The Birth of a New Persona

*This Chapter is Dedicated to Anyone Affected by Cancer*

The hallway was crowded, and the opposition greatly outnumbered. The sparks of the post battle accumulated before each party, fueling the adrenaline coursing within each member. Robin snarled, fiercely gripping his pole-staff as past battles flashed within his analytical head. Cyborg scanned the situation, knowing that the damage would be astronomical this time. Beastboy concentrated on the rush of feral instinct enhancing his senses. Raven noted several incantations within her mind, planning out a few moves she knew to be effective against their target. Starfire let rage swell within her, letting her need to protect her friends override he fears.

But preparation was not going through the mind of the opposition. Slade was currently wondering what Mark and the guards were going to add, as well as why Mouse had not taken stance beside him. She didn't want to go back with him, yet he knew that he'd raised her well enough to hate the Titans, surely she wouldn't change her mind on them that easily? He knew he'd defeat them effortlessly - alone if he had to. The Titans may have corrupted his jewel, but all it took was a little rough spit-shining, and she'd be the indispensable weapon once more. It was odd, he never thought he'd grow attached to her, though he had been there for everything. He wasn't about to let his affection cloud any of his judgment, however, she definitely was held with more reverence than most allies.

Keeping with their tradition, the Titans were waiting for his move. Not wanting to fight, Slade evaluated the best way to escape. There were too many people in front of him to charge through. Behind him was only one, even so, she had potential to combat on par with the entire Justice League. It was in his best interest to escape. But he'd have to make it fast - Cyborg could easily locate his heat source, and Raven had the uncanny ability to know where people were.

Finally making his decision, Slade rolled out a smoke bomb he'd kept in his sleeve and snapped his fingers to trigger the flint on his gloves. It subtly lit the wick and effectively enhanced Slade's surprise escape - for the most part. The only factor he didn't count on was the sleek figure kicking him square on the cheek. Now with a boot to his face, Slade recalculated his situation. It was now 10: 1, as Mouse had taken up stance against him, and the annoying mage-boy from earlier pinned him.

Robin's perplexed expression had no possibility of deepening until that new guy seemingly phased through the wall. He was dressed in a tuxedo and a cloak, a mask and a top hat. The Titans couldn't believe the boy's corny attire, but they said nothing as he was an obvious ally.

Recovering from the surprise, Starfire flew forward, ready to cuff the squirming nemesis. Slade had already risen, but was too busy trying to fling his daughter from his back whilst the boy held firm onto his forearms. He'd seemed to be flabbergasted at the sheer comedy and pathetic performance. But what did he expect? He was outnumbered severely in a small corridor, with which one of his opponents he'd specifically trained to be better than even himself. It was obvious that he'd spent too much time on robots and teaching that he never kept himself sharp.

It was over quickly as cuffs were on, and Slade was marched into a cell. All of the Titan's knew it was too easy, and they almost laughed when they turned their backs and he was gone. He had slipped out using a cut out section under the bed, out of sight. By it's appearance, it had been there for years. The chief scolded his forces for not properly inspecting the cells, and sent the Titans on their way. All in all it was an average day. However, they had one small change. The chief had also recommended an outrageous idea.

"You want us to what?" Robin scoffed.

"You heard me. Tell me you can't see the benefit in it. There's enough evidence to prove that it could work. Think of how safe Jump would be," Chief Davis reasoned in his grave voice.

"How is freeing a villain gonna help us, man?" Cyborg stepped in, but then at the glare from his leader, backed off.

"Think about it," Davis offered. "Don't you think that doing this will be the biggest slap in the face to Slade? Taking his daughter and making her one of you?"

Robin closed his eyes, " You are not serious. Please tell me you aren't serious!"

"This place is rigged, boy, can't you see we're sitting ducks? If we keep her here, then Slade will come back for her. And when he does, I don't think he'll leave without a fight. We caught him off guard today, but he knows what to expect now," Davis gazed levelly at Robin, daring him to contradict him.

"Alright, we'll put her into training. But," he added when he seen the triumph in the chief's eyes. He hated it when people told him what to do. "She won't be a part of us, yet."

"I understand. I did not ask you to accept her, just include her. I understand that it would be dangerous to utilize her, at least not now," Davis once again took control, relishing in the fact that he could aggravate the boy. He knew it helped him control his anger, and he was just waiting for the day the boy realized it.

"So we have an agreement, then," Robin straightened, wanting to get home.

"That we do. The boy is up to you," Davis indicated the masked teen outside the chief's office. He hadn't spoke a word, and occasionally nodded. Raven wondered if he may be an immigrant, only knowing little English, and if so, whether she knew it.

"Don' you think that should be up to him, man?" Cyborg wondered.

"Yes, It does not seem fair to make his choices," Starfire adjoined.

"My team thinks it is his choice, therefore, he decides," Robin decreed.

"Fair enough. Get some rest, you all deserve it. We'll let you know if anything happens."

"Good bye, sir," Robin clucked, tensely formal.

(~)(~)(~)

The crippled teen walked home silently, her specially designed respirator muting her weak breath. Long and bold red hair caressed her shoulders with the warm breeze. Hugging her school books closer to her chest, her iridescently blue eyes lowered. She heard the Titans squabbling as they entered their car, towing a young girl with similar features as she, save for the hair color, and minor differences. She slowed her walk, taking care for them not to notice her. She doubted they'd want to see scum like her anyway. The people who came from her birthplace were often the criminals they fought.

It wasn't obvious that she was from the slums as her light pink blouse and baby blue skirt were kempt. However, they were the standard uniform for students attending the special needs schools. It wasn't that she couldn't learn, rather, it was that she wasn't at a high enough education of normal 13 year olds. Because of her filthy past, she hadn't attended school until the Doctor had adopted her two years before. Now, she was slowly learning her times-tables.

Lucy Kane was not the kind to associate with such exemplary citizens as the Titans. But still…

Gwen, the Doctor's wife had made it obvious that she did not like Lucy, she was stupid and often kept her up at night with her nightmares. She had only just learned how to tie shoes - which she never wore up until Gwen had made it her business to make her - as well as had been caught saving up food in her bedroom in case the Doctor realized she was old enough to find it herself.

She knew it wasn't long before the Doctor kicked her out - who wouldn't choose their wife over a street rat? - and she'd have no place to go. She'd kept some food stocked out in the park incase that ever happened, in a box buried just a few yards into the small thicket of forest. She could stay out there and live like she used to, before the attack that cost her lungs and most of her original bones. The metal that replaced those long gone structures was strong, and near unbreakable. Lucy could grab her spare items from the room, and leave that night. She'd become once again what she knew she was, an urchin, and live the way she knew best.

(~)(~)(~)

Nicolas "Shadow" Carter rode silently with the Titans and the girl. Everyone was taciturn within the confines of the T-car, not sure what to say, nor whether there were anything to be said. The mood controlled everyone up until Cyborg had pulled into their garage just below the basement.

As soon as they filed out, sighs and whoops of relief were exhaled from the more outgoing Titans, where as the more secluded individuals simply relaxed their shoulders. Even the girl and Nicholas himself relaxed slightly. As soon as the door leading up to the rest of the tower opened, the abandoned green titan was there to greet them -sort of.

"Dude! What was that all about?" he whined at his empathic friend. It was a surprise for him to blink and be back on the Titans' couch when Slade had arrived at the station.

"You know what was agreed. Until you recover fully, you are to remain at the tower when danger arrives," Raven replied sternly.

"Wait! What's she doing here?" Beastboy panicked, indicating the notorious murderer. "And who's he?"

"We'll explain once we get into the commons. Where's Titans East?" Robin ordered, curious as to why the others seemed to be absent.

"They went out for pizza so they'd be only a few blocks away if you needed help. They should be-"

Beast boy was cut off when an alternate version of the T-car pulled up. The few differences were mainly the headlights and custom red borders. From the front seat Aqualad popped out and began to wave, until he saw the frightened criminal and unknown teen in the center of them. Bumblebee, Mas, Menos, Speedy, and Kid Flash followed suit.

"Hey, Rob, what's-"

"I'll explain in the commons," the Titan's leader whisked past Beastboy and into the confines of the tower. The others silently traded glances before following suit.\

(~)(~)(~)

Lucy Kane found herself looking at the ninja Halloween costume splayed in her hands. It was a simple design - classic black Kimono, a turtleneck undershirt, and black baggy pants. She'd also been given shoes styled like a ninja's to make it more fun to wear them. She knew it would be silly to walk around with them on, but still…

Lucy stuffed them into her army duffle bag given to her by Uncle Grouch, the Doctor's burly brother. She'd had what she needed: two pairs of clothes, a thick blanket and pillow, a flashlight, first-aid, and various other survival items. She had replaced her breathing mask with a black one that muffled the soft hissing and sighs of the air being pushed into her weak lungs and forcing her scarred and battered diaphragm to move.

She was scared and ashamed of hurting the Doctor this way. He was too much like a dad her father never was. He had saved her life after the accident, and refused to let her go back to the orphanage that never understood her special condition. He was the first man she'd learn to trust in her entire life, and never forced her to steal beer or food for him. It was a life she regretted leaving. Though it was better, she knew, to leave when she was prepared rather than have nothing gathered when she was forced.

Lying the note on the table, she gathered the extra supplied for her respirator, swung the duffle bag around her shoulders and over the bulky square of the respirator on her back. Taking one last look at the light in the hallway glowing just beneath the door, Lucy swung her leg over the edge and prepared for the landing two stories below.

(~)(~)(~)

"Wait, so you mean we're supposed to put a villain in a position where she could kill us?" Beastboy blurted after Robin had finished. "Is Chief Davis crazy?"

"I agree with Beastboy. Don't you think keeping such a trained assassin here is like putting a fox in a chicken coop?" Bumblebee countered.

"Look, I know it seems strange, but I don't think she's dangerous to us anymore. She fought against Slade, and has not made any attempt to break the law. The Supreme Court is willing to decree her case as Not Guilty by reason of Manipulation and Brainwash," Robin explained.

"There hasn't even been a hearing!" Speedy hissed.

"There will be, after we analyze her behavior after she lost her memory. They want to see if she can be given a new identity, a new start," the leader simplified the situation.

"By the way," Aqualad uttered slowly. "What's the kid's name?"

"Uh…." All of the more experienced Titans looked at each other, not even really knowing.

"Well, uh, Slade, uh, called her Mouse," Cyborg tried to clarify.

Mouse looked up from her seat, as everyone hadn't bothered moving. In fact, most had forgotten she was even in the room, much less sitting at the table with them. "I'd prefer not to be known by such a name, if you please," she spoke softly and weakly, like a broken spirit.

"Then what should we call you?" Speedy sniffed, still not comfortable with this child.

"I…..Don't….Know….." the girl appeared frightened by everyone, and Nicholas relished in it. "Isn't someone else supposed to name you?"

The Titans then decided that they would choose it, and began pondering possibilities. Beastboy glanced down into his comic book at his side, and flipped through the pages. "Donna?" all of the titans said no. Robin had offered "Dove" but no one wanted another bird-named individual. Bumblebee tried "Crystal," but that was not favored either.

They bickered back and forth until someone finally plucked a phonebook up from a cabinet near the big screen. Everyone wanting a part in the naming, they decided on a system. Starfire flipped to a random page, and Cyborg picked a number. Robin then scrolled down to that number down, and Beastboy read the name. Raven then flipped to a separate page, and Bumblebee picked three one-digit numbers. Aqualad added them. Speedy scrolled to that number up from the bottom and read that last name. Shadow, the soft-spoken teen did not participate, but stayed back and let the official Titans work. It was up to Mas and Menos to check and see that it wasn't a common name. Only 30 other people in the world could lay claim to it, and they deemed that the best name. Everyone liked it, and they were surprised that it was a very fitting name.

They now looked at this curious child, whom they knew they'd all have a hand in molding. In their eyes they seen not quite the criminal, Mouse, rather, the budding Titan, Cassandra Chase.