Ch.2
In sickbay lay the three seemingly lifeless forms Robin, Starfire, and Beast Boy. Their skin had turned a pale color, and they had gone cold. Outside Titans Tower the clouds were rolling in an unnatural fashion, there was even the rumble of thunder here and there. On her bed, Starfire's skin began to regain its color and she was no longer cold. A flash of lightning and loud clap of thunder issued as Starfire suddenly gasped out loud and sat bolt upright in her bed. Breathing heavily she put a hand to her chest to try and steady her breathing. She looked around the room and realized she was in sickbay, then suddenly a thought occurred to her. She quickly looked down at her stomach and felt around for her fatal wound; there was nothing. Utterly amazed she dared to get up and try to walk. She rose off the bed and not only felt immense strength in her legs but also that it was spreading throughout her body.
"I hope Robin and Beast Boy are getting along fine", she said to her self. Her eyes popped out of her head. "ROBIN"! She spun around and saw both Robin and Beast Boy still lying on their beds. She couldn't believe she had forgotten about him. She ran over and felt his pulse. For a moment she felt not only a lacking pulse but also a rush of mourning. Then she suddenly felt a pulsing motion under her finger. She backed away in shock. Looking back and forth from the two she checked Beast Boy's pulse. It too was going back to normal. This was impossible; Robin and Beast Boy........were alive?
In the main living room the other three Titans were pacing around madly. Cyborg looked as though he were about to wear a trench in the floor. Raven and Lee and made some herbal tea and looked to that for calmness. Unable to contain his worry Cyborg glanced at Alastor who was sitting in front of the circular couch, apparently meditating. Cyborg walked up to Raven and turned down a cup of tea that she offered him.
"Man what the hell did he mean, 'They'll be alright'", Cyborg sighed heavily out of aggravation. He clicked a panel on his left arm and a holo-picture of the man they were after came up. "If only I had been more careful; Robin, Starfire, and Beast Boy would be alive now". Raven urged the cup of tea to him and lowered her hood.
"You were tired, and unprepared. It was nobody's fault".
"Besides, they're not dead", said Alastor who had gotten up and finally joined them. When they got to the tower he had helped Cyborg get them to sick bay and then kept to himself for the rest of the day.
"We're still waiting to hear what that means", said Lee. Putting his empty cup in the sink. Alastor smiled and put his sword up on the counter.
"You'll see soon enough". Lee nodded and suddenly locked eyes with Alastor's sword.
"My God", he exclaimed. "Would you permit me", he asked. Alastor nodded and Lee carefully picked up the sword and removed it form the sheath.
"Yo Lee what's so special about it", asked Cyborg looking it over. Raven did a quick sweep if Lee's mind and joined his awe. Opened mouthed Lee flickered a glance at Cyborg.
"Cyborg-San what I'm holding is probably the Holy Grail of Samurai Swords. Only three of this kind were ever made, and if I'm not mistaken.......", he lowered his head to read the Japanese lettering on the blade. "........YES! This was the first"! He sheathed the sword and gave it back to Alastor. "How did you ever come across it"?
"Trade secrets my friend", he replied winking. He then looked up as if sensing someone's presence. Smiling he turned to the door and pointed. "I think you'll be wanting to see your friends now". Cyborg shrugged and began walking over to the door.
"Man I still have no idea what you're talking about"-
"Hey Cyborg", said Robin coming through the door. Cyborg yelled out and dove behind the couch.
"YIPE! IT"S ROB ZOMBIE"! (Pun intended). Robin walked down the small steps and to the middle of the room. Raven and Lee approached him cautiously. Cyborg slowly came out from behind the couch and poked Robin in the arm.
"OW Cyborg! What are you doing"?!
"Seeing if it's really you, I mean you, Star, and BB are all dead aren't you"? Robin raised an eyebrow.
"Dead? What are talking about we're all fine". Sure enough both Starfire and Beast Boy followed Robin out the door. Cyborg, Raven, and Lee stared at the three "resurrected" Titans. Beast Boy stared back trying to figure out what the problem was.
"You know it really creeps me out when people stare at me for no reason". That was it; Cyborg, Raven, and Lee lost it.
"YOU-ARE-SUPPOSED-TO-BE-DEAD"!
"You don't need to sound so disappointed", said Robin rolling his eyes.
"It's not that it's just"- Raven circled them and shrugged her shoulders. "We just can't see how this is possible".
"Surely we had simply slipped into a, coma", suggested Starfire.
"No Star-San, you were dead", said Lee. The room became so silent you could hear a pin drop. Finally Alastor clapped his hands together and made everyone jump.
"Well! Now that we're all alive again and kicking, I think it's time to get down to business". He went over and sat down in the couch. They all turned to face him and he bowed his head. "My name is Alastor Nordolf. I was born at Canterbury, England in 1412; and I am immortal. And because of your special wounds, you three are now impervious to natural death". He said gesturing to Robin, Starfire, and Beast Boy. Open mouthed Robin took a step closer.
"Are you serious"? Alastor simply smiled. "No! It's impossible, how can there be such a thing".
"You cannot die Robin, except it". Starfire stepped up to Alastor.
"Please, how is this possible"?
"Well, it all has to do with my enemy having no choice. If he had another way out of that situation he would have taken it, now he has a bigger problem".
"Who was that guy", asked Beast Boy. By this time all of the Titans had taken a seat on the couch. Alastor cleared his throat and began telling is story.
"His name is Samson; he is from a time when there were no last names. He is the oldest and most powerful of our kind. And he has been chasing me for one hundred and thirteen years.
FALSHBACK
England, 1412; the night sky was cloudy with small gusts of wind here there. A church bell rang out in the distance as the lamp lighters began illuminating the streets. A thin fog also made it difficult to see far ahead one's self. A man walked down the road swinging a cane to and fro. It was a much younger Alastor. He passed by an alley and another man stepped out of it and began following him. Alastor walked for a few blocks and stopped outside his house. He fumbled with the small gate and walked on through. Before the gate closed a swift figure slipped through it. He reached his front door and put his hand on the latch; before he could open it he heard a cough behind him. He spun around and saw a younger Samson standing there.
"Alastor Nordolf"? He spoke plainly but still in a serious tone. Frowning in slight confusion Alastor nodded his head.
"Your service sir"? As Alastor extended the greeting Samson reached to his side and pulled out his sword. Alastor's eye's widened and he jumped out of way as Samson slashed at him. "ARE YOU MAD"?! Samson took no heed and continued his attack. Alastor tapped his cane on the ground and a small knife blade came out of the tip. He jabbed at Samson who stepped aside and chopped his cane in half. Now defenseless Alastor made an attempt to get inside, as he turned to the door Samson stabbed him in the back and pinned him to the wood door. Gritting his teeth and gripping the door Alastor tried to get free, no good. Samson leaned forward and whispered in his ear.
"You may not understand it now, but I'm sure God will be able to explain it most extensively. It's mine, and there can be only one"! He pulled the sword out of him and Alastor fell to ground. He raised his sword to behead Alastor when he saw two constables coming his way. Cursing he sheathed his sword and disappeared into the fog. Alastor lay at his door step coughing up blood and wanting more than anything to just die instead of suffer. The last thing he remembered that night was the two officers running toward him and a woman screaming at the sight of him.
END FLASHBACK
"Since then he's been after me with the soul purpose of my death in mind". Alastor finished his story and looked around at the Titans. They all stared at him as though they didn't realize that he had concluded his tale. Finally Beast Boy laid back against the couch and rubbed his forehead.
"So what your saying is that because we got in the middle of you're fight he killed us and then made us immortal".
"Exactly".
"But I don't get it", said Cyborg. "Why did he even start coming after you in the first place"?
"Well, you can't just become Highlander; it's a destiny that you're born with. He could see that I was meant for the life of the immortal and wanted to get rid of me while I was still weak".
"But I am not even of this world", said Starfire gesturing to herself. "Why would I be destined for something like that"? Alastor shook his head.
"I don't have all the answers, I don't an immortal as old and as wise as Samson would know everything there is to know about us". Robin found it a little difficult to speak at the moment. None of this was making any sense to him.
"So what are they supposed to do", asked Raven.
"Learn the ways of their brethren, and try to stay alive until the time of the gathering". Robin looked up at Alastor.
"What gathering"? Alastor looked as if he had grown tired of answering this question.
"Soon there will be a time when we will feel an irresistible urge to meet on a certain point on the map, where we will battle to last until only one remains and claims the prize".
"And what is the prize", asked Lee curiously.
"It is nothing, and it is everything. If one of you should claim the prize, it would be what you desired most. And if what you want doesn't conflict with existence or the space time continuum, then you shall have it". They all looked around at each other wondering whether this guy was telling the truth, or just a really good liar. Alastor got up and looked out the large window out at eth city. "The gathering is something I have been worried about for centuries, not so much that I could die", he paused. "If Samson claims the prize then I'm afraid humanity's days of happiness could be over".
"Then we find him and take him down", said Robin hitting his hand into his fist.
"I appreciate you're gung-ho spirit Robin, but it's not that simple. Over the years Samson has created a loyal band of followers who are ready to die for him at his calling". The Titans looked as though they had dealt with this before. "If we're going to get to him, we will need to first eliminate them".
"But if they all immortal, how does one defeat them", asked Starfire.
"We have but one weakness; our heads. If you're head leaves you're neck it's over. And you must remember that even if you three were to band together against Samson and you defeated him", he readied himself for the following reaction. "It would still be a question as to which one of us would claim the prize. Because in the end there can be only one". Starfire's eyes widened with horror, she instinctively turned to Robin to see if he was going along with this in the slightest. Open mouthed he got up off the couch.
"Wait a moment; you are saying that even after we defeat the Samson we would have to fight each other, until only one of us survived". Slowly Alastor nodded his head.
"I'm sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear, but it's the truth".
"NO", shouted Starfire backing up.
"It's part of who you are now you can't escape it".
"STOP! I DON'T WANT THIS LIFE! I DON'T WANT TO BE AN IMMORTAL! I WILL NOT MURDER Him"! She wasn't specific but they all knew who she was talking about. With that she stormed through the door and headed for her room. Weak at the knees Robin sat down on the couch scratching the back of his head. Worried and confused he looked back up at Alastor who was wearing an apologetic expression.
"I really am sorry. When she calms down I need to speak with her on more matters. You three will need to learn the basics of living forever, the rules involved, and how to fight".
"We already know how to fight", said Cyborg taking out his cannon.
"I mean learn to use a blade. Conventional weapons do very little against our kind. Between you're Samurai friend and I, you three should become very proficient with a sword". Lee wasn't sure if he should be flattered or insulted, so he settled for a little bit of both. "I would advise you all to get some sleep now. Tomorrow you start you're training and you're life anew". He picked up his sword and Cyborg showed him to a room in which he could stay. Raven and Lee stayed with Robin and Beast Boy. Robin looked as though he were perpetually zoned out, and Beast Boy had the impression of having a heart attack any second.
"There has to be some way to change you guys back", said Raven lowering her hood. Starfire looked hopeful but then lowered her head.
"No Raven, we are who we are now", she said sadly. 'Robin and I can only be together for as long as the gathering is a far off date', she thought. She rose and headed for her room. "I'll talk to her, if anything all of us need to talk to someone right now". He left the room and Beast Boy fell to floor.
"Aw MAN! I suck at sword fighting; I'm as good as bee-headed". He morphed himself into a bumble bee and began flying around franticly. Raven stood still for a moment and then grabbed him by the wings as he flew by. Beast Boy changed back and slumped on the couch.
"That's why you have Lee and Alastor, they can teach you all you need to know". Lee crossed his arms and frowned slightly. Who was this guy to show up and ruin their lives? And who was he to presume Lee needed his help to instruct his friends in the samurai sword or any sword for that matter.
Robin walked down the hall to Starfire's room, he came to door and straightened out his uniform. He knocked lightly and awaited a response. After a few minuets of nothing he tried again. "Starfire it's me Robin, can I come in"? Again he received no response. He hung his head and started off to his room. I wasn't so surprising that she didn't want to talk to anyone. He reached his room and upon entering found Starfire sitting on his bed. He took a step inside and the door closed behind him.
"Starfire"? She didn't look up, she simply sat and silently cried. He walked over and sat down next to her. He put an arm around her shoulder and she couldn't but rest her head on his. She had been waiting for him to return, to be safe in his arms. The whole world in all its cruelty seemed safe.
"I know what you're feeling Star, I'm as frustrated as you are". She remained silent. "But you must believe me when I say, that I will never ever hurt you or lie to you".
"But you have", squeaked Starfire. Robin's mind suddenly received flashed of when he posed as Red X and when only he could see Slade. He had lied to her about X, and he had hurt her when she couldn't see Slade.
"Starfire that was a long time ago, and when I was obsessed to point of it becoming poisonous. Remember it almost killed me". She picked herself up and glanced at him.
"I remember. I am sorry Robin, I simply do not wish to fight you or Beast Boy; especially to that extent".
"Well work it our, its okay Star".
"NO ROBIN IT IS NOT", she suddenly got up off the bed and towered above him. "I do not see how you can be so calm about this. There is a man out there who wants to kill us in a most brutal fashion, and if we succeed in defeating him we will have to fight each other"! She fell to her knees and broke out into tears once more. Robin ran over to her and put his arms around her. She wanted to get out of his grasp and run away from everything. But she found herself involuntarily gripping him tightly.
"Come on Star, you should get some sleep". He helped her to her feet and walked her over to her room. She climbed under her covers and Robin turned to leave.
"Wait", she said. "Please, can you stay until I have fallen asleep"? Robin nodded lightly and pulled up a chair next to her bed. "Thank-you, Robin". She closed her eyes and seemed to fall into slumber with record time. 'Must've been from all that crying', thought Robin. After a few more minuets he was sure she was sound asleep and got up to leave. He opened the door and a silent tired voice called out to him.
"Robin", he turned his head and saw her sleepy eyes looking at him. "Please, if it ever came down to just the two of us..........would you take my head"? She cringed under her covers slightly. Robin shook his head and headed out.
"What kind of a question is that Star, Good night". He walked out and Starfire was left with her thoughts. She felt warmth and relief that he hadn't said yes. Then she felt the presence of fear when she remembered that he also hadn't said no.
Okay, I could go further but I have work I need to do. How do you like it so far? Do you like it is probably a better question. Oh well. R&R please.
