A/N: I use Empress and Ashley at turns, but both names are the same person, I assure you.

Terra's POV

We went to Talom, Nabica, in Tawaii, for the ceremony. I walked beside Hunter. I clutched his hand for dear life as we walked into the palace. Ashley said we were just going in to pick up some stuff, but the place was huge and made me nervous. Hunter pulled me close and put his arm around me comfortingly.

"Wait here. I'll be back." Ashley said. Emperor Jake came up in Nabican form. He towered over us.

"I can get anything you need, dear. Did I forget to send something?" Jake asked Ashley.

"Thank you, Jake. I'm sorry, I didn't know you sent everything along. You're great about remembering, so I doubt you forgot anything, my dear." Ashley said to Jake, patting his head affectionately. "Let's go now, then." She morphed to her Nabican form and guided us back out of the palace. Jake came with us. They nugded us between them.

"Safety escort." Jake explained. "We don't want you eaten by dragons."

"Hehe... I guess not..." I said nervously. Hunter scanned the sky without lifting his head. He nudged me gently.

"It's okay." Hunter whispered. I nodded. Tawaii was beautiful, but it was very dangerous for humans. Princess Rose was piloting a starship for us. More safety measures, or perhaps just for speed. Yay for safety. I sat on a cushion inside and nearly disappeared. I was no longer holding Hunter's hand.

[Flashback] I was standing over a void I had made in the Earth and was looking down at Beast Boy, refusing to take his outstretched and spare him by pulling him out.

"Terra, you can't!" Beast Boy yelled.

"Watch me." I said. I closed the void over Beast Boy. I listened to him yell as he fell and smiled in mock cruel satisfaction. "Two down, three to go." [End of flashback] [from "Aftershock, Part 1"]

I gasped and darkness descended suddenly. I felt like I was trapped in the void, drowned by earth, like I had tried to do to Raven when I was Slade's apprentice.

"Terra, don't let go! Terra!" I heard Hunter's muffled yells. I realized with a start that my natural reflexes had made me let go of Hunter's hand during the my little trip down memory lane. I felt myself being lifted out by a gentle paw.

"Silly kit. You're supposed to spread out when you sit down. You put all your weight in one spot. I used to do that a lot when I was a kitten. My brother did it until he got too big to sink," Rose purred. I laughed.

"I guess I learned the hard way. You learn better by doing, right?" I said, shivering from the cold, distant feeling in my flashback. The feeling of being lied to, cheated, and being alone, with no friends. I understand now that Beast Boy had said that from shock. I had never been truly alone, but when Slade had continuously whispered it in my ear like Satan himself, I had belived he was the one always with me. I had been a fool, tricked by the Devil.

"Are you alright, kit?" Rose asked.

"I'm fine. I'll get over it." I lied. Then I sighed and told the truth... most of it, anyway. "Well... mostly." Rose nodded and brought her mind back to piloting, since the ship took commands using telepathy instead of buttons and levers. We touched down in a green meadow with a mahogany altar-looking thing and an aisle formed by the Tawaiians present. Most were Nabican tigers, but there were also Nabiwolf packs and Nabicow herds as well. I was surprised to see some dragons and Nabican horses mixed in, since they usually kept to themselves, and rarely came out when the other species was present due to the dragons' habit of eating them. They parted immediately for their Empress, and bowed their heads respectfully. Prince Jasper was in the Jon Isles at the moment, but the Empress, Emperor, and Princess were here. Hunter and I were nudged in front of Rose, behind Empress and Jake. There were flourishing flowers in decorative vases in front. Ashley spoke in her rich Nabican voice that reminded one of a powerful ancient river winding its way into your soul.

"Today is Terra's ceromony." I waved and put my hands down at my sides. "It is also the Hunter's and Earthmover's injection. Of course, there will not be any needles, so do not fret. That is the human meaning." Hunter grabbed my hand and held it tight. Ashley turned to me and put a huge paw on my back. "Here." Jake handed me the screen and the Empress removed her paw. I grasped it firmly in my free hand. It was a beautiful poem; "Once a Walk on a Moonlit Night" by @ToNyEmBlEy. [A/N: I DID NOT write this poem. Full credit to ToNyEmBlEy!!! Thanks so much Tony!!!]

"Once on a walk on a moonlit night-

When the moon shone through the trees-

I stumbled upon a painting-

Whose canvas was upon the leaves.

And as I stared with sudden delight-

My heart was lost to the breeze-

Far too gone for restraining-

My tired soul is free."

I read along as the everyone recited it. The ground trembled slightly, reflecting my mood. I wish I could write poetry like that. Lyrics appeared next. It was Tawaii's anthem, "Wild and Free." [A/N: I'll spare the book the song, but if you want it, message me and I'll send it to you.] Everyone straightened and sang the short ballad. I guess it's like the Pledge of Allegiance, which, in a way, I would be doing. I could imagine the Tawaiian rendition. 'I pledge allegiance to Tawaii, one world, on Earth, united, with true liberty and real justice to all.' With Slade running around the US, liberty was a joke, and justice? Best leave it to the vigilantes.

"Excellent thoughts, little one." Empress purred. I had forgotten she could read minds and pick up emotions without meaning to. "Let us begin. Hunter, do you join us and will you serve Tawaii faithfully?"

"I do, and I will. I want to serve." Hunter said solemnly. I put the tablet down at my feet and Rose took it. (The tablet/screen is a Nabican computer, and it appears to be made of glass, but it's actually Tawaiian crystal.)

"Very well. Do sit." Hunter gingerly sat down on the cushion behind us. I noticed the audience sat as well, looking at me in anticipation. "Terra?" I looked up at her knowing electric green eyes. "Do you join your mate and serve Tawaii faithfully?"

"Yes. I will. I join Hunter in alliance." I said, a flashback burning in the back of my mind. I pushed it away.

"You may sit as well." I slowly sank back onto the cushion beside Hunter.

"I won't let you sink." Hunter whispered, grabbing my hand so I wouldn't move instinctively. "It's okay."

"I gift you with the power of a Nabican. And from my brother, the strength of one." Rose said, placing a paw on our hands.

"I give the assets of a Nabican. Mind, patience, wisdom, and such." Jake said, putting a paw on top of Rose's.

"And I enable you to morph into the body of one." Empress said, asserting her paw on top of the others. They all said afterwards that I fell unconsious as soon as the powers hit, and when Hunter tried to carry me back to the starship, he crumpled about halfway to the ship. I was aware of nothing but the memories flashing through my head. Images of an abandoned city, Slade laughing at the destruction, the attempted murders of the Teen Titans in full detail, the ruined Jump City, the collapsed cathedral, and Slade's minions marching through the deserted streets once alive with pedestrians and traffic all made their way across my mind. The memory of Slade making me his apprentice was most prevalent and disturbing. It suddenly washed away, and I woke up in Hunter's arms.

"Are you okay?" Hunter asked worriedly.

"I'm fine now," I answered, laying my head on his shoulder again. He stroked my hair gently. "Where are we?" I asked.

"In a room in the palace." Hunter anwered, beginning to nod off.

"Do you know where Ashley is?"

"Down... the hall..." Hunter passed out completely.

I got up quietly and opened the door by putting in the passcode. I have no idea where I learned it, but it worked. I went down the hall to the gilded gold throne room door. I knocked, and the door opened. [A/N: Beware, readers! Descriptive words! Enthralling imagery! Lights, camera, action! 😉] The throne room was dazzling, with beautiful crystals glittering on the walls and ceiling, a lush green carpet going down the center, creating an aisle between the large red, gold-lined cushions customarily used as seating, leading to magnificent marble steps decorated with detailed statues of all the species of Tawaii. This entire scene was crowned by the Eternal Candles on the pure silver candelabra, carved by a skillful artisan. On the four branches of the candelabra was carved the main species of Nabica, the Nabiwolves, dragons, Nabicows, and Nabican horses, with Tigers going vertically down the center. Nabica was carved horizontally at the very top right above the 'T' in Tigers. The room was graced by red roses, blue lillies, buttercups (A.K.A. daffodils), narcissus flowers, hydrangea, and innumerable other kinds of flowers that I could name, along with others I couldn't. I noticed the tapestries (woven pictures usaully hung on walls in Medieval times) decking the walls. They featured many major Tawaiian beasts, each with a name and title. There was Lana, Representative; the Royal Family (behind the throne cushions on the top step); Sylvester, Aldervin, and so on and so forth [Those named are featured in Book Two of Nabican series, "The Nabicows."] They were everywhere, and so vibrant and lifelike, they looked as if they could move.

I noticed the entire Royal Family (4; Empress Ashley, Emperor Jake, Princess Rose, and Prince Jasper) was resting on their huge (it had to be, they were all fully grown; in Rose and Jasper's case, almost fully grown). I walked up the aisle, sinking up to my knees in the carpet (what did they do, excavate it and fill it with green silk stalk-things?) and tried not to laugh at their conversation.

"Can I change my name, mother?" Jasper asked.

"Little one, we have spoken of this before." Empress said, reading a book on the screen in front of her.

"Can I, though? Like... Dylan?"

"That is a Nabiwolf name." Ashley said patiently.

"Oh, yeah... how about you think of one, mother?" Jasper persisted.

"How about Jake II, then? We could say, Jake Two or Jake the 2nd, however you want." Empress teased.

"No... too old... not to mention human-like..." Jasper mused.

"I was joking." Ashley said in a tone reminiscent of Raven (deadpan).

"Oh! I got it! How about-"

"Terra. Welcome, little one." Empress greeted me as I waded through the carpet towards her.

"No, no... That's the Earthmover's name... not to mention a female name. It is pretty, though... if I have a daughter, I might name her that..." Jasper continued to mutter. Ashley shook her head and cuffed him lightly.

"He's been trying to change his name for years," Empress laughed.

"Nabican or human?" I asked.

"Nabican, child. I do not speak human languages often in my own home. I am with my own."

"I know! Justin!" Jasper shouted.

"Child of mine!" Ashley said in a thunderous voice. "If you wish to change your name, please do so in a timely manner. If you are so intent on being called something else, use it as your nickname. Please, little one."

"Yes, mother." Jasper said in defeat. I smiled. "On second thought, Jasper sounds better." Empress threw her head up and growled. Rose tackled her brother and held his head down with her paw.

"Hey, Terra. Guess what?" Rose purred.

"You're going to bite Jasper?" I guessed.

"I might... But actually, I'm leaving with you whenever you want to leave." Rose said.

"That's great!" I said.

"You're leaving us in charge?!" Jasper yelped from his position under Rose's paw as Rose nipped his ear in warning.

"Yes, so if you mess up, I will bite you." Rose growled.

"Rose, stand down. Help Terra and Hunter morph into Nabican forms and back. Jasper, go tend your garden. I fear it may wilt. Come back when you're done, my children." Empress rested her head back down to continue reading. Jake moved to her side, Jasper went to the hidden door behind the tapestry and opened it, and I followed Rose out. Rose had to lift me out of the aisle, because I got stuck in the silk tendrils.

"Let's see if Hunter's awake." We me Hunter in the hallway, as in, we turned a corner and Hunter ran straight into me.

"Hey, you." I said. "Nice to run into you."

"Thanks. What are we doing?" Hunter asked.

"Teaching you to morph. Focus-" Rose attempted to explain.

"Whoa, whoa. Here? Now?" Hunter said in disbelief.

"Yes." Rose said, sounding slightly annoyed. "Now, focus on being a tiger. You'll technically shapeshift, but it's under the morphing category." Rose finished. I thought a minute.

"Nothing's happening." I said flatly.

"Focus, child. Good grief. I don't know where Mother gets the patience," Rose moaned.

"Are you ever patient with anyone?" I asked.

"Once. A long time ago. Only a few hundred human years ago. She was a Nabicow rep, Lana and Danny's daughter. Her name was Jordan. She was a lot like the Jordan you know, but she was a Nabicow. A rep by blood. She has two tapestries, one between her mother and father's tapestries in the throne room, and one in my room. She liked blue lillies. Nabicans live a long time, and they never forget ones that served them, or loved ones. Never forget a friend." Rose seemed lost in memories, then snapped back to the present. "Hey, aren't you supposed to be morphing?"

"I'm trying." I was very nervous, so I leaned against Hunter. I felt warm fur and looked up. I sighed. Over-achiever. I morphed to Nabican after focusing with determination. I was snowy white black stripes and blue eyes, like Hunter, except he had green eyes. Like oversized white Bengal tigers. "Hmm... not bad."

"Stay away from objects. In fact, stay right there." Rose said.

"Why?" I asked.

"Give it about 20 minutes to settle." Rose said, sitting down. I shrugged and sat back.

"Okay."

Ashley's P.O.V. (shortened for your sake and the sake of time)

I sat and read "Super Squad" by Turlian_Empress (Jo). It was very amusing.

"How do you think they're doing, dear?" I asked Jake.

"Fine. They're very strong. Do you want to check on them, love?" He purred.

"Let us go, then." I said. We got up at the same time and went out the door together.

Hunter's POV

Terra made for a pretty tigress, so I had something to look at for 20 minutes besides the familiar hallway while we waited. I guess Princess Rose received a telepathic message.

"So, what do you want to do?" I asked Terra.

"Sleep," she said, lying against me and closing her eyes. After she fell asleep (some people just have the gift of instant naps), I turned to Rose.

"I don't feel like this color suits me." I confessed.

"It's the customary color for your kind." Rose replied.

"Why aren't there any others of our kind, then?" I asked.

"You'll be fine, because your mate is pledged to Tawaii as well. The others, their human mates died so they did too, because emotions can kill a Nabican faster and more effectively than physical damage." Rose said.

"Comforting." I said.

"We don't have to worry, because we're fully Nabican. You don't have to, because... I just told you." Rose said. "Anyway, my parents are coming down the hall."

"Hello. Are you doing alright?" Jake asked.

"Fine. Why is she asleep again?" I asked.

"Her powers are melding with the Nabican powers. I'm just glad this place isn't collapsing." Ashley said. "We need to get you back early. We sensed a threat, so our project is going to be started early whether they join or not." I nodded.

"Okay." I said.

"We're leaving tomorrow, so rest well." Ashley said. I grinned cheekily.

"But aren't we just teleporting?" I asked.

"Yes, but that's no excuse for not getting enough rest. Look at Terra. A prime student. You should be more like her." Ashley teased, leaving with her family. I nudged Terra awake.

"Come on, sleepyhead." I said.

"Coming, coming. I don't wanna go to school..." Terra dragged herself up, trudged into our room, and flopped down on the bed/nest. "Don't worry, Ms. Moore... just resting my eyes..." Terra muttered in her sleep. "I know, I know... two plus two equals torpor... I heard you..." Yep. A real model student.