A/N: Hey, this is my new story, tell me how it turns out
Disclaimer: I don't own anything "Teen Titan-y" except Cardian
Cardian
Prologue
A young blond boy ran down the streets, fleeing from the trio of boys chasing him. They were running through a busy marketplace on the infamous planet of Tamaran, avoiding merchants and their offers. He glanced behind him to see if he was still being pursued. When he saw that that was truth, he faced forward and increased speed, only to almost crash into a merchant's cart. He gasped and clumsily ran around it, slightly losing his balance. "Sorry!" he apologized in a Tamaranian dialect.
"Hey Blondie, where are you going? We just want to chat!" one of his redheaded pursuers called after him.
The blond looked back at his pursuers as they reached the end of the marketing area. They ventured into a grassy plain, where the wind blew in their faces, and a young girl unbeknownst to them sat "cloud gazing".
The boy noticed the girl at the last minute and tripped over her sitting form. The two tumbled on the ground, and when they landed, the boy emitted a groan. When he looked up, he came face to face with two emerald-green eyes. His sapphire-cerulean eyes recognized her face. And when she pushed some glistening auburn hair behind her ear, he knew she was royalty. Her choice of clothing over her regular princess uniform surprised the boy. She was wearing a raggedy brown cloak, that was obviously too big for her, and the hood had fallen off during their tumble.
The blonde's pursuers paused at the sight of the girl. "Princess Koriand'r! Flee!" the leader yelled, and the three fled back towards the marketplace.
The blond boy rose, extending his hand. The princess gladly took it and rose as well. The boy gazed at her for several moments, lost in her eyes. When he came back to reality, he shook his head thoroughly. "Princess," he merely said, kneeling down on one knee.
"Please, rise," she simply said in response.
The boy rose and looked at her. She was gazing at the marketplace, and the boy noticed that there was a clear view of the city from where they were standing. The palace, which was the tallest point in the city, was shining in all its glory.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" The princess kindly asked him. He mentally noted on her angelic voice. He still couldn't believe that he was in the presence of the Princess Koriand'r. She extended her hand and stated, "My name is Koriand'r. It is a pleasure to meet you."
The boy took her hand and shook it, "Cardian. My name is Cardian." Soft hands, he thought as he shook her hand. They let go of each others hands and began to walk up a hill, even farther away from the marketplace.
Koriand'r abruptly halted, and Cardian halted to look back at her. "Cardian…" she pondered, tapping her chin lightly. Cardian bit his lip nervously, "That is a nice name," Cardian let out a breath as they continued their stroll.'
"Princess-" he began.
"Please, call me Kory."
"Kory is a beautiful name."
Kory giggled, "Thank you. You know, I'm glad that I have met you."
"And why is that?"
"I now have a friend outside of the palace. And for that I'm grateful."
"F-Friend?"
"Yes, friend." She looked at him with some concern, "You…are my friend, right?"
"O-Of course! I am absolutely honored to be your friend!"
"Truly?" She asked as if unsure.
"Yes!" Cardian was then enveloped in a loving hug.
"Oh, thank you!"
Cardian hugged his newly acquainted friend back, "You're welcome." They stayed like that for the next few minutes, savoring the moment.
"Koriand'r! Princess!" Multiple voices called from the marketplace. The two children separated. Kory held a look of remorse.
"I am sorry, but I must go. I'll see you again, right?"
"I'll be waiting her anytime you need me."
"Wonderful. I may be able to meet you tomorrow evening. That is fine, yes?"
"A-Absolutely!"
"Farewell Cardian!" With that, the princess hurried off to her palace.
"Farewell…Kory," Cardian said dreamily, sighing as a warm smile formed on his lips.
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Cardian smiled as he watched his female companion suddenly run away from him. She ran in circles around him while he stood in place. Cardian lifted his eyebrow and asked, "What are you doing?"
Koriand'r smiled at him and said, "Smiling."
"Well, there's no surprise there," Cardian replied. It had now been 9 years since the two met in the same grassy plain they were in now. In Earth standards, Kory was now 12, while Cardian was 13. However, Tamaranians mature and grow faster than humans by a 3 year difference. Therefore, in Tamaranian standards, Kory was 16 and Cardian was 17. (A/N: They really lived 12/13 years, but they act 15/16). "However," Cardian continued, "You seem happier than normal. Why is that?"
Kory giggled in response, "Guess."
Cardian thought for a while until a perfect thought came to mind, "Your sister was eaten by a glorfnark? Glorious! Let us rejoice!"
Kory gasped, "Cardian! That was very rude!"
"Eh, you know you want it as badly as I do, if not more."
"Anyway, however true that is, it is not correct."
"You've finally realized how great it is that I was accepted into the Tamaranian army?"
"Um…no."
"Oh, forget the guessing and tell me!"
"Fine…I passed!"
"You passed the Okaaran tests?"
Kory nodded vigorously.
"Are you sure?"
Kory nodded vigorously…again.
"Really?"
Nod.
"Positive?"
Nod.
"…"
Nod… Wait, no. Tilt of the head to one side in confusion.
"Amazing!" Cardian picked her up unexpectedly and spun her around in circles, "We must go celebrate!" Cardian put her down and dragged her by arm further into the grassy plain.
Kory laughed while being dragged until she forced them to stop, "Where are we going?"
Cardian looked around only to see grass and flowers everywhere, "You know, I… Really don't know."
Kory chuckled and sat down, "How convenient." She watched Cardian take a seat next to her and hold her wrist, "Cardian, about you being accepted into the army…"
"Isn't it great? Finally I can do something and be accepted as one of the people, and no longer an…outcast. And you, Kory, my best friend, helped!"
"But Cardian-"
"We should go to the area we met and celebrate!"
Kory suddenly pulled her wrist away from Cardian, "Cardian, listen to me!"
Cardian froze, staring at her. He tilted his head to one side, giving her an adorable yet innocent and confused look, "What?" he asked.
"The Tamaranian army might be going to war in two days…" Kory took a seat next to him, pushing some hair that had blown into her face behind her ear.
"W-What?" Cardian asked, now more shocked than anything. Sure, he had gone through army training, and he knew all he could about fighting techniques. He was too young for an American army, but since he had the skill, the Tamaranian army took him in (They went by skill, not age). Overall, he was mainly surprised at the fact that he would have to actually kill someone, something he had never done before.
Kory adjusted herself to be more comfortable, "I overheard my father and the general setting up and assault on the Gordanians."
"But why?"
"Apparently, the Gordanians sent my father a transmission saying that they were coming for a friendly visit, although they didn't sound friendly at all."
Cardian's eyes widened in shock…
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Cardian blinked his wide eyes four times. Did he hear that correctly? He was standing in the grand hall of the palace with the rest of the army, in Tamaranian uniform. The Gordanian army stood across the room, glaring. Two days had passed since he and Kori had their discussion in the grassy plain.
"That is right," spoke the Gordanian General Trogaar to the King Myand'r and Queen Luand'r, "In order for Gordania to not attack, the Ruler requests that one of the royal children be sent to the Citadel for slavery."
The King and Queen were shocked beyond compare. Not too long ago, Koriand'r's sister Komand'r was furious at her sister. Her reasoning was that Kory got the right to be the next in line for the throne instead of Komand'r. Out of fury she left Tamaran to join the Citadel. The king and queen were already mourning the loss of their first born, but now their second as well? They couldn't give up their only son, Ryand'r, for he was just a toddler.
Finally, after a long pause, Myand'r spoke, "Never!" his voice boomed throughout the hall, "You will never get my daughter!"
"If that is what you wish, then you will never see Tamaran again!" Trogaar yelled, "Hand over the child!"
Myand'r looked to his wife with sadness, and his expression was mirrored. Luand'r held back the tears in her eyes. They both knew what had to be done.
"Fine," Myand'r spoke sadly. He and Luand'r walked over to Kory, who stared up at him in shock. They knelt down to her eye level, "We love you, daughter, with all our heart," Myand'r told the frightened child, "But to save Tamaran, I…I must give you to our enemy."
"No, father!" Kory pleaded, "Please don't let them take me, father!" Tears began to roll down her face, "Please! Please!!" Before her parents could say anymore, Kory was snatched away by Trogaar.
Cardian almost lunged at the general, but a hand held him back. Cardian looked up to see a slightly older teenager looking down at him. The teenager shook his head, signaling Cardian to settle down. Cardian relaxed, but still glared at Trogaar, trying to burn the creature with his mind.
"Silence, girl!" Trogaar scolded Kory, "The fool has no choice, the Citadel demanded a sacrifice… And you, little one, are it!" he looked around at all the Tamaranians gathered in the hall. He smirked at Kory, "Take one last look, child," he gestured to Myand'r and Luand'r, who sent death glares at the general, "Since you will never see your family again!" The general then dragged Kory out the door, kicking and screaming.
"Mother! Father! Little brother! Stop him! Please!" She cried while immense tears rolled down her face, "Please! Don't let them take me! Please…" Kory looked to Cardian, her best friend, who she would never see again, "Farewell…"she mouthed as she was dragged away.
"Farewell…" Cardian mouthed in return. He thought he saw King Myand'r notice the friendly farewell, but he didn't care at the moment; he was too absorbed in sadness. Besides, Myand'r was too busy consoling Luand'r. The queen was crying into the king's shoulder. His one and only best friend I the world was taken away from him forever, and he could do nothing about it. He felt his eyes getting wet, and his vision getting blurry.
He then noticed a spout of demonic laughter. Cardian saw Trogaar cackling while the princess struggled. He then saw the Gordanian army follow Trogaar out of the hall. At that moment he decided that he would be the one to kill Trogaar, if not even the whole entire army. His sadness was replaced by righteous fury and his hands balled into fists.
He then noticed the army beginning to clear out of the hall. Cardian rushed to be out first, pushing people out of the way. He ran through the halls until he reached the marketplace. He ran through the bazaar and into the grassy plain he had first met Kory at.
Cardian looked up to see a Gordanian battleship fly over his head, no doubt carrying Kory, "KOOORRRYYYY!!!" Cardian shouted to the vessel, praying to X'hal that she knew he cared. As the vessel began to fly out of view, he whispered to himself:
"…I love you…"
Cardian vowed to himself, if it was the last thing he did, he would find Kory and save her from the Citadel, even if it drove him to the ends of the universe.
"DO YOU HEAR THAT KORY? I'M COMING TO SAVE YOU! YOU JUST WAIT!" he screamed to the sky.
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Cardian flew through space, blessed with the Tamaranian power of flight. It had been 4 years since the Gordanians took Kory away; Cardian was 17. He wore his army uniform, with only one mission in mind.
Find Kory.
He saw his point of destination, a little planet. It was blue, green, and white.
"Earth," Cardian spoke to himself in his native tongue, "Don't worry Kory, I'm coming for you."
A/N: Hey, how was that? Wow, 7 pages! Tell me what you think, the story will continue!!! Just you wait. Review, please!!