003

— june —

June 18, 2019

Titans Tower Day Eighty-Four

MUSIC PLAYED FROM HAZEL'S PHONE, ECHOING THROUGH THE KITCHEN. Hazel sat on the counter, her leg swinging as she ate her cereal. "Hazel!" Rachel called, she and Dick walking from the elevator. "Where are the boys?"

Hazel paused her music and motioned down the hall. "Training room," Hazel said, her mouth full of cereal. Dick nodded and turned, walking down the hall. Hazel quickly finished the cereal and chased after Dick and Rachel.

"What were you doing? I was fucking blindfolded," Jason called his voice echoing out of the room.

"You said, Don't hold back," Gar mocked as the three walked into the training room.

"Should I get the hose?" Rachel called as they walked towards the boys.

The boys looked up, staring at Dick. "What's goin' on?" Dick questioned.

"We did what you said, the blindfold thing. Then he went nuts on me," Jason snapped, motioning to Gar who rested his hands on the wooden sword.

"He said, don't hold back," Gar repeated.

"Then why do we even learn to fight like this, man?" Jason snarked. "Hey, it's idiotic. We have eyes," Jason snarked, motioning to his face.

Dick smiled softly and took a step forward. "In battle, anything can be taken from you," Dick started. "Your hands..." Dick reached out and pulled Jason's arm, immobilising his movement and taking his sword. He let go of Jason and slammed down at Gar, who blocked and swiped his sword away and Dick slammed it near his feet. "Your feet..." Dick swung the sword around and held it an inch from Rachel's face. "...and your eyes." He dropped his arm, the wooden sword swinging at his side. He looked at Hazel and tossed the sword at her. "Even your powers."

"No matter what is taken, you must be able to keep fighting," Dick explained and Hazel tossed the sword back to him. "And win. All right, get changed. Attack scenarios in the tech room in five minutes. Then breakfast, except Hazel."

"It was only my first bowl," Hazel mumbled in defence as Gar and Rachel walked through the side door. Hazel sighed and knocked Jason's shoulder teasingly as she walked past him.

❁

MOONLIGHT CREPT THROUGH HAZEL'S WINDOW, HER ROOM LIGHTING UP IN A SOFT GLOW. Hazel threw herself onto one of the beanbags, her head hanging back hovering just above the floor. She lifted her hands, tracing her nails along her right palm. Hazel's skin lit up bright gold before small orbs floated from her skin, dancing around her palm.

A quick knocking at her door made her jump and before the door was swung in, Jason stepped in. "Hello to you too," Hazel muttered, shaking away the lights from her hand.

Jason stepped closer to Hazel, standing over her for a moment before dropping a handful of lavender flowers on her face. "What did I say about the flowers?" Jason huffed before dropping onto the beanbag beside Hazel.

"Don't grow them," Hazel muttered. She pushed herself up, spinning the lavender in her hand. "And I havent." Hazel suddenly stood and raced to her desk, pulling the pot from her shelf.

"Isn't that Terran's?" Jason questioned. Hazel nodded, racing back to sit across from Jason. Jason took the pot from Hazel, looking between the flower and the ones in Hazel's hands. "They look the same."

"Exactly," Hazel said, nodding. Hazel plucked a lavender flower from the punch and tossed the others on the table. Hazel's eyes lit up a bright green and she stared at the flowers. "Terran..?" Hazel whispered, Jason watching her closely. Haze sighed, her stomach twisting as her calls did nothing. Hazel sighed, dropping her hands.

"You'll find her," Jason promised.

Hazel shrugged tossing the flower onto the table, as its petals brushed the other plants the lavender suddenly sprouted, spreading across the table. Jason jumped back, watching the lavender flowers spill over the edge of the table and onto the floor. Hazel's eyes widened, and Jason stammered. The flowers halted and Hazel turned to Jason. "I think she heard you," Jason muttered.

Hazel scoffed softly. "Ya think?"

They stared at the flowers, waiting for anything else to happen when the whirr of helicopter blades cut through the silence. They spun and Hazel jumped up, pulling her curtains further open. A helicopter spotlight shone through Hazel's window as it sped through the city. "What'd you do this time?" Jason teased before turning for the door.

Hazel scoffed, chasing after him. "Why are you blaming me?"

The others had gathered around the TV in the living room, watching the news report. "What is it?" Hazel asked, sitting beside Gar. Jason sitting beside her.

"High speed chase," Dick answered, reaching to turn the TV volume up.

"-live at a downtown car chase in a stolen vehicle," The news anchor relayed as a black car skidded to a stop on top of a parking roof, a dozen police cars speeding in to block the entrances. "Police seem to have the suspects cornered."

A girl with silver hair jumped from the car, slamming the door closed behind her. She dived under the police fire and as she stood, she swung her leg out, kicking the gun from the officer's hand. A second tried to shoot her, but he went down just as easily. A second girl rushed from the car, sliding behind a police car to avoid the bullets whizzing towards her.

"Who the hell is that?" Rachel questioned, looking up at the TV.

"A total badasses," Jason chuckled.

The helicopter broadcasting the footage flew in slightly closer, the spotlight illuminating the girls faces more. The girl hiding behind the police car had long dark hair, an even longer trench coat and a dark blue pendant hanging from her neck that reflected the light. Hazel's jaw dropped and her eyes widened. "Holy shit," Hazel mumbled, pushing herself to stand to look at the TV better.

"What?" Rachel asked.

Hazel looked back at Jason before up at Dick, "That's Terran."

"What?!" Jason snapped.

"Who-Who's Terran?" Gar questioned.

Confirming Hazel's suspicions, Terran raised her hands and vines broke through the cement to block the police officers' fire, and the girl with silver dived behind the vine wall. The camera drew closer and Terran pulled her hood further down, hiding her face. The second girl started up at the camera, a bandage over one eye.

"The suspect does appear to be female, she's got silver hair. She does seem to be injured, we're not sure how badly. The second seems to possess some sort of supernatural ability-"

"Terran as in your sister?" Jason questioned, looking up at Hazel who nodded softly.

"You don't have a sister," Rachel said, her voice laced with confusion.

Terran looked over her shoulder and nudged the other girl as she made a wall of vines. The girl with silver hair ran forward and towards the car. "Once more, Not sure where she thinks she's going-" The girl jumped off the car and down through the side of a building's window. Terran followed after, vines forming to connect the two sides of the building and Terran slid down them before making them disappear.

"Oh, my. Okay. Did you see that?" The TV reporter questioned.

"I absolutely did-"

Dick sighed and ran his hand down his face. "I'll be back," Dick announced. Hazel looked back at the others before following Dick. Just before the elevator doors closed, Hazel slipped through, pressing the button to close the door. "Stay with the others."

"That's my sister out there," Hazel defended. "And even if it isn't, she's supernatural and they jumped through a building you'll need the backup." Dick sighed and nodded.

Dick and Hazel walked down the darkened alleys; hoods pulled over their heads to cover their heads from the light rain. "Do you plan on walking around San Francisco forever?" Hazel asked, jogging to catch up to Dick.

"Do you have a better idea?"

Hazel pulled out her orange pendant necklace, pressing her fingers against the small ridges. The pendant split open like a flower, revealing a small pink stone hidden beneath. "Since when can it do that?" Dick asked, turning to Hazel.

"I don't know, I only figured out it did that a few days ago," Hazel muttered. She set the necklace in her hand, still connected to her neck and stepped through the alleyways, the stone buzzing with power at each step. They turned down a right alley and the pendant closed once again. Hazel slid the pendant under her shirt and Dick walked ahead of Hazel as the lights around them became so sparse they could barely see their feet.

Terran leant over the girl's body, shaking her slightly. Terran's hands pushed against the silver haired girl. Looking up every few moments. "Come on you," Terran pleaded.

Hazel pulled her hood off and she and Dick slowed to a stop. Hazel took a small step in front on Dick, her hands clenched at her sides. "Terran?" Hazel called, her voice shaking slightly.

Terran spun to face them quickly, her hand outstretched and her eyes glowing a bright green. Hazel matched her eyes and Terran sighed. She dropped her hand, her eyes returning to normal. "Hazel Lillis.."" Terran eye's moved to Dick before back to the girl splayed on the floor in front of her. "I can't wake her up."

Hazel glanced up at Dick and he nodded softly. Hazel walked to Terran, kneeling beside her and pressing her fingers against the girl's neck. "She has a pulse. And she's still breathing," Hazel relayed, looking up at Dick.

Dick nodded, walking to the other side of the girl and picking her up. "We're bringing her with us," Dick spoke up. "Come on."

Dick stepped away and Hazel motioned for Terran to follow them. Terran looked up at Dick before looking at Hazel. "Did you get my lavender?" Terran whispered.

Hazel laughed softly. "You grew it in my best friend's room and when he brought it to me it overtook my coffee table," Hazel answered, making Terran chuckle.

"How did you find me out here?"

Hazel pulled her necklace out, displaying the orange pendant before pressing the sides, the petals opening up once again. Terran pulled her necklace from her shirt, the dark blue pendant opening up revealing the pink stone underneath. "That's creepy," Terran whispered, watching the petals close.

Hazel laughed softly, "But helpful."

Once they reached the tower, Dick brought Rose to a spare room as he ordered Terran and Hazel to wait in the control room. He added an order to Hazel to run a DNA test, Terran was reluctant at first but ultimately agreed after Hazel promised to make them some food.

Hazel sat on a silver chair, spinning herself in circles as Terran wandered around, touching everything that isn't nailed down. "What is all this stuff?" Terran asked.

"Uh..." Hazel grabbed the tabletop, stopping herself from spinning. "I don't know exactly. I find it best not to question Dick."

Terran grabbed a second chair and sat across from Hazel. "Dick is the dude with you. Gar has green hair, Rachel is the witch and Jason is Robin?" Terran questioned and Hazel nodded.

"You got that pretty quick," Hazel said, sliding down in her chair.

"Well Jason was on the news, and oh! One can turn into a tiger!" Terran yelled and Hazel laughed. Hazel's hand lifted and she spun the pendant along the silver chain. "How long will this take?"

Hazel shrugged softly. "I'm not sure, and Dick wont let us leave without seeing it first."

They waited for a few moments longer, joking with each other about the mundane things and shows they liked, as well as learning each other's full names. Their laughter stopped when Dick opened the door, using one hair to brush his hair back. Hazel kicked herself up from the chair and Dick sat down.

Hazel leaned against Terran's chair as Dick typed away. "Is she okay?" Terran asked, tilting her head.

"She's gonna be okay," Dick said, leaning back in his chair. "Can you check on her after Hazel?"

Hazel nodded quickly. "What'd the results say?"

Dick sighed through his nose. "Ninety-seven percent," Dick revealed and the girl's eyes widened, the confirmation while expected, still shocked them. "You're officially related."

"So you believe me now?" Terran asked, a hefty sigh leaving her lips. Hazel chuckled softly and stood straighter, stretching out her back.

"Can you blame me?" Dick questioned.

Terran shook her head softly. "No, but I find it ridiculous that you trust a test with an 80 percent false positive rate rather than the supernatural connections of two superhumans," Terran snapped, crossing her arms over her chest.

Dicks eyebrows shot up, almost laughing at the way Terran sounded nearly identical to Hazel. "I'm gonna go check on the girl," Hazel spoke up. "My rooms at the end of the hall, my doors painted with flowers and shit. You can go rest up."

Terran nodded and thanked Hazel before slipping from the control room. "Do you trust her?" Dick asked, looking up at Hazel.

"About as much as I trust anyone else," Hazel said with a shrug. "Her name's Terran Rebbeca Claire, because you're gonna run a background check I might as well make it easier." Hazel nodded and stepped from the control room, making her way to the spare bedroom.

Gar was standing just inside the door, his arms crossed. "Hey," Hazel said softly and Gar spun to her.

"Hey."

Hazel stepped up to the bed, sitting on the edge, her eyes scanning over the silver haired girl. "What are you doing in here?" Hazel asked as she carefully pulled back the gauze taped over the girl's eye.

"Dick wanted me to keep an eye on her, just in case she woke up," Gar shrugged. He stepped forward, his eyebrows furrowing as Hazel carefully rubbed a wipe over the girl's eye socket. "Is she missing her eye?"

Hazel's own eyebrows furrowed as well. "It looks like it," Hazel murmured. Her hand hovered over the wound, stitching together the skin but cautious of the discomfort it was most likely causing.

Hazel set a new bandage over her eye before standing, Gar following her out of the room. "So you have a sister?" Gar asked.

"Yeah," Hazel mumbled. "I'm gonna go check on her, I'll introduce her in a sec."

Hazel walked on ahead and down the hall to her room. She knocked softly before opening the door. Terran stood at Hazel's desk, looking at the wood carvings and guitars. "Do you play?" Hazel asked, closing her door.

"Dabbled in piano," Terran shrugged. Hazel hummed and sat on one of the beanbags. "Thanks for trusting me."

Hazel laughed softly, "It's a problem I've got."

Terran sat across from Hazel, placing her hands on her knees. "How old are you? Not to be mean or anything..." Terran trailed off and she tugged the sleeves of her coat up.

Hazel shook her head with a smile. "I'm eighteen, I'll be nineteen next month."

Terran's eyes widened, "You're way older than me!"

Hazel scoffed, her astonishment turning into a laugh. "Wow!"

Terran waved her hands quickly. "No! That is not what I meant!" Terran joined Hazel in laughter as Terran rubbed her head. "I'm only 15, as of a month ago." Their laughter died off and Hazel shook her head softly.

"I have to introduce you to everyone else," Hazel said with a sigh. "They're inherently nosy."

Terran shrugged and stood. "Well, I'm good with people so I can handle it."

Hazel stood and led Terran to the training room where Rachel's voice could be heard complaining. "But what do we even know about this Terran-"

Jason coughed and motioned to the two girls standing in the doorway. Rachel and Gar turned, Rachel smiling uncomfortably. Hazel turned to Terran who just smiled. "My name is Terran Claire, I was studying chemistry and bioengineering. I make jewellery that I sell at farmers markets. I wish I could read more than I do and I can control plant life."

Hazel chuckled softly, shaking her head. Rachel stammered slightly before Gar spoke up, "You're Hazel's sister?"

"You're Gar Logan," Terran said clicking her fingers at him.

"How exactly are you two related?" Jason asked, resting his hand on his hip.

"Same dad, not the same mom," Terran answered as she started to look at all the training equipment.

Rachel looked between Terran and Hazel and started to sip on the gatorade she had been sitting with. "But how did you know each other existed?"

"The lavender plants," Hazel said, stepping down the stairs. "When I died, Terran passed one onto me."

"Like a supernatural GPS," Jason said with a laugh.

Hazel looked up at Terran and they both laughed softly. "Exactly that," Terran said, shaking her head.

"Hey you missed it but the girl tried to run off," Gar remembered and Hazel turned to him. "We don't know what's happening."

"He's giving her a sell job," Jason spoke up, practising his strikes with a wooden sword. "That's what he does, 'cause he can't resist a stray." Jason turned, looking over at Terran. "No offence."

"All the offence," Terran snarked.

Rachel sighed softly. "I mean, I knew he'd be bringing in new people. I just- I guess I didn't think it'd be so soon," Gar corrected, sitting across from Rachel.

Hazel looked between Terran and Jason, Jason picking up a second sword once her eyes met his. "Haze, defend for me," Jason called, tossing Hazel the wooden sword. "We don't even know if we can trust her," Jason called, as he and Hazel took a stance. "Hell, we don't even know what the fuck she is." Jason struck forward and Hazel with his sword away.

"What she is, is a person who needs help," Rachel spoke up, looking over her shoulder at him from the small bench she and Gar sat on.

Jason struck again from the left and Hazel hit it away again. "Or is she a person?" Gar questioned a goofy smile forming on his face. "How did she survive the jump?"

"I could," Hazel called, striking at Jason this time.

Jason scoffed but smiled, "We know."

"So, you think she's a metahuman?" Rachel questioned.

"Yeah, or an alien, like Kory," Gar offered.

"Well, if she was like Kory, those cops wouldn't be alive right now," Rachel pointed out.

"I'm sorry, alien?" Terran questioned, looking down at Gar and Rachel.

"I'll explain it later," Hazel brushed off, hitting another of Jason's slashes away.

Jason stumbled but he caught himself as he grabbed Hazel's sword. "She can fight, all right. I'll give her that," Jason nodded, panting slightly. "Whoever she is, she's had training."

Gar shook his head and set his drink down, "You guys should have seen her eye."

"What about it?" Rachel asked.

"It was gone," Hazel explained. "And the wound had already healed before I even got to it." Hazel slammed her sword down at Jason and he pushed it back up and Hazel kicked him away softly.

"Are you serious?" Jason questioned, standing up straight.

Rachel laughed softly, looking around the group. "She's been here one hour, and you guys are already obsessed with her," Rachel assessed.

"She's hot," Hazel shrugged and Gar looked up at her.

"She's a freak," Jason countered. "Look, my vote is we kick her ass out and keep the plant lady."

"Okay, wait," Gar called as Rachel's eyes widened and Hazel and Terran furrowed their eyebrows. "Who says we even get a vote?"

"Who says she even wants to stay?" Rachel spat back. "Look, it's hard to believe, but maybe her idea of paradise isn't sharing a bathroom with you, Jason."

Jason clicked his jaw slightly as an idea formed in his mind. "I know how we can find out exactly who she is," Jason spoke up. Rachel looked over at Gar who sighed softly.

Hazel looked at Terran who looked quizzically at all of them, "How?"

"Doesn't matter," Hazel mumbled. "We aren't participating."

"Why not?" Gar questioned.

"I've done the introduction, but I still have questions, if that's alright?" Hazel questioned, moving her gaze to Terran who nodded. "Whatever you decide on doing, be smart!" Hazel called as she turned for the door, Terran following after her. Hazel turned to Terran as they walked down the hall. "Are you... going to stay a while?"

Terran shrugged softly. "It was the plan," Terran said with a laugh.

"Cool, cause I was thinking we could set up your room," Hazel said with a shrug. "That way your room isn't so dull."

Terran stopped and turned to Hazel, "So you're telling me, I can grow as many plants as I like?" Hazel shrugged softly and smiled. "This is going to be the greatest night of my life."

Hazel laughed and continued on, leading Terran to a room the same size as Jason's. The bed was pressed against the far wall with pristine pressed sheets, it looked like a basic hotel room; the flat walls, perfectly placed furniture and basic curtains to match the sheets.

"Alright," Hazel said through a sigh. She pulled out her phone and handed it to Terran. "Start shopping, it all goes on Dick's account. And don't feel bad, his dad's a billionaire." Hazel laughed softly and walked to the windows, pulling back the white curtains.

"Uh... what should I get?" Terran asked, walking to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Whatever you want, I'm serious," Hazel assured. Terran looked up at Hazel and she sighed softly. "Get some basic stuff, sheets, wall decorations, nick nacks..." Hazel trailed off and waved her hand, vines moving up the wall and across the top of the window, some dropping down to hand from the window top.

Terran looked up at Hazel, watching the vines stretch over the wall. Once Hazel let her hand drop, Terran raised hers, red roses and venus flytraps sprouting from the greenery. "Nice choice," Hazel commented. "You can do that as much as you want. Just keep it out of Jason's room, I don't know if he'll be as nice to you as he is to me."

"He's your boyfriend, right?" Terran asked, scrolling through some online shopping app.

"Um," Hazel could feel her cheeks warm and she shrugged. "It's complicated."

Terran glanced at Hazel and hummed softly. "I feel like everything here is complicated."

"You'll get used it."

— pain —