Teen Titans © DC Comics
Elementals
They presumed it was night on Earth so most of Titans South fell asleep. Thunder glanced over to Kid Flash and Jinx, smirking a bit as he saw Jinx curled up against the sleeping auburn-haired boy. Argent and Kole had also hit the coop, setting the ship into autopilot. Only he and Lightning were still awake, watching space's sky in awe.
"How many stars do you think are up there?" Lightning asked. "They seem larger now that we are closer."
Thunder gazed around. A few dots of stars were cascading past the ship, and Thunder pointed them out to Lightning. They were like small fires in the sky, illuminating the darkness away. Lightning laughed in amusement, eyes brightening like the stars outside.
"There must be over millions of stars," Thunder replied as Lightning continued gazing at the stars.
"So, where is the Big Dipper again? Chan said it was…um…" He trailed off, finger slowly lowering as Thunder smiled and patted his shoulder.
Thunder pointed out to a rather large star, connecting along three adjacent stars and a few smaller ones in the outskirts of the rectangle to form the hilt. Lightning nodded slowly, mouth a tiny gape as he squinted to see where his brother was pointing. Smiling as he finally saw where Thunder was gesturing at, he placed his head on Thunder's broad shoulder, chuckling as Thunder wrapped his arm protectively around him.
"Omen's vision troubles me," Thunder stated quietly.
"She speaks nonsense, brother," Lightning proclaimed, waving his hand to hush his brother.
"But all of her visions have come true, even if they are vague and uncertain. I fear it will happen," he urged sadly.
Lightning leaned up to Thunder's face, scowling darkly. "We have faced our father and killed him. What can be worse than that?"
"Bodies falling, could it be our friends?"
"Brother, you sound insane!"
Thunder shot Lightning an annoyed glare as Lightning sat back in his chair, glaring at the stars. "I am only worried about all of us, Lightning."
"I know that! It is just that it will not occur," Lightning growled, crossing his arms.
Thunder sighed, looking away. "I just do not want what happened a year ago to return to haunt us once more."
They killed their father, Walter Williams, the general of the H'san Natall, in order to save the world, but he repented for everything he had done to them and their mother. After that day, they never felt quite right with themselves. The brothers never killed before in their young lives until that day where they learned the truth about their heredity and background. They rarely spoke of it, keeping it in the backs of their minds and resented the fact it was the one thing people remembered them for.
Interest piqued from the horridness of that fated day. Lightning placed a sympathetic hand on Thunder's shoulder, a complete role reversal, as it was usually Thunder doing the gesture to calm Lightning down. Thunder smiled at Lightning's apologetic, if somewhat pouting expression and ruffled his hair. Lightning whined, slapping his hand away, but Thunder went right back to doing it after locking Lightning in a headlock.
"Hsuan! You are such a jerk, brother!" Lightning wailed. "What would Mother say if she saw you treating your younger brother so horridly?"
They paused, waiting a few seconds as they realized that they never told Cara Chi, their mother, where they were. Looking slowly to each other, they dove for their communicators to find a message waiting for them on Thunder's.
"Well, it seems that the two of you have gone into space. I asked the Titans in Jump City where you were heading, and they told me," Cara's voice stated.
"I am going to kill that robot," Lightning grumbled.
"…Look, just don't get killed by any aliens, and we will not have a problem. If you two fight, I will hit you both. Oh, and Argent has a message from her mother, too. It is a mother's job to worry about her children because I gave birth to both of you. Please, just be safe. I love you both so much."
"…I cannot tell if she wants to throw us out a four story window again or embrace us in her bountiful love," Thunder murmured.
"I can never tell if she is planning on making us do even more chores," Lightning moaned.
The brothers sighed, slinking into their seats, ready to drift off to slumber. It was at that moment that the alarm suddenly shot off on the ship. Titans South and "Honorary Southie" Kole instantly went to work at trying to figure out what shot at them. Thunder and Lightning, ready to kill something for not being able to get some sleep, pressed random buttons and activated a random laser, which shot out at something. An explosion was seen in the distance.
"…Uh oh," Thunder muttered.
"What did I say about pressing anything?" Argent shrieked.
"We did not get any sleep! Be quiet, silver wretch!" Lightning hissed.
"Look, let's just talk things out with them. I'm certain they aren't too mad," Kid Flash urged.
Oh, they were mad. A few dozen Tamaranean lethal ships surrounded them. The one that was blasted at only suffered minimal damage to its hull. Immediately, their own lasers were out, ready to kill the Titans. Four very, very furious glares were situated on Thunder and Lightning. Both gulped, exchanging a worried look and apologized sheepishly.
"You two are so going to be our sacrifices," Jinx snarled.
"Follow us," one Tamaranean ordered. "Emperor Galfore would like to meet you."
"Galfore is the leader of Tamaran. He's the one that raised Starfire," Argent explained. "Just let me do the talking, and we'll be fine. Starfire also said that she spoke to her people and ordered to give us a place to stay."
"Hopefully they aren't hostile after what those two did," Jinx groaned.
"It was just an accident," Lightning muttered as Argent guided the ship to follow the Tamaraneans.
They approached Tamaran, staring intently to capture the planet's outer beauty. It appeared to be like a ball of candy, white and pink swirls on it. Looks of awe crossed their faces, exchanging glances as they came closer to Starfire's home planet.
"Start lowering," the same Tamaranean ordered, and Kole complied, throwing back a thruster.
"How can they invade our communication systems?" Thunder asked.
"Cyborg said that this ship is hooked by with some technology that can be allowed to communicate with other races. It gives them access to us, and us access to them," Kole replied as they started landing.
Lightning placed his hands against the glass oval that protected them. The world seemed to be in ruins with destroyed grounds and what looked like pollution in the sky. Lightning wondered if rain could be made with such horrid surroundings. He envisioned Starfire's world as beautiful, much like his precious world of Earth, with foliage covering the world and clear skies.
How can rain be made, brother, if there are no clouds? Lightning thought in worry.
Maybe it does not rain here, brother, Thunder offered, shrugging as they landed next to thousands of smaller aircrafts fit for one.
They Titans experimentally stepped out, facing a legion of Tamaran's finest soldiers with strange sorts of spears, swords and guns. Jinx narrowed her eyes to Thunder and Lightning, commenting that they certainly did a fine job. They glared sideways to her, ignoring the harshness of her words before gasping at the massive figure coming towards them.
Emperor Galfore gazed down at the Titans, observing each one of them before fixing his gaze on Argent. "Are you the leader?" he asked.
She nodded. "I am. My name is Argent, leader of Titans South. We're Starfire's friends as well."
Galfore nodded, gesturing for his guards to put down their arms, which they complied. "Fine, it is pleasant to meet the friends of my little bumgorf. She is certainly a dear, isn't she?"
"She is," Argent replied, smiling. "She also said that you'd house us in case we needed it, right?"
Galfore inclined his head, keeping his smile warm. "Come, we have much to speak of."
The members of Titans South followed Galfore and his guards throughout the grand halls of Tamaran's castle. Massive plants adorned the halls and glass windows resided on the walls. Royals gazed at them, murmuring amongst themselves. Thunder and Lightning watched them in interest, finding them to wear almost the exact same uniform as Starfire with slight variations.
Starfire was the princess of this world! Why would she give it up, brother? Lightning asked as a few guards opened the doors to the grand hall.
To stay united with her friends. Her home is now on Earth, Thunder explained with a soft grin.
"Now, I am certain that my little Star has told you about our customs, yes?" Galfore asked.
"Nope, never told us," Kid Flash stated.
"I see. Well, it is something that I invented for outsiders. Even though you are friends of Starfire, I do not believe she knows of the tragedy that occurred," Galfore grimly stated.
"What is the trouble?" Thunder asked in concern.
Galfore flashed him a hate-filled glower, narrowing his one good eye on him. "The H'san Natall attacked Tamaran earlier today. They attacked a remote area until it sent four savages to attack me directly," the emperor snarled. "Four savages that were Titans, H'san Natall and human hybrids: Hot Spot, Risk, Fringe, and their leader, Princess Prysm."
"They attacked you?" Kole cried in shock.
"She's got Hot Spot and Risk. That's why nobody can reach them," Argent announced in horror. "Listen, Emperor Galfore, I can take responsibility for them. Hot Spot and Risk have been brainwashed by Prysm, and I don't know what happened to Fringe either. It's King Ch'ah, he's your enemy!"
Galfore nodded, placing a hand on Argent's shoulder. "I know that, but you and them…" He gestured to Thunder and Lightning. "…are of their kin. I can tell that you three have honor and a sense of justice, but I cannot allow this to pass. Now that you have landed here, on Tamaran, they might come back."
The guards stepped forward, coming between the brothers and Argent from Kid Flash, Jinx and Kole. They raised their weapons, aiming, poised to kill if ordered. Kole shouted for Galfore to stop them, hands coming to her mouth. Galfore considered the bubblegum-haired heroine and her entreating eyes. He gazed over to Thunder, and a broad smirk came to his face.
"You, blue one, you seem like a strong young man," Galfore stated as Thunder blankly gazed at him.
"Uh, yes, I am. Thank you for your compliment," Thunder replied, bowing his head slightly.
"Excellent!" Galfore clapped his hands, separating his guards. A table appeared behind him, long and lean with a narrow body about a yard in width. "Come, we shall battle."
"You wish to battle my brother? Now?" Lightning questioned in shock. "What purpose will that serve? Not that I am doubting my brother's capabilities, and I know that he can defeat an elder like you."
"If your brother wins, Tamaran will be on your side and assist. If he fails, then we shall kick you all out. Tamaran's safety is in my hands," Galfore informed, stepping onto the table and moved to the back. He gestured to Thunder to come, and he did. "It is a test of strength. Whoever can shove his opponent off the edge, the back of the table, wins. I wish you the best of luck."
"As I wish you the same," Thunder replied as they both walked to the center of the table. "I must warn you. I am quite powerful."
"And I have seen wars upon wars. Do not doubt me," Galfore sneered, looking down to Thunder.
A royal-looking Tamaranean stepped beside the combatants in the middle of the table. Standing before them and upon Galfore's nod, he shouted something in Tamaranean, and Thunder looked to Galfore for a translation.
"He is saying that there is no time limit, and that words of encouragement from your friends is aloud. If it were anyone else, I would have them thrown out," Galfore explained.
The referee as Thunder referred to him as raised his arm. He knew the gesture, puffing out his chest and raised his arms as if to strike. Galfore remained still, glaring evenly at Thunder. Like his brother's element, the referee's arm came down and shouted something, signaling the beginning of the challenge.
Galfore snatched Thunder's arm, running back. Gasping, Thunder dug his heels into the table and grunted, resisting the powerful emperor's shoves. Thunder glanced down, finding that he shoved him a quarter of the way to the edge. Hissing, Thunder reared back and broke Galfore's grip, smashing into Galfore's waist and pushed the surprised alien back. However, Galfore snatched him by his helmet, whipped it off and snatched Thunder's ebony hair. Lifting Thunder over his shoulder, he slammed the elemental down onto the table and threw him forward. Thunder flopped along the table, nearing the edge from Galfore's former side.
"Oh, man, Thunder!" Kid Flash shouted. "You gotta get up!"
"Brother, if you do not get up, I will reveal to everyone what you sleep with at night!" Lightning cried.
Thunder's eyes shot over to Lightning in fear. His brother donned a victorious smirk with his arms crossed. Just as Lightning opened his mouth to speak, Thunder bolted to his feet and punched Galfore straight in the chest. Grunting as Thunder punched him across the face, Galfore snatched his wrist and delivered a blow to Thunder's cheek, but the elemental ducked his head just in time. Sliding through Galfore's legs, he snatched his ankles, swerved him to the edge, and dropped him. However, Galfore grasped the edge of the table, not touching the ground.
"Finish it, Thunder!" Jinx ordered.
Thunder stared down at Galfore as he struggled to remain in the battle. He hesitated, looking over to his friends sadly who stopped cheering at his somber gaze. Kneeling down before to Galfore, he offered his hand with a small grin. Staring incredulously at him, he grasped his hand tightly, and Thunder pulled the taller man to his feet. The Tamaranean emperor gazed down at Thunder intently, but also curiously. Thunder gulped inaudibly, wondering if he just ruined things for his friends.
"What is your name?" Galfore asked.
"I am Thunder."
"No, not your other name. Your real name."
Thunder flinched, recoiling slightly. No one asked him his true name ever. Not even Cara referred to him as Gan anymore as it brought horrid memories of their exile and lives before Titans. He shared a glance with Lightning who bit his lip.
"My…my name is Gan Williams," Thunder hesitantly replied.
"Gan Williams, you have a true spirit. You remind me much of Starfire." Galfore placed his hands on Thunder's shoulders, laughing jubilantly. "For such honor, I will allow your friends the comfort of the castle and whatever supplies they need. Prepare a feast!"
The guards raised their arms and cheered, and before Thunder knew it, Argent leaped onto the table and hugged him. "Aw, blue boy, you're the greatest!"
If Thunder's face could be any redder, it'd be the color of blood. Flustered, he awkwardly hugged her back and smiled. Ignoring the kissing faces by Kid Flash, he shot a beam at him that blasted the speedster into a wall. As Jinx went to pull him out, he noticed Lightning's expression.
Lightning's eyebrows were raised. Not out of fury, but of complete shock and awe. He hadn't been expecting for Argent to physically embrace Thunder out of total respect and maybe the "moment" was right. Lightning's chest suddenly contorted, and he turned away to face Jinx dragging Kid Flash to his feet and grasped his heart tightly. He took in a shaky breath and shook his head slightly.
"Zap?"
He looked down to Kole, clearing his throat. "Yes, crystal witch?"
Her cobalt eyes were large with worry as she tugged at his hand. "Are you okay? You seem out of it."
Shaking his head, he smirked. "I am Lightning. Why would I be 'out of it' as you say?" Patting her head, he snickered. "Run along, crystal witch, and find me a bedroom."
Kole wasted no time leaping up and smacking him over the head. "I'm not your maid! By the way, what does Thunder sleep with?"
Before Lightning could reply, Thunder placed his head on Lightning's shoulder, smiling demonically. Lightning cringed, returning the grin shakily as Thunder snatched his hand, still smirking.
"You were not about to say anything, Lightning," Thunder commanded, tapping his nose.
"Um…yes, I was not," Lightning stammered. "…He sleeps with a toy dog named Blackie!"
Lightning covered his mouth as Thunder gaped at him. He slowly backed away, apologizing as their friends slowly looked from him and then to Thunder. The corners of Thunder's mouth twitched upwards as he glared death to Lightning. Jinx dropped Kid Flash to the floor, and they still stared in shock at the blue elemental. Kole's mouth looked ready to unhinge itself.
"Wait…" Argent paused, stepping next to Thunder. "Your dog, is it about a foot long with black fur and a velvet ribbon?"
"Uh…yes," Thunder answered, still glaring Lightning who mentally apologized.
"Oh, wow! Blue boy, I have the same one!" Argent gushed.
"Wait, you…you do?" Thunder could have sworn his mind was playing tricks on him, but Argent's suddenly bubbly expression persuaded him otherwise.
"Yeah! I got her when I was about seven from this store that was going out of business. I call mine Ribbon," she explained, linking arms with him. "Hm, maybe they should get together and have a baby."
Lightning and Kole stared at them before Thunder and Argent turned and asked in unison, "What?"
"…You two have issues," Kole blandly stated.
"Indeed," Lightning concurred.
"Do not think you are safe, brother," Thunder hissed, ruffling Lightning's hair. "I will get you back."
"Well, consider that revenge for dropping me in the pool!" Lightning shot back as Thunder laughed.
"You dropped him in the pool? Ugh, if only I was there!" Argent pouted.
"You know, there's a security system," Jinx interjected, stepping up to them with Kid Flash. "Just watch that."
"Hey, good point," she jeered, black lips smiling.
Mental note to self: Destroy security system when venturing home, Lightning thought, growling.
Mental note to self: Stop Lightning from destroying the security system, Thunder thought, looking over to Lightning who gasped. We can hear each other's thoughts, remember?
"Oh, shut up, Thunder! How about you and the silver wretch just sleep in the same room?" Lightning spat, crossing his arms.
"…Okay," Argent complied, grasping Thunder's hand and began to drag him away. "Me and blue boy'll be in the same bedroom. Tell us when dinner's ready."
"I was merely kidding!" Lightning shrieked, waving his arm in the air as the British girl and Thunder disappeared in one of the mammoth hallways on the castle. "Sometimes, I question her sanity."
"I question your sanity everyday," Kid Flash sneered as Lightning glared at him.
"Okay, so they're off doing heaven knows what. What do we do?" Jinx asked.
Galfore, who had been watching his loyal subjects prepare the dinner table where he and Thunder just stood, overheard. "Would you all like to be shown your respective rooms?"
"We've been traveling through space for a while. It would be nice, so thanks!" Kole jeered, smiling.
Galfore led them down the same hallway Thunder and Argent vanished into. Surrounding them were tall doors with strange weapons and training grounds for warriors to battle in. Lightning glanced down over to them, finding them to be amusing to watching into Kole sighed and snatched his arm, dragging him away.
"But I was watching them attempt to kill each other," he whined as Kole slapped him in the shoulder.
"You're such a man-child," Kole muttered.
"What did you refer to Lightning as?" Lightning shrieked, glaring at her.
"…Are they married?" Galfore asked, stopping them instantly.
Kid Flash belted with laughter as Jinx chuckled into her palm. Kole paled considerably as Lightning looked ready to faint. Slapping him on the back, Kid Flash snickered as walked on with Galfore who appeared extremely confused. Kole forced herself to walk, too much in shock that anyone would even insinuate she and Lightning were in a relationship. She accidentally walked into a wall, still in electrified shock as Lightning quietly ushered her away from the wall.
"There is no chance that I am ever going to hook up with that guy!" Kole shouted, pointing to Lightning.
"Oh, well, you are clearly too self-absorbed to notice my charm," Lightning sneered.
"You blew up the mailman because he thought you were Kid Flash!"
"It was a mistake on his part that was infuriating! How anyone can believe I am that sonic fool is clearly mad." Lightning crossed his arms and huffed, turning away.
Kid Flash rolled his eyes, snatching Lightning by his hair and forced him to follow Galfore and the girls. "C'mon, Mr. Big Shot, don't get your shorts in a bunch."
Lightning snorted, rolling his eyes and detangled himself. He glanced over his shoulder, wondering why Argent dragged his beloved brother. Whenever he thought of them together, his chest constricted. It was an unknown feeling invading his heart, dividing himself, but he knew the emotion somewhat.
He never felt this much envy before in his life. Sure, he had petty jealousies against Kid Flash for being faster, but they were still friends. It was like somebody came between them and began to rip through the brothers' bond. Thunder and Argent were usually working closely together whenever it wasn't him and Lightning. Strange pangs aroused in Lightning's chest whenever it occurred, making him feeling sick with his stomach twisting like he was bloated.
"And these will be your chambers," Galfore announced, bringing Lightning back to reality.
The beds were large, covered in fine, silk and violet linins. Galfore explained that purple was the color of honor and prosperity on Tamaran, which is why everyone wore it. Kid Flash dove for the bed, instantly curling up as Jinx kicked off her shoes and thanked Galfore. Kole yawned, nodding sleepily to him as thanks and chose a bed.
"You, yellow one," Galfore stated as Lightning started to venture in, "may we speak?"
"Certainly. I see no harm," Lightning replied, stepping outside with Galfore.
"Your eyes are filled with sadness. What is the matter?" When Lightning looked down and sighed through his nose, Galfore gave him a tender smile that reminded the elemental of his beloved other father, Chan To, the man who helped raise the brothers and control their powers. "I have helped raise three young ones, Blackfire, Starfire, and Wildfire. Anything you say to me will be sworn to secrecy unless volatile like plotting to kill."
"It is nothing of the sort. My brother has been with that silver wretch, I mean, Argent, and it is making me feel…peculiar," Lightning admitted, shrugging. "I have never felt this way before. We are always together, and he has just run off with her. I am…sad."
Galfore gave him a sympathetic smile, placing a hand on his shoulder. "But you and Thunder are connected in such a way that they cannot be. Remember this, blood goes back to blood. Brothers go back to brothers no matter what. When Blackfire escaped from jail a year ago, do you know what she did?"
Lightning shook his head.
"Why, she went back to Earth and asked Starfire for forgiveness for her horrible deeds against her, her friends and Tamaran. My little bumgorf forgave her without a second thought. She and their little brother, Wildfire, are currently reconnecting, and he is going to be my heir," Galfore informed. "Do you see, young one? If anything goes wrong, Thunder will always go back to you."
Lightning nodded, smiling. "I understand. Thank you for your kindness."
Ruffling Lightning's hair, Galfore gave a mighty laugh. "Do not worry about it! I have seen much sibling envy and rivalry that I cannot live a day without it! Now, about you and the little pink-haired girl…"
"We are not in a relationship! Why does everything believe that?" Lightning spat, crossing his arms.
"It is obvious that you two are harboring secret admirations towards each other."
"Never! She is the crystal witch!"
"I can hear you, Zap!" Kole shouted from within the room.
"Oh, blast it all," Lightning mumbled. "Do not start with me, woman!"
"Sexist," Jinx bluntly snapped from her bed as Kid Flash started to snore softly.
"…I really hate my team," Lightning growled, stepping into the room.
Galfore chuckled, rolling his eyes. "Sleep well. You will feast tomorrow."
…
Galfore was awesome in the series. I wish they used him more, but like Thunder and Lightning, he was dumped. Bawww. So, please review!