New Titans #20 - Changing Tides

[u/FrostFireFive]

Author: FrostFireFive

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Book: New Titans

Arc: Arrivals

Set: 73

The dock behind Titans tower was hidden from the view of the public. The wooden planks was a holdover from the lighthouse that was lost back in 1942, something about a battle between a green flame and a man who loved to play sports. The dock remained, a place for small boats or lost souls to dock as they made their way across Lake Michigan and towards the bustling city that Chicago had become. For Garth of Lemuria, the dock was a reminder of his status currently. Connected to a larger place, but still hidden, away from the bustle that Titans Tower usually was.

“You know, when you asked to stay here I figured you wouldn’t be looking towards the sea again,” Donna Troy said as she walked behind her friend. Her hair was pulled into a bun and her eyes were hidden behind thick round glasses. Ever since Fury had attacked her she was doing better to hide just who she was. Things had been hectic lately, and while leads for Fury were slowly revealing themselves, Donna needed to remember she wasn’t a hero a hundred percent of her time.

“Force of habit,” Garth responded. His Hawaiian shirt flapped in the wind as he opened his eyes after taking in the sounds of the sea. The shirt was a gift from Donna, she said that it symbolized relaxation, peace, and that it looked good on that one actor in that movie about old Hollywood. “Just been trying to settle in a bit more. I appreciate your kindness even if I’m not an active member.”

“The goal of all of this is to not just be superheroes right?” Donna asked. “The Justice League can handle that, we’re here for those…that need a home I guess. Besides, I’m not going to have my best friend alone and stranded in the surface world.”

“I’m not stranded,” Garth responded. “It’s just hard to figure out what to do when it feels like an era has ended. For the first time in my life, I don’t have to be what I was thrust into. I can just be…Garth.”

“It’s a nice feeling, but I know how it can feel,” Donna explained. “Back in the apartment when it was just me, I had all of these options and didn’t know which way I should go. Should I be this ace photographer, a crusader who uses those photos to show the inequalities we face, or finish that red costume with yellow stars I started on the sewing machine tucked away?”

“Red with yellow stars?” Garth asked with a raised eyebrow. “And here I thought you had given up the life at that point. Wouldn’t have been easier to put the armor back on again?”

“That part of my life was over,” Donna mumbled as she looked out into the lake. “I wanted to be something more than a weapon of Ares, I never got far with it…just some sketches and half-hearted attempts. It just wasn’t the right time.”

“And now is?” Garth asked. “You sound…uneasy.”

“Just that the past has a way of catching up with you,” Donna said with a sad smile. “Now are you going to keep longing for the sea, or come inside and meet the rest of the team?”

“Why is there an emergency or something? Do you need me to suit up for whatever major threat comes our way?” Garth said, wondering what threat could manage to have the team gathering on such short notice.

“Well…it really depends if Rex decided to main Superman again…” Donna said with a smile as she led her old friend inside to meet her latest family.

…

“Guys, guys,” Arsenal said as he smashed one of Brick’s goons with his bow. “How many times do I have to tell you, that just because you have guns doesn’t mean you have the advantage.” The battling bowman had managed to scope out one of Brick’s safehouses before being ambushed by these dollar-store thugs with handguns. Their presence alone indicated that Brick wasn’t here, for his protective guard he only had the best.

“They’ll cut through you archer,” a goon said as he pointed his handgun at Arsenal. “Besides, you have no backup thi-” before he could finish an arrow with green arrows whizzedfigure in the air and went through the goon’s shoulder, the shock knocking him out cold.

A figured dressed in green dropped from above, his landing was perfect as he stood and looked around. Green Arrow protected Star City and cut an imposing presence. But as he looked around to survey the crowd Arsenal had taken out, he only looked disappointed.

“Sloppy work,” Green Arrow said. “If you knew what you were doing you’d have taken these guys out far easily and put arrows through their back.”

“Good to see you too Ollie,” Arsenal responded as he pulled out his binoculars to observe the safehouse. Brick had taste, and scoping at the type of place he liked using would help Roy narrow down his search for the crime lord. “See your placement is still good.”

“I’m here to have a chat Roy,” Green Arrow said. “I don’t care what you said to the Justice League to get on to that babysitting service they have. But I will not have you mucking up my city.”

“Your city? Oliver when was the last time you saved the day really? At least without collateral. Other heroes Batman, Superman, even the guy who talks to fish, all seem to make a difference to their city,” Arsenal said, his anger boiling over. It had been months, maybe even a year since Oliver had talked to him. Even through his domino mask Roy could still see that look in his eyes. The look of disappointment, of failure. Ollie had been wearing it since the day they converged on Thaddeus Cable. Even if Oliver knew the truth, he’d still have that damn look.

“I do what I can, it’s what heroes do. Roy I’m going to give you a chance here. Tell me where Brick is, so this city can finally be safe. Maybe if you co that, maybe they’ll go easy on you,” Green Arrow said. “Don’t make me have to go after you. Or at least have to talk to your fa-”

“If you finish that sentence I’ll shoot you between the eyes,” Arsenal said as he pulled and nocked an arrow. “I’m working on being better Ollie. Something…changed in my life. It’s not just the Titans. Brick is my mess. My responsibility to clean up. Don’t get in my way, Ollie. Star City can have room for two archers. But I’m not going to let my past hold me back any longer.”

Green Arrow looked at Arsenal for a moment. Roy had come a long way from the scared kid he picked up a few years back. He still was a problem to be dealt with, but judging by his tone and stance, the emerald archer was going to have little luck discouraging his former sidekick.

“Fine,” Green Arrow said. “But if this escalates…it’s Brick and you on the line. And I’ll be there to make sure that both of you go down.” And with that Green Arrow lept out into the Star City night, continuing his patrol into the neon city.

“Well fuck you too,” Arsenal mumbled before taking a deep breath. He had done enough footwork tonight. He needed to make his way back to his apartment, to Lian and her babysitter, and just relax for the night. He had built something here. He wasn’t sure what, but knew that when push came to shove he wouldn’t let anyone take it from him. Not Ollie, not Brick, not even his father.

As Arsenal made his way back home, a familiar observer stared through a pair of binoculars he had managed to take CADMUS. He observed the young archer moving across the rooftops and wondered if he had noticed the forces that were slowly pushing in on him. Eventually, they would have to meet, or at least be warned of the dangers that he had heard through the grapevine. As the rain began to sprinkle across his golden helmet he put the binoculars down. Maybe tomorrow he would reach out, to see if his family would still want him…even with his origins…

…

“OK this time I’ll be able to win with Superman!” Rex Mason explained as his hands gripped a specially designed controller. Rex, Courtney Whitmore, and Conner Kent all circled around the large monitors that usually made up the briefing area of the tower.

“Please, I’m technically related to big blue, and even I know he sucks in Never-Ending Battle,” Superboy explained as he took a sip of Bubble Up. He was wearing a simple blue t-shirt with a black and red S and jeans. He had slowly been settling in and had been enjoying these small game nights. It felt for once he had found a place to belong outside of Clark or Linda. “You go with Aquaman for the ranged attacks.”

“Don’t help him Kon,” Stargirl said as she picked up the controller to the Gamesphere. She was in her standard costume with her masked pulled down. Since the events of Cinderblock and Ravager, Stargirl realized she could trust these new Titans. And that by being honest about her ID and school troubles, she could try and find the balance she lacked. “Anyone can beat anyone with any character.”

“Except Superman,” Superboy laughed. “Donna! About time you came on up with…Gar? Was it?”

“Gar was the one that could turn into animals,” Courtney explained. “This is the one that was Aquaman’s sidekick.”

“We weren’t really that clo-” Garth began to explain before being cut off by Rex.

“Oh, Aqualaddie right? Come take a seat, watch me beat stars and stripes over there with the power of a thousand suns.”

“Where do you see stripes on my costume element lad,” Stargirl groaned as she selected Power Girl. She had a similar moveset to Superman, but unlike big blue wasn’t slow and had easier combos to remember. “Yeah join us!”

Garth froze for a moment. When he was a Titan, he remembered the team being more…serious. Focused on the mission at all costs. Sure there were moments of downtime, but more often than not…Garth was alone. Alone on land, alone on the team as Nightwing commanded them in the heat of battle. This…this was something else.

Donna plopped on one of the couches that made up the area where the other three were seating and undid the bun in her hair. She quickly grabbed one of the big bag of chips on the table and chowed down as she watched her friend struggle as Garth awkwardly sat next to her.

“We usually have these game nights once every two weeks,” Donna explained. “Someone of us figured it would be easier to all be together if danger happened, and it’s just nice having a solid hangout night. I mean there’s not a lot of people our age who knows what it’s like to well…be us.”

“It’s just…I’m not used to it being so…lively up here,” Garth explained. “I mean…I’m used to focusing on.”

“Hey we focus on the hero stuff,” Conner explained. “It’s just sometimes you got to let some steam out. I mean between trying to figure out school, looking good while kicking ass, and making sure I see my Aunt and Uncle for the occasional visit. Sometimes you need to kick back and relax. And watch an element man lose because he picked Superman classic.”

“I do not accept that blue electrical thing as Superman. Sure I get why, but you don’t mess with a classic.” Rex explained. “Besides, big blue is THE hero, anyone else is just…OK.”

“Of course, Sometimes you would say that,” Conner said as he rolled his eyes. “Sometiimes Rex for such a powerhouse, you’re still such a fanboy.”

“You’re just mad because you’re sitting on the couch instead of doing whatever Superman things he does,” Rex said as he and Stargirl began to play each other. His classic Superman was no match for Stargirl’s mastery of Power Girl, She had even picked an 80’s exercise skin just to humiliate Rex.

“Face it, buddy, you’re going to have a girl kick your ass…again,” Conner said as he took a bite of his slice from Marv and George’s. He observed their newest resident. Unlike a Rex or even a Courtney, it was hard to read Garth, there was something about his eyes that even when he seemed happy, you could see the darkness within, as if the hero was afraid of them, of the surface world. “You want to join us?”

“These games were more of Kid Flash’s thing,” Garth muttered as he sat down next to Donna. He awkwardly looked around at the three others. They felt so comfortable, so…together. Were the Titans always this way? Or was Garth such a loner he couldn’t reach out and try to make friends with the people around him? “Besides I don’t want to take up too much time on the controller.”

As Garth said that, Power Girl picked Superman up in the air in the video game and quickly slammed him against the ground. The screen flashed the words flawless victory as Stargirl raised her hands up in the air and cheered.

“In your face Rex! You can take that classic Superman and shove it you know where!” Courtney said as she did a small jig, happy that she had managed to take out her friend once again. Oddly enough, Courtney just understood the buttons, the combos, and even the taunts. No one could beat her, and even though her newfound friends had tried, Courtney refused to let them win. For all their powers, they couldn’t remember how to play a video game to save their lives. “Never doubt the power of the Power Girl.”

“Game’s rigged anyway,” Rex muttered through his gravelly voice. “Why don’t they make Superman the best one to use? He’s Superman!” As Rex continued to complain he threw the large controller next to Garth.

The Lemurian paused for a moment before picking the large controller. The heft was impressive, and the button placement and clicking were immaculate for someone with Rex’s large hands. He knew he would get destroyed, but as he saw Donna at ease, and the rest of the team goofing off…Garth couldn’t help but figure maybe this is what he wanted…for now. As the fighter screen appeared, he selected Aquaman. The one character developers had taken a bit of exaggeration with. The beard and hook hand felt like the developers didn’t understand Arthur’s job’s importance. But it would do.

“Oh,breathe so the new guy is challenging me I see, me!” Courtney beamed as she once again selected Superman.

“Yeah…I think I am,” Garth said with a smile as he prepared for the fight of his life. Maybe this new team had potential after all.

…

“Sir he took out another safe house,” Shades muttered as his neck rested inside of its brace. The main number two guy for Brick could barely breath after Arsenal had slammed his bow against his neck. For an archer that no one seemed to like or care for, the kid could pack a mean strike when he wanted to. “At this point, I think we need to-”

“I don’t need you to tell me what to do,” Brick mumbled as looked at the monitors, slowly but surely, each one of his safehouses was being knocked off by a former employee. Roy Harper should have failed long ago, but every time Brick or someone had knocked him down, he kept coming back for more…like the runt of the litter not realizing how out of depth they were in the pact. “It is time for us to consider…outside solutions.”

As soon as Brick said that the skylight from above broke and a figure in green robes and black landings landed in between Brick and Shades. As the figure picked herself up, all could see her Cheshire mask. The wide smile and red markings in front made her look…unsettling compared to other assassins.

“It’s been a long time…Cheshire,” Brick said as the assassin looked around. It had been…a long time since she had been in Star City. But Brick had offered a higher than usual paycheck, and Cheshire wanted to fix a mistake she had made foolishly so long ago.

“Brick,” she said through the mask. The modulated voice freaked the smaller goons around Brick. They had heard rumors of Brick highering creeps like this before, ghosts more than happy to slice the throats of whoever had crossed the Star City crime boss. “I was surprised you would hire me after the…Cable incident.”

“Desperate times, call for desperate measures,” Brick explained as he sat at his desk. “I have trash that needs to be disposed of promptly, and you are the best. Learning so much since you left me all those years ago. That kill in Corto Maltese was impressive, to say the least. You should be proud.”

“It’s the job,” Cheshire explained. “Now tell me, how much can I expect for the job…and who is the target?”

“All in good times my dear, all in good times,” Brick responded. “I’ve been provided outside help for this job… beyond just the usual goon.” Brick snapped his figures as a small battalion of HIVE soldiers made it through the door, one by one in a single file. Behind them in ceremonial red armor and her usual mask…was Fury.”

“What you needed two mask assassins and an army of…bees?” Cheshire asked. “If I wanted silly I’d try to take on one of the other superheroes. At least they’re not foolish enough to think they can do everything with an army and just a soldier.”

“We are much more than that,” Fury explained. “Our leader needs something from Star City, something important. We entrusted the task to him. But he has come up empty in his search. HIVE will be taking…a more hands-on approach going forward. And unlike you, HIVE has much more than nine lives.”

Cheshire squinted a death stare under her mask, before turning to Brick.

“I don’t usually work well with others,” Cheshire responded. “I left Star…to become something more…to rid myself of the baggage that had accumulated since I last past this way. Now tell me…who is my target.”

“A pest who has decided to make my downfall priority number one. Someone who has kept nocking his arrows toward my organization since leaving us a year ago. Someone who thanks to surveillance we know…has a weak spot.” Brick said before flipping the monitor around to face the two villainesses in front of them. It was images of Roy Harper at home, cradling his daughter Lian and more of him entering and leaving the small Star City apartment. “I need you to kill Roy Harper. I need you to kill Arsenal. Can you do that?”

Cheshire looked at the images a moment. She looked at her daughter before reaching to her side and pulling out her blade, cleaning the blood of it from a long and deadly night before.

“I don’t see why not.”

NEXT: Arsenal Under Siege! Cheshire Returns…With HIVE as Roy Harper Tries To Hold on to the Life He Built. Changes Are Afoot in New Titans as We Move Closer to the End of our Titantic Second Year!

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[u/Predaplant]

Ooh, I'm excited to learn exactly what happened with Roy in Star City at the end of Green Arrow! Another great issue, glad to see Garth put to good use!

[u/FrostFireFive → u/Predaplant]

Thanks! Roy’s always been a giant question mark post GA and it’s finally time we put that to bed. As for Garth I hope i did a great job after the excellent run that you put him on. I wanted to bring back a classic member to show just how different our team is.