Disclaimer says Kira no own Titans or other Characters 'cept Derrick, duuuuh!
Chapter 7: Evil's Might
The trip back to the house was quiet, and heavy. Blackfire walked in the front of the group, Starfire just a bit behind her. Derrick followed, providing that barrier of safety that Blackfire needed from Nightwing. I don't care what you think, Dick. Komand'r needs a second chance. A new try, like I got. As the locks clicked, Blackfire rushed into the house, relaxing on the couch that she has recently claimed her own. Derrick signaled for Nightwing to follow him into the basement, and when Starfire watched them go, Blackfire helped her relax. "Derrick does all his discussion with heroes down there."
...
Derrick instantly threw Nightwing into the dojo, walking in behind him and tossing off his shoes and socks. "So, what the hell is your problem, Dick?" Derrick said as he took a low Jiu-jitsu stance. "Why are you so hell-bent on hurting Komand'r?" Waiting for Nightwing to dash in, Derrick took the first punch, letting Nightwing let off some steam.
"Do you KNOW what she did to Kori, Derrick? What she did to all of us?" Derrick grasped the next punch in a light counter, spinning Nightwing into one of the walls of the dojo and pinning him there. "She told me, Derrick. She tried framing Kori for theft, then tried forcing her to marry against her will." Derrick let him go, waiting for the next strike. It hit him right in the chin. ""Then why do you defend her?" The hero asked. Derrick rubbed his chin and rose from the ground.
"Because I love her and because I also have done wrong. You forgave me, why can you not forgive her?" Nightwing dashed forward, pinning Derrick to the wall. "Why must you always be so damn… right!" He slumped at the last word. "I want to be angry at her, even though it's illogical. It goes against all I've been taught!" He raged continuously, as Derrick avoided the sloppy punches. "Why do I feel like this?"
Derrick caught his fist and looked directly in Nightwing's eyes. "You are only human, after all. We hate, even when it isn't necessary. This is a truth people want to forget."
In the living room, the two alien sisters caught up, although there was still much hostility between them. "Thank you, sister." Blackfire suddenly said, catching Starfire by surprise. "What do you mean, Blackfire?" The dark haired princess smiled at her younger sister. "For giving me another chance… I didn't deserve one."
"I didn't want to, Blackfire. I came here with all intentions of crushing you until you couldn't bother me or my friends again…" Blackfire's eyes went wide. "…what could have possibly changed your mind? The last time you had that much emotion raging inside, you nearly destroyed the Citadel by yourself!"
"Derrick did… he's one of the few non-hero earthlings that I respect." She pointed to a family picture. "And it's even more so for Nightwing, considering Derrick was once one of the original Teen Titans." Blackfire's eyes widened at that. "He was a Hero? But… he acts as if he was a reformed criminal." Starfire smiled sadly at her sister. "I don't know what happened, but I do know… he was forcefully kicked from the Junior Leaguers after a mission with Nightwing. Neither has told me the details."
"It's something Derrick regrets…" Blackfire said. "That, I'm sure of." Starfire nodded. With the serious tone ended, Blackfire gave a wicked smile. "So… you and Bird Boy?"Star blushed at that comment. "It's strange how easily earthlings can seem to tame us, isn't it?" The younger of the sisters placed her hand on her stomach, smiling. "And it seems… we are compatible."
Blackfire's eyes widened. "No way!"
...
"So what's your game this time, Derrick?" Dick Grayson said, taking off his mask and costume in order to relax a bit. "I doubt you helped her for no reason. You always have a reason." Derrick laughed, turning his chair to face one of the many monitors embedded into the basement walls. So this is his new base, huh? I guess it's like Bruce said, you really can't ever leave this life."Well? Are you going to answer?"
"I don't need to, Dick. You've already deduced why I did, and you're right, to a point." Derrick sighed. "Emotions are such a troublesome thing… but they make life interesting, at least." He watched the monitor in front of him, which caught his eye earlier. A man walked along the highway outside town. "Wait a minute…. He's walking along the highway… but there's nothing out that way, the closest town from here is four hours by car."
Derrick opened the locked weapon closet, pulling out a strange looking revolver and a long rifle. Dick instantly grabbed his shoulder. "What's the deal? It's probably some hunter who got lost in the forest."
Derrick pointed to the screen. "First, he's not wearing Camouflage. Second, he's not holding any weaponry. Third, no hunter in their right mind would go out into THAT forest without provisions, he doesn't even have a backpack."
"Power Rings let people disguise themselves, remember? It could be Sinestro." Dick grimaced. "And what if it is, Derrick? What will you do?"
"I'll protect my Gend'an, that's what." Derrick said with a cold stare, just before running up the stairs and out the door.
A/N: A short chapter with some mild drama and a few intriguing concepts. The main part of the story is coming in the next few chapters, so stay tuned/
