Prologue: Joining the team

I'm running from a cheetah! I thought as I ran down a narrow alleyway. I turned the corner hoping to find a fence that I'd be able to jump over so I could escape the big cat chasing me but a brick wall blocked my path instead. I turned around to face the beast as I took my fighting stance clenching my fists as flames started rising up my arms up to my shoulders with a massive fireball growing in each hand. I was ready to fight for my life and launch two fireballs at the cheetah chasing me but as I looked at it I was shocked to see it morphing and transforming into a short 5'0'' boy around 16 years old if I were to guess but strangely just as the cheetah had been he too was green and had pointy elf like ears. My guard stayed up, flames still engulfing my arms as I readied for a fight as he stepped forward and then suddenly another person jumped down from a roof top landing right next to the first boy. He was about 5'11'' towering over the first boy and around the same age too he had no defining features and he was dressed in green tights, black ankle high steel toed boots, a green short sleeved t-shirt, red armored vest with a yellow R surrounded by a black circle on the left pectoral area, black and white domino mask, yellow utility belt and a black cape with yellow interior. As I saw this second teen I instantly recognized him as Robin the leader of the Teen Titans and I powered down as the flames left my arms and hands he spoke to me saying ''Man you're a hard person to track down and find, I'll give you that.''

''What do you want with me? I've done nothing wrong.'' I said staring at both Robin and Beast Boy, who's identity I'd figured out with the appearance of the former, as we stood in the dead end alleyway my guard still up ready to her what they had to say.

''Well you see we'd like to recruit you as a member of the Teen Titans.''

I was shocked at this offer as basically everyone worldwide had heard of the Teen Titans especially if you were a crime fighting teen with special abilities or metahuman powers. I felt honored to hear that they wanted to recruit me adding me to their ranks as I'd only been in Jump City a few weeks operating at low level stopping muggings mostly as well as a few drug sales from going down. ''Really you want me to be a member of the Titans?'' I asked excited by the offer I was being given.

''Yes, we'd be honored if you joined us as we've had you on the our radar for a little while now and we feel you could add to the team.'' Robin replied.

I accepted his offer offering my hand which both he and Beast Boy shook before the three of us walked back to meet up with the rest of the team who were back at the opening of the alleyway I'd ran down. When we met up with the rest of the Titan's I was struck by the beauty of a grey skinned girl with shoulder length violet hair. She wore a black long sleeved leotard with ran indigo colored hooded cloak which matched cuffs on her wrists as well as ruffled top ankle high boots. Her outfit was also accented with reddish-black half sphere jewels set in gold one on the back of each hand, a belt made of nothing but the same jewels that she wore higher on one hip and finally one last jewel attached to her cloak on her left collar bone keeping the fabric closed. I did my best to try not staring at her as she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen since Katie but I pushed those thoughts from my head as I didn't want to dwell on them.

''Everyone this is our newest member...''

''Jacob'' I inserted. ''Jacob Maxcy at your service.'' I stated flourishing my hand.

Robin then introduced the rest of the team. He first introduced the hulking mostly robotic teen known to the team as Cyborg who extended his hand which I took shaking it as he said ''Welcome to the Teen Titans.''

Next I was formerly introduced to Beast Boy the green shapeshifting teen from the alley.

Next I met Starfire a sexy tan girl with long auburn hair with bangs, green eyes and she wore a tight fitting bright purple sleeveless crop top, that showed her well toned stomach, as well as a matching mini skirt and thigh high boots in the same color, She also wore silver arm band around on her right bicep along with matching gauntlets on her forearms and a neck corn collar each adorned with a green jewel.

Next I met a girl with straight blonde hair, a black long sleeved crop top with a yellow T on the chest, baggy brown gloves, brown belt with bags on it and yellow denim shorts. She was known as Terra.

Next I met Bumblebee a slender black girl with a yellow and black horizontal stripped turtle neck tank top that stopped just above her stomach she also wore tight black pants with matching go-go boots and she had wings coming out of her back.

Finally I met Raven the girl who I'd tried not to stare at before as she brought up feelings I hadn't felt in years as well as a past loved one and the two of us shook hands.

After having officially been introduced to the team I walked over and grab my duffle bag off the ground from where I dropped it in a panic upon seeing Beast Boy as a cheetah running at me. Once I had it back I got into a car with Terra and Cyborg as they escorted me to the Titans headquarters. It would take about twenty minutes for us to arrive there and all the time driving there they were talking trying to get to know more about me. Even though I was honored to be recruited to their team I had just met them minutes ago and I didn't make friends easily out of habit with my past but I knew I would be more comfortable and I told them I'd probably open up more in the morning as well as over the next weeks and moths which both completely understood. Twenty minutes later we were driving down a long road with no lines painted on the pavement as we travelled towards a T shaped Tower on a small island in the middle of Jump City Bay. Once we arrived we drove around to the side of the tower and into a giant garage like room. Cy, Terra and I stepped out of the car while Robin parked his bike immediately after as everyone else entered via flight landing on the floor with Beast Boy transforming from a bird back to his normal human self. They led me over to the elevator, which was only one of two ways up as Robin informed me there was a staircase up but it was hidden as were the entrances to it all along the way up and with that everyone gathered in the elevator and Robin pushed the button taking us up to the top floor. Once we arrived on the top floor they led me to the common room, straight across the hall from the elevator, which tripled as a kitchen, dining and living room. I marveled at the size of this room as I stepped in following my new teammates over to the semicircle couch and as we walked over to sit down Robin gave my the basic run down of the tower.

''Jacob you'll be given the grand tour later but for the nickel and dime tour the way you entered into the tower was the Vehicle Hangar obviously the place where we store vehicles as well as the tools we use to fix and maintain them. This is the General Purpose and Surveillance Room which we shorten to the GPS Room.'' Robin gestured to the room which had a kitchen area to the right with an island lined with stools around it and is where meals were cooked and eaten as a team while on the left side it was rather bland with no furniture there save for a few decorative tables with lamps on them and about four doors which Robin said were closets. In the front of the room was a giant red upholstered couch in the shape of a semicircle in the middle front half of the room along with a nice sized glass coffee table to match in size and altogether was facing a glass wall which made for an impressive view and hanging on the glass wall was a massive 115'' flat screen plasma T.V. with an impressive entertainment system containing a Blu-ray player, Xbox 360, with a massive library of games and movies in the shelf under them as well as a bookcase filled with even more movies and games on the front left wall. On the right wall near the front of the room there was a computer console built into the wall with a big screen that Cyborg informed me was the ''Surveillance'' part of the room as that's where the team gathered to find out the location of missions.

After they led me to the big semicircle couch which was in the middle of the room facing a huge 115'' flat screen plasma T.V. we all sat down and Cyborg asked me what my powers were.

''I have Telepathy, Telekinesis, Pyrokinesis and Thermal Resistance.'' I answered.

He then asked to what extent.

''I'm proficient enough with my Telepathy that if I wanted to I could read all your minds at once as well as link all our minds up for shared communication with one another though I don't know how many minds I can link up at once. I'm also capable of protecting my mind with a psychic shield though I'm not completely immune and I can also penetrate a mental shield as well given their own Telepathic strength. My Telekinesis is only limited to affecting physical objects but I can easily control up to half a ton and up to one ton for a short amount of time. My Thermal Resistance is strong enough that I'm unaffected by high temperatures though I don't know high exactly and I'm immune to fire in general but I have noticed that I tend to have a higher body temperatures as a result however I'm only resistant to the cold down to -20° before I'm really affected by it and finally with my Pyrokinesis how about I give you a slight demonstration instead.'' I said before I demonstrated my basic techniques by forming two fireballs in each of my open hands before clenched my hands into fists and made the flames from the fireballs engulf my hands before making the flames rise up my arms to the shoulder then I funneled them into fire tendrils before I formed the flame tendrils into a wall of flames and then I extinguished the flames altogether. After I demonstrated the extent of my fire abilities I asked ''So what can you guys do.''

Before any of them talked about their own powers and abilities I could see that they were quite visibly impressed by my Pyrokinesis and the techniques I used to show it off giving them only a taste of the true potential and extent of my Pyrokinesis.

Robin went first describing his abilities by stating ''I'm a master acrobat, martial artist and stealth expert. I'm pretty well rounded and can perform most tasks easily and effectively.''

Starfire went next saying ''I can create energy in my hands much like your fireballs and I can throw them in the same manner as you. I can also fly and I have superhuman strength, agility, durability, lauangage assimilation via lip contact and endurance as well as accelerated healing.''

Beast Boy stated that he could transform into any animal which he'd already demonstrated earlier tonight but he continued by turning into a dog and he laid down on the couch resting his head on Terra's lap.

Terra continued next scratching Beast Boy behind the ears as she said ''I have Terrakinesis or Geokinesis meaning I can control the earth around me. I usually make rock pillars, walls and the like to give you an idea.''

Cyborg said ''My body is integrated entirely with robotic systems granting me superhuman strength, resilience to damage, the capability to fix many appliances, I also have unsurpassed knowledge of technology and robotics, as well as a sonic cannon built into each of my arms that can shoot sonic blasts from, as well as numerous other gadgets built into my body.''

Bumblebee said '' I can shrink and grow back to my original size again, I'm also resistant to moderate mind control and Telepathy but I usually let Raven in to talk to me so you shouldn't have a problem either. I can also fly as well as use my wings to throw directional gusts of wind at people. I also use these weapons known as stingers that fire electric blasts.'' the last part she said while showing me her B-shaped stingers.

Finally Raven said ''Well much like you I have Telepathy along with Telekinesis plus I have Astral Projection, Interdimensional Travel and Umbrakinesis which let's me manipulate Darkness and Shadows. I can also fly, Teleport myself and others over great distances via my Soul Self, pass through solid objects and fire and I have a great mastery of magic and other spells ''

After we talked a bit more with me and the team getting to know each other better Robin asked ''So Jacob do you have a hero name and if so what is it?''

''Blaze.'' I answered.

Shortly after finding out my hero name Robin suggested we all head off to bed and while everyone else went to their respective rooms as Robin led me out of the common room, known as the GPS Room, and we turned right as we exited the door. With my duffel bag in hand the boys and girls separating as Beast Boy and Cyborg continued walking with us and as the four of us walked down the hall Cyborg split off at the first door on the left with Beast boy did the same at the second one while Robin and I stepped through the second door on the right where we stepped in through the sliding metal door which closed behind us upon entering with a slight hiss of air indicating it's air tight bond. As I looked at the room before me I noted that while it was small it was still bigger then most places I'd stayed in the past. As I took the size of the room in I noticed that the walls were white and clean while it also had a smell of not being used. The room had a king sized bed, wall to wall carpet which was a dark grey that was soft and squishy to the touch and with the exception of a dark wooden book case near the bed as well as two matching nightstands each adorned with two simple lamps, an alarm clock, a closet and dresser both for storing clothes the room was otherwise bare. As I was taking this all in Robin was giving me the specs of it saying ''Each bedroom in addition to the king sized bed, bookcase, two nightstands, closet, and dresser comes equipped with a private bathroom.'' Robin walked towards the door on the wall and it too slid open and while it too was small it was still large enough for thee people to share if need be and he showed me that it had a washer and dryer since each team member was in charge of their own laundry it also came equipped with a tankless water heater.

As we walked out of the en-suite back into the bedroom portion of my new room I said ''This is amazing.'' as I walked over to my king size bed placing my duffel bag on the floor at the feet of it and with my room tour complete Robin bade me ''Good night.'' which I replied with in kind. After the door closed behind him I opened up my duffel bag and I unpacked my two extra pairs of ratty looking jeans along with my one extra slight ratty and frayed shirt, two pairs of boxer briefs and three pairs of socks all of which had already been worn once into the dresser near the closet. I hadn't had any money for weeks ever since I arrived in Jump City and what little money I had made went towards food for my survival meaning my clothes went unwashed. Other than my extra pairs of clothes I only had one other thing in my duffel bag and that was an old beat up shoe box that contained old newspaper clippings within from all the previous cities I'd lived and fought in but with the exception of only a few all the clippings regarded only one person the same person I was dreading seeing here in Jump City but I knew it was only a matter of time as he was never far behind me. I searched the room quickly before deciding to place the shoe box underneath the bed frame near the head of the bed and then I looked at the alarm clock which read 12:30 a.m. and even though I was excited to be in a new place with fellow teammates I still felt tired from my long day. I knew sleep was approaching fast so I quickly went back into my bathroom and pissed before returning back out into my new room and I stripped off my old, stained, leather jacket and my equally as ratty old hiking boots that were slowly falling apart and held together by duct tape as well as the rest of my clothes save for my underwear before I crawled into my new comfy bed and as I stared up at the ceiling beams of moonlight streaming in through the all glass wall that looked out onto Jump City Bay I softly spoke to myself saying ''My room.'' As I let that thought sink in I took solace in knowing I'd no longer sleep in abandoned buildings, on benches in the park and near other homeless people under bridges hoping I'd stop moving from city to city and frankly I was excited to the point that even though I was exhausted sleep still took time to overtake me as I lay in what was to become my new home.

(Dear Readers I just wanted to take this time to say I'm currently rewriting and fixing this story but don't worry the plot itself is remaining the way it is and I'm still writing for both this and the holiday story. Now I will be adding mostly to the very early chapters as I feel I need to improve them as my writing has gotten better over the years but the major plot is still the same I can't stress this enough but in addition to the small additions to chapters I am also going to be unifying my words for instance it will be the T-car instead of T-Car and t-car, GPS Room instead of GPS room and other little minutia like that. Mostly capitalizing the areas of the tower however I m going to be changing the chapter numbers but not the days as I'm going to combine Day 2 and First battle into one as they take place during the same day. I've also been asked where chapter 38 is and to that I say I have it written but I like to have a back log of chapters done as a safety net before I post them that way if I've got writers block I can still post something for you guys. I thank you for reading and enjoying the story as well as for your continued support.)