A dart sailed across the dingy bar and landed squarely in the center of the bull’s eye. Across from the dartboard sat, a bald man with mug of beer in his hand and in the other, he casually tossed the darts.

One…

After another…

After another…

“Hey, you’ve been doin’ that fer over an hour pal. Can’t you find something else to occupy yer time,” the sailor sitting in the booth behind him asked.

“No,” the bald man replied as he tossed another dart.

“No, lissin’ here pal. I got no beef with ya, but I have a headache and your constant tossing of those damn darts wit’em makin’ that damn noise is makin’ it worse.”

“Then leave.”

The sailor walked up to the bald man and stared him in the eyes. “I’ll give ya ta the count of three.”

“Fuck you wanker.”

The sailor drew back his fist only get clobbered by the bald man’s beer mug and then slammed into the counter top. As the sailor fell to the floor, the bald man stood over him with a dart in his hand.

“You sailors are all alike. You all need to learn some bloody manners.”

The bald man quit waving the dart in his hand and slammed into the sailor’s eye.

	Protecting Our Future Crisis pt 1
The Titans #12 - August, Year Four	by Mick Edwards

The  Titans

NIGHTWING Dick Grayson

CYBORG Victor Stone

STARFIRE

BEAST BOY Garfield Logan

ARGENT Toni Montelli

ARSENAL Roy Harper	RAVEN	SUPERGIRL

As Roy and Dick finished unloading the Titans stuff into the lower basement living area, Doctor Hoover completed her analysis of Supergirl’s new body and the status of their other members. The two Titans rode the elevator back up to second floor where Doctor Hoover was waiting with her prognosis.

“How’s things going doc?” Roy asked.

“Well, for Supergirl everything checked phenomenally,” Doctor Hoover replied.

“Is she normal?” Dick asked.

“Beyond normal, I’ve never seen readings like this.”

“What do you mean?” Roy said as he looked at the chart.

“Her physiology has been altered to be nearly identical to a kryptonian, but there are some subtle differences however. I won’t know what those differences are until I run more tests.”

“If you wouldn’t mind doctor,” Supergirl said, “I’d rather not have any more tests done.”

“Why?” Doctor Hoover asked.

“Because I need to spread my wings,” Supergirl replied as she took to the air and flew through the skylight.”

“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that sight. She seems so different and I’m not talking about physically.” Roy remarked.

“You noticed that too?” Dick said.

“I hate to interrupt your guy talk, but I also have bad news.”

“What is it?” Both of the guys asked.

“Vic’s organics are rejecting his prosthetics.”

“What? How is that possible?” Dick asked.

“Is he alright?” Roy inquired.

“He’s stable for now, but I don’t know how much longer we can keep him stable. As to what’s causing the rejection - we don’t know yet.”

“Do what you can and keep us apprised of his condition, Doctor Hoover,” Dick said as he walked off to check his messages on his pager.

“Doc, how is Toni?” Roy pried

“She’s doing fine, but she’s going to be laid up for quite a while yet.”

“Could you keep me updated on her progress?”

“Roy, are you crushing on this girl?”

“What?!?! No, she’s like fifteen-sixteen years old. I’m way too old for her.”

“Actually, I’m seventeen,” Argent interrupted.

“You shouldn’t be out of bed.”

“I’m fii--“

Roy raced across the room as Argent collapsed and he helped her up.

“The hell you are.”

“I just got dizzy. That’s all.”

“Kid, you’re not fooling me, I’m taking you back to bed.”

“Ever the romantic,” Toni said coyly.

“Don’t even start.”

Toni giggled as Roy carried her back into her room.

The roof…

Nightwing put his domino mask on his face and made sure the spirit gum would hold. Once he was sure, he walked up beside Starfire who was sitting on the ledge with her legs dangling over.

“You okay, Star?”

“Yeah, I was just thinking about Gar.”

Nightwing took a seat beside her and steepled his fingers as he let his legs dangle over the edge. He considered his words carefully and thoughtfully before he responded.

“Gar…was a great friend and valued team member. It’s important we remember how he was and not what he became.”

Kory nodded her head and stood up on the ledge. She cast a glance at Nightwing and offered her hand.

“Wanna go for a flight?”

“No thanks.”

“Well, I’ll see you later then.”

Nightwing watched her depart and as he stood up on the ledge, he heard a very familiar voice.

“I’d give a penny for your thoughts, boy wonder.”

Nightwing turned around and narrowly fell off the ledge. As he regained his balance, he noticed Barbra standing there in her Batgirl costume. He started to think something was wrong with his eyes and he kept fluttering them open and closed. When he looked, again she was gone.

He got away from the edge and wondered if Gar’s death was starting to make him hallucinate. He started to consider seeing the shrink offered by Star Labs, but he wasn’t sure. He wasn’t sure of anything anymore. Gar’s death was unexpected and had hit them all hard. It made Nightwing wonder if there was a future for the team beyond the next horizon.

The Pyramid Club…

“Can I help you jack?” The guard asked the bald man who tried to stroll in like he owned the joint.

“Get your hands off me mate, before I make a bloody spectacle of your internal organs for all to see.”

“Let him be, Fox.”

The bald man looked up at base of the staircase where a dark haired man stood. The man was muscular, but in lean type of way and had piercing blue eyes with a small dimple on his chin. The bald man walked up to him and started cracking up.

“What is this? I came to see the great Adam Blackthorne. Not his boyfriend.”

The black haired man sniffled and raised his martini up to lips, “Boyfriend eh? My name is Andrew Blackthorne. I’m Adam’s brother.”

The bald man cleared his throat, “Sorry, I didn’t know he had a brother.”

“It’s quite all right, chap,” Blackthrone said as he eyes glowed red, “But I recommend refraining from such remarks again.”

“Y-you got it…”

“Now, please come in side we have much to discuss mister?”

“Collins, Ellis Collins.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ellis.”

“Pleasure’s mine,” Ellis replied.

Ellis looked over the entire room they had entered and couldn’t believe the stock of liquors and fine wine they had. Andrew poured himself another glass and offered to pour one for Ellis.

“Perhaps I will take one,” Ellis said as he took the drink.

“So, I had heard that you have a very keen and rare ability.”

“Indeed I do. I never miss.”

“Could you provide a demonstration?” Andrew asked.

Ellis nodded and grabbed a key off the table. With a back handed throw he tossed the key into the lock on the far side of the room and the key swiveled and unlocked the door. Andrew’s mouth was agape as he calculated the distance as fifteen hundred feet.

“H-how did you do that?”

Ellis looked at him wild eyed as he wiggled his fingers and then narrowed his eyes as he looked into Andrew’s, “I’m magic.”

“Indeed you are,” Andrew said as he sized up Ellis.

“Can we cut to the chase and discuss the job.”

“Of course,” Andrew said as he sat his glass down, “I want you to kill Charles Parker.”

“Is there any specific reason in mind for you wanting this guy dead?” Ellis asked.

“Let’s just say,” Andrew said as his eyes glowed black, “Family interest.”

Ellis nodded his head with a cruel smirk on his face before he sat down on the nearby love seat to listen to the rest that Blackthorne had to say.

Titan Island…

Roy pulled up in a speedboat and docked it. As he came out he saw Titans Tower standing right in the middle of the island and all the damage that was done was completely gone. He skittered back before falling on his backside, as he couldn’t believe everything had been restored as it was. As he ran a hand across his face, he saw images of former titans conversing, laughing, and having a good time and then in a flicker they were gone.

Everything that was restored however remained. Roy rushed towards the tower and immediately headed to hall of fallen Titans as something urged him there. Once he was there, he saw the statue of Beast Boy with an engraving on it.

Roy placed his hand on the engraving and for a moment, it felt like Gar was standing right there beside him. He spent the next couple of hours checking the entire tower out and the grounds. To his discovery, everything was different on the inside than it was on the outside. Everything looked so futuristic. Like something, you would expect the JLA to have.

Roy bit his lip as walked back towards the speedboat. He wasn’t sure what he was going to tell the others. He wasn’t even sure he knew what he was seeing. As he left, the sunlight peered through hall of fallen Titans where a Titan statue was missing.