A/N: Hey there, guys and gals! How've you been? I've been SUPER busy, hence why this chapter is so late. BUT the good news is, I have a special surprise for you guys. I'll tell you at the end of the chapter, mmkay? Trust me, you're gonna love it. And you deserve it, you know, for being the best readers ever.

ALSO! This story was named after the song "Youth" by Daughter. You HAVE to check it out, and while you're at it, listen to the entire album too. It'll change your life. Honestly. It's one of the most gorgeous albums I've ever heard. It will make you feel things you didn't even know you could feel.

Alrighty, here we go! Enjoy chapter 10! It's one of my favorites so far!

Disclaimer: *rolls eyes* I, Sierra Carey, do solemnly swear that I do not in any way, shape, or form own the Teen Titans or any of it's related characters.

WARNING: Ahh, who cares?

Chapter 10

Starfire

Night was starting to fall on the city of Bludhaven.

The city lights were sparkling like thousands of tiny G'norbla flies. It was strange, because the beauty of the buildings almost masked the rotten people down below. It almost drowned out the sound of sirens, and it almost made me forget about the people we could not save.

Was I insane to bring my daughter into this?

There she was, flying beside me. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, a smile plastered on her gorgeous face. She was engulfed in her own green flame, one that was hers and hers alone.

She was ready.

Her father was swinging from building to building, using his grappling hooks to silently keep up with us as we flew.

He was worried. I understood, I was worried as well. I could see it in his movements. He did not once take his eyes away from us.

"We're in position," I heard Raven say through my communicator. "If anything goes wrong, we'll be there to put an end to it."

"Thanks, Rae," Richard said sternly.

"Don't mention it," she responded.

"Is that Auntie Raven?" Mar'i asked, flying around in tiny circles. "Ooh, can I say hello?"

I giggled and nodded, handing her the communicator.

"Hi, Auntie Raven!" Mar'i exclaimed happily.

"Hey, kiddo," Raven answered warmly. "Tonight's a big night for you. You be careful and listen to Mommy and Daddy, okay?"

"I will, I promise!" Mar'i said.

"Good girl," Raven said. "Now kick some butt for me."

Mar'i giggled and handed back the communicator.

"She'll be fine, Star," Raven said.

I sighed.

"I know," I whispered.

"You know I'll interfere if I think I have to."

"I know, Raven. I thank you. Still, I worry. It is harder than I thought...to see her so ready for this. She is so brave."

Raven chuckled.

"Well look who her parents are," she said. "You and Dick are two of the bravest people I've ever met. She'll be fine. No need to worry."

I nodded though I knew she could not see me.

"Thank you, Raven."

"Don't mention it."

"Star," Richard's voice said quietly. "I've got something on the other side of town. Looks like a robbery. Two teenage kids by the looks of it. Should be easy enough to stop."

"Alright," I whispered.

"Are you ready?" He asked.

I looked over to Mar'i, who nodded confidently.

"I'm ready," she said matter-of-fact.

I smiled at her.

"We are ready," I said.

"Okay," he said. "Stay close. Follow me."

I nodded and reached out my hand for Mar'i to take. She laced her tiny fingers with mine and our two flames became one.

"Here we go," I said to her.

We followed Richard to the other side of town. It was a dark, dingy place. The alleyways smelled of rotten garbage and fear, and there were rats crawling along the sidewalks. Richard landed softly on a rooftop and motioned for us to land as well.

As we descended, he grabbed my hand and pulled me to him. His lips captured mine in a deep, searing kiss. He placed his hands on my cheeks and pulled me in closer, if that was even possible. I could taste the worry on his tongue.

"Ew!" Mar'i laughed behind us. "Daddy! You're going to give Mommy cooties!"

His lips left mine and we both laughed.

"Wow, she is so your daughter," he said.

I rolled my eyes.

"I believe she learned the word 'cooties' from Beast Boy," I scoffed. "I had nothing to do with this."

He laughed and pulled me closer, placing a hand on the back of my head.

"Be careful," he whispered. "I know you're willing to do anything to protect her. But I want you to protect yourself, too."

I looked up at him and nodded.

He smiled slightly.

"I just couldn't handle it if anything happened to either of you," he said.

I squeezed his hand.

"Nothing is going to happen, my love," I promised.

He kissed me once more, a short but loving connection of our lips. I could feel his breath on my skin. His hands drawing pictures on my skin.

"They're in the building," Cyborg's voice said, ending our precious moment. "Go ahead, guys."

I took a deep breath and looked straight into Richard's eyes.

"I love you," I said.

"I love you," he whispered, kissing me one last time before he scooped Mar'i up in his arms. "And we love you, Starshine!"

Mar'i laughed and I ran a hand through her ebony locks. Richard kissed her cheek.

"Let's go fight some bad guys!" She said, her eyes glowing green, her smile growing even bigger on her freckled face.

I smiled.

"Let us kick the butt!" I exclaimed, making Richard and Mar'i laugh.

They had the exact same smile. The exact same laugh.

Mar'i flew to my side and held my hand.

"Stay behind me," Richard said protectively as he approached the rooftop entrance of the building.

I nodded.

He blew a kiss at us and silently opened the door and leaped into the building.

I squeezed Mar'i's hand.

"Here we go," I said.

Before I knew it, we were flying through the entrance Richard had made for us. It did not take us long to notice that it was almost completely dark in the room we were in.

"Let us generate some starbolts," I whispered.

Without hesitation, her little starbolts flickered around her fists, creating a small amount of light around us.

"Good girl," I said, allowing my own starbolts to form. Between the two of us, we almost lit up the entire room.

Richard was standing a few feet ahead of us, his head turned in our direction.

"Ready?" He asked.

Mar'i and I nodded simultaneously.

Richard took a deep breath and started to walk. We followed him deeper and deeper into the building, providing light as we went.

Suddenly, there was a thump in one of the vacant rooms to our right causing Mar'i to jump in surprise. Richard stopped abruptly, reaching out a protective arm in front of us. His staff ready in his other hand.

He looked at me, and I nodded. I knew exactly what that look meant. He would go first.

He slowly made his way into the room, never once lowering his arm in front of us. My grip on Mar'i's hand tightened as we walked in after him.

There was another sound, then, and Richard spun around without a second thought.

"Show yourselves," he hissed.

When no one showed, Mar'i looked up at me, confusion coloring her tiny face.

"Why won't they listen to Daddy?" She asked innocently.

"Is that a kid?" Someone from the shadows whispered.

Something in Richard snapped, then. His body became rigid, his hand clenched around his staff. His jaw tightened and a low growl escaped his lips.

"If you don't come out right now, you're going to be sorry," he spat, venom coating his tone.

Mar'i's eyes grew wide, not recognizing the voice that was coming out of her father. She had never heard him talk like this. He was always so loving and soft with her. She squeezed my hand.

I smiled down at her.

"It is alright," I whispered. "Remember, be brave."

She nodded and the green glow took over her eyes once again.

It was then that the two men came out of the shadows, both chuckling when they saw Mar'i.

"Well lookie here," one of them said, nodding his head in Mar'i and I's direction. "Looks like Nightwing decided to bring his kid."

"Doesn't seem like good parenting," the other commented. "Could get dangerous."

"He brought his lady, too. Jesus. Hard to believe a kid came outta her."

"One fine piece of..."

He was cut off by Richard smashing his staff into his stomach, sending him flying through the air.

"Shut up, you piece of shit," he growled.

I was suddenly hyperaware of the other boy pulling something from his jacket.

Oh no.

A gun.

"You really shouldn't have done that," he snarled, pointing the gun in Mar'i and I's direction.

Richard snapped his head around and locked eyes with me. Pure and utter terror spread across his face.

The gun was enough to distract Richard enough for the other boy to tackle him to the floor.

"Daddy!" Mar'i cried out, taking to the air.

"Mar'i, do not move," I whispered.

"I can't let him hurt Daddy," she said, matter-of-fact, immediately tossing a starbolt at the clorbag that was on top of Richard.

The man cried out in pain and was thrown into the wall. Richard quickly scrambled up from the floor.

The next thing I heard was a gunshot.

Without hesitation, I grabbed Mar'i and threw her in Richard's direction.

Pain.

I was on the floor, clutching my stomach. There was a familiar wetness underneath my fingertips. When I lifted my hand to my face, it was covered in blood.

"STARFIRE!" Richard's scream was so muffled, it was hard to hear him.

"Mommy!" Mar'i cried out.

She was safe. That was all that mattered.

Suddenly the room was coated in black, a raven screech echoing through the floorboards.

That was when the world faded away.

A/N: Uh-oh!

I'm sorry, guys. I really am. But you guys should know me by now. Something had to go wrong!

So, I bet you're all DYING to know what this surprise is! Okay, okay. I won't keep you waiting any longer.

Soooo...you guys have been SO amazing, that I think you all deserve something special. So, I've decided that I will give you guys an extra chapter this week! You've earned it! I will upload it on Saturday (5/13/17)!

Because I know I can't leave you all with this cliffhanger for too long!

I hope you all enjoyed chapter 10! Stay tuned for chapter 11 on Saturday! Check your emails for upload notifications, and as always, review!

See you soon!

Love,

Sierra