tapped her fists against his hand instead of shaking it. "It's cool to meet you guys. I'm Terra, and you're..."
Her gaze swept across the team. "...Cyborg, Raven, Starfire..." She curtsied playfully, then focused on Beast Boy. "...and..."
"Boy Beast!" Beast Boy's voice cracked. "Uh, I mean, Bass Boot! No!" His face flushed green.
"Beast Boy?"
He screamed and transformed into a turtle, tucking his head and limbs into the shell. The transformation sent him spinning in midair like a frisbee.
Terra laughed genuinely. "Dude! He's hilarious!"
The spinning stopped. Beast Boy's head poked out cautiously. "Hilarious? Me? Really?"
"Curiosity abounds. Please." Starfire zipped forward, leaning into Terra's face with rapid-fire enthusiasm. "Where do you come from; how did you get here; what is your favorite color; do you wish to be my friend?"
"Um...Earth, walked, red, and...sure."
"Oh!" Starfire gasped and pulled Terra into a crushing bear hug. "Hello, new friend!"
Terra's strangled voice emerged: "How's it going?"
Hikaru was forced to step in when he heard bones grind. "Star, you're gonna break her."
Starfire released her. Terra dropped back to the ground, her arms hanging at odd angles before she readjusted them with a wince.
"Seraph, right? I've heard of you. They say you look like you fell from heaven. Literally."
Hikaru put on a cocky grin. "Yeah, that's me. Good to hear I'm making a name for myself."
Beast Boy stepped closer, blushing. "So, what brings such a cool little chickie to our big, groovy city, huh?"
"I go where the wind takes me, you know?" Terra shrugged, with practiced nonchalance. "I get to see new places, meet new people, stomp a few bad guys here and there."
"Cool!" Beast Boy sighed dreamily.
"Fascinating!" Starfire added.
"Well, all right!" Cyborg grinned.
Robin's expression remained serious. "You mean, you don't have a home?"
"The Earth is my home." Terra's casual tone didn't quite mask something deeper. "I've been crashing in a cave on the other side of the hill."
Starfire zipped upward. "Unacceptable! I cannot permit my new friend to slumber in a lonely cave of darkness."
"I have a flashlight." Terra smiled weakly as Starfire grabbed her arm.
"You will stay with us." Starfire began hauling her past the others.
"Really, I'm—"
"Come on, we got plenty of room." Cyborg fell into step.
Beast Boy transformed into a puppy, trotting alongside them. "Yeah! And I can make you laugh some more. I'm hilarious, remember?"
Terra laughed again. "Well, I guess I could stay one night."
"Oh, glorious!" Starfire lifted off, pulling Terra with her.
"Yes!" Beast Boy pumped his fist.
"Boo-yah!" Cyborg joined the procession.
Donna walked beside Terra, matching her stride. "You handled Cinderblock impressively. Most people run from him."
"Yeah, well." Terra kicked a pebble. "Running gets boring after a while."
"I know the feeling." Donna's smile held understanding. "Sometimes standing your ground feels better, even when it's harder."
Wally zipped around them in a circle, stopping directly in front of Terra. "So how is that we haven't heard of a beautiful young superhero like your—"
"West." Robin's voice carried warning.
"What?" Wally fell back, grinning. "I'm just asking to be friendly."
As the group departed Robin knelt, examining the collapsed earth where Cinderblock lay buried. He ran his fingers across displaced stone, analytical mind cataloging details.
Hikaru remained on the outcropping, watching the group head toward their vehicles. His thoughts racing. Terra—traitor, spy, girl who'd died young and broken. But also a victim, manipulated kid desperate for belonging. If this followed canon, she was already working with Slade. Maybe. Possibly. He couldn't be certain which version of her story applied here.
Maybe I can change things. Turn her to our side before it's too late. Give her the home she deserves instead of...
He cut the thought off. Getting ahead of himself served no purpose.
Better to watch, stay on guard, and protect his team if his suspicions proved correct.