Issue 0: Friends and Heroes

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Teen Titans
Issue 0: Friends and Heroes
Written by David Charlton
Cover by Brandon Herren
Edited by Charles HoM

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Dick Grayson stared at himself in the mirror.

He wasn’t a child any longer. He was a young man. For the first time, he thought the uniform looked too small, too silly… He ran his hand through his dark hair and exhaled decisively. He took off the green domino mask first. The yellow collared cape followed, then the distinctive red tunic…

It had been weeks since he dreamt again of that last terrible mission as Robin--- he could still hear the hideous laughter of the Joker echoing in his ears sometimes… It just didn’t keep him awake anymore.

No, he was over that; that came with the territory. It was the aftermath that was the nightmare…

And Bruce still wasn’t returning his calls. It had been more than a month since he left Gotham for New York City, and his new life at college… He’d spoken to Barbara a few times after she moved to Vegas, but he could tell, things were never going to be the same again.

The door of the dorm room opened and in spilled his roommate, a giggling young woman on each arm.

“Whoa, girls, girls, it’s your lucky day!” Roy took a swig from the flask he carried. “Allow me to introduce my good friend, the aerialist Dick Grayson, the daring young man on the flying trapeze!”

“I was just going out, actually, Harper---.” Dick quickly collected the pieces of his costume and left.

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That night, Robin fell upon three gang bangers holding up a liquor store. The fight was brutal and short, and when the three were moaning on the dirty linoleum floor, one of them protested: “Hey, aren’t you Batman’s kid? Man, watchu doin’ in NYC?”

“People grow up, punk.” Robin cuffed the guy. “Besides, you can’t live forever in the shadow of the Bat…”

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“Would you look at that…” Roy Harper whispered appreciatively.

The girl who made her way from the counter of the coffee shop was a tall, fresh-faced and alabaster-skinned beauty, with dark hair and sparkling blue eyes. Dick and Wally were forced to agree with their libidinous friend’s assessment, and admired her as she came closer to their table, looking for a place to sit and study.

“Here!” Roy jumped up and offered her the empty seat at theirs, much to her mild surprise.

“Oh! Thanks, but…”

“I insist!” Roy beamed. “You’re new on campus, right? You should be meeting new people, broadening your horizons… Consider Dick, Wally and I your welcome committee.”

The girl relented gracefully and sat, returning their smiles.

“Well, then, it’s very nice to meet you three. My name is Donna Troy.”

Before Dick or Wally could speak, Roy commanded her attention.

“I’m Roy. But my friends call me Speedy.” He took her hand and lingered over it familiarly, assailing her with the full force of his charm.

“And I thought I was fast.” Wally mumbled to Dick sourly.

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The sewers of New York were not a pleasant place. The rubbish and refuse of the largest city on Earth flowed sluggishly just beneath its streets. The tunnels were dark and rank, but things lived there, foul nasty things.

And some that were just desperate.

She splashed through the ankle-deep water, stumbling and nearly falling time after time. Her strange clothes were torn and filthy, and from her wrists dangled the broken ends of chains. She turned and looked behind her frequently, fear plain on her expressive face: shadows played on the walls behind her--- they were still following her.

Princess Koriand’r of Tamaran renewed her flight, gasping for breath. She was determined not to be taken. Better death than to subjugate herself again to the foul clutches of the Psions; she had nearly paid the ultimate price for their diabolical experimentations! She had hoped they wouldn’t track her to this world, so far from the Vega system, but that hope had proved to be in vain. They must have followed the energy signature of the ship she’d stolen, useless now at the bottom of the Hudson River.

Scant hours of freedom…!

If only she could find her way to the surface, take to the skies and soak in the waves of solar wind her Tamaranian body so craved…! But they had trapped her neatly!

She heard dry, alien voices getting closer. In panic, she lost her footing and fell face first into the muck, calling out in pain. They were almost upon her!

Grimacing with a twisted ankle, she managed to prop herself against a slimy wall and face her pursuers as they rounded a corner. They came into view, wearing gleaming, studded armor, and triumph on their scaly green faces…! Gordanians! They had sent the slavers after her again!

Summoning everything she recalled from her training by the Warlords of Okaara, Princess Koriand’r determined to sell herself dearly… She only wished she had lived to see her family again…

Seeing her helpless, the pitiless minions of the Citadel Empire approached her carefully, their laser rifles raised, hissing to each other in that sibilant tongue she still didn’t understand. There were dozens, far too many for her to hope for escape again. They crowded her, and she glared at them, her chest heaving, fear and defiance vying within her.

One of them produced a new set of shackles, its teeth bared in a cruel smile!

Gritting her teeth, Koriand’r instinctively unleashed the torrent of fury building within her--- and nobody was more surprised than herself when that release manifested itself in a bolt of starfire!

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The four new friends walked from the coffee house, through Central Park, escorting Donna home.

“I can’t believe you’re Wonder Woman’s little sister! I mean, Dick and Roy and I knew each other already, through our mentors, but I had no idea Princess Diana even had a little sister!” Wally was saying excitedly.

It was late, and the Park was quiet, but Dick flinched at his friend’s slight indiscretion; Wally West’s mouth did have a tendency to run away from him from time to time!

“Well, Diana’s my sister in the way that every Amazon on Themyscira is my sister, though we do share a special bond as I was raised with her in the Queen’s own house.” Donna and Wally walked ahead, and Dick and Roy followed behind, Dick lost in his thoughts, Roy just enjoying the view.

“Actually, I’m an orphan. I’m not even an Amazon. Diana found me as a child, in the wreckage of a ship, with no memory of my life before. I was raised on Paradise Island, and it’s all I’ve ever known, but I always knew there would come a day I would return and find my place in Patriarch’s World. I’m living at Themyscira House while I go to university. What did you mean by ‘mentors’?”

Dick heard it first: a screeching whine, muffled as if coming from far below them. He stopped to listen for it, hushing them and holding up a hand for silence. They obeyed, but looked at him quizzically.

Ahead, just under a small stone bridge, was a storm drain, and through it he spotted the flash of light.

“What the hell?” He marveled, approaching it cautiously, the others trailing behind. The noise and flashes continued. He bent down and peered through the grate.

“Holy---!” He exclaimed. “There’s a girl! She’s in trouble!”

Donna elbowed him aside, grabbed the bars of the grate and yanked once, pulling them out of their concrete moorings. She glanced back a their shocked faces.

“Well, maybe Diana and I have more in common than I’ve let on. Wait here!”

And with that, she dropped down into the sewer.

“Great.” Roy muttered. “She’s like, Wonder Girl, or something.”

But no one heard him because Wally was already speeding after her and Dick was leaping down below, too.

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Falling with an acrobat’s grace, Dick landed in the dim sewage tunnel with a splash, face to face with a nightmare. The saurian face flinched back, as surprised to see him as Dick was stunned by the alien visage. It raised what was obviously a weapon, but Dick was already swinging. The creature fell backward, Dick shaking his bruised knuckles.

A stream of water sloshed dramatically in Wally’s wake, and a row of the alien beings were knocked senseless almost simultaneously. Dick watched as sweet, innocent-looking Donna Troy lifted one over her head and hurled it into a crowd of its fellows, bowling them over. Even Roy had joined the fray, dropping down atop one and grappling with it for its rifle.

But, by far, the most amazing sight was Starfire.

For that was how he instantly thought of her, seeing her blasting away at the Gordanians with bolts of pure stellar force from her outstretched hands, this desperate, cornered young woman with the bronze skin and pupil-less emerald eyes! She had such an intense look of terror and defiance on her face, that Dick was instantly struck by the dichotomy of her vulnerability and strength.

But she was faltering, worn down and exhausted. And despite the timely intervention of Dick and his friends, she was on the verge of falling prey to her attackers!

He leapt to her defense, literally. With a running start, he vaulted over a Gordanian, somersaulted over their cordon around her, and landed in a fighting stance. He whirled, lashing out with a spinning back kick, and another alien went down. He stood over her, fending off their assault with a furious one of his own, aided by the blur that was Wally West.

Roy had managed to get a hold of an alien laser rifle, and was frying the creatures with impunity. Donna dashed one against a wall, then turned as one took aim at her. She deflected the beam with an expertly timed block from her bracelets, the blast ricocheting back at the hapless creature.

Then, just like that, the fight was over.

Smoke and a heavy smell of ozone lay in the air as Dick bent over the still trembling, guarded alien girl. She shrank back from him, but made no hostile move. His eyes searched her face, and he smiled, kneeling beside her in the sewer water.

“It’s alright, Starfire.” He took off his jacket and draped it over her scantily-clad form. “We’re friends.”

Roy whistled lowly at the sight of the beautiful alien princess, and Wally slid to a halt by Donna. She looked over to him, with an eyebrow raised.

“And they call him Speedy?” She glanced back towards Roy.

“Different connotation entirely.” Wally deadpanned.

“Watch it, West!!”

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Dick helped the girl unsteadily to her feet, Donna bracing her on the other side.

“What just happened here?” Wally’s voice was tinged with hysteria. “Who is she? What are these---.” He nudged the body of a still smoking Gordanian. “… Things?”

“ <>/<`\|~^~^~`)(`<>~:~:~ ! ” A stream of unintelligible sounds poured frantically from the young woman. She clung to Dick, her smooth brow crinkling when she realized she hadn’t been understood. With what seemed like the rest of her ebbing strength, allowing him to bear most of her weight, she pulled his face to hers and kissed him deeply.

Stiffening at first, Dick relaxed after a second, and surrendered to her without protest.

“Why does he always get the girl?” He dimly heard Roy mutter in the background. “I’m the pimp!”

When the girl pulled reluctantly away, Dick regarded her breathlessly. And when she next spoke, they could understand her.

“Subcutaneous Psion language chip. Absorbs language through physical contact.” She gasped, still clinging to Dick.

“Oh.” Wally frowned. “Huh?”

“Those were soldiers of the Citadel Empire sent to bring me back into bondage; Gordanian shock troopers and slavers; my name is Koriand’r, Princess of Tamaran.”

She swayed, and Dick held her up.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Roy waved his hands frowningly. “Tamaran? Where’s that? South America?”

“Vega.” Moaned Koriand’r. She raised her hand, starring at them quizzically. “How did I---? Must have been the Psion experiments… X’hal…!” She closed her eyes and went completely limp. Dick swept her up in his arms, looking up at his comrades in concern.

“Well, is Vega in South America?” Roy asked lamely.

“No.” Dick told him. “It’s in outer space.”

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They decided to take her to Donna’s rooms at Themyscira House. Wally was particularly in awe of being in the one and only Wonder Woman’s home, though she wasn’t currently in residence (Editor’s Note: This story takes place prior to the events of Wonder Woman Issue 0). Even Roy subsided into a respectful silence as they climbed the huge marble central staircase, Dick still carrying the unconscious alien princess.

Donna stopped them just outside her door.

“I can take it from here.” She gently took the young woman from Dick, who seemed about to protest. “She’ll be alright with me.” Donna said reassuringly to him. “What she needs most of all now is rest. Besides, what will Diana say when she hears about this? Three gorgeous boys alone with me in my room…? Might get the wrong impression.”

Wally blushed at the compliment and Roy smiled crookedly, but Dick could not be so easily deflected.

“Look, Donna, we need to talk about what happened out there tonight. There could still be more of those things coming for her! We’re not exactly whom we seem to be, and obviously, you haven’t told us everything about yourself…”

“Themyscira House is one of the safest places on earth. Tomorrow, Dick.” Donna smiled and closed the door on him.

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Over the course of the next few weeks, they got to know each other very well. They met for lunch, as often as their class schedules permitted, Donna often bringing the alien girl they’d come to call Kory. They soon found they all had a great deal in common.

“So you have no idea how you came to have such incredible powers?” Dick sipped his steaming drink, speaking in a low tone at their usual meeting place, Apollo’s Cafe. That afternoon it was just the four of them; the alien princess had remained at the Themysciran Embassy, sharing her Okaaran training techniques with Arsinoe and the rest of the Amazonian Household Guard.

“No.” Donna shook her head. “They just started developing, as if I’d always had them. I mean, I’m not as strong as Diana, but there are days when I can give her a run for her money. The oracle Menalippe says my powers are gifts of the gods, though whether she means that in general or more specific terms, not even she knows.”

“Must be tough not remembering your parents.” Roy commiserated, taking the opportunity to rub Donna’s shoulder companionably.

“Yes.” Donna shrugged off his lame attempt with a smile despite herself. “I’m sure they would have been able to shed some light on things. But Queen Hippolyta, Diana and the rest of the Amazons of Paradise Island have been the best family I could possibly ask for.”

“Have you ever tried to discover who you really are?” Dick asked.

“This really used to bug me, but I know who I really am.” Donna said simply. “It’s who’ll I’ll become that is the real question.”

Dick nodded thoughtfully.

“Hey!” Roy slugged a distracted Wally on the shoulder. “Snap out of it, West. You haven’t said two words the last hour.”

Wally mumbled an apology, and something about having to get to his next class. He left abruptly.

“What’s with him?” Roy asked.

“Not sure. He’s seeing this new girl. Her name’s Rachel, but I’ve never met her.” Dick explained, looking concerned. “She’s got him hooked, though. He’s even missed some classes lately, to hang out with her.”

“Our boy, all grown up…” Roy grinned. “So Donna, going back to what you said a second ago about whom you’ll become... We’ve trusted you with our little secrets--- have you ever consider putting on the spandex and cape? I mean, you’re like, Wonder Woman Junior!”

Donna shrugged. “Service and sacrifice are two ideals every Amazon lives by. I’ve always felt, like my sister, that if these powers are a gift, I’ve been given them for a reason. I think Diana has always worried that I would follow in her footsteps!” The more she thought about it, the broader her smile got. “Robin, Speedy, Kid Flash and--- Wonder Girl! We’d be a bunch of regular teen titans!”

“Teen Titans!” Roy slapped the table enthusiastically. “I like the sound of that!”

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Dick had all but decided to hang up his cape; devote himself to college, become a lawyer and lead a normal life. No Batman, no homicidal maniacs trying to kill him…

Robin leapt from one rooftop to a lower one, somersaulting neatly, then threw out his jumpline and swung across the skyline to the next building. In the alley below, he spotted a couple of guys chasing an old lady. He dropped down right in front of the would-be muggers, made one of the quips he was notorious for and proceeded to do what he did best.

Yep. He’d been about to leave it all behind: the nightly patrols, the protecting of the innocent and the helpless, and find himself. Become Dick Grayson…

I know who I really am. It’s who’ll I’ll become that is the real question… Service and sacrifice… Donna’s words had stayed with him all day. She seemed so sure, so confident…

“Stay down, punks. NYPD’s finest will be here in a few minutes to pick you up!” Robin ordered the bruised and bleeding muggers on the dirty alley floor. He picked up the old lady’s purse and handed it back to her. She thanked him profusely and hobbled away.

Teen Titans, huh…?

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He landed lightly on the rooftop of the Themysciran Embassy, still lost in his thoughts. He hoped she wasn’t sleeping already. He hadn’t been able to get her out of his mind all day, and needed to talk to her…

“You’re a long way from Gotham, Robin.”

Robin whirled, a batarang already in his hand, but he was met by a gentle smile.

Wonder Woman came down out of the sky, landing on the rooftop next to him like an angel gently gliding to earth. She smiled at him fondly.

“Batman never teach you how to use a front door?” She asked, not unkindly.

“It’s a Gotham thing.” He explained with a smile of his own, folding the batarang and returning it to his belt. “I beg your pardon, Princess, I was just---.”

“I know why you’re here, Robin; I’ve spoken to Donna.” She spoke up when he fell into blushing silence. “I’ve also heard about what happened in Gotham a few months back. Dreadful business. Are you okay?” She fixed him with a concerned stare.

“I’m fine.” He nodded, and realized he meant it. He was not Bruce. He didn’t have to always live in the shadow of the Bat. A contented smile relaxed his face. “Thanks, Princess.”

“Call me Diana.” Her smile warmed him. “Hers’ is the first window on the west side. I know you’ll be a gentleman.” And with that, she winked at him and stepped off the edge of the roof, to float down to the sidewalk below--- and the front door.

Chuckling, Dick hopped over the roof himself, landing on the top ledge.

When he came to her window, he tapped on it softly. She came to the window almost instantly. A smile lit her expressive face.

“Hi, Kory. It’s me, Dick… I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by…Can I come in?”

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Epilogue 1…

Outside the orbit of Mars, a Citadel dreadnought lurked. Its commander, a sleek, black-skinned hulk of a creature with eyes like a shark, gnawed on a bone with very little flesh still clinging to it. He faced the huge view port, gazing at the distant blue and green planet sparkling far-away…

“Lord Damyn, we’ve lost contact with the Gordanian slave patrol that was investigating the third planet.” Spoke a tusked, four-armed Branx warrior.

“Hmmm…” Mused the Psion at Damyn’s side. Damyn hated the dispassionate, saurian Psions (but then Damyn hated most everyone), conquered enemies of the Citadel. He didn’t trust that calculating look that was always in their eyes. If he’d been emperor, he’d have exterminated every last one of them! Instead, they were now advisors and spymasters throughout the Empire, and sat at the right hand of the Emperor himself.

“She’s there.” The Psion pronounced after a moment. “And she’ll be very dangerous, at such close proximity to this system’s star. Our experiments on her have enhanced her Tamaranian body’s natural ability to absorb sunlight and convert it into energy. She will be able to discharge enormous amounts of stellar energy at will… If she figured it out, she would have been able to easily dispatch the Gordanians.”

“Don’t care!” Grunted Damyn, discarding his bone, spittle flying. “I want my favorite slave back! Helmsman, set a course for the third planet!”

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Epilogue 2…

He felt a little guilty about doing it, but his curiosity had gotten the better of him: Wally was the least secretive person Roy had ever known. So that night, Roy followed him into Greenwich Village in hopes of seeing his mystery girl, Rachel.

At first he feared Wally would do the super speed thing and lose him, but his friend rarely used his powers when it wasn’t necessary (which Roy just could not understand! He’d be vibrating through girls locker rooms daily!), making it easy for Speedy to track him.

It had been awhile since Roy had last donned the red tunic, domino mask, quiver and cap! It felt good to be Speedy again, especially with no Ollie around to tell him what to do! He was liking the thought of this Teen Titans idea more and more…!

Wally got off the bus outside a dingy apartment and met the girl on the stoop outside. Watching through binoculars from a nearby rooftop, Speedy could see her clearly. She was a willowy little thing, with closely cropped dark-hair and sad eyes. She wore a small, teardrop-shaped jewel on her forehead, red against the stark alabaster of her complexion, and she dressed in loose-fitting black clothes.

“Goth chick, huh?” Roy muttered, watching as the two embraced.

He felt uneasy. Not about his spying on his friend (Roy rarely let his conscience trouble him), but about the girl. Something about her shadow in the light of the streetlamp… Darkness seemed to congeal around her, crowding her, fluttering around her on black wings…

Just my imagination, Roy scoffed, as the two walked shoulder to shoulder and hand and hand down the street. This is lame! What am I doing here? Wally would kill me if he ever found out! Besides, he’s a big boy, can take care of himself… I should just go back to the apartment, and call that new transfer student from Thailand--- what’s her name, Jade?--- and see if she wants to go out again…

In the end, he followed them anyway.


TO BE CONTINUED!




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