Titans: A.S.

[Lord Welshi]

Well, it's finally beginning. Titans: A.S. You won't know what A.S stands for until the second chapter. Actually, you'll probably work it out by the end of the first, it won't be very difficult, but for now there is just a little bit of mystery. This prologue is exceptionally short, but that's the point of this: it's only there for a bit of a taster. I hope you enjoy, and i look forward to any criticisms or feedback you may have.

Lord Welshi

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Prologue


Jump City was disturbingly quiet. There had been no major criminal activities in the last month: sure, there had been the occasional purse-snatchings, shoplifters and petty thieves, but nothing that really shattered the peace. The citizens of Jump City went about their normal lives, no fear of giant oozing monsters in their minds, no thoughts of the physical manifestations of the weather terrorising the city in the name of fun, no anxiety as to the location of a criminal mastermind. They were content, knowing that anything the police couldn’t handle, the Teen Titans could. Heroes did that: watched over you, protected you, made you feel safe.

It’s what they do.

The docks of Lower Jump Harbour were bustling with activity. A large oil tanker was berthed against the stone quay, unloading her precious cargo of black gold into the tanker trucks that would transport it to the nearby refinery less than two miles down the road. A large crane, further down the quay, was unloading a cargo ship. Huge metal containers of varying colours were stacked on the opposite side of the busy area, and the straining crane was adding more to the growing collection. The large warehouses, as large and empty as they seemed, nevertheless held within them imported products from Japan and Taiwan, ready for transportation to wherever they were needed. This was a scene of typical industrial business, reflected across the whole city in varying ways: the market sold its typical wares; the mall made thousands of dollars an hour selling clothes and products no one really needed but had been convinced as to their value by meaningless advertisements; and the coffee shops indulged the caffeine addictions of hundreds of people, serving hot drinks to warm the soul on a cool autumn day.

The city was calm, cool and collected. Her attitude was mirrored in almost every aspect of her life: the roads that were her veins were free flowing, without jams or back-ups of traffic; her subway arteries were unclogged and smoothly ran on time; her sky-blue lungs breathed clearly into a clear atmosphere, now a shade of orange merging into pink as the autumn sun set low in the sky in the early evening. The lowering light cast a large silhouette across the waters of Jump Bay, a dark, oppressive presence that loomed out over the deep expanse. The large shape on a single outcrop of rock, barely large enough to be called an island, sat there, watching, waiting. Inside it contained a fearsome force, one that inspired fear and dread into the hearts of its enemies.

Welcome to Titans Tower.

The date is the 24th of October 2003. As I have described, Jump City was peaceful. As I have also stated earlier, it is early evening. It is on this day that something shall happen in the city that no one has ever seen before, or will ever see again. Tonight, once the sun sets and all of those insignificant people return to their homes, I shall make my move. There is an item, and object of great value, held within a museum in this primitive town. It is heavily guarded: but, with my technology and knowledge of this time, I shall be able to steal it and add it to my already impressive collection. Yes, tonight will be one to remember.

Tonight, I strike.

[Matt A]

Quite. I have a vague clue as to what's going on, but it's too vague for me to put into words.

Other than that, I'm very impressed. Evil deeds seem to be in the works...

[rrarbecy]

I logged on a minute ago, and I saw, at the top, "Titans: A.S." I then grew tingly all over. "TODAY'S THE DAY!!!!" I screamed in my head.

Typical LW writing. Excellent descriptions, and a great, plot-building chapter. GO LORD WELSHI!!

Is that the only chapter written from...you know who's point of view? Or will the rest be third person?

[oneeyemonkeypie]

done and done.

This is that time guy, whats his face. The one that takes star into the future in the ep how long is forever.

Hmm...well, I'm still waiting to be blown away. This is as good as your last fic. But not revolutionary. Put up the next chapter soon, because that must be godlike with all the promoting you (and a few others) did.

[T.T.Raven4]

Nice. I need a little bit more to confirm this is going to be a dominant fic on TZ, but I'm sure it will. BTW, is this a sequel to Vanishing Act?

Keep writing Lord Welshi!!!

~TTR4~

[Raven37]

Originally Posted by rrarbecy

I logged on a minute ago, and I saw, at the top, "Titans: A.S." I then grew tingly all over. "TODAY'S THE DAY!!!!" I screamed in my head.

Me too! I was so excited to see it. I can already tell this will probably be a masterpiece like Vanishing Act and The Musical. Please post more soon!

-Raven37

[Aquagirl15]

well i guess i'm pretty stupid cause i don't know what A.S. stands for even after reading the chapter twice! it seems like a new kind of LW writing, 1st person if ya know what i mean. keep it up!!!

[Lord Welshi]

In answer to Reid's doubts: you know how my fic's go. they start off pretty lame, then pick up as they go along. considering i recieved the news of my grandfather having a stroke this morning, i think i did fairly well. but to everyone else: you thought this was good? you have no idea what's in store. This is going to be big. really big. approximately 2-3 times longer than vanishing act was, if i continue to have the inspiration to write.

no more chapters for a couple days, need to visit grandfather in hospital and stuff. got things to sort out, this was just a taster.

Laters

Lord Welshi

[Raven37]

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I hope your grandfather's okay. Take your time in posting the next chapter.


-Raven37

[rrarbecy]

Darn. That sucks. Take your time and give your grandfather my regards.(he doesn't know who I am, but hey.) I hope he recovers.

[Matt A]

Same here.

He already knows that I'm supporting him on this, but 'cause he's a friend it's no hardship to say it again.

[oneeyemonkeypie]

Damn, I feel for you.

I've lost 3 grandparents in the course of 18 months. I will pray for him.


On a lighter note-I'm jus' hassling you LW. You know that I know this fic is going to kick ass. It's inevitable. I'd just like to express a dissenting opinion while I still can, before the ass-kickery of this fic grows out of hand and I'm no longer able to.

[Kregor8]

Aw, yeah! This is what we've been waiting for! Here it is, and we're ready to be stunned. I like what I've seen so far...nice description. I more than see the city - I can hear it, smell it, taste it (huh?), and even feel it, as though it were right in front of me. It surprised me that the last paragraph was a 1st person. That's kind of Crowgirl's signature thing. Since this is the prologue, I'd never expect the rest of the story to continue in the vein, though it would be interesting to see what you could do with it...I can't write 1st person. It wears me out. I really should try second person some time, but back on track. I'm sure everyone will be busting at the gills with ideas of what A.S. stands for. When can we post our guesses? I know you'll be busy for a while, so take your time. I'll be praying for your grandfather. Mine (grandfather, that is) had a heart attack last year, and he's been in and out of the hospital, so I know how stressful it can feel (especially when you live with one of his children - your parent. I suppose you don't though, since your usually at uni. When do you get Christmas break?).
Oh yeah, how'd you get the date for this, anyway? If Reid was right, you're making it up, because How Long Is Forever? first ran on Jan 10, 04. I don't know if things run later over there, but they certainly don't run sooner. In fact, no epi premiered on that date - Apprentice pt.2, which was the last part of season 1, ran on Oct. 11th, 03. And you've got the 24th. But you can't be going by that clock, because there have been "no major disturbances in the last month." Robin working with Slade would certainly be considered a major disturbance. So I'm interested to know - why'd you set it when you did? Just a minor question.
Ok, I have to find one grip while I still can. You said,

Originally Posted by L. Welshi

Inside it contained a fearsome force, one that inspired fear and dread into the hearts of its enemies.

I think that it would have been more effective to not use the words fearsome and fear back-to-back. Fearsome is good, but saying it inspires fear is redundant. Maybe awe or terror or <choose appropriate word> might have been better. But, hey. The rest is good. And what's comming will be even better. Since you said we wouldn't figure out the title until after the 2nd chapter, that means chapter 2, right? This, being the prologue, doesn't count? Or is that a dense question? Anyway, thanks for giving us something new and exciting (inside joke).

Merry Christmas and the Happy New Year,
7<regor

[decka]

I was soo happy when I saw this! I had been waiting for this story to come out. anyways I am exited to see what happens. As for your grandfather I really hope he will get better soon, take all the time you need to be with him. Don't worry about the fic, we can wait -luv Deming

[Rae]

Sorry about your grandad! hope he gets better

I loved the prologue and agree with what everyone else said (except maybe Reid)

[Lord Welshi]

Thanks everyone, it means alot to me that you all care so much. He seems ok at the moment, he's coherent in speech, but he gets tired very easily and has very slight affliction to the left side of his body, and he can't walk. But he recognised me! (considering my 3 aunts, 2 uncles and grandmother didn't recognise me with long hair and a beard before i went to see him, i'm quite impressed!) He's still in hosptial though. I want to visit him more, but when the hospital happens to be a 3 and a half hour car journey away, it's not very easy.

Aaaaaanyway, Kregor, the date i used is one that suits my purposes. There are no date references (or any that i noticed) within the Titans episodes themselves. Using the dates that the shows aired would probably have been a good idea, BUT as you say the air dates are different from country to country. Also, by setting this slightly further in the past, i can include any global 'incidents' that occur within the next few months, ranging from the date i chose up to the present, including economic and social changes. That is just how in-depth i plan on making this story. I also just thought it sounded nice, and since the episode aired in January, but i wanted an Autumn setting,i went for the lcosest date to january 2004 that was stil far enough back to allow future scope: the 24th of October 2003

Oh, one more thing Kregor: you may get season premiere's before the U.K, but we saw the finale to season 2 before the states(according to my many sources of oringinal air dates from various websites.). Ha. Though, if i am wrong, blame my sources, not me! Although u do get season 3 before us *grumble grumble*

Toodles, ya'll!

Lord Welshi

[Matt A]

Good to see that everything's alright. Thankfully, life never turns out to be as dreadful as we fear: if only I could convince myself of that, I'd be alright.

Anyway, the prospect of an "in-depth" story is very appealing already. What kind of events would you put in? The Iraq War and it's aftermath is pretty much a given, but right now that's all that I can think of. I'm an A2v politics student, so I should be able to think of more, but right now my brain's too tired to use such complex functions as short-term memory.

Once again, I - along with everyone else - wish your grandad all the best, and would you please HURRY UP AND POST CHAPTER ONE!!!!!

[Starfire5]

lol i thought it was a great beginning also....i still dont know what a.s stands for maybe a sequel?....

of and for the website thing starfire chick said titansgo.net and its an awesome site!!!!!!!!!!!

Cant wait for more from Lord Welshi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Aquagirl15]

i want to read more of this story so bad! but i know how famiy situations can be. post as soon as you can LW!!!

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Sorry to hear about your grandfather.

(God grant me the sorenity to accept the things I can not change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
amen)

Also, did you say that your stories start out poorly and then improve greatly as they go on? This defies all logic!!! How could you ever improve upon the previous chapter (epilouge)!!! and you say that this will be an incredibly long story??? I forsee that there will be an exponential level of growth!!!

And frankly, don't try to plan too many chapters in advance, I predict that by the time we finish reading chapter 5, all of our heads will have exploded. The simple minded will go first, somewhere around chapter 2 or 3. The more educated (such as myself) will go around chapter 4. And finally the most complex of us all (such as Kregor8 and welshie's mate) will lose it around chapter 5. Your mind will be so twisted into knots over compileing...every...little...detail...that you will be reduced to sitting in a corner rocking back and forth, sucking your thumb and crying.

But it will all be worth it!!! KEEP WRITING!!!