Nothing Lasts Forever

By: Darien Ravier

Part I: The Fading of the Lavender Crown

Part 11: The Spoils of War

"Just lay your head back on the ground

and let your hair fall all around me

offer up your best defense

but this is the end

this is the end of the innocence." – Don Henley, "The End of Innocence"

Ringing. That was all Starfire could hear as she faded back into consciousness. Her eyes weren't strong enough to open yet, so she used her senses to bring herself back. The next thing she noticed was that she wasn't lying on the ground like people who normally are unconscious, nor was she standing. She was being held by something that was holding her upside down off of the ground. Soreness is the next thing she felt coursing all over her body, like she had been fighting. Yes, the fight with Blackfire, she must have been knocked out. As the ringing in her ears began to fade, she heard something else very faint, almost like screaming. Many different voices screaming, and someone was screaming her name in a distance.

Robin.

"Okay," she thought, "time to try and open your eyes." One eye wouldn't open. "It must be swelling shut," she thought, "open the right one." Starfire slowly blinked her right eye open and saw only the sky. As her senses grew stronger, she felt two hands, one on her back and one on her rear, keeping her levitated in the air. Blackfire was holding her triumphantly over her head.

"The fight is over," Blackfire screamed in a sick jubilance, "now I will finish off Tamaran's last champion."

"Kommand'r, you sick devil," R'yannd'r screamed, "if you kill our sister, I will avenger her!"

"You'll do no such thing," Blackfire taunted as she dropped Starfire hard onto the ground, "If she couldn't stand up to me, you will fall twice as easily."

Starfire began to stir as she tried to move, but before she could make a big move, Blackfire grabbed her by her torn collar and pulled her face to face with her. Starfire closed her eye.

"Now, little sister," Blackfire snarled, "our rivalry will end."

Blackfire pulled her fist back and was charging a deadly starbolt when Starfire opened her eye and let loose a powerful blast that knocked Blackfire off of her feet. As Blackfire started to get to her feet, Starfire quickly flew towards her and delivered a powerful jab to Blackfire's chin, which made her head jerk back quickly. Starfire used her newfound gift of speed to let loose a flurry of punches to Blackfire.

Blow after blow, Blackfire's face began to crack open and bleed more. Soon, Blackfire had no energy to hold her own body weight up. Starfire picked her up and did a backwards somersault that launched Blackfire across the battlefield. Midair, Starfire unleashed a barrage of starbolts and laser blasts from her eyes that propelled Blackfire even further across the field. Finally, Blackfire landed hard against a Centauri tank and as she slid to the ground, a giant dent was left in the tank's side. Blackfire lay on the ground, struggling to breath. She was about to fade out when, out of nowhere, Starfire's two small hands, burning with green fire, picked her back up, delivered repeated knees to Blackfire's ribs, then head butted Blackfire square on the bridge of her nose. Blackfire began to fall again, but Starfire picked her back up and began punching her in the face with her fists glowing green with star bolts.

From across the field, the Titans watched their teammate beat her sister mercilessly.

"Dude, she's finally lost it," Beast Boy said.

"Don't do it," Robin said to himself. He saw the look in her eyes and knew exactly what she was thinking about doing. The memories of holding his parents' murderer in his hands began to rush through his memories again. Robin watched the fight more intently than ever, no longer hoping Starfire would defeat Blackfire, but hoping she'd defeat her own anger.

Blackfire was no longer putting up any form of defense as Starfire's punches began to take their toll on the once seemingly undefeatable giant. Starfire grabbed Blackfire by her neck and pulled her arm back, ready to deliver the final blow. As she did, the familiar screams came back as her army began to cheer her on. Chants of "Do it," and "Avenge Tamaran" filled the battlefield. Starfire looked around to see her army standing triumphantly over the prisoners of the Uprising's army. They were pumping their fists in the air as they screamed for the blood of the leader that destroyed their home planet. Everyone, that was, except for her teammates and the Justice League, who were merely staring at her and waiting to see her next move.

Starfire stared at Robin, whose eyes she could tell were judging her from behind his mask.

"Don't do it, Star," she heard Robin say.

"I have to, Robin," Starfire exhaustedly pleaded, "Tamaran must be avenged."

"It has been, now let it go."

"No, as long as she lives, you, I, no one will be safe from her evil."

"And if you kill her, you will become as heartless as her. Don't go down that path, Star, you're too good of a person to just kill someone."

"Go ahead," Blackfire said, "you know it's in you. That part of you that's just like me."

"Shut up," Starfire said, pulling Blackfire closer to her, "I am nothing like you."

Blackfire opened her mouth and spit blood on Starfire, as she laughed, "Then you won't kill me, little sister. You can't go through with it."

Starfire tightened her grip around Blackfire's neck saying, "You would be amazed what I am capable of if I am pushed."

"You can't do what it takes to protect Tamaran," Blackfire wheezed, "that's why you left that weakling Galfor in charge."

"Shut up!" Starfire spit at Blackfire.

"Starfire," Robin still pleaded, "just let her go."

"Let me end this fight and it will be over."

"No, it won't. I fight it everyday, Starfire, that side that justifies murder and that's one fight you don't want for yourself."

Starfire shut her eyes as the debate raged in her head. A hush fell over the field again. That silence that only grows colder on a battlefield.

"I was going to kill you," Blackfire said, "when I held you over my head, it would have just taken a quick squeeze of your neck. But you're not going to do it. It's not in you to kill in cold blood. That's why we'll always be enemies. Just let me go and we can play this game again, sister."

Starfire opened her one good eye with a vicious scowl and screamed as she pulled her hand back and let loose a palm strike on Blackfire's nose that made her gasp sharply, then went silent as she fell to the ground in a heap. A cold wind blowing across the field was the only noise that was heard at that point. Then the silence was broken by the victory cry of thousands of soldiers that were relieved that their battle was finally over.

Starfire looked at every soldier as they cried out in joy, she even saw the improbably sight of Tamaranians hugging Centaurians on the field. Starfire smiled weakly as she finally let the pain from her wounds take over. As her head began to swim, she looked at her friends, whose jaws were all on the floor, except for Robin, who merely shook his head and began to turn away. Starfire tried to take a step towards him, but the pain overtook her and she collapsed. Before she could hit the floor, The Flash ran over and caught her.

"Hey, easy girl," he said soothingly, "it's over. Just rest now."

The Flash picked her up as she passed out in his arms. Wonder Woman walked up to them and said, "Hand her to me."

"It's okay, I got this one," The Flash said.

"She fought bravely on the field," Wonder Woman said, "I would be honored to carry her to the infirmary. Please, what she did was worthy of praise from any Amazon."

The Flash handed Starfire over to Wonder Woman, who turned around to see the Titans rushing towards her.

"Starfire," Cyborg called out, "is she okay?"

"She'll be fine," Wonder Woman said, "she's just exhausted from the fight." Wonder Woman knew that she was just trying to comfort the boy, since she hadn't seen any one Starfire's age take such punishment in a fight before.

"We won, I can't believe it! I didn't think we'd be able to, but we did. They were all like, V-R-O-O-M, and then we were, W-H-O-O-S-H, and then Green Lantern came in and just B-Z-Z-Z-T, and then Starfire and Blackfire were like…"

"Enough!" Robin said as he brushed the stray hairs off of Starfire's face. He looked at her bruised, but relaxed face. "Why'd you do it," he said silently to Starfire, "Do you know what it's gonna be like for you now?"

"Please, Robin," Wonder Woman said, "She's merely exhausted, but she still needs immediate medical attention."

Robin took a few steps back and allowed Wonder Woman to take off over the battlefield. As she did, the Tamaranian and Centaurian armies looked up at the wounded Starfire and cheered for her as she was carried over their heads. Wonder Woman looked down at Starfire and said, "You may have earned my respect as a warrior, but I hope you're prepared for what you'll be facing within yourself now." Wonder Woman's troubled eyes for the young girl looked up and onward towards the medical infirmary miles across the field.

Robin sat outside the makeshift infirmary tent when Raven approached him.

"How's Starfire doing," Raven asked.

Robin looked up, but was silent for a moment before saying, "She has a lot of bruises, a few burns, some blood loss, many cuts that needed stitches and they say that her collar bone and ribs are broken, but she'll pull through."

"That's good," Raven said, but she saw that he was far from comforted. She sat next to Robin and put her hand on his shoulder. "But I can tell that something else is bothering you."

"She killed her sister, Rae," Robin said, "I had hoped that she wouldn't go down the same path I…"

"What path," Raven asked.

"When I was nine, my parents were killed by a mob boss trying to make an example of us. It wasn't until a year later that I got my revenge on the man who killed them. Even though I killed the guy, I couldn't help but see blood for blood as the only justice that existed and all because I killed someone. But my parents were still gone and it was then that I realized that when a life is taken abruptly, it only leaves behind anger and pain. Since then, I've spent my whole life avoiding seeking out death as a means for justice. One person that helped was Starfire. She was so happy and everything seemed so new around her. She brought joy to everything again and I finally felt happy after a long time. But when I saw Starfire do…that…killed Blackfire …" Robin began to break down.

"You were afraid that she was going to go through the same torture you went through," Raven said, understanding full well. Robin merely nodded his head. "I don't want her to go through that. Now, I'm afraid that it might be too late."

Before Raven could say anything, R'yannd'r walked to the infirmary entrance. "How's she doing," he asked Robin and Raven. Robin looked up and said, "She's still under, but she'll pull through."

"Then perhaps you both could help me," R'yannd'r asked, "The Centaurian council has called an emergency meeting to discuss the rebuilding plans and asked that Starfire or myself be there to represent Tamaran. Since she's still out, I'll go in her place and I was hoping that you both would come with me as representatives for Starfire's Earthly connections."

Raven looked to Robin for his response. Robin took a deep breath before standing up to meet R'yannd'r at eye level. "We'll be there," Robin said.

"Good, now," R'yannd'r said, "there's one thing I'll need you to bring with you."

"And the council grants the boundary defense the twenty five million gordnacks necessary for repairs to their headquarters and training facilities. Now for the final motion of the Centauri council, article seventy-eight dash NZ twenty-four, Decision of Actions Taken Towards the Tamaranian Refugees. Is the Tamaranian representative present?"

R'yannd'r stands up with Raven and Robin next to him. "Prince R'yannd'r of the Tamaranian royal family."

One council member lowered his glasses and asked, "Where is Princess Koriand'r?"

"I regret to inform you," R'yannd'r said heavily, "that she is still recovering from her wounds from battle."

"Our thoughts are with her," another council member said, "and these others by your side, they are?"

"Your excellencies," R'yannd'r said, "May I introduce Raven and Robin, two teenagers who aided our army during these battles. Koriand'r serves with them on Earth as a sort of Special Police Ops Force. I asked them to be here to offer their representation for Starfire's earthbound pursuits."

"Then they are also welcome," a council member said from the far right of the table, "Now, as for the matter at hand, we are here to discuss Tamaran's involvement in the battle that took place yesterday that claimed the lives of numerous Centauri soldiers, as well as our own military advisor, Val Yor. If Prince R'yannd'r would be so kind as to present his argument."

R'yannd'r stood up, cleared his throat and said, "Ladies and gentlemen of the Centarui council, what happened on your planet was an unfortunate and regrettable situation that did arise from a civil dispute on Tamaran. As we mentioned in our previous meeting in this very chamber, we had reason to believe that the insurgents that survived from our planet were planning an attack on Centauri."

"We do remember that," one council member said, taking his glasses off to wipe them clean, "We also remember Val Yor's claim that no such threat existed. How do you account for his findings?"

"His surveillance must have been taken after the Uprising army was alerted to our presence," R'yannd'r calmly explained.

"Do you have any existing evidence of the threat of an ion destabalizer being used on our planet," one council member asked, curiously. R'yannd'r merely turned to Robin, who stood up and dropped a smoldering piece of metal on the table.

"This is what remains of the central core of the ion destabalizer," Robin explained, "The battle on the Preetanchey Fields was merely a diversion so that Blackfire could activate this device on an adjourning side of the city while it was distracted by the battle at their front gates. Val Yor was with us as we fought these soldiers."

The council members all looked at the device with a sense of realization that their planet actually just faced annihilation.

"If what you say is true," one council member said, "then this entire planet owes you their gratitude."

"Your excellencies," R'yannd'r continued, "as a sign of your gratitude, I ask that you consider the proposition that I placed before you to offer sanctuary for the surviving citizens of Tamaran, who are still searching for places to stay."

"It is a very lofty request that you have made, Prince R'yannd'r," the head council member said, "and one that would have to be taken under serious advisement. The only concern is why Centauri should be the planet to assist Tamaran when we have so much rebuilding of our own to reconsider." The council stood up and began to walk in back.

R'yannd'r stood up, followed by Robin and the both began to walk out of the room. The mood was anxious as Raven sensed the thoughts of the council members and the result would not be promising. Though R'yannd'r was no telepath either, Raven sensed that he was thinking the same thing Raven was. Raven could no longer stand by and stood up to face the council. "If the council will allow," Raven said, causing everything in the room to come to a halt, "I have something that I would like to say." The council was silent as they motioned for Raven to speak. "When I was first asked by Starfire to aid her in helping her planet, I had the same opinion as yourselves: Why should I concern myself with the problems of others that do not relate to me? And if any of you knew me very well, you would know that empathy is not my strongest personality trait. But something changed in me during this war, I began to realize that no matter who is suffering and who asks for our help, it will always relate to us in some way, even if it is simply in showing our true personalities. I saw my own personalities come out on the battlefield, something I've never seen before. It was then that I understood that the needs of others is everyone's problem because we are all here to help each other to live their lives, not work to restrict them because then we're no better than Blackfire, looking out only for ourselves and destroying other people's dreams in the process. Our actions towards each other's needs determine who we are on the inside. I know that you are all good people and I hope that you will make the right decision that will reflect well on us all. Thank you for letting me say this." With that, Raven turned around and joined R'yannd'r and Robin's side walking out of the room. Raven managed a weak smile as she sensed the mood of the room lighten.

"A toast," R'yannd'r yelled, raising his mug high in the air, "to the first planetary thanksgiving Tamaran will celebrate on Centauri and most certainly will not be the last." All other soldiers and Tamaranian refugees raised their mugs as well, clinking them together in front of the table. And with that, the great feast began in the Centauri soldier's banquet hall to celebrate Tamaran's acceptance into Centauri's population. Centaurians were caught a little off guard at the Tamaranians' manner of rejoicing, such as their need to dance on the tables, pour their drinks over each other and even devour their food in furious gulps. Eventually, the tension broke and the Centaurians began to partake in the Tamaranians' manner of partying. R'yannd'r sat back and watched the whole situation play out in front of him with a sly smile on his face.

"Is there any reason besides the obvious that there is such a smile on your face, R'yannd'r," said Br'yannd'r. R'yannd'r leaned over and said, "How long has it been since the Centaurians regarded our culture as being a primitive one, calling us Troqs and so forth. Yet here we are, the socially reformed side by side with the socially primitive enjoying a party as if we were long separated brothers."

Br'yannd'r looked at the party as well and the same smile also brandished his face, "Yes, I see what you mean."

"Despite the hell we've been through in this war, I never would have imagined it would have ended so well."

R'yannd'r turned to look at the Teen Titans, who were having their own kind of party as The Flash, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern all were raising their glasses to the Titans.

"You kids," Green Lantern said, "have definitely come a long way since Raven first started your team. We weren't sure what kind of heroes you were all going to grow up and become, but you have all proved to us that when you grow older, you would be more than welcome in the Justice League."

Beast Boy's jaw hit the table, "No way, are you serious?"

Wonder Woman smiled, "Well, we can't say officially, but if you're ever interested six or seven years down the road, you're all more than welcome."

The Teen Titans were speechless.

"I don't know what to say," Cyborg said, to which, The Flash replied, "Normally, you raise your glasses and salute."

The Titans all raised their glasses and toasted each other.

"So, like, how much older would we be talking about here," Beast Boy asked.

"Probably when you're old enough to fill those glasses with more than just milk," Green Lantern said jokingly. Wonder Woman looked over at Robin, who was sitting and looking pretty melancholy. "Something troubles you, Boy Wonder?"

"It's been a while since anyone's called me that," Robin said.

"Batman told me you used to go by that name," Wonder Woman said, "So what is on your mind?"

"I'm worried about Starfire," Robin said, "I mean, she should be here celebrating with all of us, since she helped all of this come to be. But I'm also worried about her as well."

"Her fight with her sister left you wondering about her state of mind as well."

"How'd you know?"

"It's something every warrior deals with when they take a life with their own hands. You and I have both experienced it."

"How much has Batman told you about me," Robin asked, getting a little frustrated.

"Only the parts that make him proud of you," Wonder Woman said. Robin heard this and he began to smile. Wonder Woman smiled at Robin, then looked up and said, "I think someone's here you might want to talk with." Robin turned around to see Starfire limping into the banquet hall to a rousing ovation. Despite the bruises all over her face and the sling over her right arm, she still looked radiant. Starfire looked around, overwhelmed by what she'd accomplished.

"I was just informed that our people have been invited to live here on Centauri… and I could not be more overwhelmed. You have earned this day, everybody!"

"Thank you, Starfire," a voice from the back chanted and a chant of "Starfire! Starfire!" began. Starfire humbly silenced everyone. "People of Tamaran, do not thank me, thank yourselves. Thank yourselves for the sacrifices you have all made. I can't… I can't begin thank you all for your loyalty to me and for your courage and your selflessness. You are all celebrating today because of these things. We have lost so much, our homes, our planet, our friends and our families. You all so fought hard for these things so this night is yours. Enjoy, be happy and prepare yourselves for a new life in your new home." The hall erupted into ovation. Robin watched Starfire as she used the pandemonium as a cover to exit right out of the door. Robin stood up and followed her outside.

Starfire walked across the war torn battlefield, looking at the craters and the scarred walls. Starfire then looked up at the M-shaped constellation in the sky, but had a hard time seeing it again. The lavender star that made up the crown constellation had completely disappeared. Starfire took a moment to herself, then leaned up against a nearby wall, buried her face in her hand and began to cry uncontrollably. She wept for minutes before Robin rounded the corner.

"Starfire, what is it," Robin asked sympathetically, holding her in his arms. Starfire tried to compose herself, but her continuous crying left her melted in Robin's arms.

"I can't do it," Starfire sobbed, "I can't hold it back any more."

"Hold what back," Robin asked.

"I tried to be strong for everyone, I put my feelings aside about everything. Tamaran, my parents, Galfor, the fight with my sister, I didn't think about any of that because I knew that my people needed me. But now that everything is okay for them and I can look back…Robin, it hurts. It hurts so badly. Coming home and seeing everything that was once so good being destroyed, I even saw my parents burned alive in front of my face when Tamaran exploded, but I couldn't cry because people called me asking for help. Now, I just can't hold it back anymore."

"Let it out, Starfire, I'm here for you." Robin knew that she just needed to get everything off of her chest and it would be okay. "I hope everything will be okay," Robin thought.

"I have fought with my sister before, but she has never pushed me like that. She wanted either one of us to die. I think when she knew that her army was defeated, she would just kill either herself or me in one final fight. She tried to make me like her, bring out my dark side on the field. I wasn't just fighting her out there I was fighting for myself. I do not want to have to go through that again."

"But you survived, Star," Robin said, "and you're still yourself. No one can take that away from you unless you let it."

"Then my parents. I find out my parents are alive, then see them for one day, not even a day, then they are taken away from me so quickly and I can not get them back. How is that fair?"

"It isn't," Robin said, "but I know exactly what you're going through."

"And now I will never see Tamaran again. I can not visit my home where I was born, I can not see Galfor, I won't be able to walk through the garden I kept at the palace. I can't see the sun rise over the Hills of Norian anymore. I do not have a home anymore."

"You still have a home, Starfire," Robin said, brushing her hair with his fingers, "You have a home with us on earth."

Starfire broke down crying even more. "I killed my own sister, Robin. How am I going to live with that?"

Robin looked into Starfire's tear-filled eyes intensely and said, "You just remind yourself of the good in the world and hold onto it everyday." Starfire replied with a sniffle, "What good things do I have to hold onto?" Robin doesn't answer for a moment because he wants to say the next thing just right. He wanted to tell her how much she meant to him and how her jovulent attitude kept him from forever falling into the darkness. Instead, he just planted a kiss on her lips. Starfire's eyes widened at this gesture, but then closed as she lost herself in the kiss that she had been waiting for since she arrived on Earth and met Robin. All the anger that she had built up inside of her, she pushed away so that she would be able to enjoy this moment, which she had been waiting for. Starfire's eyes refilled with tears, but this time, they were tears of hopefulness and joy.

The End

…of Part I

Stay tuned for Part II: The Heart of a Hero

Please, please, please, I would really like some feedback before I post the second part. It's taken me so long to write this and I'm just trying to see how big of an audience I have out there and what everyone thinks about what I've written so far. There is more, but I'd like to know if there's anything I need to work on (other than the spacing of the paragraphs, which looks good in Microsoft Word, but terrible in the transfer). And to everyone out there who's been a loyal reviewer and reader (Mikha, can't thank you enough. It's great to know that I have one loyal fan out there).