The streets had been robbed of fortitude, due to the thunderous calls of battle. Both Dark Nemesis and the Teen Titans felt the burn of injury and determination like fever blisters across tortured skin. A blast that occurred almost moments ago by the meeting of energy between Scorcher, Blizzard, Joto and Prism caused the South View mall to collapse on impact. Moments ago the blast knocked both teams onto opposite side the battlefield. As of yet both teams looked done.

Dark Nemesis and the Teen Titans had slugged out there all for very different reasons, Dark Nemesis only were looking for a pay check from the H'San Natall, where the Teen Titans were fighting for their very survival. In the three years since this new Teen Titans group had come together there had only been one constant, their biological parents had been trying to capture them… to take them home*.

[[Teen Titans Vol. 2 #1 through #9-- Jae]

That was until this battle, they had fought Dark Nemesis twice before now, and each time had been a stalemate. But this time was different, Dark Nemesis had been hired to kill them before, but again this set of odds had order. Everything was set into a climatic state. The H'San Natall was tired of wasting resources on the children they had created; now it was a change of plans. And that included increasing the powers of Dark Nemesis, and giving them H'San Natall technology to get the job done.

Argent shook her head, raven tresses snaking across her badly bruised face. Her head throbbed from using so much energy to shield the team from the last assault. Her once blue eyes-- that gleamed such arrogance and ignorance-- now were reddened with veins across the whites. Prysm stood floating over the team, her swirling colored face, riveting patterns of dread. Her patterns, narrowed as she looked at the dropped form of Risk, who began to move, his deeply muscled arms grabbing onto the broken concrete as he shook the rocks from his blond hair. “What a rush? Huh guys?” the Titan asked before he looked around him. The large form of Fringe began to move again, his mammoth grey body righting itself with nothing but anger. His eyes got large as he let out words.

“Me is hurt!” Fringe belted out.

“You can say that again.” Joto chimed in as he shook the daze of the blast from his eyes.

“Okay we’re all accounted for, so now we just need a plan. That rubble won’t hold Dark Nemesis for long.” Argent spoke to the team.

“Taking some private lessons from Nightwing or what, Toni?” Risk addressed the self proclaimed leader.

“Look like it or not Cody, we’re not exactly in the best shape here. So could you shut the fuck up?”

“Hey, no need to get in each others faces. I say we make a run for it. We are all badly hurt, and we don’t stand a chance,” Joto explained. “If we want to get out of this in one piece I say we run while we still have the chance.”

“Run, Isaiah? I always knew you were a pussy, but this is ridiculous. We’re the Teen Titans… We can do this!”

“Get your head out of your ass for a second Risk. Joto’s plan is the only one we have. ‘Less you have a better idea. And one that doesn’t involve bitching out another member of the team if you prefer.”

“FRINGE NOT RUN! FRINGE FIGHT!”

“So okay, let’s be democratic about it,” Risk spoke, though much of what he said had been clouded by the sudden explosion from the brown rubble that had once been a shopping mall. The Teen Titans each looked with wide eyes as they tried to shift through the smoke. The five forms began to walk from beyond the debris filled air.

“Well I guess running is out,” Prysm whispered to Joto

	Protecting Our Future Never Forget...
The Titans #1 - July, Year 1	by JAE LIZHINI

The  Titans

NIGHTWING Dick Grayson

ARSENAL Roy Harper Jr.

THE FLASH Wally West

DONNA TROY

TEMPEST Garth

The Teen Titans

ARGENT Toni Montelli

PRYSM

FRINGE

RISK Cody Driscoll

JOTO Issah Crocket

Beat Cop Richard Grayson let his tie fall from his cream blue collar as he padded across the matted carpet of his apartment. Despite the area he lived in, even despite the building that seemed to be crumbling to dust, his apartment was squared away in proper military fashion. There were many things that Dick hated about Batman, things that made him question who he was on a daily basis. But many things he learned as the first Robin definitely impacted his life. Keeping things clean was just one of them.

The living room was modest at best; a large bookshelf took over one white wall with dozens of volumes on everything from Criminal Psychology, to Chuck Norris’ Zen Answers to Everyday Problems. The matted beige carpet sang from wall to wall not ending until the doorway that lead into the kitchen’s linoleum. The walls were plain, aside from the framed print of Van Gough’s Starry Nights. Dick’s usual lithe footfalls were replaced with heavy thuds as he felt the wear on his shoulders and back. A long double shift at the station had done little to alleviate the jet lag from his trip back from Gotham City at the request of Bruce Wayne*.

[[As seen in Batman #8]

It appeared that Nightwing’s presence in Blüdhaven’s cityscape was getting less and less frequent, and with Blockbuster’s reemergence in the crime scene, he needed to be in -HIS- city, yet things kept drawing him back to Gotham. Batman didn’t help matters. Every time he arrived in the city, Batman would play the holier than thou attitude with him. Even the way Batman turned his shoulder after what happened to Selina. As though he could handle it, time and time again Batman showed that he couldn’t handle it. If he could handle it, Dick wouldn’t have shown up there. He wouldn’t protect the city he grew up in. But it had to stop. He had to quit basing so much of his life in the past, and deal with the now. He was not Robin any longer he was not Batman’s sidekick any longer. What was it about Gotham City that proved so alluring? Perhaps somewhere it was just Dick’s need to show Bruce… he was not Robin. Perhaps somewhere all he wanted was respect from his ‘father’.

As his body fell into the yellow stained couch positioned against the far wall of the living room, his head drew back; before his pocket started vibrating. Letting out a sigh, he reached for the cell phone that was buried in his pocket with keys and coins. Pulling the phone free he looked at the LED screen to check the number. A note of relation caused another sigh to usher across his lips. Unfolding the cell phone he pressed it against his ear. “This better be good.”

--It is, Nightwing. -- Came the familiar Voder encrypted voice.

“Okay.” Dick asked, with a slight sense of sorrow in his voice. He and Barbara grew up together, and now she was lost. She had forgotten everything. Who he was, their past, and the feelings they shared. There was a sense of loss a shaky sense of regret now as he listened to her.

Dick wasn’t sure exactly how it happened; Scarecrow broke into her apartment and sprayed her with the fear gas that much he knew. But he couldn’t grasp how she’d forget about him… and Bruce... their childhood. Everything*.

--Turn on your Television, the Teen Titans, are on every major news channel. And its not the good publicity I’m worried about.--

[[*Happened in Batman #8]]

Scorcher’s body flew fast blurring across the rubble at Joto. The heat emitting Titan reacted in the only way he could figure--reflex. His forearms jolted up in an x across his face. The flame controlling Meta crashed her fists into the bracers that clung across the youth’s forearms. The heat between the two elementals surged in an aura of orange and red. Scorcher smiled as she forced herself through the pain and heat. Wincing she growled pressing harder into the force of heat that Joto and she had just created.

As her body emitted more energy she could feel her very bones and muscles grating. Her energy pushed Joto back, his bracers shattering as he was blown off his feet. The middle class youth saw lifetimes flash before his eyes… even recalling his name, the name his father gave him, the Swahili word for heat. He knew pride, better than any of the other Titans. When Atom walked away from them, they had still come together as a team. They protected themselves against Dark Nemesis*, and walked away unscathed. Now they needed to do it again. Joto believed they could. He honestly believed with all the cards stacked against them they still had hope.

[[Sort of what happened in Teen Titans (vol. 2) #7-Jae]]

As Joto’s body skidded across the pavement his head impacted the concrete in a painful crunch. His joints in his neck popped as a thin jet of blood flooded down his lips. The boy winced, his hands forming into fists. Due to the sudden pain, “I’m sure you realize we don’t have to hold back this time Joto.” Scorcher smiled as she came to a stop over top of the fallen Titan. “You kids were muy Lucio twice. But this time…” Scorcher smiled as she lifted up her hand, as a sphere of orange warmth radiated over her hand. “There are no more games.”

“Look bro, you might be able to imprison fellas with your powers.. but ya gotta catch em’ first!” Risk taunted the metallic juggernaut called Vault, as he dropped into a roll. Risk couldn’t help but feel worried even with the smile on his face. Despite appearances he knew that Dark Nemesis was playing with a full house this time around, and if something didn’t give, soon, they would have their backs to the wall.

Vault lunged inward at Risk taking a mighty swing. His black gloved hand whistling across the wind, yet that was the only sound heard. The mute narrowed his eyes, as Risk back flipped a couple of feet, that same taunting smile plastered over his face as he ducked the punch. His left arm launched outwards, his palm hitting the concrete in a spring, his feet swung into the face of the villain.

Vault instantly felt the pain as his teeth gnashed together, his body lurching backwards. The mute had only a second to right his balance before he saw Risk launching at him again. The massive left arm of the villain angled up, the forearm catching the kick and easily knocking it to the side. A grunt echoed from the boy’s mouth as the hero fell hard onto the ground.

Risk let his hand grasp onto the broken concrete as he lifted his head up from the rocks. His thick blond hair plastered across his sweat glistened forehead. He could not give up. The boy took swallows of air as he righted himself. His fists were clenched, the anger he could feel wailing out against his lungs. The desperation of this fight taking its toll on the boy, even as the hero lifted his body back erect. “That was just a lucky shot,” Risk bellowed out, spitting some blood from his mouth.

Vault looked down at the boy, his almost glowing blue eyes looked at the beaten hero who was struggling to stand. His eyes narrowed as he brought up his hand. A moment of hesitation bothered him. Vault felt a sorrow peck along his large back. Perhaps this is what caught him off guard. He had always been the strange man out, even before the powers he could not speak, and people looked down on him. They thought he was furor. Axis, his beautiful Axis, gave him hope. He was in Dark Nemesis, just for her. It was his only reason for existence. Perhaps that was why he didn’t realize how close Prysm was towards the two of them until he heard the high pitched scream. The steamy emotional call that Vault wished he could give to his own love.

“CODY!” Prysm called out her hands clinching as a rupture of raw fuchsia colored energy dispelled from her fists. Vault had little moment to react as the blast’s cohesive force crashed against his armor. Vault felt the force impact him, rattling his bones as his feet left the ground. His body was sent hurtling through one of the last remaining pieces of the mall’s foundation, crashing on impact.

Risk shook his head, the pain in his skull still causing head aches to pound at his head. “Thanks babe!” Risk called up sending her a wave.

“You might want to focus!” A high pitched squeal shouted from behind the floating princess of pink and yellow mesh of energy and light. Prysm’s head shifted around haphazardly moments before a blur of lavender skin, as a fist smashed into her jaw. Prysm let out a soft groan as her body went slack.

The purple speedster known as Carom smiled as his feet hit the bottom of the concrete in a solid tap, only moments after Prysm herself had impacted the beaten concrete with a satisfying crunch. A smile crept across the speedster’s lips as he watched the now motionless form of the pink energy cuddled up, fragile… unmoving. The dark eyes of the villain didn’t drop from the fallen Titan at first even despite the large sounds of energy powers dispelling around him. He didn’t look up from his success and powerful fists swung into nigh invincible bodies. It was not until he heard the rough heated voice of the Titan known as Risk shout out “PRYSM!” as though it took him almost thirty seconds to process that his teammate and secret crush had just been knocked unconscious.

Yet for Carom it only took two seconds for him to register the boys’ desperate call, form a strategy and take off at the super strong Titan. Risk, had not a moment to react, as two fists battered at his chest and face. The first few strikes did little to damage, an enhancement of his natural fortitude. But twenty more fists caused welts to begin to rise on the boy’s face, another fist caused a nose bridge to shatter in a jet of warm blood. Yet fifteen more, and Risk fell off his feet crashing into a loose hanging section of the building that was once a mall.

Carom looked at the pile of rubble that was already beginning to move, chunks of concrete grating across the pebbles. Small wisps of dust causing curls to loom in the distant air, as the small rocks began to shift across the larger pieces. That same sadistic smile easily crafted over the full lips of the speedster as he let his fist clinched readying himself for another round of Titan bashing. Carom thought that this was too easy, they had more manpower that this Titans group, and they had the strength of better technology. These Teen Titans didn’t stand a chance. He had buzzed past Scorcher only minutes ago and it seemed that she made light work of the Teen Titan Joto. And now he was going to finish of this one called Risk, if only they were allowed to kill them earlier in the game, maybe things wouldn’t have escalated so quickly. Though something was missing, something he couldn’t put his finger on. Something was making this so simple. Atom, oh yes he was now a member of the Justice League of America once again.

A set of footfalls came to a stop right beside where Carom was standing, the speedster looked up only to find the cold metallic hand of Vault lying across his curled up feather. Vault’s eyes narrowed, and his large head gave a firm nod. Though Vault was a mute there was little problem with the communication he was now administrating. “Uhh… right big guy, he’s all yours,” Carom said to Vault, his own voice shaking. Vault’s free hand launched out into the air, his palm out turned as the glimmer of blue energy flickered to life in a dim hum. Carom could feel his eyes welling up with tears as the energy pricked across his chest. Vault’s blue orb increased in size floating in his palm and gradually growing to encompass his hand. His large body gravid as the blast shook from his hand the very energy causing small wave forms to crystallize around the blast. Carom took a step back as the blue spectrum slipped through the very rocks.

The chunks of concrete slipped away from the metallic container that had materialized around the Titan, the rubble crumbling away as the box lofted itself into the air. Vault let the box float there a moment, feeling the life inside, part of him knew his task was to kill these Teen Titans, but instead he set the vault back down onto the rubble pile. His back turning from the imprisoned Titan and now he was looking at Prysm, still unconscious. Partly the large man felt sorrow for the falling heroes. But it was only a moment before the savage vindictive side of the mute let his own smile craft from under his mask.

JLA Watchtower:
The Moon

Over the years there had been a lot of changes to the people who populated the Watchtower. Even its location had changed, a few times since the original team filled the ranks. Its sheen and metallic outer body over stepped the multitude of life veins inside its whole. The strange polygonal shape too, seemed almost a reminder of how one could not judge the team or its headquarters by the simplest terms. The foundation of the Watchtower was caught into the moon’s crust centered near the Sea of Tranquility, the robust body extended to incredible heights, and the spherical base betwixt with triangular forms at the weapons bays for a defensive maneuverability.

The collective Justice League of America, were just as ambiguous as their headquarters, each one carrying rumor, suspension, and personal matte of what they considered themselves. Some called them Heroes, yet some were vigilantes others ex-criminals, some called them the Earth’s finest heroes, yet some were still fresh recruits and had yet to control their powers, and even still others called them few but currently the JLA was anything but just… few with one of the largest rosters they’d ever had. Perhaps that was why more often than not the Watchtower was filled with people working on repairs, and attending monitors. Today it just so happened one of those on watch duty was none other than Wally West, the newest Fastest Man Alive… formerly the fastest teen alive, who’s mantle was give to Impulse, the great grandson, of the one who gave him his mantle… Barry Allen.

Even as the blur of scarlet faded across the white marble floor of the Observation Deck, he had been thinking about his youth a lot lately. Since joining the JLA, he had little chance to hang out with his friends; he found himself missing Donna, Roy, and Garth… and hadn’t seen his best friend in almost year now, Dick Grayson. There was of course a time, when he masqueraded as Kid-Flash, when time seemed to take too long. Yet now what he wouldn’t give for those simpler days. The days when the most powerful super heroes weren’t watching him, and pressuring him harder than Speedy ever did, or Robin… heck not even his uncle Barry put so much on his shoulders. Yet the reasons for the pressure were the shoes he was indeed still trying to fit into… Barry’s legacy, and his sacrifice still carried a heavy burden. Since his death the shadow he’d been trying to get away from seemed even harsher now than ever before. Of course he didn’t let anyone on to any of his weaknesses. Wally wasn’t the type of guy to open up to many people, not even Linda got that treatment… Linda, he wondered absently what happened between them.

The blur came to a sudden stop as he felt the vibration shuddering against his ear. The wireless broadband communication sewn into his mask crackled to life filled with hushed white nose of disruption. Yet the voice was the broad and to the point. Almost too, simply so -Wally, turn on your TV now- Nightwing spoke into the speedster’s ear.

The Scarlet Speedster could feel the sweat glands opening across his chest, small needle pricks of gooseflesh causing him to almost shudder. The voice though was not crisp, was in fact a voice he’d waited to hear for a while now. The one-way band radio, in the Flash’s mask didn’t operate as a good communication device. That wasn’t its purpose so he had no way to respond. Instead, he needed to get to a TV, and judging by Dick’s demeanor he must have been talking about a news channel.

In a fuchsia colored blur laced with the yellow of static electricity The Flash took off at hyper speeds. Flash’s motions simply leaving the sterile white observatory room the way he entered it… empty. The only bodies in the silent halls were the stars that peaked through the large window that scrolled from wall to wall.

A moment of tranquility passed over the speedster as his body moved within the synchronicity of the Speed Force, since the second Flash... the second him-- had appeared seeming to have torn Wally West into two halves*. The elements of his life turning upside down, everything cataclysmically put into juxtaposition of order. Even for the fastest man alive there needed to be a point where one could slow down. A foreshadow of even deeper thoughts subsiding from the Speedster. His movements whistled over the flat gates of winds, his eyes feeling almost tearful as the cold air greeted his perpetually moving body. His footfalls tacked against the glimmering staircases that led to the spherical room that lay in the center of the Watchtower, J’onn had named it the Monitor Womb… for obvious reasons.

[*-as seen in Flash 5-7]

In itself the Womb appeared to be a marveling site for anyone to register. The ocean green walls that seemed to lift one up higher than could be possible knowing the Hall of Justice sat over head. Spherical squares blinked on surrounding the orb like building. Polygon shapes layered across the walls that sank and seemed to adjust around one. The Flash looked at the many screens that were circulating around the room. His Meta- enhanced speed gusting around the monitors looking at the various global news casts then suddenly he stopped…. The fastest man alive stayed silent as he watched the news cast.

--We have just confirmed that The Teen Titan calling himself Joto is dead. -- Wally would never forget where he was when he heard Joto was dead. Ironically he didn’t even know the kid.

Formerly South View Mall
St. Rosa, California

Argent could feel her body ache, every breath stung like she was drowning, as the blood continued to leak out of her nostrils running down her lips, before dripping off her chin. The world around her was filled with shades of reds and blacks, the pain taking over her functions. Her breath was sore as she looked out in the abyss of the wrecked mall her spandex burning over her slick flesh. Her ears heard something, it was a simple crooning; a high pitched sound that began to fade down. Licking over her ears in a sonata of sound, slowly the muddled voice became clear. The reds in her vision stronger… deeper succumbing her very mind, Argent felt the voice like vinegar grinding her bones.

“There is no need to fight it” the voice whispered the sounds echoing across her mind. “There is nothing left. Fighting is futile. Your friends are dead.” The voice continued.

“NO! This is not real!” Argent shouted out. Feeling the flaming pain intensifying, her head jarred back as she pressed her hands into her skull.

“Oh but it is, young Toni. It is very real. You and all your friends are dead. Stop now… end the suffering.” Axis let her mental voice carry over into Argent’s head, her blue face rigid as she concentrated at the now kneeling Titan. Argent’s ivory colored fingers pressed harder into her skull as she tried to fight the mental assault. “You are not brave enough to be the leader; your plans have crumbled down around you. There is no one that will save you. Your friends are gone.” As these words sectored across the hero’s head she could see the body of Joto being blasted by Scorcher, flames causing his very skin to melt from his bones. His eyes liquefying in a pop and sliding like glints down his now exposed skull.

“ENOUGH! NO!” The tears dripped down Argent’s eyes her muscles purposefully shivering against his designer spandex. She could feel the pain darting across her mind. She could now see Risk being slammed into a piece of rock by an unseen force, and picked up into a metallic contraption by Vault.

“Give in, we will take your life so easily… you won’t even notice it.” Axis spoke like bleach and blood into the waiting mind of Argent. More images began to pour through her head. Her hands curled hard, nails biting into her palms, white knuckled fists hammering into the beaten concrete. It was not until she heard a familiar savage scream that her mind cast back into the now. The savage simple words of one teammate…

“I am cold... but cold no matter.” The gray skinned titan called through desperation. The chill rose needle pricks over his hugged form. His mammoth forearms crossed across his face as the white streams of ice jettisoned from the fists of Blizzard. The green suit seemed to cling over the form in an almost skin tight bond, atop the broad shoulders the bluish glass orb reflected Fringe’s own reflection as his body began to freeze and be covered in white ice.

Slowly the ice grew across the large form, covering his body with an icy shell of bondage. Fringe continued to growl as he stood there trying to protect him. Yet to no avail. Blizzard could feel the completion of his work as the cracks in the ice squeaked freezing the giant into place. The Villain’s hands lowered as he slowly walked up to the creature. Blizzard couldn’t help but think this was too easy. To simple of a task, he was quite shocked. Part of the Villain wanted more of a floor show-- more of a struggle. Yet the proof was there. Bringing his foot up, he brought his hips around his leg angling as it came out straight. As the foot impacted into the ice, the entire ice form that was Fringe shattered in one simple strike. The strike busting the small frozen chunks of the beast in twain.

Argent’s eyes from where she was still knelt widened, glazed with fear and with tears. Her shoulders shook violently as she forced out breaths of hard air. “FRINGE! NO!” she spat at in a hoarse voice. Her throat stung with the sudden burst of emotion and fear.

“You should give up. You cannot win.” Axis reminded her with a smile on her lips. She too felt as Blizzard did. This was in fact much too simple. How could it not be, though? She knew that her team was superior in every way. It was only the matter of extending her words.

Roy Harper’s Apartment
Seattle, Washington

Wally West felt the surge of emotion run over him as his inhuman speed projected him across most of the United States-- from Central City, Missouri to Seattle Washington, in a matter of minutes. He of course knew time was not something he had plenty of. The kids would be dead if he didn’t act fast. Dick, had the same plan of course, as though he was reading Wally’s mind with no conversation on his side. Though knowing Dick there was probably a bug planted on him, and knew he was heading to Washington. Even now he heard the transmission from Dick Grayson, the former Robin, now calling himself Nightwing. --Wally, okay I’m nearing Donna’s new apartment, it wasn’t hard to find. Batman had the address in the main Bat Computer. You know because she’s living with Kyle now*--

[[As dictated in GL6 & 7]]

Wally wasn’t one to pass judgment, especially when it came to his current team mate in the JLA, yet there was something disserting about hearing Donna, their Donna, moving in with Kyle. Perhaps it just felt like no one was good enough for Donna, despite who they were. But, Kyle… Kyle didn’t even try to get along with him. For every step Wally made to be friends, Kyle took two steps back. Perhaps he wasn’t trying hard enough? Donna deserved to be happy, and if Kyle could give that to her… that was good enough.

The streetscape of Seattle appeared to be a large all encompassing stretch of building that almost glimmered unconditionally into the smoggy back drop of charcoal clouds. The pristine buildings shimmered like crystalline sculptures despite the hard biting cold that would put Captain Cold’s gun to shame. Wally could make out shades of people blurring past him, the metallic glare of car windows as he zigzagged down the side streets, his arms twilling and pumping to keep balance at such high speeds. Though, no one on the cold Seattle streets saw much more than a passing blurred trail of red laced with stark lines of yellow electricity, as the Flash made his way towards his goal

The red blur traced a line straight around the large brick covered building, those lines followed up the metal staircase that brought one up to the third story. The quick metal prangs of feet running up the stairs sounded like a jungle drum beat at the fast levels only the keen ears of someone like The Pied Piper would even be able to pick out the space in the rhythm. Finally coming to a stop at the doorway to the apartment, the Flash stood there for almost a full second catching his breath after the sprint from the JLA transporter in Central City to his present location. Knocking on the door with a static sound he waited for the thuds of a single father to grab his small girl and thump across the floor to the doorway.

As the Door opened the first words that came, after the door squeaked open was the screaming of the small child in the arms of Roy Harper. “UNCLE WALLY!” Lillian screamed out at the top of her lungs. Her olive colored arms darting out towards the Scarlet Speedster.

Roy’s head darted down to quickly cover his daughter’s mouth; his own face extorted a shock. “Honey, remember what I told you, in the red costume he’s Uncle Flash.” Roy smiled lowering his hand from her mouth and letting Lillian stretch out to get caught into the waiting arms of Flash. “Though, what the fu...heck are doing here man?” Roy asked as soon as Lillian got situated into the arms of the hero.

“Well, I wish I could say it was for social reasons... it’s been too long man. But no, it has to do with the Titans.” Flash informed his former teammate and childhood friend.

“I thought we gave that up, when we quit frolicking in the shadows of Ollie and Barry.” Roy explained, “I have too many responsibilities, now. Not to mention isn’t there a new Teen Titans?”

“The new Titans, is the problem. They are being massacred, and I can’t help but feel we are some how to blame.”

“The similarities end with the name, Wally. We have no reason to butt into a fight.”

“We are heroes, Roy, and that’s as good a point as any, and even if it is just a name it is still Titans business.”

Roy sighed listening to his friend, the conviction. He paused a moment, remembering when Wally was Kid Flash, so naïve so… so Wally. He nodded. “Okay what do you want me to do?”

“Well first you should call your baby sitter. Dick is picking up Donna not too far from here, so I’ll meet up with them and tell them you need a ride. I figured it’d be faster to tell ya before Dick arrives in the Batwing, or whatever he’ll be flying. I still have to find Garth.”

“Try Atlantis?” Roy laughed as he petted Lillian’s hair…

--hey Wally, I just got in contact with Garth he’s on his way, you should get there and meet him, while I grab Donna and meet up with Roy.--

“Nah something tells me he’s already landside.” Flash grinned, “see you in a bit, Roy.. and don’t give Dick too hard of a time.”

“I wouldn’t dream of taunting ole Wingster.” Roy smiled as he watched his friend’s speed trails dissipate. “So honey, wanna hang out with Chanda today?”

Above the Skyline
San Francisco, CA

Nightwing, looked back at the monitor that still bared the rigid face of Tempest. As a teen he went by Aqualad, but just judging by his features, and the scar that ripped over the left eye and down the cheek of his old friend, more than a name change had occurred. “Well I rounded the message to Wally, so I’m assuming he went to prep Roy for meeting me, since he can’t really carry people, and well the tracking unit from his JLA communicator has him in Seattle, so I’m sure he’ll be there before you.” Dick spoke into the mike.

--Okay Dick, I’m on my way now. I don’t want to make a habit out of this, you know. With everything going on in Atlantis right now. And with Orin missing, well it’s not exactly the best time for me to spend a lot of time on the surface. Even if I am the Ambassador of Atlantis.-

“I understand Garth, and I appreciate that you’re helping out. It’ll be good to have the old gang back together.” Nightwing spoke his normal gravel-like tone changing to field itself with a shock of emotion. As soon as the communication truncated, Nightwing brought his gloved hand back to the landing stick of the craft-situated between a multitude of blinking lights and dials that went from side to side across the cockpit the craft. His training in aviation wasn’t as extensive as Batman’s but he was trained by the best and grew up watching professionals like Hal Jordan and J’onn J’onzz man crafts. He had the basis down and as a kid, he was only bested by Donna in skill at the controls.

His hand pressed the hovering button on the craft. The button of course began to blink as the vibration of the before then silent harrier engines ignited. The craft shook as the heavy engines craned up and locked into place. Nightwing watched as the hover button went from a flashing red LED to a solid red before he stood and walked from the seat he had occupied. He couldn’t help but wonder what Donna looked like after all this time. It had been years since he saw her. Years since, he thought about ‘Wonder Babe’ as Wally and Roy lovingly called her in their youth. Uncharacteristically, Dick smiled as his foot falls thudded across the cockpit towards the storage bay of the craft. His fingers curling and trembling as he pressed against the flickering button that hung across the doorway. She wasn’t Starfire, yet he couldn’t help but wonder how he’d act to see Donna now, even if Kyle’s Communicator was somewhere in Northern California at the moment, and moving at about the speed of 75mph* he’d still have to know she was off limits.

[[-Kyle was Hard Travelin’ with Green Arrow at about this time in GL #7]]

His glove covered fingers pressed against the open hatchway that continued to blow icy air across his face, his raven colored hair circling across his brow as his eyes narrowed. This was not a personal visit, Dick reminded himself as leaped from the craft. His arms turned outwards spread eagle as the small blue flaps that connected between his back and his arms snapped tight, gathering up pockets of the air to slowly cover his decent. Much like a flying squirrel, this bird didn’t fly but he had made precautions to allow him to at least glide. Like most of the things in Nightwing’s arsenal, this was originally an idea created by Batman. Despite his feelings he wondered if he could ever step from the shadows of the Bat

The wind tore at the manufactured Kevlar glides as Nightwing targeted himself towards the third floor, second window. He had planned this all out in advance on his way from Gotham, where he picked up the craft he was formerly piloting. His gliding body plummeted against the wind yet despite the conditions he couldn’t help but wonder what he was going to say to her. To Donna.

His feet hit the ledge first. Despite the superior balance and acrobatics training he had as a child his body bowed back losing balance for a moment, before his hands caught the windowsill. His left elbow smashed hard into the window before he regained his balance. He stood there a moment, trying to catch his breath.

Yet as the curtains were slung back did he realize he waited too long. Nightwing stared at the sudden appearance of an infuriated Amazon who wasted no time in unlatching the window and grabbing the collar of his spandex. The massive strength exhibited by Donna was both alarming and awe-inspiring as she pulled him through the window, and whipped her arm back tossing him like a rag doll against the wall.

Nightwing felt his head crack hard against the wall, his back popping at the impact. Yet he didn’t have a moment to worry about his injuries as the former Wonder Girl threw a fist at him. “Donna!” Nightwing barked out as he moved his head and shoulders to the side-the Amazon’s fists barely missing their mark. Her hair flipped across her face as she repositioned herself.

“Not just a Peeping Tom, but a stalker as well?” Donna growled, her body lunging at the hero. Nightwing fell flat on his back. He planted two feet outwards, at her stomach as she pushed he locked his knees. Nightwing couldn’t believe he just did that. A move that he’d not used since he was a kid. Donna felt the wind being kicked out of her stomach as she was slammed hard onto the green carpeting of her living room.

“No Donna, it’s me, Nightwing... Dick..” Nightwing pleaded to his former teammate.

“Dick? Well guess that should teach you,” Donna mentioned as she got to her knees. “You should really not act so much like HIM.”

“Him?” Nightwing wondered a moment, before he recalled everyone’s pet name for Bruce. “Oh... Him.”

“So what’s this sudden visit for? I don’t think you came to give me and Kyle a house warming gift.”

“No Donna… this is Titans related, and we’re going to need some help.”

Formerly South View Mall
St. Rosa, California

The sirens from police cars circled and flashed across the destroyed lands where the South View Mall once stood. The wind bit hard across the vacant lot, as Argent felt the blood beginning to funnel down her nose. Her head washed with images as she ducked down her head. Her hands on the concrete, Argent’s ears heard the blood splattering onto the ground as she tried to heave her head up. To rid her from all the pain that being whispered in her mind.

“It would not be hard to give up. All your friends are done. Prysm, that body of energy who thinks she’s a girl unconscious on the ground. Risk trapped in a construct made by Vault, as he slowly smothers himself to death. The Ogre Fringe, cast all over the cement, and Joto… well Joto is…

“ENOUGH!” Argent screamed her tears dripping down her face, mixing with the blood that was smudging down her lips. It was as her voice raised up she merely opened her eyes for a split second as she saw a red blur moving at almost unknown speeds for only a second before the blue skinned woman called Axis found a fist suddenly impacting her face. At the speed in which the fist was coming, her jaw unhinged in a jet of blood smearing at the same speed as the blur had been going mostly in order to dampen the blow or else she might haven’t been getting up. Argent’s haze filled head suddenly came to as the red blur slowed to a stop. It wasn’t just Argent who saw the man in the red spandex either. News crews were scrambling to turn their cameras and the members of Dark Nemesis quickly turned heads towards the man who just laid out their boss.

“Don’t think she’ll be doing the whole mind washing kick on you for a while.” The Flash said, the lips under the cowl he wore crafting a smile.

“The… The Flash?” Argent whispered looking at the thin speedster, with her eyes as wide as they could get. She had met Nightwing once before, and she had been taken in by his good looks and charms*. But this... she was looking at one of the greatest champions of the world. One she had heard about who was a member of the Justice League of America.

[[*As seen in The New Teen Titans Vol. 2 #4 & 5-Jae]]

“Yeah, but don’t ask for an autograph. Can’t seem to carry the eight by five glossies in this uniform,” the Flash mentioned to her.

“That’s okay…” A voice called from behind the speedster, the purple speeding elf known as Carom called out. The Flash turned his head around in a blur to see the combined might of the remaining four members of Dark Nemesis standing behind them. Each one with their fists tensed. The team was scarred with bruises and their uniforms ripped in places. Yet the strength of this team, and him being alone might prove a problem. “… We’ll just take your head instead.”

TO BE CONTINUED…

NEXT ISSUE: The Teen Titans (or what’s left of ‘em) and the ex-Teen Titans take on Dark Nemesis. Oh and what’s been going on with Cyborg, Raven, Changeling, all those cats? Well be here next time for that.

GRAPHETTI

Welcome to the first Graphetti section of the JLU: 2001’s most mentioned book that was never a book… yes I mean the Titans. By now you’ve read Titans #1 (or skimmed through all the boring parts to be nice to that Jae guy) and are like “crap even more boring stuff” in the section where a lame writer tries to answer some questions. Or maybe it’s just me who feels the need to explain next to everything about every title I write. At any rate, there are a few things I need to explain that will probably make this Titans book make a bit more sense.

First off this book wasn’t solely my idea, Mike Rasbury (who should be joining me later on in this series), and I wanted to bring the Titans into JLU2001. After being mentioned in just about every book in this universe, and being characterized as the line up with Arsenal, Jesse Quick, Cyborg, Tempest, Nightwing and what not, well we had a big chore. How could we take the Teen Titans from the cut off point and make it so that, the Titans that all the books mentioned were around. I suppose I could have just started a team already together… but then we have to wonder what happened to the Teen Titans… and well when we got this idea in our head. I knew that we couldn’t just plop a new Titans book right along side JLA with no real reasoning as to where they’ve been up to then. Not to mention being the Titans nut I was I wanted it to feel like the Titans have been with the universe from the get go.

So that’s why I chose July, year one as the start date even this late in the game, it’s also why I had to write out the coming apart of the Teen Titans, and had to have it make sense since the Atom went to the JLA. A lot of craziness had to be put together. And this is how we planned it. So that we can build the fundamentals and quality that you expect when you read a JLU: 2001 book.

Well I hope you liked this first issue, and there is a lot more to come in this series, and I hope you join me for it.

-Jae Lizhini