Konnichiwa minna! Damn… I guess my coursework caught up with me so much that I've neglected this story even more. But, I was determined to update today because it is of course, Valda's Birthday! She's now seventeen! YAY! Standard disclaimer. Warning for language and… well, the surprise. Enjoy.
Red Crystals Aren't Always Red Rubies…

I wish I had an angel for one moment of love… I wish I had your angel tonight!

The solitaire, ghostly pale sphere floated dimly in the midst of a musky covering blocking its path. A shrill breeze whipped through the atmosphere, scattering the fallen leaves into the empty eerie edges of darkness. Mist arose sharply and thickly until it formed a dense fog, eventually enveloped the dilapidated church in a shroud of cloud. Numb, knackered and naked, the Tamaranian lay helplessly in submission, staring in disbelief.

"Robin." Reassured. More confident. Focused. Her heart hammered as she caught the glare of both adversaries, one trying to intimidate the other, neither succeeding. Slade (Favian) grinned slowly as he crept around the altar where her body lay. A sinister laughter could be traced in his featured, as masculine and subtle as they were, the malice was there, simmering, like a volcano ready to erupt, but always waits, lays dormant and spills its lava in quiet flows. But silence is deadly. The masked Titan stood engaged, ready to pounce in his battle stance, but knew that brash actions were not to going to win the fight, nor ensure Starfire's safety. He had to think fast… and he had to move fast. The amount of blood escaping from her warrior physic could prove to be fatal. But he couldn't shake off the familiar feeling of the stranger before him. The shimmer of silver-white hair caught him off-guard. And the gold ring wrapped around his finger on his left hand left more baffling questions. He narrowed his eyes.

"Who are you?"

"Robin."

"I know who I am. Now who are you? And what do you want with Starfire? She's done nothing to you. She's innocent!"

"Is she now?" Favian whispered in a sultry tone that reverberated through Starfire's core, shaming her, almost within an inch to her soul. The burning heat of bile bubbled into her throat before subsiding back into her liver. Her internal organs mimicking the thought pattern of her mind. She could feel Favian's eyes boring into her very flesh.

"Who are you!" He questioned again.

"Ah, but are you Richard, Robin?" Robin froze at his words. "It's intriguing how you think you can separate two identities, with that simple plastic-latex that covers your eyes and eyebrows. Do you own the mask or does the mask own you? Are you in control? And if you are not, then maybe you should be able to tell which one decided to leave the sheltered hero life that Batman offered. Which one decided to start the Titans and give hope to the citizens of Jump City. Which one decided to befriend the Titans and treat them like family. And which… I wonder… which one of you gave this lovely specimen that blood ruby choker?" Favian intelligently queried, fingering the blood ruby in his palm. As Robin stood in deep thought, his masked eyes trained on both Favian and Starfire, Favian revealed the ruby and made sure that it glinted in the Titan's eye. "Such a beautiful gem, isn't it?" Robin's head twitched.

"You've already done it. Haven't you? You MONSTER!" A crack of lightning and two staffs flashed in the sudden illumination, charging towards each other. WHACK! Each move, synchronised, symmetrical and perfectly matched. The high swings and the low blows, the mid-section jabs and the vaulting slams. Blood pulsed furiously in Robin's ears as he came to realise the full scale of torment that Starfire must have went through… and how he didn't protect her. He swung deeply at Favian's legs in order to land him on his back. Favian simply back flipped, kicking Robin twice in the jaw and shoulder, sliced through with his staff that both winded the Titan and knocked him off his feet.

"Monster?" Favian blinked behind his shades. "Now that's one I haven't heard in a while." He sneered as he whipped out a blade and struck it down Robin's cheek. A crimson line formed solidly until it dribbled out of control. Enraged, Robin leapt and met with Favian, bound for bound, strike for strike in a series of mid-air slash attacks. His torso rotated as he propelled himself in the air, unfortunately to him, Favian was to steps ahead and evaded him with a simple back hand-spring and roundhouse kick to his back. Grunting, Robin retaliated with another series of hit and misses with his staff. Frustrated at not being able to land a single blow, he turned his bird-a-rangs into miniature swords and ricocheted them off the walls and near Favian's face. In his defence, Favian whipped up and chain and swung it repeatedly, meeting each sword with a satisfying CHINK. Infuriated, the Boy Wonder lunged and reached for the chain, somersaulted and rotated. As a result, Favian faltered and allowed himself to be slammed into the opposing wall. He chuckled. And lunged towards Robin.

Exhausted, confused… and still a little bit libidinous…

'I believe the word you're looking for is… horny.'

'Ugh. Must you pester me now?'

'You're naked, bored, alone and you have two hot guys fighting over you… Why shouldn't I pester you?'

'You got me in this mess in the first place!'

'Correction! If you have just kissed Roy, Speedy whatever, you would only have Raven to deal with and your friendship with her is much more important than such ginger dick head that is impotent.'

'He is not impotent… He can use a bow and arrow.'

'But it missed your heart darlin' and has shattered countless others. Besides, I meant impotent in a different way.'

'Why are you here?'

'To add length to this chapter of your life while fate decides what is going to happen.'

'I wish that you would disappear.'

'I think that you have other problems to consider.'

'Such as?'

'…'

'This is not funny. Please just tell me.'

'Hey, I do not control fate, the divine being does… It's all preordained many months ago and decided to happen now. But I do now what is going to happen in this instant.'

'What? I do not like being naked.'

'Such a liar, and you knight in shining armour is here.'

'Huh?'

"Beautiful night isn't it Cutie?" The red crossed bandit chuckled as he gazed appreciatively at her well endowed bust. In his memorisation, he delicately caressed it and looked deeply into her eyes. Starfire, still shameless smiled but tried hard not to bare her teeth or moan in response to him in Robin's presence. She studied his face for a full two minutes amidst all the clashing of fists and kicks. She couldn't read his eyes any more; just the way he worked his jaw around her… trying to evade temptation. But then something released and he raised his wrist, operated his X-blade and tore apart the chains that held her in place. Carefully dabbing the wounds that had already been inflicted on her, he took off his cape and shirt and put it on her so that she could retain some dignity. They stared at each other intently the whole time, no more words came. Starfire glanced over to where Robin was fighting Favian (Slade), whatever, that person had robbed an experience which she could probably never regain. Silently, she let Red X take her away and transport her into the woods.

-X-

"So Dudes. Are we seriously gonna stand around and do nothing?"

"Well, what do you think we should do short-stuff?" Aqualad retorted. Beast Boy shrugged.

"I just want some action damn it!" A shiny mass of stars propelled their way through the misty atmosphere and landed erect in the stone wall and the grassy land at the Titans feet.

"You just had to ask." Raven sighed monotonously. A sheepish grin made its way to the Changeling's face before the vague shadows of the Ninja's made an appearance. With a native battle cry – though they are usually silent – the Ninjas charged with deadly stealth, twisting and rotating through the air like fairies, striking hard and fast like vipers.

"TITANS GO!" Cyborg roared as he operated his sonic canon to full blast, robbing the Ninjas coming towards him of two senses that were vital to their combat scenarios. Temporarily blinding them, he charged and slammed fiercely on their necks, making them slump to the ground. Revved up, he side skipped and dodged the next Ninja's quick wrists of num-chunks and chains. Not being blessed with equal agility in his cumbersome form of mental and flesh, he quickly analysed the Ninjas weakness. He had left his mid-section exposed, so one powerful, but well-directed kick should do it. Problem was, Ninjas were trained to read their opponents minds… More temporary blindness was in order.

Aqualad was having less luck. Not that agility was a problem, but he bruised really easily and painful blemishes and blotches were not something he wanted on his perfected physique. While blocking every blow that was taken towards him with equal precision, he mentally cursed and called for assistance as he was getting his ass kicked… or his muscles mangled. Even though fashion black was a very slimming colour, and he couldn't clearly see how much bulk was underneath, he could certainly feel it through contact. Not keen on having any more bruises, the Water Manipulator conjured a torrent out of the near by river and gave the Ninjas a knowing smirk. Surf's up.

"Bee. Behind you!" The Changeling yelled as five Ninjas hurtled (flew) through the sky swirling and twirling chains in a deadly manner. Shrinking in size, Bee managed to time and drive through the first four but the wind suction from the fifth caught her off-guard and forced her to regain full size before she was honey. Ducking and diving each attack, she charged up her B-Lasers and zapped through the weak chain links until she had shortened the chain so much that the Ninja's glove glowed red with heat. Frowning, the Ninjas yelled and jabbed her repeatedly causing her first layers of skin to break in various places. Alright sugar… No one makes me bleed. Seeing red hot ambers, she transformed her B-Lasers into a highly charged amber laser whip. Let's see if you can dance.

The Changeling transformed into a tiger and repeatedly slashed through the clothing of the various Ninjas that approached him. Whenever a tranquillising dart became embedded in his leg, he would transform into a bull to both stave off the effects and horn the Ninjas that shot him. Staving off the effects was the only part that seemed to work for him. Returning into a tiger, he cursed himself for not being able to turn into a dragon, to give them something to really afraid of. But alas, dragons didn't exist anymore and since he hadn't had the experience of meeting one… he couldn't transform into one. He needed to be a predator that could equal their agility and both freeze them in their tracks. Cobra… He transformed into a cheetah, then quickly changed direction and form into the king of all snakes, piercing the flesh of a Ninjas and paralysing him instantly. I bet none of you are snake charmers!

Still annoyed by her ex-boyfriend's attitude, Raven had taken to the treetops where the Ninjas appeared to be flying through the leaves. At first it alarmed her, but then after recalling House of Flying Daggers, she realised that they were only manipulating their surroundings to their advantage. Well, she had an advantage too. They decided to surround her and then attack. She could have yawned at how many times sophisticated robots had tried to captured her by doing that. They all leapt and aimed their swords at her throat, but she simply disappeared and left a dark swirling vortex in their path… Raven didn't smile though… it was taken over by the curiosity in her amethyst eyes. A flash of red and ginger had jetted from the Ninjas and into the woods, where the undergrowth was thick and the woods were dense.

-X-

THUMP. CRACK. SNAP. Various weapons complimented and shattered the blows that they had to deliver to inflict pain on the other warrior. Carnage lay in fragments and clumps. Shards had pierced the Boy Wonder's flesh but had left no imprint on Favian's. A sinister grin seemed fixed on his features, smug and satisfied and drinking every ounce of rage that Robin was promoting. Patiently, almost idly Favian stepped back and waited for Robin to catch his breath. The Titan seemed to be breathing so heavily that he had to keep up his alluring appearance, which meant feigning being a good sport. But then again, replicating good-doers never was his thing. He contemplated this thought while Robin came at him hard and fast, swiping at every point of weakness known to man. Of course, the sudden impact hurt, it always did, but he wasn't about to let some headstrong, teenage Dick – pun intended – know that he was causing pain.

"Tired so soon?"

"I never tire when twisted psychos are parading in a church." The Titan leader spat.

"So you truly believe that God is on your side. I bet this is the first time you've stepped in a church since you were a child." The statement hit a chord, and it was evident in the workings of Robin's jaw.

"You have no idea what you're talking about."

"Don't I? The poor child who grew up in the circus. Th poor child who should have died at the circus. But a twist of fate spared his life and sacrificed his parents. The last time you saw your mother was when she was cold, icy and she couldn't cuddle up to her little Robin and tell him that everything would be okay and that Daddy had only gone out to repair his motorbike."

"How do you know all of this?" Robin raged, disgusted that his secret past was not so secret anymore. The only person who had revealed such sensitive history from him was Raven. And as sure as hell she wouldn't have told a soul.

"One psycho took away your parents. You became an orphan, and by some saintly twist of fortune, you were welcomed into a billionaire's home and with a British butler to match his affluence. You went from humble beginnings to recognition in every shop newspaper. Then the funeral came."

"Tell me how you know all of this!!" Robin raged and started to attack him again, physically repelling the invasion on his privacy.

"You went to that funeral, said goodbye to your parents, for you would never re-visit them again. You swore that you would never step inside a church. But karma always made sure that you would return and you found yourself in a church numerous times."

"Shut up. Just shut the fuck up!" Robin screamed, his ears practically bleeding in his anger.

"Another psycho took away the love of you life and took away a moment that you thought would be yours entirely. But I guess the angels just weren't making sure that you would always have that right. That privilege that you hand-craved in your dreamings of a hormonal teenager. You turned your back on God… what makes you think that He will be there for you now?"

Robin growled venomously while slicing his sword through the air to gain momentum. Then something snapped as he thrust it through Favian's abdomen. No shock-horror expressions were present. Only that of total wrathful torment and of total calm malevolence. Favian grinned and Robin scowled.

"He always forgives. Even scum like you."

"I knew you would snap."

"I told you to shut up." Pure venom escaped the Titan's tight lips.

"Just a matter of time."

"How did you find out?"

"When you would find the strength to take a life."

"How do you know?!"

"I was there. In the audience. I was there. I let him in. I let that psycho in. gave him the ticket to play God and command fate. I knew he had a bomb."

"You son-of-a-bitch!" Furious and blinded with hatred, Robin harshly poked two pressure points on Favian's neck and shoulder. "The blood circulation to your brain has just been cut off. You have forty seconds to live. Give me the ruby."

Still carrying a smug grin, Favian stepped back so that his body was free of the sword impaling it, and uncovered the blood ruby. "Here. Take it." Robin looked wary before he reached for it, only to have it shattered to pieces in front of his eyes. The shards dropped like glass. Then it dawned on him.

"It was fake. None of it was real. Why?"

"I have what I wanted. And you have what you wanted. She's free. She's seventeen."

"What were you after!"

"All will be revealed in due course. I just needed to know who you were."

"WHO ARE YOU!" Robin demanded lividly. Favian satirised in his face and threw the remains of the choker in his face. A few red-tinted shards grazed his cheek drawing blood. Suddenly, a circle of Ninjas appeared around him, giving him no clear path to an exit.

"This church is called The Valley. I hope you enjoy the farewell committee. Another day… Richard." And he was gone. Flabbergasted and frustrated about the whole ordeal, he bared his teeth to the Ninjas.

"I hope you packed a lot of herbal tea."

-X-

The lunar celestial body had now been overpowered by dark, menacing clouds that omitted most of the moon's light. But the weakened rays still reached the dense wood and thick undergrowth. The foreign rustles of footsteps surged ands rippled through the shadowed leaves as two figures raced through, searching for a secluded area to rest without the presence of other human beings… or beings relatively close to human intelligence. Flashes of darken crimson, a dulled cape and bare flesh could be seen through the openings of trees. Not paying not attention where they were going, twigs and low branches scratched and scraped at their exposed skin while vines coiled at their ankles, threatening to make them buckle and trip. Panic increased as another clap of thunder broke through the atmosphere. Fork-lightning struck the high branches, directly above them and caused them to catch fire and crumble in ashes. Reaching a small and sheltered clearing, they slowed their pace to a halt and composed themselves enough to collapse on the damp ground.

She panted and gulped, tightening the cape around herself as repercussions of the hour before continuously crawled through her flesh. Each additional noise emitting from the dark unknown sent her pulse racing… She felt like she was being watched, but her mind focused on her ordeal. Through her torture she had had a conversation with two demons. Her physical one and her mental one. She wanted to burn the images away. Gauge her eyes out and make them innocent again… But innocence would never be hers to regain… Never.

As if sensing her pain, he crept slowly towards her and gently put his arm around her and let her weep. But no sound came, but the forth coming of miniscule tidal waves… but they never toppled the safety barrier of her eyelashes. She balled her fist and softly thumped Red X's bare chest. Embarrassed. Ashamed. Abashed. Mortified. She had completely lost control. Whenever there was peril she had never lost control… Well, maybe she had lost control at one point or another, but another Titan was always in control and made sure that circumstances did not get out of control. But it did… and the Titans weren't in control… She had lost control… and she had lost an experience she couldn't regain. Her hand flattered out on X's left peck and rubbed it unconsciously. His calloused hand took hold of her soft one and he explored her endless emerald pools. He kissed her temple. "Let me take the pain away." One kiss to her uncertain lips and Starfire let herself go.

She let herself be enveloped in his arms, his strong embrace. Their tongues lavished each other's, yearning something that was stolen from them, but another window of opportunity had opened, and they were going to take it. Fuelled with passion, X ripped his shirt of her semi-bleeding body. The Chinese and Spanish symbols echoed through her torso but had eluded her ample bust. Raked with hunger, he cupped her left breast and suckled it endlessly. Closing her eyes, she allowed her palms and fingers to wander around his biceps, triceps, deltoids, trapezius, abdominals and latissimus. He still had half his mask on and she only had the privilege of raking her fingers through the stubborn curls that tufted out of his mask. After he had suckled her right breast he returned to her lips and pulled her up to stand with him. In avidness, he pressed her up against a tall and wide tree trunk that supported her back as he lifted her up. She automatically responded by wrapping her long, injured legs around his ripped waist.

He still had his mask on. Meaning he was still Red X. A criminal. Someone she should have control over… not the other way around. Opening her eyes, she placed her lips on his exposed neck while her body grew warm and wet. So much so that he could feel her against his abdomen. He moaned at the sensation and fondled her breasts while kissing her shoulder, making sure not to give her a love-bite back. Still craving for control, she pushed against the tree and forced him to the ground. Leaning over him, she looked at him sincerely. He looked at her curiously. "Do you want this?" She nodded feverously and kissed him with passion. He grinned into the kiss but when he tried to flip her over, she wouldn't have any of it. She broke and leaned in close to his ear while relieving him of skin-tight trousers and boxers.

"I need to be in control…" she whispered, nuzzling his neck while he contemplated a reply. Why she asked, he could understand since she had lost control so completely earlier… how she asked, he just couldn't grasp. Though her words were demanding, her tone of voice wasn't… and it captivated him. His right palm cupped her derrière while her used his left to guide her lips back to his. "I'm all yours…" He ushered with equal sincerity. Smiling lightly, she searched out for his shaft and delicately impaled herself on it… She was joined with him and they moaned simultaneously at the contact. The sensation rippled through them and a simple, sultry peace quivered through their bodies. Methodically, she gyrated on him, so much so that she could feel him probing deep within her soul. Panting hard, she knew that she didn't have enough energy left she leaned over and kissed him, catching him off-guard and pulled him on top of her. He opened his mouth in surprised but she merely raised her hips towards his, beckoning him to carry on. He pulsated slowly, before gaining confidence in her request and thrusted into her powerfully. Star arched her back and released her first pleasure filled moan that was beyond her control, while a large clap of thunder resonated and the menacing clouds opened up to the heavens. Chill pellets fell frantically through the canopy and to the forest floor. "X…"

-X-

"Bastard!" It was the only thing going through his mind. All the Ninjas had been successfully knocked out with broken bones and bleeding noses. But he didn't care about them. A perfect stranger had just analysed his life. A had it down to last, faintest crack of logical meaning. He was livid, vexed and exhausted. And Starfire was nowhere in sight. Permanent daggers shined on his face as he focused his gaze at the altar where her blood stained the gold filigree. Working his jaw, he marched to the front door and exited the Valley Church. In his wake he saw most of the Titans and Ninjas fallen at their feet. They were waiting for him, but smiles and cheers weren't all around.

Aqualad had taken quite a pounding, a few bruised ribs, maybe a fractured radius and dislocated jaw. Bumble Bee had skin lacerations all over her exposed body. A possible slipped disc at the point where she was smoothing her back. Beast boy left leg looked a little crooked, maybe his fibula had snapped. Raven had a few puncture wounds to her abdomen, and the odd cut and bruise on her arm. Cyborg's battery was low and his armour had taken quite a battering… but nothing that he couldn't fix. All the more it proved the point that the Titans were not invincible or invulnerable. They were mortal… and bruises and broken bones were an occurrence that they would have to deal with inevitably.

"Robin… How did it go?" Cyborg asked, not really wanting to know the answer, but if it saved his leader from brooding, he was willing to take the risk.

"Terrible. That psycho raped her, he knew my entire life story and now I can't even find her. And he got away." He mumbled through bared teeth. Silence enveloped the Titans as the moments settled around them to let the information sink in.

"We have to find her."

"I know."

"Have any of you seen Red X?" Robin questioned. The Titans all shook there heads. Before Robin could growl, Raven stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I think I know where Starfire is."

-X-

The leaves were soaked with blood and sweat and steam arose, forming a warming blanket of water vapour around her shivering form. Instinctively, she rolled over, but only to find a bare patch of grass and the temperate covering of Red X's cape. Footsteps crept forward and a smile broke on her lips, but faded as she realised the man before her was wearing a different mask. "Speedy? W…What are you doing here?" He frowned.

"Don't think I didn't see you Starfire. You might as well stab all the Titans in the back for what you've just done here." He smiled and then sliced his stomach, a shallow cut but it nicked a vein the way his he wanted it too. "Now baby… You didn't see a thing." In an instant, his thumb jabbed her collar bone and knocked her out. With his own blood, he coated one of his arrows and snapped the others before feigning concern over Starfire's motionless body. More footsteps resounded.

"Starfire!"

"Over here!" Speedy called, looking grimly into the woods. The Titans all ran over towards him and tried hard not to gasp at Starfire's form. All asking the same question. Their answer came in the form of a cough from the Tamaranian's mouth and a wave of relief washed over them. Cyborg checked her vitals and confirmed that she would be okay and lifted her up. But Robin remained sceptical and looked puzzled on Speedy's gloved hands. As did Raven.

"Why do you have blood on your hands Speedy?" He asked. Speedy looked at him sternly, transferred his glance to Raven who tried hard not to make eye contact and then to the ground before retuning to Robin's icy, leadership stare.

"… I killed Red X."

-X-


So, did you like the surprise? I can't believe I actually finished it. Well, Valda, hope you had a wonderful birthday… again! Special thanks for all the reviewers! Teen freak, Stormy Midnight, Valda, Crimson Black, Spread-My-Wingz-And-Soar, Billie-Joe-is-hotter-than-you-will-ever-be, RedXStarRob, 'rEd RoSe-StArFiRe-RoSeFiRe', Lauren, Rose, The First Angel, skye668, culpurnia, RobinStarfire, CereittanyPrincess15, Hot Chick and SIMI!

Anyway, the next chapter will be the last chapter of this story and my MP3 player has just died on me. I will warn you in advance. I'll probably put a cliff hanger on the last chapter… and here is a possibility that I won't update from that. Unless Valda hits me.

Keep it real… HAPPY BIRTHDAY VALDA!

D-I-WaRrIa