A/N: The World Cup owns my life right now so that's my explanation and despite the fact America friggin sucks at everything to do with soccer, I'm still spending most of my free time with the greatest sporting event on Earth. On an actual writing note...I hate this chapter...a lot. Its pointless...its filler...and it's the reason my writing for this story has stalled out. So basically, I'm sure you'll hate it just as much as I do which really shouldn't be too hard. On the plus side...I posted two new chapters...that makes up for this.
The Truth Lies in Shades of Gray
Chapter 11: Perfect Joining
By: Finalitylife
Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans but hey, I think we all already knew that.
Robin P.O.V:
No one would listen to me...that I had this really bad feeling...that something was going to happen. They said I was just being my usual paranoid self...maybe I was, but I just really didn't want to leave Jump City. However, no one would really take me serious, and I know I can't blame them because I'm always saying something bad is going to happen. Its like the boy who cried wolf, and now that I really feel like something bad is going to happen, no one will listen.
Of course there is the very real possibility that its all in my head and the vacation will do me some good, taking me to a whole other planet where I can't even think about being Nightwing even if I want to...doesn't mean I didn't bring all my equipment. Best to be prepared even on a planet full of super-beings who will fight to the death for their princess, and the fact that the biggest threat Tamaran has faced in years is now on our side, there really can't be that much to worry about.
I glance over at said former threat from my position in the new and improved T-ship...something Cyborg had secretly been working on for years even though he claimed he had only just started. It was huge...with everything a group our size would need to live in almost the comforts of home. I think even I was in total awe when I saw the full ship. Cyborg really is an incredible man. My thoughts go from the amazing ship back to Blackfire, who sits by herself on the other side of the room we're in. She doesn't seem to be doing anything but breathing, though I can see her right foot tapping ever so slightly in nervousness about going home for the first time in so long.
I do not envy Blackfire...having to do this. It had been a long time since she had to face her former past, one she had done everything in her power to put behind her yet now was thrust right back into facing it. It is an impossibility that the people of Tamaran have forgotten what she did...what she tried to do to their beloved Princess Koriand'r, and I only hope that Starfire has been successful in her effort to make Galfore and the others to understand that Blackfire is in no way the same person she had been. I was tense about the whole situation because it possibly could threaten my team...my family and I would not allow that even if it meant having to face off against the Tamaranians.
Cyborg's voice is suddenly booming over the intercom of the ship.
"Good afternoon everyone. Thank you for flying on Cyborg space transport. If you look out ahead, you will soon be seeing our destination the planet of Tamaran. We should be landing in a few hours. The current time on the planet is...you know what, I really don't know because their day lengths are a whole lot different than ours so whatever. Just expect everything to continue to go as smoothly as its been and be ready for one heck of a wedding tomorrow. I've seen Starfire's dress...she's going to look hot...Roy you lucky bastard..." Suddenly it sounds like there is a fighting going on over the intercom which is confirmed by Bumble Bee's voice now taking control.
"Sorry folks, but the pilot was being an idiot and all this wedding talk makes me wonder why I even agreed to marry this big lug. We'll be landing in about 2 earth hours, and since you obviously can't see anything the way the ship is right now, I'll just go ahead and open it up a bit for you." Some mechanical movements are suddenly heard as the walls begin to open up, revealing a perfect view of the vast space around us...stars and different heavenly bodies all glowing and glistening in the perfect blackness of nothingness, and I find myself smiling at the sight. My gaze finally settles on the rather ugly and rocky planet of Tamaran as a presence settles next to me which I can simply feel who it is.
"I will always be amazed at how Starfire can find her planet so beautiful after seeing a planet like Earth. Its so dark and dreary, ya know." Raven's small form gives a nod.
"Yes but it will always be her first home no matter what happens. Also, I do believe even you are able to find beauty in something that is dark and strange looking, are you not?" My masked face turns slightly to look at the small young woman next to me who continues to stare out in front of her expressionless.
"You're not strange looking Rae...and you know you're by far the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on. The most kind, intelligent, beautiful, sexy..."
"Alright Richard you can stop now." I smile slightly.
"Are you sure? I really want to keep going..." We turn toward each other, my hands moving to her hips as I pull her a little closer, and I am shocked when she actually pulls slightly away from me.
"Rae?" She looks away from me which I am having none of. I gently raise her chin so that she has to look at me, but her eyes still refuse to focus on me.
"Rae..." I repeat the name that only I can call her without getting a glare, and finally she looks at me.
"I love you." She stares at me for a few seconds before she looks away with a smile on her face.
"So cheesy..." I'm shocked when she practically throws herself at me, wrapping her arms around my waist, burying her head in my chest. I react as I always do, holding her as close as I can though I am still confused by her actions.
"You know we still need to talk Raven." I feel her let out a deep sigh.
"I know Richard, and I promise...we will...we will..." Our moment is broken up by a door opening and footsteps quickly leaving, just barely catching a glimpse of Blackfire fleeing. Again I feel Raven let out a deep sigh.
"She's so alone right now...more than she's been in a long, long time. It seems like everyone has someone to hold, her sister is getting married, and she's going back to a place that holds nothing but painful memories for her. She's hurting Robin...hurting bad, and all we did was remind her how much she is alone. I feel Raven gripping me a little harder, her empathic abilities probably pushing on her again.
"Don't worry Rae...she's strong...really strong. She'll be fine because we'll all always be there to remind her that she isn't alone...and no matter what, even if Starfire marries, you know she'll always there for her big sister.
"I know Richard...I know. Its just moments like these that I just truly wish SoulBurn was still here...he deserves to experience moments like this wedding just as much as the rest of us. I can't imagine how happy he would be to see Starfire getting married. He always cared about her so much."
"Yeah he did, but I think he just carried about everyone...all life...a real guardian angel." Raven laughs only slightly at my lame attempt to lighten the mood.
"Shut up Richard...just hold me." That I can do...that I can do. Whatever Raven ever needs, I'll be there to give it to her. This family will hold together no matter what...no matter what.
--
The ship settles down, a perfect landing, and I can just hear Cyborg shouting Booyah as he does it receiving a roll of eyes from his wife. We all gather our things as the ship opens up for all of us to get out, revealing the palace of Tamaran, the walkway lines with guards standing stoically with their weapons and armor awaiting the return of their princess. Starfire is the first off the ship, zooming forward as a streak of green toward the towering figure standing at the end of the walkway that only can be Galfore. Only he is that big.
The two embrace just as a father and daughter would, and I can't help but think that Starfire might be the only one of us who actually grew up with a parent who showed genuine affection so openly. The rest of us...we all have our tragic stories...none more tragic than sweet Ravens. The rest of us follow slowly, rather unconsciously forming a ring around Blackfire for various reasons. We eventually make it up to Starfire and Galfore who are standing side by side, Galfore with a look on his face that I'm not sure if its friendly or not. I mean he is meeting Roy for the first time not to mention we have the 'exiled one' with us. Things could be a little out there. I realize quickly that his glare has locked on Blackfire who defiantly stares back, assuming the confidant and strong pose that she normally has.
The stare down goes on for what feels like an eternity before it is broken by Galfore, his deep voice filled with an almost challenging tone as he shouts at Blackfire in Tamaranian. Blackfire has no hesitation as she steps through all of us to the front, shouting back with glowing purple eyes at Galfore, the two continuing to stare harshly at each other. The shouting goes back and forth a few more times, each of us becoming more tense at the situation, except Raven who seems more relaxed than she had been on the trip. It then finally downs on me why she is like that. I thought I was supposed to be the great detective.
If anyone looked closely, they would see that Starfire had the smallest of smiles on her face as she watched the scene before her, and Starfire would not be smiling if something bad was happening. I finally felt the tension in my body leave. A few more moments of confrontational yelling went on, and finally ended with some type of hand shake I couldn't identify though I think it was some type of show of mutual respect. Problem one of the trip averted it would seem.
"Welcome Titans back to Tamaran. There are far more of you here than last time, but that is a very good thing. Please make yourself at home while you are here...hopefully, this trip will go much smoother than the last one. " A few of us laughed nervously, not sure if he was making a joke or not.
"Come now...I will show you to where you will be staying." We all followed, those seeing the palace for the first time in a slight bit of awe at its size. It was a royal palace...what did they really expect? The last time I was here, I helped save Starfire from being married off to a giant green blob and this time, I was going to watch her get married to one of our best friends. It really is amazing just how far our lives has come...the next step coming for us to take.
--
I'd be lying if things weren't moving incredibly fast the moment we arrived here. Final preparations were under way, the entire palace alive with Tamaranians zooming around and shouting to get everything in order for tomorrow. Starfire, Raven, and the rest of the girls had been whisked away almost immediately, leaving the guys to be amused by Roy getting the third degree from Galfore and a few other high council members. Seriously, this is better than any movie possibly could be. Roy never was at good things like this.
Time flew by and before we knew it, it was time to sleep...all of us a little worn down from the trip, heading toward our perspective rooms. I walked in to find Raven standing there, slowly taking off her dress for tomorrow, probably having been fitted all day for it. Thankfully, all the guys have to do is wear normals suits...Thank God.
"Well this has to be almost the greatest thing I could have walked in on next to what I saw on my birthday. What's the special occasion?"
"Shut up Richard. I'm not in the mood. I've been busy all day and all I want to do is sleep." I continue to watch her undress, until she is in nothing but her underwear, me doing my best to restrain myself because I know from the tone of her voice just before, that she really is not in the mood. She quickly changes into her sleepwear and gets into bed. Thankfully, the rooms have been created to fit Earth standards as to make are stay as comfortable as possible. I slowly change into my sleeping clothes as well, settling in next to her, my hands resting on her stomach which causes her to flinch every so slightly though I have no idea. Maybe my hands were just cold or something. I don't take much time to contemplate it as I am soon asleep, a long day ahead for all of us tomorrow.
Azrael P.O.V.:
Beyond darkness...beyond the simple absence of light...nothingness pure nothingness. No sound, no sight, no touch...screams that don't exist. No time...no space...infinite void. A single moment an eternity...a single eternity exponentially flowing. A fate worse than death...a fate worse than hell itself...abandoned to it forever...to fade away forever. He was saved...pulled from my very essence...ripped away without remorse...left me to suffer forever...alone...beyond alone...help me...someone help me...father...mother...Blackfire...anyone...Help me! My voice makes no sound...my screams make no sound...nothing there...nothing to feel for all existence...no one to help me...so very alone...always alone...
The nightmare ends...sweating, hurting, the unforgettable fear and torment slipping away with my rage and my relentless pursuit...I won't submit. The one fears me...fears me...left me to my end...doesn't care about me...hates me...they all are against me...can't see...can't see what I know. I am the only one...only hope...last hope against the failure that is...I can not fail...there is no choice. I wield the impossible...possess that which is forever...I will be forever...it must fall...it must all fall...just as it has before...
--
Blood watched as Azrael's body convulsed slightly in what appeared to be his sleeping state of mind...like he was having a nightmare. Blood could not even fathom what he was experiencing that would cause a nightmare in a being such as him. It seemed to come to an end as Azrael's eyes snapped open, with a look of controlled madness in them that soon gave way to a cold, determined look that stared straight through Blood as if he wasn't even there. He knew Azrael wasn't seeing him...wasn't sure what he was seeing, but Blood was glad he couldn't see it.
The dark being stood to his feet, his armor shifting flawlessly around him without a sound, walking toward the front of the ship Blood had obtained through cashing in several favors as well as stretching his connections thin. The ship was loaded with Cyborg clones, him, and Azrael...no other living beings than necessary and the destination was Tamaran...where the Titans were.
Again, all Blood knew was that there was something on Tamaran needed...another object of power that would aid him. Azrael would say no more, only establishing what he expected from Blood and his robotic minions. Blood and the robots were to provide distraction...provide a diversion. The robots would attack in mass and Blood would use his mind controlling abilities on the Tamaranians to run interference. It was all meant to divert the attention of the Titans so Azrael could get what he needed with as little notice as possible. It all seemed incredibly simple yet nothing was ever simple with the Titans in Blood's experience...especially now with this new player in the game.
The autopilot drew them closer to the planet, and soon enough they would be in range for the Tamaranians to notice and then Blood would use his powers to make sure they're sudden appearance went without incident. Azrael would not attack until after the wedding...that much he was determined for though he would not explain why. Blood found it hard to believe he was doing it out of the goodness of his heart, allowing the two Titans to wed, but more than likely because their guard would be lowest following such a festive occasion. It made tactical sense.
Blood looked back over at Azrael, feeling slightly nervous as the dark beings fist were clenched, a dark aura of energy seemingly coming to life around him. Blood felt his own control on his powers shaken, as if his energy wanted to leave him at that very moment, but Blood refocused himself to stop it. Such a strange feeling indeed. Blood looked out into the vastness of space...the never ending emptiness filled with all the life of the universe...energy flowing even in the empty spaces from point to point. Such a vast, immeasurable place and Blood was in the one place in all of it he really didn't want to be.
Robin P.O.V:
I watched with keen interest as the wedding procession made its way down the aisle, finding it rather amusing that there were a lot of similarities between this ceremony and one's commonly found on Earth. Though the similarities could simply be the result of Starfire manipulating the ceremony to contain certain Earth customs for Roy's sake.
Thankfully, only the women had to be involved in the actual ceremony...the only two men involved being Galfore and Roy. The guys and I got to the sit off to the side watching Terra, Raven, Blackfire and Bee look rather uncomfortable in their ceremonial dresses that were rather revealing. The only one who seemed anywhere near relaxed was Blackfire...who almost seemed stoic as she stood there...a pillar of calm for the rest of them. They all probably needed that right now.
Starfire suddenly appeared at the end of the aisle, looking every bit as breathtaking as everyone knew she would. However, what first caught my eye was a perfectly spherical stone hanging around her neck that seemed to glow all on its own. The Royal Stone of Tamaran...given to Starfire by Galfore for her wedding. Over the years I had known Star, she had mentioned this particular object a few times. It was Tamaran's most precious object, brought to their planet so long ago its story was more legend than fact. The stone had been given to the first King of Tamaran by a mage of divine power who helped him establish a unified world.
Tamaran had been a barbaric and backwards place before the mage had arrived, a planet looked down upon by much of the galaxy, though that had only changed slightly as the planet had grown in so many ways. The stone had endured the countless centuries... was said to never stop glowing with its inner light, and that it would always act as a beacon of guidance for the rulers of Tamaran. It was the symbol of the royal family, the planet, and the people itself and now it hung securely around Starfire's neck. It truly did glow without relent, and I really couldn't pull my gaze away from it...there was something simply incredible about it. Galfore's booming voice was the thing that brought my attention back to the ceremony as it started.
Everyone watched with smiles on their face as the ceremony progressed, Galfore's deep voice being heard by everyone at the vast gathering...Blackfire acting as an impromptu translator for Roy so that he had an idea of what actually was going on. It helped out the rest of us as well since none of us knew much Tamaran except a few choice words Starfire used constantly. Of course I also couldn't help but think about the fact that by the end of the day, Roy Harper would potentially have the chance to one day be King of Tamaran, and that thought as terribly unsettling for me because well...simply put...its Roy and Roy should never, ever be in charge of a planet.
The ceremony was rapid, no flowery language which was expected for the joining ceremony of a warrior people. It was a very practical ceremony that ended before I think some of us (Beast Boy) knew what was going on. A massive, deafening cheer erupted from the crowd of Tamaranians as Starfire kissed Roy, I think taking him by a little bit surprise. We all stood up clapping as hard as we could, Starfire absolutely beaming with joy and happiness, as she hugged Roy tightly. He caught her with another kiss which she happily returned, bringing more cheers from the crowd. The place slowly transformed into a massive feast and party, with tables and groups being established everywhere...organized chaos being the only way to describe it all...almost overwhelming for those of us who had never seen something like this before, but then again it was a party, and there is the old saying...when in Rome...
The party carried late into the night for all of us. It was hard not to be swept up in the unending joy of everyone...such a truly perfect day for everyone.Even Raven was smiling and considering the strange mood she had been in recently, this was truly a satisfying thing to see. I looked back over at Raven with a smile on my face which slowly melted away as I saw Raven talking with two Tamaranian males about my age...she seemed comfortable talking to them with a light smile on her face. I don't know why but seeing this really bothered me, and I made my way through the throng of drunken Tamaranians dancing everywhere toward her, stopping a few feet back from her off to the side, doing my best to project my emotions and thoughts to her, that I wanted her by me.
I'm sure she knew I was there because she could undoubtably sense me behind her, and a quick glance from her confirmed that she knew I was there. She turned back to the two young men she was talking to who were also glancing at me now. Raven said a few words that she did not hear which caused the two to suddenly look slightly unnerved. They bowed slightly and disappeared into the masses. It was then that Raven finally made her way toward me.
"Raven...what did you say to them that made them retreat so quickly?" Raven smiled.
"Well I just mentioned that you were the same person who once crashed a royal wedding and beat up...what, 30 guards in the process?"
"32 to be exact."
"Of course...it just made them slightly nervous to see the infamous man formerly known as Robin. They didn't seem to want to meet you."
"Too bad for them...I guess I'll just have to settle for spending my time with you."
"Settle?" The tone of Raven's voice tells me I should have used a better word. I laugh slightly.
"Its an honor and a privilege that even after all these years you still let me love you so completely." She blushes at my cheesy comment, and I know she hates to show that some of my cornier comments actually get a reaction to her.
"Shut up Richard...I'll see you in our room." She disappears in a swirl of black energy and only the keenest and soberest of people would have noticed the moving shadow that was Raven's soul self moving along the walls away from me. I stand there dumbfounded for a second before everything finally clicks in my head.
"Bedroom!" Thankfully no one notices my outburst as I doubt any of the Tamaranians even care I am there and my own friends are scattered every where around the room except for Star and Roy who have already 'retired' for the night. I stare straight ahead of me and realize it will take a miracle to get through the sea of superpowered aliens in front of me without getting killed. I smile as I crack my knuckles.
"I've done the impossible before..."