Ch. 3
Training Test
A split second passed, and Robin charged. Dark narrowed his eyes, and grasped the hilt of the katana. The training test had begun. Robin roared out, as he charged forward, brining the staff behind him for a full strength swing. As Robin finally came into range, he brought the staff forward for a vertical strike. All at once, a crack was heard. Robin only blinked before the stroke fell. There was nothing there; he had hit only the floor. A dent was seen, Robin smirked at his strike, he was much stronger than he thought.
"You know, that attack was good." Dark's voice was heard beside Robin. How did he get there? Robin thought instantly. The three others, who were standing there, awaiting robin's orders watched in awe. No one had moved that quickly before. Robin grunted, then turned to his comrades. Robin straightened, and lowered his staff.
"GET HIM!" Robin called turning about, and aiming to strike Dark who was beside him quickly with his staff. Robin held the staff now much like a baseball bat, and swung it horizontally. A mere vision of Dark was seen, until he vanished again. Robin didn't blink this time.
Robin grunted again, searching the room for him. "Err! Where did he go?"
"You know Robin," Cyborg said, "it seems like you want to kill the guy. This is training afterall, right?"
"Yeah, dude, you're not even this tensed up when fighting Slade." Beastboy added.
"Robin, you can't ignore this. Is there something wrong?" Raven asked.
"NO!" Robin answered quickly and went back to searching. Dark was no where to be found. Still no avail at finding him.
Then Dark's voice seemed to come from all around them. "Robin, if it is me you wish to fight, then leave the others out of this. I will fight you. This is not training as I see."
Robin looked around, he had to be here somewhere. Dark added, "Agreed?" Robin looked to his sides, and all around him, he wasn't anywhere to be seen. He then nodded, Raven, Cyborg, and Beastboy backed away and rested on the wall watching for the what is yet to come.
"I'll give you my location, all you must do, is find a cloud." Dark said. A short easy riddle. Nothing Robin couldn't handle before, or now for that matter. "There are no clouds in here." Robin explained to himself.
"Very good, Robin." Dark insulted. Robin went back to his logical explanations. It reminded him of his old days with Batman, his reasoning was always right, it seemed to happen at the end though.
"So, this means," Robin looked up and saw Dark hanging from the roof, crouched with his sword suspending him, "you are above me."
Dark smirked, and pushed off from the ceiling, removing the sword from the roof and propelling him down to Robin. He then pulled the sword before him, defensively horizontal to him as he dove down. Robin, meanwhile went for another vertical full strength swing, and landed a hit on Dark's blade. A sharp high-pitched TING was heard. Robin sank into the hardwood below him as both weights were pressed downward. Robin gave off small noises from his throat showing that he was using everything in his power to stop Dark from gaining any advantage.
Dark is now resting on Robin's steel staff, and with such force he pushed his legs forward and into a two-legged kick to Robin's chest, sending him quickly toward the wall. Dark landed easily onto his feet, and put the tip of the blade to the ground, using the sword as if it were a cane.
Robin hit the wall, and fell to the ground rolling slightly. "Ah," Robin said slowly picking himself up, "Damn that hurt." He then picked up the staff and charged forward again, spinning the staff with one hand. "AH!" Robin called, as range was found again between the two of them.
Dark brought up the sword, and brought it down swiftly again, clanging metal against metal again. He continued to slash again and again at the spinning staff, yet with every try the staff continued to spin rapidly and quickly in Robin's palms. Robin shifted to the side, then leapt forward. Dark tried to move aside, but like his attacks failed him. The butt of the staff slammed hard multiple times on Dark's chin and left cheek. He fell backward, onto the floor, with a small thud he hit it and rolled backwards, prepared for any attack to come.
"Is that all you have?" Dark taunted.
Robin smirked, and held the end of the staff pointed toward Dark close. "No." A sound of steel being unsheathed was heard, and a spear was created on what was usually a staff. Robin thrust forward, he was close enough in range to make Dark bleed. The spear came quickly, much quicker than anticipated. Dark ducked, and felt the spear's air speed go above him. Dark grabbed hold of the spear, Robin brought it back quickly making the blunt edges of the blade hit Dark's hand and his release. Dark slowly stood, holding the katana with both hands diagonally to him. "I must say I've underestimated you, Robin. Are you sure you wish to battle me?" This seemed to insult and taunt Robin more than needed. Atop Robin's jealousy there was little room for forgiveness toward Dark, Han. He would not take Starfire away from him, he would not let that happen. Robin would defeat him, and claim that he is stronger than Dark, prove his greatness toward Starfire.
"Heh." Robin laughed, gripping the spear tighter, his knuckles clearly showing on the green glove.
"Round two then?" Dark asked, eyes narrowing, still holding the death glare he always had. Robin as well kept a glare set on Dark and nodded.
"Yes."
Robin charged again, thrusting the spear at Dark's stomach. He turned, and dodged the attack, brought up the sword and aimed the tip at Robin's throat. Robin pulled back on the spear and aimed it at Dark's heart.
The doorknob turned, all attention turned toward the turning of it. Then it opened, slowly. Footsteps were heard. The movement between Robin and Dark became slowed, as if time had nearly stopped. Through the door appeared the figure none other than Starfire. Her face stained with tears, she was looking down. "I-I heard the noise and," she looked up, tears welled up again, "STOP THIS!" Her hands welled up into fists; her eyes closed as more tears streamed from them.
"Starfire." Robin and Dark said in unison. Both of them looked at each other, now frozen. It had ended in a draw, there was no doubt in that. Both pulled back, and put away their weapons, concealing them. Dark keeled down, head bowed, he seemed ashamed. Whereas Robin, turned about as he put the pen sized collapsible staff in the back of his utility belt.
"Star- it was only training." Robin knew he was lying, but it would kill him to know if she was at all angered at him. Starfire scolded Robin, "Not what I saw. You don't go all out on a guest, on a friend of mine even. Robin, you should be ashamed."
"Mistress Star," Dark spoke softly a tone of someone with the most sorrow was heard, "I apologize for the scene you have seen. But it was merely a test set on by Robin, making sure that I was worthy enough to protect you." This was true, in a sense. She seemed to relax, her shoulders lowered. Starfire walked to Dark, as she passed Robin, she put a hand on his shoulder. The touch of her hand, nearly made Robin fall to the ground, no one had made Robin feel this way about her. He felt complete compassion, and love for Starfire. Had Robin's eyes not been hidden with the mask around his eyes, anyone could easily tell.
Upon reaching Dark, she put her fingertips to his chin and lightly lifted it up until Dark was looking into Starfire's emerald eyes. "I would expect no less from a Tamaranian captain." Starfire smiled, she continued. "Come, we have much to discuss, alone. Friends, if you would pardon us for a time?" Dark stood, where the Titan's nodded to her. She took Dark by the wrist and led him out of the room. As Dark passed, Dark had a glance with Robin. Jealousy swept over him again. A silent vow was taken then, Robin vowed to not let Dark have Starfire, no matter the cost. He would rather have his life taken, than to see her with Dark. Robin would be the one for her, and only he.
A split second passed, and Robin charged. Dark narrowed his eyes, and grasped the hilt of the katana. The training test had begun. Robin roared out, as he charged forward, brining the staff behind him for a full strength swing. As Robin finally came into range, he brought the staff forward for a vertical strike. All at once, a crack was heard. Robin only blinked before the stroke fell. There was nothing there; he had hit only the floor. A dent was seen, Robin smirked at his strike, he was much stronger than he thought.
"You know, that attack was good." Dark's voice was heard beside Robin. How did he get there? Robin thought instantly. The three others, who were standing there, awaiting robin's orders watched in awe. No one had moved that quickly before. Robin grunted, then turned to his comrades. Robin straightened, and lowered his staff.
"GET HIM!" Robin called turning about, and aiming to strike Dark who was beside him quickly with his staff. Robin held the staff now much like a baseball bat, and swung it horizontally. A mere vision of Dark was seen, until he vanished again. Robin didn't blink this time.
Robin grunted again, searching the room for him. "Err! Where did he go?"
"You know Robin," Cyborg said, "it seems like you want to kill the guy. This is training afterall, right?"
"Yeah, dude, you're not even this tensed up when fighting Slade." Beastboy added.
"Robin, you can't ignore this. Is there something wrong?" Raven asked.
"NO!" Robin answered quickly and went back to searching. Dark was no where to be found. Still no avail at finding him.
Then Dark's voice seemed to come from all around them. "Robin, if it is me you wish to fight, then leave the others out of this. I will fight you. This is not training as I see."
Robin looked around, he had to be here somewhere. Dark added, "Agreed?" Robin looked to his sides, and all around him, he wasn't anywhere to be seen. He then nodded, Raven, Cyborg, and Beastboy backed away and rested on the wall watching for the what is yet to come.
"I'll give you my location, all you must do, is find a cloud." Dark said. A short easy riddle. Nothing Robin couldn't handle before, or now for that matter. "There are no clouds in here." Robin explained to himself.
"Very good, Robin." Dark insulted. Robin went back to his logical explanations. It reminded him of his old days with Batman, his reasoning was always right, it seemed to happen at the end though.
"So, this means," Robin looked up and saw Dark hanging from the roof, crouched with his sword suspending him, "you are above me."
Dark smirked, and pushed off from the ceiling, removing the sword from the roof and propelling him down to Robin. He then pulled the sword before him, defensively horizontal to him as he dove down. Robin, meanwhile went for another vertical full strength swing, and landed a hit on Dark's blade. A sharp high-pitched TING was heard. Robin sank into the hardwood below him as both weights were pressed downward. Robin gave off small noises from his throat showing that he was using everything in his power to stop Dark from gaining any advantage.
Dark is now resting on Robin's steel staff, and with such force he pushed his legs forward and into a two-legged kick to Robin's chest, sending him quickly toward the wall. Dark landed easily onto his feet, and put the tip of the blade to the ground, using the sword as if it were a cane.
Robin hit the wall, and fell to the ground rolling slightly. "Ah," Robin said slowly picking himself up, "Damn that hurt." He then picked up the staff and charged forward again, spinning the staff with one hand. "AH!" Robin called, as range was found again between the two of them.
Dark brought up the sword, and brought it down swiftly again, clanging metal against metal again. He continued to slash again and again at the spinning staff, yet with every try the staff continued to spin rapidly and quickly in Robin's palms. Robin shifted to the side, then leapt forward. Dark tried to move aside, but like his attacks failed him. The butt of the staff slammed hard multiple times on Dark's chin and left cheek. He fell backward, onto the floor, with a small thud he hit it and rolled backwards, prepared for any attack to come.
"Is that all you have?" Dark taunted.
Robin smirked, and held the end of the staff pointed toward Dark close. "No." A sound of steel being unsheathed was heard, and a spear was created on what was usually a staff. Robin thrust forward, he was close enough in range to make Dark bleed. The spear came quickly, much quicker than anticipated. Dark ducked, and felt the spear's air speed go above him. Dark grabbed hold of the spear, Robin brought it back quickly making the blunt edges of the blade hit Dark's hand and his release. Dark slowly stood, holding the katana with both hands diagonally to him. "I must say I've underestimated you, Robin. Are you sure you wish to battle me?" This seemed to insult and taunt Robin more than needed. Atop Robin's jealousy there was little room for forgiveness toward Dark, Han. He would not take Starfire away from him, he would not let that happen. Robin would defeat him, and claim that he is stronger than Dark, prove his greatness toward Starfire.
"Heh." Robin laughed, gripping the spear tighter, his knuckles clearly showing on the green glove.
"Round two then?" Dark asked, eyes narrowing, still holding the death glare he always had. Robin as well kept a glare set on Dark and nodded.
"Yes."
Robin charged again, thrusting the spear at Dark's stomach. He turned, and dodged the attack, brought up the sword and aimed the tip at Robin's throat. Robin pulled back on the spear and aimed it at Dark's heart.
The doorknob turned, all attention turned toward the turning of it. Then it opened, slowly. Footsteps were heard. The movement between Robin and Dark became slowed, as if time had nearly stopped. Through the door appeared the figure none other than Starfire. Her face stained with tears, she was looking down. "I-I heard the noise and," she looked up, tears welled up again, "STOP THIS!" Her hands welled up into fists; her eyes closed as more tears streamed from them.
"Starfire." Robin and Dark said in unison. Both of them looked at each other, now frozen. It had ended in a draw, there was no doubt in that. Both pulled back, and put away their weapons, concealing them. Dark keeled down, head bowed, he seemed ashamed. Whereas Robin, turned about as he put the pen sized collapsible staff in the back of his utility belt.
"Star- it was only training." Robin knew he was lying, but it would kill him to know if she was at all angered at him. Starfire scolded Robin, "Not what I saw. You don't go all out on a guest, on a friend of mine even. Robin, you should be ashamed."
"Mistress Star," Dark spoke softly a tone of someone with the most sorrow was heard, "I apologize for the scene you have seen. But it was merely a test set on by Robin, making sure that I was worthy enough to protect you." This was true, in a sense. She seemed to relax, her shoulders lowered. Starfire walked to Dark, as she passed Robin, she put a hand on his shoulder. The touch of her hand, nearly made Robin fall to the ground, no one had made Robin feel this way about her. He felt complete compassion, and love for Starfire. Had Robin's eyes not been hidden with the mask around his eyes, anyone could easily tell.
Upon reaching Dark, she put her fingertips to his chin and lightly lifted it up until Dark was looking into Starfire's emerald eyes. "I would expect no less from a Tamaranian captain." Starfire smiled, she continued. "Come, we have much to discuss, alone. Friends, if you would pardon us for a time?" Dark stood, where the Titan's nodded to her. She took Dark by the wrist and led him out of the room. As Dark passed, Dark had a glance with Robin. Jealousy swept over him again. A silent vow was taken then, Robin vowed to not let Dark have Starfire, no matter the cost. He would rather have his life taken, than to see her with Dark. Robin would be the one for her, and only he.