The night air carried the salt-tang of the bay as Hikaru sat cross-legged on Titans Tower's roof, letting the city's sounds wash over him. In the past week since his return from H.I.V.E. the Titans had went out in full force using the information Hikaru had discovered during his undercover mission, doing everything they could to prevent H.I.V.E. from getting anywhere near their goal of building the Ion Amplifier.
In between missions were smaller moments, training exercises with Raven, sparring sessions with Donna, stolen moments with Starfire. In other words he had settled back into a comfortable routine
As Hikaru stared at the distant Jump City skyline he was broken out his thoughts when movement caught his eye.
A figure rose from the Tower's eastern side, silhouetted against Jump City's glow. She balanced on a floating platform of stone, flew toward the mainland with purposeful speed.
Hikaru's chest tightened. Looks like she finally made her choice.
He spread his wings and launched skyward, white feathers catching moonlight as he accelerated. The wind rushed past as he closed the distance, matching her trajectory over the bay's dark waters.
"Going somewhere, Terra?"
She jerked, nearly losing her footing. The rock platform wobbled before steadying. Terra turned slowly, face pale in the ambient light.
"Hikaru. I… I was just—"
"Sneaking out while looking really suspicious?" Hikaru descended until they were level, wings beating steadily to maintain position. "In the middle of the night?"
"It's not what you think."
"Then what is it?"
Terra's hand clenched at her side, fingers curled around something small. Her jaw worked silently, searching for words that wouldn't come.
Hikaru kept his voice even. "Show me what you're holding."
"It's not—"
"Terra." He met her eyes directly. "Show me."
Her shoulders sagged. Slowly, reluctantly, she opened her palm. A small data drive rested there, no larger than her thumb.
"What's on it?"
"Let me explain—"
"Not here." Hikaru gestured toward the Tower. "Roof."
Terra followed without protest, her floating rock trailing his flight path like a condemned prisoner following the executioner. They landed in silence—his wings folding away, her stone dissolving back into dust.
The city sprawled below them, a carpet of lights and distant sirens. The wind had quieted to nothing.
"Talk."
Terra's voice came out shaky. "I was… I was a spy. Deathstroke sent me. To infiltrate the team, gather intel, report back."
Hikaru kept his expression neutral. "I know."
Her head snapped up. "You… you know?"
"Keep going."
"But I'm not doing it anymore!" The words tumbled out desperately. "This data—" She held up the drive with trembling fingers. "—it's fake. False information. I was going to give it to Deathstroke to—"
"To trick him."
"Yes!" Terra nodded rapidly. "Make him think I'm still loyal. Feed him lies. Protect the team."
"When did you decide this?"
"Weeks ago. Several after… after you and the team trusted me. After Mad Mod. After everything." Her voice cracked. "I wanted to tell you. So many times. But I was scared."
"Scared of what?"
"That you'd hate me. That Robin would kick me out. That the team would never forgive me." Tears tracked down her cheeks, catching the city's reflected glow. "I was sent to betray you. All of you. I… I'm a terrible person."
Hikaru approached calmly, boots quiet against the rooftop surface. "Terra. Look at me."
She lifted her head, tears streaming, face twisted in expectation of judgment.
"I've known since the day we found you."
Terra blinked. "What?"
"The Cinderblock fight. Mesa outside the city. Perfect environment for your powers. Fighting right where we'd patrol." Hikaru tilted his head slightly. "Too convenient."
"You knew…" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "The whole time?"
"I suspected. Confirmed it tonight."
"Then why didn't you—why did you let me stay?"
"Because I saw something in you. Something Deathstroke didn't see."
"What?"
"Someone who didn't want to be a villain. Someone looking for a way out." Hikaru's tone softened fractionally. "Every time I helped you train. Every conversation. Every moment of trust. I was showing you there was another option."
Understanding dawned in Terra's eyes. "You were testing me."
"Not testing. Offering. A choice."
"Why?"
"Because I believe people can change. I believe in second chances. And I believe you deserve one."
Terra broke completely then, sobs wracking her frame as she collapsed to her knees. "I don't deserve this. I don't deserve you. Any of you."
Hikaru knelt beside her. "That's not your call to make."
"How can you trust me?"
"Because you're here. With fake data. Choosing us over him."
Several minutes passed before Terra's breathing steadied. She wiped her eyes with the heel of her palm, smearing mascara across her cheek.
"So here's what we're going to do."
Terra looked up, confused.
"You delay meeting with Deathstroke for just a couple days. Say we're keeping too close of a watch."
"What?"
"Then we tell the team."
Panic flooded her features. "I can't—they'll—"
"They deserve to know." Hikaru's voice carried quiet steel.
"What if they don't forgive me?"
"Then we deal with it. If it comes to that."
Terra studied his face, searching for deception or hidden agenda. She only found a steady resolve.
"Why are you doing this? Why help me?"
"Because everyone deserves a chance to be better than their worst moment."
Fresh tears welled, but these carried gratitude instead of despair. "Thank you. For believing in me."
"Don't thank me yet. Prove it."
Terra stood, wiping the last traces of tears away. Determination replaced the earlier devastation in her expression.
"Hikaru… why did you really trust me?"
He turned toward the city skyline, watching distant headlights trace roadways. "Because I know what it's like to want a fresh start. To want to be more than what people expect you to be."
"You do?"
"Yeah." Hikaru nodded slowly. "Everyone should get a second chance. Even me. Even you."
Terra's jaw set with newfound resolve. "I won't let you down."
"I know."
They stood together in silent understanding, two teenagers carrying secrets heavier than their years.
"Get some sleep."
"You're not going to tell them yet?"
"Your secret to tell. When you're ready."
Gratitude softened her features. "One week. Give me one week max to build courage. Then I'll tell them."
"One week."
Terra summoned her rock platform and descended toward her window. Hikaru watched until she disappeared inside, then turned his gaze back toward Jump City.
One week until everything changed.
He hoped he'd made the right call.