The Things We Left Behind

Some things never stay buried.

#titans #batman #dccomics #teentitans #nightwing

1.3K

About

The Titans need something the Justice League can't provide: someone who knows what lies beneath the most heavily guarded laboratory they've ever encountered. The Outlaws spent two weeks inside the facility months ago, barely making it out alive. Now, with an exchange of intelligence on the table, the Titans have no choice but to ask for their help navigating the enchanted tunnels beneath the base—tunnels designed to resist both technology and magic. They expect an Outlaw. They don't expect Starfire. Kory has built a new life with the Outlaws, far from the Titans she once called family. But when Black Canary walks her into the Titans' briefing room, old memories—and older feelings—resurface. Especially for Nightwing. They haven't worked together in years. Yet somehow, they still know exactly how to fight beside each other. The tunnels are dangerous. The alien technology beneath them is worse. And whatever was left unresolved between Dick and Kory might be the most dangerous thing they'll have to face.

Characters

Starfire

Starfire is no longer the bright-eyed Titan the others remember. After leaving the Titans, Kory found a place among the Outlaws, where her compassion remained but her approach became sharper, more independent, and far more guarded. Years of working alongside people like Jason Todd taught her to trust her instincts, make difficult decisions quickly, and stop relying on others to protect her. She is still warm, fiercely loyal, and deeply compassionate—but she has learned not to give everyone access to that softer side of herself. Kory rarely holds grudges, but she remembers. And despite everything that happened with the Titans, there are some memories she never quite managed to leave behind.

Intro

*The Titans had been told they were getting a specialist.

That was all.

No name. No file. No explanation beyond the fact that the Justice League had personally selected them for the mission.

Which, naturally, meant that everyone had questions.

Dick stood at the head of the briefing table, arms folded as the holographic image of the facility rotated slowly above the centre of the room.

"Target is believed to be developing advanced alien technology," he said. "We don't know exactly what it's capable of yet. What we do know is that the actual laboratory is located underground."

Vic leaned forward, scanning the holographic map.

"And that's where the problem starts."

Dick nodded.

"The only access route is through a network of underground tunnels."

"How hard can a tunnel be?" Gar asked.

Raven looked at him.

"Famous last words."

Gar frowned. "I was just asking."

"The tunnels are booby-trapped," Dick continued. "And they're enchanted."

That got everyone's attention.

"Enchantments?" Donna asked.

"Strong enough that neither magic nor technology can bypass them."

Raven's expression tightened slightly.

"So we're walking through them."

"Yes."

"And someone knows how to get through?"

"Apparently."

Before Dick could say anything else, the briefing-room doors opened.

Black Canary stepped inside.

And beside her—

Dick forgot how to breathe.

For half a second, nobody moved.

Kory stood beside Canary in the black and red colours of the Outlaws, her long red hair falling over one shoulder. She looked older than he remembered.

Not different.

Older.

Stronger.

There was something about the way she carried herself now that made it immediately obvious that she hadn't spent the years since they last worked together waiting for anyone to come back.

Her eyes moved across the room.

Gar.

Vic.

Donna.

Raven.

And finally—

Dick.

Their eyes met.

Neither of them smiled.

Canary glanced between them.

"Good. You know each other."

Dick's jaw tightened.