Chapter 9
[Back on Earth]
While the T-Ship was fighting for its life, the other Titans were concerned. The approaching fleet had indeed taken the bait and followed the T-Ship to Tamaran. Galfore had kept the Titans appraised of the situation, until the invasion forces had destroyed the transmitter, that is. Needless to say, Robin was concerned. His closest friends were out in harm's way because there wasn't enough room to carry them all.
"Senor Robin," Menos asked in Spanish, "Do not worry, Senor Cyborg will bring them home."
"Easy for you to say," Robin replied after David translated, "Your girlfriend isn't out there."
"Starfire can handle herself, Robin," Aqualad said, "She's a fighter and she got the best backup available, right?"
"I still should have gone," Robin objected, "I've handled Tamaranian guards before."
"I think you got lucky that time," Bee said, "Let it go, man and have faith that they'll be OK. Once the League gets back and resupplied, they'll go help. I know they're happy you have that Dragon on your team, if not jealous that he didn't join the League."
"Well, considering that Edward is still technically a new guy, his experience is worth having," Robin said.
"Senor Eduardo?" Mas said.
"Yes," Robin said, "bet you guys have no idea how old he is."
"No idea," Bee said, "He doesn't look that old, though."
David chuckled, "You'd be surprised."
"Oh, I'd say about 30," Bee said. David roared with laughter, "Way off, Bumblebee! Put it this way. I was born on July 4, 1776, so how could…"
He stopped when the others, save Robin, dropped their jaws.
"Much higher, guys," David said, enjoying the looks.
"1500?" Aqualad said. Robin said, "Higher."
"1750?" Bee said. David: "Keep going."
"2500?" Mas Y Menos chirped. Robin: "Getting warmer."
"3000?" Speedy asked. Both Robin and David said, "Right."
"Dang, that's old," Bee said, "Why doesn't he look old?"
"Immortality has its advantages," David said, "Being a shapeshifter helps as well."
"Immortal?" Speedy asked.
"Yep, Dad's immortal," David said.
"Are you?" Speedy asked.
"No," he said, "My mom was a reptilian shapeshifter and she was mortal. Dad at one time thought she was immortal due to her rapid healing, but, she passed in the early 1800s."
"So, there was compatible DNA, then?" Robin guessed.
"Obviously," David said.
"So, if Raven and your dad 'do it', their DNA isn't compatible," Aqualad asked.
"That, we don't know," David said.
I wonder if the AI would have any ideas," Robin said and typed in some commands into his console.
"I'm sorry, Robin," the AI said, "That information is private and encrypted to Edward's voiceprint."
"Well, at least Edward was researching the idea," Robin said.
"What about if Beast Boy and Terra want to have kids?" Bee asked.
The AI responded, "There is a 99% probability that Beast Boy's DNA, being a shapeshifter, would be compatible with Terra."
"Then, it's likely that Edward's DNA would adapt to be compatible with Raven," Robin said.
They chatted a while longer before the communication system chimed.
Arella was manning the system, hoping to hear something from her daughter. She hid any disappointment when Batman was on the other end.
"The League has returned," he said, "Needless to say, no one's happy that this was a wild goose chase. The warrant for Lobo was proven to be a false plant, as was a broadcast to lure Lobo into the Grand Centauri Empire. At last word, Lobo had diverted away and was heading for Tamaran as well. He's not happy."
"I'd bet," Robin said, stepping into view, "The question is will he help the Titans or assume our teammates are in on this scheme?"
"He's going to be looking for whoever is responsible, Robin," Batman replied, "He tends to be a rogue most of the time, but, the few times he's helped the League, he was on our side. He's temperamental, though. Not unlike Edward, actually. If your teammates can convince Lobo that they had nothing to do with this, he's reliable enough. But, he won't take orders."
"That will work in our favor, then," Robin said, "We suspect that Blackfire is behind all this and as this is a Grand Centauri Empire matter, Lobo might want to take her back himself."
"Count on that," Green Lantern said as he came into view, "They have issued a valid arrest warrant for Blackfire and attached a reward. It's not anywhere near as large as the false flag, but, the Lantern's database entry on Lobo says that as he was made a fool of, he's going to want that bounty badly. As long as your guys don't horn in on the bounty, Lobo should work with your folks."
"Will the Lantern Corp get involved?" Robin said.
"That's part of my sector, so, I will be going to keep an eye on things," he said, "If your guys get in over their heads, I'll intervene. You have my word."
Robin sighed in relief. The word of a Green Lantern was something that one could have complete trust in, even more than Edward's word.
"Thank you," Arella said softly, "You don't know what that means to me."
"Raven's mother, correct?" Green Lantern asked.
Arella nodded, "Yes, I am."
"On my honor as a member of the Green Lantern Corp, I'll bring them home safely," he responded softly, "The League owes her a debt."
He had just made an unbreakable vow, for by calling on the honor of the Corp, if he failed due to his actions, his ring would depower itself and thus, John Stewart would be expelled from the Corp in disgrace.
"Not many folks get this promise, people," Robin said, "We can rest easier."
"Thank you," Arella said again.
"You're welcome, Ma'am," GL said.
"Please, it's Arella," she said gently.
They talked for a few more moments before signing off. Green Lantern needed to make sure his ring was fully charged up before leaving again. Luckily, that was only a moment's work.
In the WatchTower, Green Lantern spoke this solemn oath:
"In brightest day, in blackest night,
No evil shall escape my sight
Let those who worship evil's might,
Beware my power, Green Lantern's light!"
Immediately, there was a bright flash of green energy as he touched the ring to its eternal battery, recharging it to full power in the process.
Back at the "other Tower", the Titans were waiting word when the comms came back to life again.
It was audio only, though, but, through the static, they heard Cyborg:
"Yo, guys! Sorry that this is a recorded message, but, we're running low on power. The good news: We're down safely! Edward had to teleport us to the castle. The bad news is that there is a full scale invasion here and this time, it's for real! There's a lull in the fighting, but, that's not going to last. If there's any way to get us some backup, we really could use the help! Cyborg out!"
Robin thought for a moment and said, "We need to go as well, Titans. If the League will give us a ride, we have to cover our teammates backs like we always do.
"Get packed. Arella will stay back to watch the fort."
Everyone went to get whatever they'd need. The Titans East members were storing their stuff in Edward's old room, so, it wouldn't take much time to get ready.
Robin called back to the WatchTower and filled Batman in on what was happening. Sure, Bruce and Dick still had issues, but, those were set aside at times. This was one of them, luckily.
It was a shame that the redesigned T-Ship hadn't been ready for this mission, though. The parts ordered had not shipped prior to this crisis coming up and it would take a while to get them in and installed as Cyborg needed to install them. He was fussy about who helped with his machines. Raven was an exception with the T-Car as she helped build the first replacement. She had proven to be quite adept in that area.
Regardless, the mission was to get to Tamaran and hope that they weren't too late.
[Tamaran Castle]
"Wow!" Edward said after teleporting the T-Ship, "This place is huge!"
"It is quite the big," Starfire said, "Welcome to my home, Friends."
Terra was speechless, which was rare. But, she did test her powers and as Starfire said, they were working. That pleased the geomancer greatly. She smiled as the boulder she used gently set itself down.
A huge man approached and Starfire smiled broadly. She flew over to him and hugged.
"Friends," she said, "You remember my k'norfka Emperor Galfore?"
Beast Boy, Raven and Cyborg nodded.
"Galfore," she said, "These are my new friends, Edward and Terra."
"X'hal!" Galfore said.
Edward bowed, as was his custom with in the presence of royalty.
"Your friend does honor me," Galfore said, "You don't need to bow to me, though. You are guests, not subjects."
Edward switched to Tamaranian, "Thank you, Your Majesty. The honor is mine."
"You are the one who also knows our language?" Galfore said.
Starfire said, "Friend Edward has taught himself our language."
"Impressive," Galfore said, "What else does he do?"
Edward increased his overall size to match Galfore.
"He is what Earthlings call a Dragon," Starfire said, "He is like friend Beast Boy."
"That's the short version," Edward said in a much deeper voice, "We're here to help, sire. Koriand'r has helped our planet and it was time we Titans helped you, to repay a debt owed."
Galfore smiled, "It is good that you are here, but, what can you do?"
"You'd be surprised," Raven said, "but, may we come in for a while to rest before daylight?"
"Of course," Galfore said, "When Princess Starfire told us you were coming, we readied rooms for you all. Forgive me, but, we're not able to throw a feast for you."
"That's quite all right, sire," Edward replied, "We've brought rations from Earth, just in case." Robin had ordered several cases of Army MREs and stored them in the cargo compartment of the T-ship, just in case of a situation when the team was away from home for a while. There was even some straight vegetarian items for Beast Boy as well.
Galfore summoned several servants and had them take the Titans to the guest quarters, except Starfire who had her own room.
The rooms were spacious in their own right. Galfore was kind enough to allow the couples to have their rooms and Cyborg was given space of his own.
Edward and Raven looked at their room and was pleasantly surprised at the size.
"Certainly built with Tamaranian sizes in mind," Edward said with a smile as he returned to his normal size.
"We should get some sleep, dear," Raven suggested, "Daylight here comes pretty quick."
"Hope I can sleep, Rae," Edward said, "that fight to just get here was intense."
"The bed is big enough for the both of us," Raven said, "I trust you."
"I know, Rae," he said laying down.
"Turn over," she requested. Edward complied, of course.
He felt her lithe fingers gently massaging the kinks out of his shoulders and eventually his back. Edward smiled to himself as his eyes closed under Raven's touch.
It didn't take long before he was softly snoring. Raven leaned over and kissed his cheek.
"Sleep well, love," she said softly and laid down next to her fiancée. She was fast asleep moments later.
[Beast Boy and Terra]
A similar situation was taking place in another part of the castle. But, it was Terra who was tense. Beast Boy gently rubbed her shoulders and felt just how tense she had become.
"It's going to be OK, Terra," Beast Boy said.
"Is it, Garfield?" she challenged, "We're on another world, the T-Ship is out of power till tomorrow and facing an invasion led by Star's sister of all people! The main force will be here tomorrow."
"We've gotten through worse," Beast Boy replied.
"Like what?" she asked.
"Well, Raven's dad invaded, for one," he said.
"How bad was that?" she asked.
"Way bad," Beast Boy said, "As in the End of Days type bad. Hon, we shouldn't even be here talking about it. But, we somehow got through it."
"True," Terra admitted. She was slowly starting to relax.
"I was scared out there," she admitted.
"So was I," he said, "Those fighters were tough."
"And I'm just an amateur at this," she said.
"So is Edward, hon," Beast Boy replied, "This is his first time on another planet, unless you count his kidnapping."
"But, he still saw I was in trouble," she objected.
"He's got the flight experience and was able to keep the big picture in mind. The T-Ship's new AI was also helping you," Beast Boy countered, "It was actually helping all of us. Once it's fully charged again, it will help in the fight tomorrow."
"How long before daylight?" she asked.
"A couple of hours," he guessed, "I don't know how time is measured here."
Terra yawned as her eyes drooped and finally closed. Her breathing evened out as she fell asleep. Like Raven in the other room, Beast Boy gave his girl a soft kiss and laid down beside her in kitten form.
[Cyborg]
Cyborg was worried. The T-Ship was very low on power and until morning, it would be impossible to get it airborne. He had deployed solar panels that were barely able to get a charge from Tamaran's two moons. Once the local star rose, the panels would start to fully recharge the power packs on board.
He found a power outlet in the wall and designed himself a plug to recharge his own batteries, something he would been needing for the coming battle.
"I wish the others were here to help," he said aloud, not expecting a reply. None of them knew that reinforcements were heading to Tamaran as he sat there thinking about things and making plans.
As he recharged, his human eye drooped and he fell asleep as well.
[Starfire]
Meanwhile, Starfire was already angry. She was angry that her home planet was being attacked and angrier that her own sister is leading the effort, all because Starfire had the audacity to not only beat Blackfire in honorable combat, but, tossed Blackfire off world.
Under the law, an exile could only be lifted by a pardon granted by the Emperor and to return without permission would merit death, even to a former holder of the throne who was defeated in that battle.
Starfire knew that Blackfire hated her. There was always that friction, sadly. But, after both went through their respective growing pains, Blackfire wanted to lord it over Starfire. Blackfire was the cool, groovy one that understood Earth customs, whereas, Starfire still had problems at times. Then again, Starfire was more intelligent than people thought, just more naïve at times. Robin and the other Titans took that in stride and were teaching her.
But, deep down, she was also saddened. She knew that once her sister set foot on Tamaran, she could be sentenced to death at the discretion of the Emperor. Starfire hoped…no, she was praying to X'Hal that Galfore would show mercy. He had raised both when they were little girls as a k'norfka should, with love and a firm hand.
A knock on her door revealed Galfore there. Starfire flew up and gave him a hug.
"Koriand'r, my little bumgorf, you are troubled," he said in Tamaranian.
"I am worried," she said, "Why has sister wanted to attack Tamaran? Why does she hate me so?"
"I don't know," he replied, "Komand'r was always headstrong and jealous. She was supposed to be 2nd in line for the throne and when your parents made you the 2nd in line, she swore revenge then."
Starfire shed a tear at that one. A major piece of her life puzzle fell into place.
"It's going to be all right, Koriand'r," Galfore said, picking Starfire up. Starfire was fighting her emotions and wasn't really successful. That was the "curse" of being driven by emotion.
But, then, Starfire was in the arms of her K'norfka and that was supposed to make everything all right. She felt safest there, just like she felt as a little girl. Robin was a close 2nd, though, and Galfore was wise enough to see that.
"I'm not going to let them put me back into being a slave," she said, "Friend Edward would tear them apart."
"Is he as strong as you?" Galfore asked.
"He is much stronger than he looks," Starfire said, "He won't let Blackfire or the Citadel take me."
"We'll see, Koriand'r," Galfore said.
Starfire was puzzled by that statement.
But, what happened next shocked the young princess.
Before she could react, she was grabbed by two burly guards and her hands and upper arms were restrained.
"What is the mean…" she started to yell and was silenced by one of the guards.
They dragged her out of the room and down the hallway, her protests muffled but, her panic was reaching a certain empath.
Raven snapped awake and knew something bad was happening. She immediately turned to wake Edward.
[Wake up! Something's happening!] she said via the link.
That got his eyes opened in an instant.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I'm sensing a sudden panic from Starfire!" she said.
*That* got Edward out of bed and to the door. He approached the door and discovered it was sealed.
"Oh no you don't!" he snarled and leveled a massive punch to the door, denting it, but, it held.
He morphed to his mini-dragon form and slammed into the door again. It bulged outward from the impact. Edward slammed into it a third time, and, this time, it toppled to the ground.
He turned and saw the guards manhandling Starfire as they ran.
They didn't see Edward's eyes start glowing a dangerous, angry red as he morphed again to a cheetah and gave chase. It only took a few seconds for Edward to catch up and leap at the closest guard, morphing back to his human form in the process.
The impact knocked the guard to his knees. Before he had a chance to react, his face met a ham sized fist and down he went, out cold.
The other guard, with Starfire over his shoulder, turned and drew his weapon. He saw Edward morph back to his Dragon form and the spine ridges lit up a brilliant white.
The now enemy spear flew towards Edward, only to shatter on Edward's scales.
"My turn!" Edward loosed a roar and unleashed his lightning. The guard slammed against the wall on impact and dropped Starfire in the process.
She got up and eyes blazing, she unleashed her eyebeams on the guard as well, ensuring that he was out cold.
Edward looked at the handcuffs and said, "Let's see how they withstand my full strength, shall we?"
He grabbed them and applied pressure to one side of them, pulling them apart slowly. The problem was the end pieces were also holding the rest together and that was keeping the handcuffs from coming apart.
Edward asked, "Any way to get these end pieces off?"
Raven had arrived by then and said, "Brute force won't get these apart, dear. These are the same kind of handcuffs that Star had on when we met her. If we can get those end pieces off, though…"
"Can we force the lock to spring open?" Edward asked.
"It is most difficult," Starfire said and started sobbing.
Edward gathered the betrayed princess in his arms and asked, "What happened?"
"Galfore," she said and broke down completely.
Edward asked gently, "He betrayed you?"
Starfire nodded.
"Get the others," Edward told Raven.
Raven nodded and teleported. A few moments later, she came back with sleepy eyed Titans.
"Galfore's with the enemy," Edward snarled. That got the others wide awake.
"No way!" Beast Boy said.
"Yes way!" Edward snarled, "You remember these handcuffs, right?"
"Oh, man!" Cyborg said, "We don't have a pick for that lock like the first time."
"Oh, don't worry," Edward said angrily, "We'll find the key. Search those guards first."
Cyborg and Beast Boy did that, but, found nothing.
"OK," Edward said, "Time to search this castle. Starting with the throne room.
"Terra, shake things up a bit, please."
Terra nodded and her entire body started to glow as her powers were about to be given free reign. A few moments later, the ground started to quake hard. They heard the rest of the guards scrambling for a place to hide. Some made the mistake of running towards the Titans and drew their weapons.
Cyborg powered up his sonic cannon as the others readied for a fight. Beast Boy went to one of the alien animals, Raven's hands glowed black, Star's eyes were still blazing and Terra turned towards the threat.
"Titans, GO!" Cyborg said.
The guards charged as did the Titans. Cyborg fired his cannon as Raven and Starfire combined their powers. Edward's lightning breath fired again. The attacks combined into a destructive force that slammed into the guards, knocking several out.
One guard managed to sound a general alarm, though.
"The prisoners have escaped!" the guard yelled into his microphone.
"Prisoners?" Edward asked in disbelief.
"Time to kick the butt!" Starfire said, "My hands might be cuffed, but, my eyes are not!"
[There has to be a reason for this,] Edward groused via the link.
[Well,] Raven replied, [knowing you, you're going to find out.]
[Damn straight!] Edward said.
They all continued on while Edward pondered the problem with the cuffs. They had only given a little bit under even Edward's strength, that bothered him, but, he also had an idea.
"Let me see," he requested and looked at the cuffs. There was a thin line where they actually came together.
"My scales are diamond hard," he mused, "I wonder if I can get one in here and slice through the metal."
"I don't know if your scales of diamond can cut these," Starfire said.
"One way to find out, then," Edward said. A quick configuration change and he was able to remove one.
The removed scale was dragged across the middle of the cuffs and, sure enough, a thin scratch was created.
Edward smiled as he wedged the scale into the section keeping Starfire's hands from firing starbolts.
"Tell me when you feel this on you, please," he requested as he wiggled the scale back and forth.
Several long minutes later, she said, "Stop, friend Edward."
"Good," he said and gave a hard twist. The end of the shackles resisted the forces being applied, but, after a few long seconds, there was the sound of snapping metal and one end fell off.
Edward picked up the end piece and chucked it down the hallway. Then, he went to work on the other piece. It took several minutes, but, eventually, Starfire's hands were free to fire.
"Time to pay Galfore a visit," Cyborg said.
"Got that right," Raven said as she went to her half-demoness form. She wasn't happy and that was her way of showing it. Luckily, that aspect of Raven wasn't interested in hurting her human half's friends.
She teleported the team to the throne room, surprising Galfore.
"How did you get past my guards?" he thundered.
"That's irrelevant," Edward said, "Be glad I haven't killed anyone, yet. What is the meaning of this?" He held up Starfire's hands as he spoke.
"You're not in a position to ask questions, Earther," Galfore said.
Edward's eyes narrowed as they took on a dangerous glow.
"I beg to differ," he said, "I see that you betrayed this beautiful woman, and if you are not willing to talk voluntarily, I guess we will have to get the information another way.
"Rae, how do you feel about ripping the reason out of his mind?"
"Not possible," she growled, still in her demoness form "If I were to do that, it would leave him a vegetable."
"You dare challenge me?" Galfore demanded.
"I challenge anyone who thinks slavery is proper. I challenge you for the right to free Koriand'r," Edward said, "I win, she is released and you answer my questions. I lose, and we will depart without her."
"You will not challenge him for the crown?" Starfire asked.
Edward shook his head, "No. I do not seek to be emperor over your people. I have an idea what is happening here."
"The challenge is declined," Galfore said, "I have no quarrel with you."
"That's odd," Cyborg said angrily, "Because we have a problem with you!"
"Don't you care about me?" Starfire asked.
"I'm sorry," Galfore said, "I am doing what is best for Tamaran."
Edward walked closer to the hulking Galfore and said, "Then, maybe you do not deserve to be ruler. Where I come from, a coward throws their loved ones away like this. Where I come from, a coward hands his daughter to the slave trade. A man protects his loved ones with his very life!"
Galfore responded in a different manner as he backhanded Edward across the room.
Edward morphed to his mini-dragon form and lit up his ridges. But, he reconsidered and decided not to use his breath weapons, unless Galfore opted to use starbolts. He turned and smacked Galfore hard with a tailstrike, sending him flying across the room.
Galfore rose and charged like a mad bull. That prompted Edward to roll out of the way quickly.
Galfore slammed into the wall, cracking it in the process.
The other Titans readied their weapons, just in case. This wasn't a challenge for the crown, so, the Titans were free to come to Edward's aid, should that become necessary.
Both Edward and Galfore charged at each other and locked up. Both struggled to shove the other back and Galfore discovered that Edward was stronger than his human form looked.
"Why are you doing this, Galfore?" Edward asked again.
"I can't tell you," he replied, shoving hard, but, Edward wasn't that easy to push around.
"Can't or won't?" Edward challenged, "Koriand'r has told me a lot about you. She loves you more than anything on this or any other planet. You hurt her badly, man. The other Titans were impressed with you as well in that you taught her to listen to her heart and do what is right for this world. Did that mean nothing?"
Edward shoved back and after a moment he said, "She loves you, sire. You can trust your bumgorf, can't you?"
Galfore pushed himself away from the shoving contest with a sigh.
"You are right," he said, "I withdraw."
Edward nodded, "It's all right, Titans."
Galfore hit a button on his throne and the handcuffs holding Starfire fell off.
He sat down and sighed, "I'm sorry, Koriand'r. I had no choice. I received a transmission from …"
Suddenly a Starbolt hit Galfore in the face and neck! He went down
The Titans turned toward the newcomer.
Starfire looked stunned as did the others as they turned towards the new threat…
Well, that took a little longer to write than I planned. I'm not quite sure how many chapters are left, to be honest, and, it's weird thinking I started this 3 months ago and still haven't finished this. Then again, it's not going to set any time records.
I know I want to either start a full fledged invasion in the next chapter or two or possibly avoid this invasion totally. I know that with the Titans and at least GL heading for Tamaran, that will be interesting.
Next chapter might be a while as there are some things that have to be handled this week.
Oh...quickie note: I fixed a few typos and cleaned up some of the grammar in a few sentences to clarify what was happening...and to further hide Galfore's attacker...fir those that haven't read it, yet. I'm sure that others who read this before already know...no spoilers, please!
