Chapter 78 - A Blast of a Weekend - Part 4

Azarath-Morning

As the morning light flooded her room, Rachel's eyes fluttered open. She stretched and released a yawn, taking a deep breath of the fresh air from her window. Welcoming the new day, she reached for her bangle terminal and reviewed her agenda. Her routine was meticulously planned, with time allocated for freshening up, studies, training, and meals. Noting the light schedule, she remembered it was the weekend, and Orach was away.

"Orach isn't here," Rachel murmured as she got up and stretched her body.

With a free schedule, she considered exploring Jump City. "Maybe I should go out myself. It would be good to get the lay of the land and scout out the others to assess their power levels. What do you think, Mother Empress?" she asked with a smile.

Mother Empress's voice emerged from her bangle terminal, "Sure. Your current power level is more than sufficient to defend yourself against most elements in the outside world. Where do you want to begin? I have the map of Jump City ready for your perusal." The terminal projected the map of the city.

Seeing the map of a city for the first time, Rachel found it confusing. Noting her expression, Mother Empress suggested, "Since this is your first time going out, perhaps start with a mall. You can get casual clothes to blend in, visit a game center to experience different pastimes, and head to the food court for a variety of cuisines. Your father and I have prepared funds for your use, so you can have a grand time outside. Plus, I'll be with you."

"Hmmm… That sounds like a plan!" Rachel said, a mix of excitement and anxiety in her voice.

With a plan in mind, Rachel headed to the bathroom to freshen up. Thirty minutes later, she emerged, dressed in her navy blue nano battle suit equipped with a cloak. Covering her face with the cloak's hood, she selected her destination and tapped into the space law using her magic, creating a ripple in space leading to the outside world. Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she stepped through the ripple.

Jump City-Mall

A ripple in space appeared inside a high-class clothing store, and Rachel stepped out. "Hmmm… this is a clothing store, huh? Interesting," she said, scanning her new surroundings.

A nervous voice piped up beside her, "Ummm… excuse me, miss. Welcome to our store. How may I assist you?" Bianca, a surprised and nervous saleswoman, asked. She tapped into her long experience as a sales clerk to calm her nerves after witnessing the sudden ripple in space and seeing a strangely dressed, hooded woman walk out of it.

"…Actually, you can. I want to buy clothes, but it's my first time in a store like this. Can you suggest some options that will suit me?" Rachel asked, removing her hood to reveal her youthful and beautiful face.

Hearing that the mysterious woman was actually here as a customer, Bianca sighed in relief. With her keen eye and rich experience, she scrutinized Rachel. Though she couldn't tell how wealthy this young lady was, both her fair beauty and the futuristic elements of her suit suggested she was rich. Moving on that assumption, with a practiced smile, Bianca began showing Rachel around the different styles of clothing.

As they moved through the store, Bianca explained the intricacies of each piece, from the fabric choices to the design inspirations. She deftly selected items that complemented Rachel's complexion and figure, making sure to highlight how each piece could fit into different aspects of her life. Rachel, who had no clue about the fashion of the outside world, found the clothes strange. Being raised by a Saiyan, she was more concerned about functionality, practicality, and ease of movement as she reviewed the clothes. However, Bianca's suggestions didn't seem to fall into the practical category, making her confused about how people could buy such clothes. She decided to tap on her terminal to make sure Mother Empress could help her make the appropriate choices that would help her blend in, even if she didn't find them practical. Trusting the AI, who along with Orach was her family in her eyes, Rachel felt more at ease.

"This dress, for example, is perfect for a formal event," Bianca said, holding up a sleek, midnight blue gown. "The cut and color will accentuate your features beautifully."

A few times, there were options that even Rachel found attractive and admired, imagining herself wearing them. Noticing her expressions, Mother Empress encouraged her, "It's stunning. You should try them on as well."

Bianca was surprised to hear a voice come from the bangle now and then, but she chose to ignore it. She continued to guide Rachel through the store, gradually introducing more daring pieces. "And for something a bit more adventurous, this jacket with its bold patterns can add a unique touch to any outfit."

While Bianca and Rachel were busy, other customers and sales clerks were intrigued by Rachel's futuristic attire, and some were skeptical about her ability to pay for their brand of clothes.

Rachel selected several dresses to try on and soon entered a fitting room. While she was in there, another clerk, Mary, expressed her concerns to Bianca. "What's up with that young woman in strange attire?"

Bianca, maintaining her professionalism, replied, "Mary, I'm working with this customer. Why don't you attend to others?"

Mary, irritated and prideful, retorted, "Are you sure she can pay for the clothes in our store? We need to maintain our brand's reputation."

Bianca sighed and chose to wait for her customer, ignoring her co-worker's ramblings.

After a while, Rachel emerged from the fitting room, liking all the clothes she tried after consulting with Mother Empress. She decided to change into a modern outfit consisting of a cropped top, jeans, a jacket, and block heel boots, instead of her battle suit, planning to spend the day getting used to such clothes. Bianca, though a little surprised that the customer was buying all the choices, was pleased that the customer liked her suggestions. She called another clerk to help carry the selected clothes to the payment counter. Mary was shocked and skeptical.

Rachel and Bianca looked at other accessories and essentials for young women like Rachel. By the end of her shopping spree, Rachel bought close to thirty sets of clothes, ranging from casual wear to party outfits, along with many accessories, encouraged by Mother Empress and even shocking Bianca.

At the payment counter, Rachel followed Mother Empress's instructions and brought her bangle next to the payment terminal. This confused others, as they were expecting a credit card, not a bangle. Some even began to doubt her capability. But when the payment of over $15K went through, Bianca was elated, thinking about her commission and sales record, while others were left speechless. Rachel then used her magic to open another ripple in space, sending her purchases to Azarath, further astonishing everyone.

Mary, unable to hold back her disbelief, approached Bianca, "How did she pay? With a bangle? That's impossible!"

Bianca, relishing the moment, replied with a smirk, "Believe it or not, Mary, she did. And she paid more than anyone here today."

Rachel, hearing the exchange, turned to Mary with an innocent smile and asked,"Is there a problem?"

Mary, taken aback, stammered, "N-no, just... curious."

Rachel, with a hint of amusement, said, "Good. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more shopping to do."

Rachel visited various shops, buying more items that would help her in daily life in the outside world from watches, books, to even technology. She used her magic to transport what she bought to Azarath so that she didn't have to carry anything and could just enjoy herself. Despite her terminal being more advanced than the outside world's technology, she followed Mother Empress's suggestions to get what she needed to blend in.

She then hit the game center where she was introduced to games like bowling, dance-off games, and so much more. While she had fun, she really wished she could play these games with Orach. She made up her mind to drag him here to have fun in the near future. By noon, hungry, Rachel went to the food court. She delighted in the wide selection of cuisines but found the most joy in indulging in ice cream sundaes. Even the occasional trigeminal headaches or brain freeze couldn't deter her from savoring the sweet, creamy treat. Her enjoyment was palpable, yet she couldn't shake off the feeling of missing Orach's presence.

Just then, a booming sound shook the mall windows, causing a ripple of fear among the patrons. Rachel glanced outside and saw a battle unfolding in the city's airspace. Recognizing the commotion as the perfect opportunity to assess her future teammates, she used her magic to open a ripple in space. With an ice cream cone in hand, she stepped through the portal to a nearby location to observe the fight.

Upon arrival, she noticed a group of demon-like aliens pursuing a flying girl in a skimpy outfit. The girl was firing energy beams at the aliens, who were in hot pursuit. Rachel chose not to intervene immediately; the situation held too many unknowns. Her empathic abilities couldn't get a read on the flying girl, so she decided to observe first. For all she knew, the demon-like aliens could be the good guys in this scenario. Leaning against a nearby building, she watched the fight while enjoying her ice cream cone, waiting for the Titans to arrive.

Soon, young heroes, her future teammates arrived on the scene, instinctively siding with the girl and moving to protect her. Rachel raised an eyebrow, questioning the criteria they used to identify the enemy.

From Rachel's perspective, a more prudent approach would have been to first determine the true threat before taking action. If she couldn't immediately discern the intentions of the aliens, her priority would have been to safeguard the city. She would have either forced them to outside the city or confined both the alien girl and the demon-like aliens until she could properly assess the situation. After all, even as recognized vigilantes, their foremost responsibility was to the city and its people.

Nonetheless, she pushed that thought aside and focused on observing their actions, powers, and tactics. She had already reviewed their profiles, compiled by Mother Empress, but there was one exception, a green-skinned hero, presumably a new addition. She asked Mother Empress for information on him and quickly reviewed the data projected from her terminal.

Robin, Batgirl, Arsenal, Miss Martian, Blue Beetle, Bumblebee, and the new hero, Beast Boy, who transformed into various animals coordinated their attacks against the demon-like aliens. While they performed well in covering and supporting each other, Rachel was disappointed by their power levels. She found it hard to believe how weak her future teammates were. Additionally, Blue Beetle's blasters and Arsenal's arrows caused some property damage. She wondered how they would address the damages, given that they intervened on their own accord and chose a side.

As the battle continued, Rachel saw the girl and Robin about to be sucked into a portal in the air. She sighed, realizing she needed to intervene. Tapping her terminal, she deployed her battle suit, which covered her clothes. She then covered her face with her hood and used magic to step through another ripple in space, arriving between the girl, Robin, and the portal. Using her magic, she encased the two in a protective bubble with one hand while casting a spell with the other to push the enemies into the portal. Finally, she used her understanding of space law to close the portal, ensuring the safety of her future teammates and the city, and bringing the fight to a close

Seeing their teammate and the girl being saved by a stranger who appeared out of nowhere, the young heroes were initially shocked, their eyes wide with surprise. Quickly, they became wary and alert once more. Despite witnessing the stranger saving their friend, they all took defensive stances, prepared to act if necessary.

Miss Martian, a telepath, voiced her concerns. "I can't read this stranger's mind," she said, her voice filled with caution. "There's nothing... it's like a void." This only heightened the tension among the group, even though the immediate alien threat had been neutralized.

The stranger slowly descended, bringing the two she had saved down to the ground. She released them gently, hovering over the group and scrutinizing each of them. Robin stepped forward, intending to address her, but before he could speak, the alien girl leaped toward him and kissed him. The unexpected gesture left everyone stunned, with some of the boys feeling a pang of envy.

Rachel, having sensed the alien girl's intentions through her empathic abilities, remained calm. She knew the alien girl meant no harm. So, she crossed her arms and waited for the scene to unfold.

Once the kiss ended, the alien girl released Robin and addressed the group in English. "I am Koriand'r, but you can call me Starfire. I am a princess from world called Tamaran. My home is in turmoil due to a coup led by my elder sister. Fleeing my pursuers, I landed here on Earth."

Robin, trying to regain his composure, nodded and said,"Thank you for your advice on the portal. Your help was appreciated."

Starfire smiled warmly and said, "Thank you, but it is I who should be grateful. You have provided me with a moment of refuge."

Beast Boy, ever the goofball, grinned and remarked, "So, you learn languages by kissing? That's... actually kinda cool."

Arsenal, with a smile, chimed in, "Yeah. I know French, so if you ever want to learn more languages, just let me know."

Hearing the boys swoon over this alien beauty, Batgirl and Bumblebee rolled their eyes. Batgirl stepping forward said "We could use someone with her abilities. She could be a valuable addition to the team." Bumblebee and Miss Martian also nodded in agreement with Batgirl's suggestion.

Robin considered Batgirl's words, then looked at Starfire. "We could offer you a place with us, a home during your time here on Earth, what..."

But, before he could finish, Rachel's voice cut through the discussion. "How can you make such an offer without ensuring she's telling the truth?" Her tone was calm but firm, challenging their judgment.

This once more brought the group's attention to the stranger that had appeared. Robin frowned, feeling a bit irked by the interruption and replied,"I trust my instincts."

Arsenal crossed his arms and retorted, "Yeah, and unlike a certain someone looking down on us from above, she's humble and pleasant to talk to."

Beast Boy joined in, "Yeah. Between a dark and creepy girl and a nice beautiful girl, I'll choose to believe in the beauty."

This was Rachel's first encounter with such a situation. Despite offering her assistance in their battle and posing a legitimate question, her so-called teammates responded with rudeness. Never before had anyone spoken to her in such a manner, and it significantly lowered her opinion of them. Under her hood, her expression gradually shifted to one of displeasure.

Starfire, sensing the tension, stepped forward and addressed Rachel. "I understand your caution. But, please believe me, I mean no harm. Allow me to prove my intentions. I will help you in any way I can and I only ask for a week of refuge at most."

Rachel, hearing Starfire, looked at her and replied in a calm yet slightly chilling tone, "As an empath, I can sense that you don't mean any harm. So, you don't need to worry, I have no problem with you staying on Earth. It's them I have my doubts about. They're being reckless.

First, they rushed into a fight without taking the time to assess the situation properly. They didn't use the available resources, their telepath, to identify the enemy first. Also, instead of capturing both you and those chasing you to figure out what was going on, they immediately chose your side. No offense, but you are an alien, and so were the ones chasing you. Without empathic or telepathic abilities, it's difficult to distinguish who the true enemy is in such a scenario. There was a possibility that the ones attacking you were actually the good guys and you could have been the villain, but they disregarded that.

Second, they should have tried to close that portal from the start. That would have been clear if they had taken the time to assess the situation. Then they could have driven both you and your attackers away from the city, or at least to a more remote and empty area to minimize property damage. Look around, damaged buildings, overturned cars. I pity the owners. Granted, the aliens chasing you caused most of it, but the responsibility still falls on the team since their first priority is the city and its people.

Finally, offering you refuge and a spot on the team without first using their telepathic member to assess your intentions, even after the threat was neutralized, is problematic. That's why I raised that question in the beginning to get them to use their heads instead of relying on intuition, which can be wrong."

Starfire listened intently, her expression thoughtful. Rachel's words, though harsh, were grounded in logic, and she couldn't deny their validity.

The rest of the Teen Titans were equally struck by the soundness of Rachel's points. As they digested her words and glanced around, a realization dawned on the quick-witted members of the group, this stranger had been observing them from the very beginning. Robin, Batgirl, and Bumblebee immediately shifted to high alert.

Robin stepped forward, addressing the stranger. "You seem to know a lot about us and have been watching us from the start. I suppose introductions are in order. We are the Teen Titans, and I am Robin, the leader of this team. It's a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for your help in the fight. Can you identify yourself and explain why you were observing us?"

Rachel, finally seeing someone sensible from the team, decided to give them a chance. She descended and landed gracefully in front of Robin and introduced herself, "I am Rachel of the House of Gula, but you can call me Raven. It's nice to see a sensible person among you."

The mention of the House of Gula immediately put Robin and Batgirl on high alert. They now understood who stood before them, their teammate, backed by Orach.

Before Robin could continue the peaceful discussion, Beast Boy interjected, breaking the tension. "House of what? Seriously? What era are we in? Who even talks like that anymore? And Gula? What kind of name is that?" he remarked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

The moment his words ended, the entire team was brought to their knees as if a mountain had crashed down on them. Rachel had released fifty percent of her magic, covering a significant part of the city under her magic's pressure. Robin and Batgirl were reminded of the day Robin had annoyed Orach, realizing their teammate had screwed up, screwed up bad. The rest of the team soon found it difficult to breathe under the pressure. They heard footsteps approaching slowly. Rachel, the source of the overwhelming pressure, was walking towards Beast Boy.

Initially intrigued by his ability to transform into various animals, she had planned to discuss his powers and get to know him, just as she intended to do with all her teammates. However, after hearing his disrespectful words, she had only one thought, 'Kill.' She wouldn't tolerate any insult to Orach or their house. As she approached Beast Boy, her shadow extended outward, manifesting a sword. She pulled it out and brandished it as she stopped in front of him. Lightening the magical pressure around him, she used the sword's tip to lift his face and, with a chilling gaze, asked, "What gave you the audacity to insult my house? Answer honestly because your life depends on it."

Beast Boy, terrified, felt as if death were staring him in the face. For a moment, he even thought he saw two pairs of demonic eyes under Rachel's hood, scaring him even more.

Through sheer willpower, Robin managed to speak. "Rav...en, ple...ase...stop. Gar...field...didn't...mean...to bad...mouth...Ora...ch. He...just...has...a...loose...mouth. We...are...teammates. You are...one...of us!"

Hearing this, the rest of the team was shocked to learn that Rachel was actually one of them. They had known a slot was reserved for a new member but hadn't known who it was until now.

Garfield, still terrified, nodded furiously. "Yeah, I'm sorry for offending you. Like Robin said, I have a big mouth. Please forgive me. I'll try to be better!"

Rachel, recalling her training and guidance, forced herself to calm down. She wanted to end Garfield, but remembering her house's principle of protecting life and only killing if necessary, she decided to show mercy once she heard him apologize. However, her impression of him had hit rock bottom. She might spare him today and even work along side him, but she would never be friendly toward him again. If he repeated the offense, only Orach would be able to save him from her blade.

"There won't be a next time. Control your tongue," Rachel said, dispersing her sword and reining in her magic. The pressure on this part of the city lifted. Finally free, the Titans slowly got to their feet, with only Garfield falling backward, still scared of Rachel.

Batgirl and Robin sighed in relief, exchanging a knowing glance. The same thought ran through their minds, 'She's another Orach.'

Robin's face reflected a blend of awe and concern. 'How am I supposed to lead someone who could crush us all like bugs?' he wondered.

Gathering his courage, Robin stepped forward. "Thank you, Rachel, for showing mercy. I apologize on behalf of Garfield. He means well but sometimes speaks without thinking. I'll make sure he reins in his tongue in the future."

Rachel removed her hood, revealing her beautiful face, and nodded at Robin's words. "You are the leader of this team, and Orach has mentioned you have the potential to be a good one. I trust his judgment. Learn from today's mistakes, and I will hold you responsible if this offense is repeated."

Robin nodded, making a mental note to have a private talk with the rest of the team to avoid future blunders like Garfield's.

Despite their lingering fear, the rest of the team introduced themselves. Miss Martian, her curiosity piqued, approached Starfire and Rachel. "Maybe we can start with a mind link. If you're willing, it could help us understand each other better."

Starfire nodded in agreement. "I am open to it."

Rachel had felt someone trying to probe her mind earlier, but with her mind protected by both her magic and the symbol in her terminal, she wasn't worried. She looked at Miss Martian and said, "Don't waste your energy. My mind is protected. Even if it wasn't, I find it rude and offensive to have my mind invaded by anyone other than family. Besides, I am a cultivator; entering my mind could destroy you."

Miss Martian's eyes widened in shock as she took a step back, visibly unsettled. For Martians, the inability to link telepathically with friends was deeply disconcerting. Despite this, she tried her best to respect the humans' beliefs and customs, as they had graciously welcomed her and her uncle to Earth. Nonetheless, she couldn't help but attempt to establish a similar connection, hoping to feel that familiar sensation

Robin made a mental note to build a detailed file on Raven to better understand and utilize her skill set.

Later, the team decided to clear the debris, mark the damaged spots, and properly arrange the overturned cars. As Rachel had stated, this was their city, and they were responsible for its well-being and its people.

From a nearby building vantage point

"See, I told you it would be okay. I raised her well," said Orach, as he and Diana observed the Teen Titans' actions while restraining their Ki. Orach had also asked Mother Empress to hide their signatures from being detected by Rachel's terminal.

"Yes, she is, as you mentioned, a sensible girl," Diana replied with a smile, appreciating the doting father in front of her.

After their night of passion, Orach and Diana had woken up around 8 AM. Confirming that Alfred had prepared a hearty breakfast, they decided to join their friends Bruce and Barbara at Wayne Manor. Diana and Orach quickly freshened up before crossing over through a ripple in space to the Wayne Mansion. Upon arrival, the women immediately left the men to gossip among themselves, giggling occasionally while casting glances at Bruce or Orach, making both men uncomfortable. Orach, deciding to distract himself, dug into the breakfast once Alfred served it.

After finishing their chats and breakfast, Orach sent Diana back to her apartment to get fully ready, while he headed to his room at the Wayne Mansion for a bath. After 30 minutes, he emerged fully dressed in casual clothes, his tail wrapped around his waist like a belt. He then went over to Diana's apartment and soon found her performing her final touches. Once ready, they both traveled to Azarath, with the intent of showing Diana the realm and, above all, hoping to meet Rachel so that Rachel and Diana could get to know one another.

Upon arrival in Azarath, Diana was awestruck by the beauty of the realm and felt energized by its freshness and energy. She also felt a pang of sadness seeing the ruins of old Azarath as they made their way to Rachel's place. However, they soon found out that she wasn't there. Upon asking Mother Empress, they were informed that Rachel's signature was found in Jump City. Realizing that Rachel had actually taken her first step in exploring the outside world, Orach turned serious and opened a ripple close to her location so that he could observe her and protect her if she got overwhelmed.

However, seeing Rachel in casual clothes, going on a shopping spree, enjoying herself in a game center, and savoring treats like ice cream, essentially being a youth having fun. Orach couldn't help but feel proud of her. Being isolated for so long, he knew she would have felt anxious, but despite that, she spent her first day out of Azarath pretty well without any hitches.

There was one thing, however, that Orach didn't like. Diana had to hold his hand to stop him from ruining the girl's day out. Rachel was wearing stylish modern clothes that showed some skin. Diana scolded him, pointing out that it was the latest fashion for women and reminding him that he liked it when she wore something similar. Above all, she emphasized that this was Rachel's first time out, and criticizing her new clothes, which she bought on her own, could harm her confidence. Listening to Diana, Orach stopped himself since he wouldn't do anything to harm Rachel.

Since then, they had taken pleasure in observing her actions and decisions. They even listened to her interactions with the Titans. When she reacted to that foolish boy, Diana couldn't believe a child could release that type of pressure. Seeing the girl show clear signs that she would kill the boy, Diana became worried and stepped forward to intervene. However, Orach held her hand, shook his head, and told her to just watch, assuring her that he had raised the girl well. Trusting Orach, Diana stepped back and stood beside him, watching the events unfold.

Orach felt a swell of pride when he saw how the girl conducted herself and heard her thoughts on the Titans' performance. Although Orach tried to keep his emotions hidden, believing he had successfully masked his pride and happiness, Diana couldn't help but giggle. His tail, which danced actively, gave away his true feelings.

LexCorp

Despite it being the weekend, Lex was in his office, immersed in damage control. The previous night, he had discovered that $30 million had vanished from his business accounts. Fueled by caffeine and sheer willpower, he worked tirelessly through the night to bolster his firewalls and prevent such a breach from happening again. As the sun began to rise, he finally felt a sliver of confidence. He believed the new safety measures he had implemented would at least slow down any future attacks, giving him enough time to respond.

Feeling accomplished, Lex stood up from his chair, stretching his stiff muscles. He was ready to call it a night well spent and have Mercy drive him home. Just as he picked up his phone to call her, a notification from his accountants popped up. Confusion quickly turned to dread as he hurriedly opened the message.

Reading the details, '...amount of $15,756 has been deducted from your business account number...', Lex's heart sank. He slumped back into his chair, realizing the futility of his night's work. The amount taken this time might have been smaller, but it was a stark reminder that his newly implemented measures were essentially useless.

Frustration and anger surged within him. The thought that someone could so easily bypass his defenses made his blood boil. He clenched his fists, feeling the rage bubbling up, and then, inexplicably, he started to laugh. It began as a low chuckle but soon evolved into full-blown maniacal laughter that echoed through the empty office.