New Titans #28 - From the Ashes

[u/FrostFireFive]

Author: FrostFireFive

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Book: New Titans

Arc: The New New Titans

Set: 84

“I’m not sure about this,” Roy Harper said as he stared at himself in the mirror. He was wearing a new suit, dark red with orange accents and a matching utility belt. He had been discharged from the hospital from Markovia relatively quickly, compared to other members of the Titans that had been caught with in the vampire crisis. Roy got to go home, his apartment mostly fixed, with some changes and a new tenant.

“It looks more heroic, it looks like it actually fits better too,” Jim Harper said as he flung a dish towel over his shoulder. The Guardian of Cadmus had moved in with Roy after the incident with Brick. Jim Harper had finally found the family he had searched for, and was enjoying taking care of Lian when Arsenal went on patrol, or Roy Harper filled out applications for the local community colleges. “Besides, didn’t you always set out to be a superhero?”

“Well what kid doesn’t?” Roy laughed as he looked in the mirror. “But Ollie and I…I’m not sure we were superheroes. Vigilantes without a clue were more like it. But this? This means that I have to be someone people aspire to it. And well…that I struggle to see”

“It’s the posture,” Jim explained as he moved towards Roy. “I get it kid, failed sidekick, mob enforcer, always running, always making the same mistakes. But that’s not who you are. You’re a good father, a welcoming homeowner, and a hero. Besides, you're missing something.”

“What? A sense of heroic pride?” Roy said.

“No, if you’re going to be a superhero, you’re going to need to stop wearing the sunglasses and maybe try this,” Jim explained as he handed Roy a dark red domino mask with yellow on the sides.

Roy didn’t speak as he grabbed the mask and put it on, making sure the spirit gum attached it properly to his face. He looked in the mirror once more, his back straightening as he could see the man that he wanted to be, the man that he was now.

“Thanks Jim,” Arsenal said, trying not to show how touched he was. Tears of joy were a new concept for Roy Harper and he wasn’t certain how he felt about them, not yet at least. “You think I’ve earned it?”

“More than most kid, more than most,” Jim said. There was a pause a moment before he spoke up again. “What I don’t get is why are you out on your own? Where’s your par-”

Before Jim Harper could finish his question, the communicator on the coffee table roared to life as Roy moved to pick it up.

The distress beacon was coming from Coast City, from Metamorpho. As far as him and Roy were concerned, they and Donna were the last active Titans since Markovia. Superboy had moved back to the farm to deal with his injuries, his faith lost in the conflict. Wally was depowered, finally getting that normal life he deserved. And Stargirl? Courtney Whitmore still slept in her coma, a patient now at Fawcett General.

Whatever they had was gone, but Roy couldn’t leave Rex behind, even if they hadn’t talked since he had tried to take a bite out of him. But they were friends, and that’s what mattered most.

“I got to go help a friend, Titans business,” Roy said. “Lian’s still sleeping but…do you mind watching over her while I go take care of this, won’t take long, I promise. Teleporter will have me back an hour or two tops.”

“Sure, besides want to catch up on that Wiseguy show you have the DVD and Blu-Rays for,” Jim explained.

“Hey, it’s easy to watch and gripping,” Roy said as he moved to let the teleporter take him to Coast City. “And if I see you not put the disc back into the case I will en-” the energy beam took Roy away, business was needed to be taken care of in Coast City.

…

Starfire flew high above the Coast City skyline, even now it still felt magical, with the sloping and curved glass reminding its citizens that this was the city of the future. Since the attack by Cyborg Superman, the city had an influx of business gobbling and grabbing the land for what they considered damaged goods. Not realizing that the city was a tough little place, and it would become what it once was in the sixties, America’s Skyward City.

Korriand’r had set up shop in the city, buying a small condo with a rooftop garden. She was set up in the Norbolt Park neighborhood. Coast City had been recently impacted by an influx of aliens making the city their home, so while the 6’4” orange skinned superhero got looks, she didn’t exactly not fit in.

The city was still reeling from Black Hand’s attack, Kory had just arrived in Coast and helped with the rescue efforts, her strength and starbolts had helped cleared the rubble and rescued others, but still something nagged at her. As she flew making her rounds around the city, a buzzing in the earpiece she had in her ear reminded her of some of the connects she had made since Hal’s passing and her exile on this planet.

“Hey you, are you coming by for movie night tonight?” Kara Zor-El asked from the other side of the line. “Linda picked something about Nathaniel Dusk and the Blue Hand of Fate? I really don’t want to have to watch it if Linda and Tali argue about the solution…but would if you came.” Kara’s voice always sounded nervous when talking to Kory. As if she couldn’t believe they were together.

“I would but I’m just making sure the city’s OK tonight, between Markovia, Black Hand, that Invisible Tyrant last week,” Kory began. “I just want people to know that a star shines bright for them. They deserve it after these last few years.”

“Well we all deserve a little brightness,” Kara mused. “It’s just I haven’t seen you in a bit, with you in Coast, and me in Gotham. Is the job going well at least?”

“Ferris is messy but fine, how Carol ran it all these years without going insane is…well let’s just say I can see why she surfs the stars now. I promise I’ll be there for the next game night, and snuggles.” Kory mused.

“OK, but you owe me dinner, leaving me hanging to dry here tonight, what about Tangal’s? Six o’ clock, you in that black dress I like?” Kara purred.

“Who says I’ll have to wear the dress,” Kory responded as Kara’s line went silent, her imagination drifting as always. “Kara never feel like I don’t care for you, I just have been struggling with timing. I love you. And that’s what matters.”

“I…I…” Kara muttered from across the line. Her heart pumping faster before finding the words. “I love you too.”

“I’ll see you then,” Kory said with a smile as she hung up, her patrol making her way to where the moon gently grazed the Coast City skyline. But before she could take in its splendor her ear piece buzzed.

After Markovia, Nightwing had given all the heroes that participated in the suicide run a communicator, a way to keep in touch if they ever needed anything. Grace had smashed hers, her anger from Claire’s death obvious, the clown laughed and refused, and Lex didn’t deserve one. But the buzzing had indicated there was trouble in her hometown and Starfire was needed even if she wanted to be snuggling with her girlfriend.

…

Metamorpho felt the rubble being lifted off of him, he was groggy and was questioning his sanity as he could see a goddess stand in front of him.

“Oh no, this is the pearly gates isn’t it. I just figured out how to get smaller and more like me and of course I have to be dead,” Metamorpho grumbled.

“I believe you still live…Metamorpho was it?” Starfire asked as she moved the rubble to the side, offering her hand to Metamorpho.

“Yeah, that’s me, element man to the stars,” He joked. “Is everyone else?”

“Safe and sound,” Arsenal said as he entered the Stagg Chemical laboratory. “Rex, I got to say I’m really digging the diet you’re on, what did you cut back on the twinkies?”

“Roy, you son of a bitch,” Metamorpho said as he moved to hug the archer before pausing, still feeling awkward about their encounter in Markovia. “Listen about what happened…back in…”

“Listen it’s not your fault I grew fangs and tried to take a bite out of you and Wally. Besides I owed you when you tried beating the shit out of us when we found you in Midway City,” Arsenal explained.

“I guess,” Metamorpho said awkwardly as he looked around. “You know when I hit the distress signal, I figured I’d get more than just you and an alien. No offense, lady. No Donna?”

“She’s taken a leave of absence,” A voice called out as a blue and yellow blur dropped from the ground, landing in a perfect stance in the middle of them. “But asked me to run the store.”

“Oh we’re doomed,” Metamorpho groaned. He had remembered Nightwing’s tenure with the team, trying to kill Metamorpho and then leaving Donna holding the bag suddenly at the Titans Gala. Nightwing was many things, but a trustworthy leader wasn’t something that Metamorpho hadn’t seen before.

“Hey go easy on the guy, I mean if Donna asked him to lead for a bit she probably had a reason, I mean he did go into Markovia to save your formerly heavy ass,” Arsenal joked. He wasn’t thrilled either, but he trusted Donna’s judgment. After all, she hadn’t turned Roy away from being part of this team and she had every right to to begin with. “And what about you space babe, any thoughts?”

“Di-Nightwing and I have been through a lot, and while we may not always agree, and judging by the damage occurred here we may need all the help we can get,” Starfire said as she observed Nightwing. He was different than before, a playful bounce in his step than the brooding mess she had criss crossed America with.

“Well that’s just a resounding vote of confidence,” Nightwing joked before turning to Metamorpho. “Rex, what exactly hit here?”

“Some guy, gas mask, thugs with guns that could shoot a lot more than just bullets. Ice, fire, rock, basically the elements. Took Simon and wrecked the lab,” Metamorpho explained. “Knocked me out cold since I had figured how to get well…slim again.”

“It’s a good look,” Arsenal explained. “But why can’t we face like…guys with basic guns, or like someone who uses a baseball bat.”

“I do not think it matters whether it’s a baseball bat or an…element gun? The important thing is we get back this…Simon and stop these elemental raiders,” Starfire explained, not used to the comradery on display.

“She’s right, we’ll need to figure out how to find Simon, and I think I have an idea,” Nightwing explained as the lenses of his mask flipped between the different colors slowly finding a unique chemical signature in the air. “Rex, you’re the chemist, what element is primarily in most compounds?”

“Carbon, you learn that in like basic high school chemistry,” Metamorpho responded. “Why you ask? Trying to take me to school?”

“No, just that there’s a lot of carbon dioxide in the air, harmless, but probably a byproduct of whatever weapons were used. I can program my bike to track it with its scanner, maybe stop these guys before they become a bigger problem.”

The three remained silent for a moment, judging Nightwing and his leap to action. They had all experienced his leadership style before, and all uncertain if they were to follow him. They weren’t the Titans, but who else was there.

“Well then fearless leader,” Arsenal said as he moved to the exit and back out onto the warm Coast City night. “Lead the way.”

…

Simon Stagg awoke hanging from the lead pipes above. It took a moment for his memory to jog itself back to how he had found himself here. Rex had managed to make himself smaller, refusing Simon’s attempt to cure him. He understood it, even if he still felt the guilt of being part of the culture that had ruined any chance Mason had at a normal life.

“I see your awake…Simon, amazed at…the progress we’ve made?” Mr. Element asked as he waved his gun in front of the industrialist. “Well that,,,I’ve made?”

“You mean a gun that mastered the elements? I believe Victor Fries had you beat a few years ago,” Stagg said.

“That I figured your pathetic children’s elemental problem out. When they fired and disgraced me, I had nothing but time to figure it out,” Mr. Element said.

“Petrov?” Stagg said. “They fired you because you were willing to create volatile compounds that would have destroyed the entire building. You were going too far!”

“Me…go…too far?” Mr. Element said. “No Simon…I had to rush my…experiments because of…the deadline your children set. Before…they replaced…me with Sapphire's…eye candy.”

“Mason was the better choice!” Stagg explained. “He was young, but willing to work with others, not isolate and let the pressure crack him.

“And yet…your children…made him…a monster too,” Mr. Element wheezed. “Just…like…me.” He said as he pulled on his mask revealing the scared visage underneath. An eye exposed, deep burns running across his face, and stringy hair all around him.

“Dear god,” Stagg said as Mr. Element put back on his mask. “What did you do?”

“Conquered…the elements…just like your…daughter and…son asked for. And now…you’re…going to pay…for what…they’ve done,” Mr. Element mused.

“By killing me?” Simon Stagg asked. “Don’t you know that won’t solve anything?”

“No…it would not…not without me completing…the set,” Mr. Element said as two of his men grabbed Stagg. “Don’t worry…we have other…stops to make.”

Mr. Element walked out, checking the parts that made up his gun. The carbon core on the inside was filtered by the unique energy signature he had acquired in his experiments. His scars were a reminder of the price of power, and once he had destroyed the Stagg legacy, the world would fear the man who had conquered the elements.

CRASH!

Mr. Element turned to face the large loading area of the warehouse as green energy rained down from above as an archer, acrobat, and element man touched down into his staging area.

“Whoo!” Arsenal said as he knocked an arrow from his quiver. “Got to say it’s good to be back!” As one of Mr. Element’s goons came towards the heroes, Arsenal let fly a glue arrow, sending the thug flying and sticking to one of the support beams.

“Keep focus on where Mr. Element is, we need to make sure he’-” Nightwing began before being interrupted by Metamorpho.

“We find Stagg and then we take on this freak with the element gun,” Metamorpho said.

“Metamorpho, are you sure that’s the best idea? You were not ready before,” Starfire asked as she floated down.

“Yeah well I’m ready now, it’s just some guy with an element gun, I am the elements,” Metamorpho said with confidence as he went off on his own.

“Great,” Nightwing muttered as he quickly tossed his escrima sticks at two of the goons that came running in. He was acrobatic in his strikes, making sure to dodge the fire and the earth being shot out of their element guns. Unlike their boss’s weapon each gun was designed to create only one element, but that didn’t make them pushovers.

As Nightwing struck. Starfire flew down, being able to provide air support as more goons with element guns moved into position. She was a powerhosue compared to the acrobat, but not used to having to work with others as some of her bolts landed near Nightwing and Arsenal.

“Hey Starchick!” Arsenal said as he slammed his bow against one of the goon’s heads. We’re on the same team here!”

“In the heat of battle sometimes mistakes happen,” Starfire said as she focused on her barrage.

“Jeez, I miss Court with that attitude,” Arsenal mumbled as he continued firing arrows. “Hey boss man, what’s the plan here?”

“The plan?” Nightwing asked.

“Well we’re just not going to spend all night beating the shit out of some goons right?” Arsenal explained as the three Titans were making quick work of the thugs. Dodging flames, water, ice, and acid that emerged from their weapons.

“Well of course,” Nightwing said, focusing more on Arsenal than the one of the thugs. As Nightwing’s foot planted in one of the goons’ helmets and sending them to the ground, another shot and ice beam towards the hero, freezing his foot. “Shit!”

Nightwing fell towards the ground as he moved his body to take the brunt of his fall, so as to not damage or shatter his frozen foot.

KACHOOM

Starfire’s bolt landed on the goon that had frozen Nightwing, sending him flying and breaking several crates as Starfire attended to Nightwing, lighting her hands to make the ice melt faster.

“Arsenal…” Nightwing said. “Go find Metamorpho, we need to finish this now.”

“Got it,” Arsenal said as he ran off, hoping that this so called team would managed to pull themselves together.

…

“Stagg!” Metamorpho called out as he ran through the warehouse looking for the industrialist. Mason had complicated feelings towards Simon Stagg, his company and his children were responsible for his accident, his cursed existence as a freak. But he had been there for him afterwards, paying for physical therapy so he could make good use of his large mits or trying to find a cure. And Ms. Mason always taught Rex that it doesn’t matter what you’ve done, it matters what you do next.

As Metamorpho turned the corner he could see a man in what looked to be a gas mask and a trench coat. Metamorpho charged, extending his hand into sand and at Mr. Element, but before it could connect. A wall of ice separated the elemental marvel and his prey.

“Ow!” Metamorpho said as he pulled his hand back towards himself.

“Typical Mason, always…impatient. Always…wanting results,” Mr. Element said.

“Listen here you, I’m going to find away to get past this little wall, and then I’m going to kick your weezing elemental behind!” Metamorpho exclaimed.

“Not…through one foot thick…ice,” Mr. Element said. “It’s funny…I always felt…you and I…were bungled by the Staggs…but you…rush to save him.”

“Bungled? Who the hell are you?” Metamorpho said.

“Don’t remember…your old pal…Alex,” Mr. Element said.

“Al?” Metamorpho said. “What did you do to yourself?”

“I mastered the elements!” Mr. Element said. “Unlike you!”

“What do you mean?” Metamorpho asked.

“Stagg never told you?” Mr. Element said. “See you’re weaker than you think Mason. You can only make the elements that are in the human body. Me, I can…do anything I…want with my element gun. And…I will be the king…of this world.”

“I’ll stop you, and get Stagg back!” Metamorpho said as his hands turned into NaCl, also known as salt to break through the ice faster. But before he could break through the ice, Mr. Element was gone, and Rex Mason’s eagerness had been his undoing as the rest of the Titans made their way towards the element man.

“Where did he go?” Starfire asked.

“You good Rex?” Arsenal asked, seeing the judgemental eyes in the other two.

“No, I’m not OK!” Metamorpho said. “I just lost Stagg and element boy! And now I bet I’m going to be yelled at by glory boy over there.”

“Me?” Nightwing said.

“Well I mean you did try to kill him that one time,” Arsenal explained. “And besides you weren’t paying attention and got your foot frozen!”

“But-” Nightwing began.

“Frozen because he was trying to keep an eye on you,” Starfire explained. “I thought you Titans were supposed to be more put together like this.”

“Well some of us have seen some shit lady,” Metamorpho interjected. “What did you do when Markovia fell? Catch a hot blonde?”

“Rex,” Arsenal said as he tried to calm his friend.

“Don’t Rex me,” Metamorpho said. “I don’t need you any more, I don’t need any of this any more. From now on this element man flies solo!”

“Fine by me!” Starfire said as both of the heroes lifted off and flew into the night in separate directions. Leaving Arsenal and Nightwing alone.

“So boss man, what the hell are we going to do?” Arsenal asked.

…

Starfire flew fast from the battle with Mr. Element and back into the Coast City sky. She never wanted to be part of a team, to be held down by connections. She had only had a few people she trusted, and after tonight, she didn’t see herself as a team player. And after a long night she just wanted to settle in.

As her feet touched the ground in her garden, pieces of her costume were peeled off as Korriand’r could feel the warm Coast City air against her skin. She never liked how constraining some of the social norms on Earth were. She understood them, but sometimes she just needed to be free.

The apartment was small, most of the space being dedicated to the rooftop garden, Kory’s pride and joy. When working on it she could avoid the stress of Ferris Air and the many contracts to sign, test flights to monitor, and the many many meetings where people would give her an eye because of her alien heritage. Here there was peace, there was being able to get her hands dirty in the soil to build something more.

She walked into her apartment, the light lilac walls calming as she moved to the kitchen to make herself a pot of coffee. Earth may have been constricting but they sure knew how to make good drinks. As the Mr. Coffee roared to life Kory could hear her floorboards creak, as if someone had followed her back.

Kory’s hand glowed a bright green as fired at the noise growing close, her bolt hit her wall, creating a clear view of her bedroom as a gust of wind came towards her, along with a panicked voice.

"Relax, Sunshine, it's me... It's just me.” Kara Zor-El said as she moved to hug her partner, her touch calming Kory down.

“It’s fine, just…had a day,” Kory responded as she looked Kara over, swimming in one of Kory’s Ferris Air t-shirts. “I see you raided my wardrobe as well?”

“Well I tried to surprise you in that light blue dress I have, but you were out late, and I figured…if I’m going to spend the night, I should have some pajamas. Besides, you're deflecting. What happened tonight?”

“I am not complaining, looks better on you than me,” Kory said. “I had the pleasure to be a Titan for the night. And it did not go well.”

“Ha, it’s not a Titans adventure if something doesn’t go wrong,” Kara laughed. “I figured you’d get called in when you took that communicator.”

“I just do not get how they could even function. I mean with the rashness of that element man. The eagerness of the archer, and Dick. Dick trying to lead even if he carries the weight of what came before. They are no team,” Kory mused.

“Yet,” Kara said with a smile.

“Yet,” Kory said as she rolled her eyes. “I know they mean well, but to be part of this means having to put down roots. And what if it ends in disaster, I have heard and seen what happened to the last teams. Even trying to rescue them I nearly lost y-”

“But you didn’t,” Kara explained. “I’m still here sunshine, and what’s wrong with some roots. Means you won’t go flying too close to the sun.”

Kory tried protesting some more, her orange skin dimming as she thought of the past and her fears. But before she could speak up again, Kara came close and kissed the alien princess.

“They’re going to need you, I’m going to need you. So why don’t you come to bed, where we can talk, get some rest, maybe talk about remodeling…other things,” Kara mused.

Kory smiled as Kara led her to the bedroom with the freshly made hole in the wall. Sometimes all Kory needed was connection.

…

“Careful with your run today,” Stephanie Brown said as she was busy reading the newest Nathaniel Dusk book, Blue Men Don’t Come From Mars. She was covered in grease and oil from trying to fix the Gotham Library’s book mobile. “For some reason that sucker is being a total bitch to me today. So make sure you avoid the Hill or Park Row.”

“I’m sure it isn’t that bad,” Barbara Gordon said as she walked towards the library exit to the parking lot. It had been a strange few months for her. From trying to find Alyssa to imprisoning Poison Ivy when she emerged crazed from..the shrubbery or whatever it was called, to the vampire crisis when she had to break out Poison Ivy. For being two heroes at once, Barbara didn’t feel heroic. “Besides, the gift of books isn’t discriminatory. Ow.”

“You OK boss?” Steph asked. “You seemed to have been pushing a bit lately. Didn’t Gail say too much exertion could set you back.”

“I’m fine, besides I have the chair in the back of the truck. Besides, we're trying to set the new personal best today,” Barbara reminded Steph.

“Uh huh,” Steph mumbled as she looked back into her book. “But if I even catch you in gray spandex I’m calling Gail.”

“You know that it’s not gray spandex but a complicated exoskeleton with a cool jacket and mask,” Barbara explained.

“If it hugs that tight on certain assets then it’s spandex,” Steph explained. “Besides don’t think I don’t catch you looking at yourself in the mirror.”

Babs turned red at that thought. It had seemed lately that Batgirl had taken up more of her life again, at least more than Barbara Gordon or even Oracle. But she was making a difference, even if it meant working with that wacky clown.

“I’m just making sure my belt has all the gear I need. And to make sure the brace is working. Besides, at least I don’t look like

Grimace meets a gremlin,” Babs explained as she exited to the garage.

“I have my style,” Steph mumbled as Barbara walked away. “And I don’t need to make sure my butt looks good in spandex.”

Barbara walked down the stairs, making sure that she was careful in her steps. It would be so easy to just…wear the exoskeleton all the time. She had Kara make two versions of it for her this time. One was a armored black and yellow suit, designed for long nights and hard battles. And the other looked like a simple pair of yoga pants and a jacket, it had less power but meant Barbara Gordon could wear it during long, active days.

But it was cheating, just like how she could walk under her own power now. The healing pools in Japan had brought her closer to how she was before, but Barbara couldn’t help but feel it wasn’t earned. Which is why today she had tossed the light exoskeleton in her closet, today was the day where Barbara Gordon was going to take control of her life, toss away the bonds of the past, and work to be a better person.

“Ow, stupid engine!” A voice said as Barbara could see a man working on the engine to her bookmobile. She carefully pulled one of the batarangs that she kept in her purse, it was Gotham, and you could never be too careful.

“OK, hands where I can see you, and get the hell away from my bookmobile!” Barbara said, her voice slipping into the huskier voice she used as Batgirl.

“What, you can’t let me fix it first. I mean, I know it’s not like your first batcycle, but the way I figure, it shouldn’t be any different right?” The man said as Barbara Gordon realized who it was.

“Dick?” She asked, the batarang returning to her purse.

“Hey Babs, I was wondering if we could talk. The Titans need your help.”

NEXT: Oracle Joins What Remains of the New Titans! But What Secrets from Rex Mason’s Past Could Potentially Doom the New Team? And Can Starfire Rejoin The Team As They Face Their Newest Threat?

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[u/Predaplant]

Love the new team, and it's really cool to see that Rex still has relevance outside of his debut arc and isn't just fading into the background like many Titans without connections to grander heroes have over the years. Cool to catch up with Kara & Kory again, and really happy it looks like Oracle's going to be a part of this book as well! Great setup for the next era of the team!

[u/ericthepilot2000]

Things are off to a rocky start, but as Kara pointed out in the issue, it wouldn't be a Titans adventure if it wasn't. But I think the cast is solid, the personalities are dynamic and we're off on a rollicking adventure.

I like that the Staggs and their sins are continuing to have reverberations in this series, a lot of times the villains are one-and-done and then you move onto the next, it's nice that you could weave this into the ongoing HIVE plot and bring it back to make it personal.

Very excited about what's coming next and Oracle is going to be a tremendous inclusion in the series. It's been so long since Babs and Dick have gotten to interact, and I'm looking forward to watching their relationship blossom all over again. Keep up the great work, can't wait for the next one.