Anonymous136: Will she? Read on! :)
To Guest: Yeah, I am evil aren't I? ;) Thanks for reading!
To the other guest: Here's your update. Hope you like it. :)
To the other other guest: Here you go. :)
To Alfred: Thanks for reading. Glad you're liking the story. I always strive for good spelling and grammar but I'll admit I'm no English major. I'm sure I've committed more than my fair share of sins against the English language. Glad you think I'm getting better at least. You see their disguises as Gimli and Legolas? I never imagined it that way but you're right, that is too perfect. XD
I
Time in the room seemed non-existent. Crouching behind her makeshift cover, eyes fixed to the door, Starfire could hear nothing but the sound of her own heartbeat and her own cautious breathing.
There came the sound of footsteps just outside her door. Footsteps and low voices. She readied her weapon. There was a deep metallic clinking sound like someone fiddling with the door's massive iron lock. Her heart beat intensified, and the blade of her dagger awakened with green energy as she took aim. She held her breath and waited. The door opened.
She clenched her teeth and from deep within her heart she pulled the trigger. There was a crisp hissing sound as the blast raced through the air, striking the oncoming guard in the center of the forehead. Though the shot failed to pierce his helmet, the force was enough to stagger him, send him stumbling onto the floor where he groaned and writhed in discomfort. She fired three more shots as the rest of the guard team jumped back behind the doorframe.
Seconds ticked by and Starfire sat waiting, her eyes focused on the doorway. The element of surprise had yielded only one downed opponent. She'd hoped for more, but one was better than nothing.
"Come," she whispered harshly under her breath. "Try and take me. I'll see to it that each of you stands in judgment before X'Hal before this night is through."
A single brave guard peeked his head inside and nearly took a shot for his efforts. He pulled back just in time to avoid the blast as it collided with the door frame. Rather than stay hiding, however, he instead charged the room. Starfire fired another shot, barely catching him in the shoulder. Still he kept coming. Starfire stood up from behind her cover just as the young man lunged with his energy spear. The strike was quick and precise, targeted straight for her abdomen, but she was ready. Her warrior instincts fully awakened, Starfire telegraphed the strike, grabbed the weapon at the neck and, with one swing of her energy dagger, decapitated it. Leaping from her cover, she went on the offensive. Her attacks were quick but not quick enough. Each swing found nothing but air. The guard attempted to halt her blows by grabbing her wrist and received a vicious backhand for his efforts. His nose bone shattered with a loud crack and the young man became easy fodder as he was sent crashing to the floor.
From the door came the two remaining guards. Starfire's warrior spirit was more than willing to meet them, but the stress placed on her still weakened body was already starting to take its toll. Still, she would not go down without a fight. She swung her weapon at the guard on her left. He halted, reared his head back to avoid the blow. In that time the other guard managed to reach her and with all the force she could muster she buried her fist deep in Starfire's abdomen. Star doubled over in pain, allowing the other guard to jab her hard in the temple with the butt of his energy weapon.
Dazed, doubled over in pain, Starfire curled up on the floor. Her eyes forced shut, she offered no more resistance as they surrounded her.
The voices seemed to come from all directions.
"Sweet X'Hal! Where the hell did she get a weapon?" said one.
"Emperor Kessa'd is going to be very angry," said another.
"If you ask me she's been way more trouble than she's worth."
"Well, no one asked you."
"So, what do we do now?"
Fresh footsteps and what sounded to be more guards entered the room. The voices continued.
"What's going on here?"
"Nothing. The former Empress just had some fight left in her, that's all."
"Need any help?"
"Nah, we can take it from here."
"Oh please, we insist."
In a rush the room was filled with the sounds of shuffling feet, the hiss of energy weapons and the clanging of metal. There were yelps of pain and surprise, and bodies were heard thumping to the floor. Then quickly as it came the cacophony subsided and the room was silent once more. Slowly Starfire's head began to clear. Rolling onto her back, she faced the ceiling. Her vision returned to her and when it did she found a figure leaning over her. His face was strange. He looked Tamaranean at first, but as her vision continued to clear she saw the air around him warble and stretch. His skin lightened and his face shifted to that of a man much younger and much more familiar.
"Starfire," he whispered. "Star, can you hear me? Are you okay?"
The young man's voice was soft and comforting, and it's loving tone brought his name to Starfire's lips.
"Richard?" she rasped cautiously.
The man nodded, and in one slow movement, peeled the mask from his face. It was a simple gesture, but it carried a meaning that was beyond special. It said that he trusted her, and that brought her more comfort than she'd known in a long time.
"You came," whispered Starfire.
"Sorry, it took so long. Getting here wasn't exactly..."
She didn't need him to finish. She didn't want him to. In that moment all she cared about was that he was there. Unable to help herself she threw her arms around his neck and pulled him close. His arms enveloped her and she gasped with happiness at the feel of his cheek against her own. She'd known nothing but hatred for what felt like an eternity. Now, with gentle hands on her back and the whisper of a loving voice in her ear...
...suffice to say emotions were running high.
II
Starfire let out another pleasurable sigh as she warmed herself by the remaining two solar lamps. Kneeling close to the light she flexed her fingers and rotated her neck on her shoulders as strength returned to her muscles. Grayson meanwhile finished his work on the still unconscious guards, leaning them up against the wall in the far corner of the room by the dresser. He'd had enough tranquilizing agent left to put them all out for a few hours, but his supply was nearly depleted. Less than one dose remained.
"Feeling better?" asked Grayson once the last guard was taken care of.
"Yes, very much so," responded Starfire. "I cannot describe how glorious it is to see you."
"Same here," answered Grayson. He smiled in embarrassment as unbelievably he found himself blushing. How one woman could continue to bring out such feelings in him against all odds continued to amaze him.
As Grayson smiled, Starfire looked past him to the person standing behind him and said, "I do not believe we have met."
Puzzled by her words, Grayson followed her gaze. That's when he noticed the big and burly Tamaranean guard standing at the back of the room, leaning against the door frame, casually watching their reunion with only mild interest. It was Blackfire. For some reason she'd yet to remove her holo-guise.
"Not really anyone in particular," answered Blackfire in her simulated voice. "Just someone who got dragged along for the ride."
"Well, please know I am eternally grateful for your assistance," said Starfire, earnestly. "I was beginning to feel as if there were not a single Tamaranean soul who was willing to stand by me."
Grayson shrugged his shoulders. "You'd be surprised," he half-smiled after a moment. He had no idea what was going through Blackfire's head, why she decided to stay hidden from her sister, but, at the moment, he supposed it didn't matter. There were far more pressing issues at hand. "Look Star," he said. "I know you're still tired and I'd like to give you more time to recover, but these guards obviously came here for a reason. It won't be long before they're missed, so we're gonna have to get moving as soon as possible. I have an extra holo-ring for you. We'll disguise you as one of them and-"
"Richard, wait."
"What is it?"
"I can't go yet. Kessa'd...he has my baby. We need to find her."
Surprisingly Grayson shook his head and said, "No, no, you don't need to worry about that?"
Starfire was flabbergasted. "What? I don't need to...Did you not hear me? He has my daughter."
"No. No, he doesn't. He never did."
The words hit so hard Starfire almost didn't hear them. He never did? "I do not understand."
"Before we came here, we went to The Holes. There we met a friend of yours. A woman named Vira..."
III
It was the last thing Vira shared with them before they left the holes for the upper parts of the palace.
"I could tell they were after me," she said. "The Empress had been scared. She thought something was going to happen, and she didn't want the baby involved, so she told me to take the child and run for the villages belonging to the soulthland tribes outside the palace grounds."
"Southland tribes?"
"A group of semi-nomadic Tamaraneans that make travels up and down the southern crescent. I was beyond the palace limits, nearly into their territory when I realized they were coming for me. I could see them in the distance. They were moving so fast...I wasn't sure if they knew I had the baby or not, but I knew I couldn't outfly them. My only choice was to hide. I went to the ground. I thought maybe I could lose them in a small gorge. I was hiding in the crevice of two large boulders when I realized I wasn't alone.
It was purely by the grace of X'Hal that they found me. They were a couple of young warriors from the southland tribes. They had been out hunting, when they noticed me flying through the gorge, half scared out of my mind. I gave them the baby, begged them to keep her safe. They promised me they would. After that I led the guards away and gave them time to escape. When the guards caught me, they demanded to know where the baby was. They did their best to get it out of me, but in the end they got nothing. They put me here to wear down my resistance I imagine. Make me more susceptible to the mind bridge, so they could find out later."
"So, Kessa'd lied then."
"Galfore said he told the Empress that he had the baby, but I assure you he doesn't. I just don't understand why he would say such a thing."
"Seems obvious to me..."
IV
"He wanted something to hold over you, Star. Make you cooperative. Get you to do what he wanted you to do, act like he wanted you to act. Maybe keep you from escaping."
"My baby was never in any danger?"
"It doesn't look like it. Vira did as you asked her. She got her to safety. And after we get out of here we'll be able to go and find her." Grayson put a gentle hand on her cheek. He smiled and said, "Everything's going to be okay."
"She's safe..."
"We should get going now. Here, I'll pack up the lamps the we'll-"
"I cannot leave."
"What?"
"I'm sorry, Richard, but I cannot go with you."
To Grayson, Starfire's words were baffling. She couldn't possibly have been serious, and yet when he looked into her eyes, he knew she most assuredly was. "Starfire..." he started. He was almost unsure of what to say. "Star, what are you talking about? We're running out of time, all of us. You said it yourself he's got something planned for surise, and I'm guessing one way or another you're not going to like it. The baby is safe. We need to get out of here now."
"Richard, this situation did not just materialize out of thin air. Kessa'd played his own role in this but so did I. You did not know of my responsibilities when we made love on Earth, but I did, and while I no longer regret my actions, I cannot simply run away and leave things as they are. There are matters that still must be settled between Kessa'd and I. And now that I know that the baby is safe I must see to them. I am staying, Richard. I must."
"You're going to confront him?"
"Yes."
"Star, he's dangerous."
"It does not matter."
"But-"
"Richard, this is the land of my birth. And right now it is in peril. The violence and lies that have consumed the palace must stop. If they do not I worry what might happen to the rest of the kingdom. You have always fought to maintain peace on your homeworld. I have always greatly admired that. Now, I must do the same."
"Star..."
It was then that the gruff voice of Blackfire's fabricated soldier interrupted.
"Hey, loverboy," s/he called. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
Grayson looked perturbed. He glared at the soldier, then looked back at Starfire. He held up a finger and said, "Be right back. Just...just hold that thought." He met the soldier at the door. The two checked to see of the coast was clear and then stepped out into the hall.
Grayson gave one final look around and then whispered, "You know that ring's gonna run out of juice you keep abusing it like that."
The disguise around Blackfire warbled and vanished. "Better?" she asked.
"I suppose. What's wrong with you anyway? I figured you'd want Starfire to know it was you saving her butt."
"Eh, I'm really not in the mood for any sappy, tear-filled reunions. It's bad enough I had to see yours. Oh, and by the way, you're kidding me, right?"
"What do you mean?"
"I can see it all over your face. You're not actually thinking about staying, are you?"
"Well, I can't just leave her here."
"Look, we came here to get her out, but if she doesn't want to go than I say that's it. Let's make space tracks while we still have the chance. Going head to head with this Kessa'd guy was NOT part of the plan."
"Well, sometimes things don't always go according to plan."
"With me they do." Blackfire sighed. She bowed her head and said, "Listen...Robbie...I like you. Really, I do, and I don't say that about a lot of people. You have a good head on your shoulders and you handle yourself better than any human I've ever met. If I were putting a job together you'd be the first person I'd want by my side. But I don't think you understand what you're going up against here."
Grayson scoffed.
Blackfire continued. "Look, you've been straight with me, I'm just trying to do the same for you. Trust me when I say that if you let her go through with this? Your precious Starfire? She will die."
"You don't know that."
"I know that her ex-squeeze is at full strength. I know he has the power of the Nova at his fingertips, and that little sis is only now starting to recover from solar depravation. And I know that right at this moment it is the three of us versus an entire palace full of armed and presumable very pissed off and dedicated guards."
"Well, if it's so dangerous why don't you stay and help us?"
"Hey, I'm not the one trying to change things up at the last minute. As far as I'm concerned I've lived up to my end of the bargain. If you two are willing to stay behind to go on some suicide mission I'd have no trouble heading back down the way we came and leaving this planet forever. I'm just telling you what you need to know. If push comes to shove, Starfire is not strong enough to stand up to these odds and neither are you."
Grayson took a deep breath, calmed himself. "Look, I understand what you're saying. Just...just stand watch for a little while longer. Let me talk to her."
As he passed her, Blackfire placed a firm, staying hand on his shoulder. She said nothing, only looked him dead in the eye. The look on her face seemed to be saying make the right decision, while at the same time her eyes probed him for his response. She released him and Grayson reentered the room.
V
Grayson's mind buzzed as he made his way to the back of the room where Starfire still sat on her knees, silently absorbing the simulated sunlight.
"Is everything alright between you and your partner?" she asked when Grayson got close enough.
"Yeah, fine," answered Grayson. He knelt down in front of her, keeping his distance, making sure he didn't get in the way of her light.
"He does not think I should stay, does he?"
Grayson sighed. "No," he answered. "No, he doesn't."
"But you know I must."
"Yeah," he answered slowly. "I do."
They sat in silence. Starfire appeared deep in thought and Grayson remained stoic as ever. In that moment it felt as if a wall had been suddenly thrown up between them. Neither knew what exactly to say. Seconds ticked by. They looked down at their knees, then up and at long last each found the other's gaze.
"It occurs to me we have been talking this whole time and..." Starfire paused for a beat then started again. "I had thought about how I might tell you should I ever get the chance, but somehow it seems you already know."
"You mean about the baby."
She nodded.
"You mean that it's mine."
She nodded again, then smiled and said, "As you would say, so much for the surprise."
Grayson couldn't help but smile along and the two chuckled quietly for a few moments.
"So...do we have a boy or a girl?" asked Grayson after their laughter subsided.
"We have a girl."
"A girl...What's she like?"
"She is beautiful. She has your chin and my eyes..."
"What about the nose?"
"She has my nose, I believe."
"That's good. You have such a nice nose."
Starfire laughed and said, "I believe you will be most happy with her. I know I am."
Grayson smiled, and said, "You know, Star. You really are something." He got to his feet. "Hold on. I need to talk to my partner again." He turned and made his way to the door. He was just about to cross the threshold when there came a deep smacking sound and he suddenly found himself on his back, a terrible pain in his chest.
"Richard!" Starfire cried. She was at his side in an instant, holding him as he gasped and coughed, struggling to get air back in his lungs.
Like an ocean wave they came. A mass of guards came pouring into the room. Forcing their way through they filled the entranceway, energy spears at the ready. In a matter of seconds they surrounded the two Titans, cutting off all means of escape and guaranteeing that neither of them could make a move without the whole room noticing. Glass broke and plastic crunched as in their blind hurry the mob trampled the solar lamps, crushing them and extinguishing their nurturing light.
Neither Blackfire nor her disguise was anywhere in sight.
Seconds ticked by. Nobody said a word. There was a loud call from outside the room and suddenly the swell of guards separated and from beyond the sea of bodies came Kessa'd.
He said not a word as he made his way towards them. He glared at Starfire. Then his eyes settled on Grayson. He stared long and hard at him.
"Get up," he commanded.
Grayson and Starfire looked at each other, then she slowly helped him to his feet. The two of them stood before Kessa'd in total silence as he studied them.
Slowly, Kessa'd approached Grayson. Bending at the waist he leered down at him. He grabbed him roughly under the chin and forced him to look left then right before letting him go. "It's you, isn't it," he said finally. "The one from that planet."
Grayson rubbing his sore jaw only nodded.
Kessa'd looked at Starfire and sneered, "I guess I should have expected no less. He comes for you and then the two of you disappear off into the cosmos to revel in your deceit? Is that it?"
"I was not going anywhere, Kessa'd."
"More lies. Will you never stop?"
"Said the pot to the kettle," spat Starfire knowingly.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Nothing. Just an old Earth saying. That is all. And I was NOT lying."
"It's true," added Grayson. "She hoped she could-"
"I don't recall saying you could speak to me!" shot Kessa'd suddenly becoming very angry. His eyes flashed red and he placed himself right in Grayson's face as he glared at him with utter disdain.
"Leave him alone," shouted Starfire. "This is between us."
"There is no...US...anymore, my dear EX Empress. I wanted so much to believe there still could be, but I now realize I was wrong. You were never who I thought you were. I granted you mercy against my better judgment and this is how you thank me. You leave me no choice. You can die here in this room with your Earth man. And by the way, I hope it was worth it, you low end-"
In a move that surprised everyone, from nowhere, Kessa'd planted his fist in Grayson's stomach, causing the young man to yelp and drop to his knees in agony. The object he'd slipped from his pocket- a long and skinny, rectangular-shaped object -clattered to the floor in front of him. Starfire rushed to his side as Kessa'd snatched up the foreign device into his fingers.
"Foolish, Earth man," scolded Kessa'd. "Very foolish." He turned the object over in his hand. Small and sliver it fit snugly into his palm, and a small red light winked up at him from above a singular button located at the top. "And what exactly is this supposed to be?"
Grayson coughed a few times and then answered. "Plan B," he said. Starfire was still at his side, holding him gently by the shoulders. The regret on his face was plain as he turned to her and said, "I'm sorry, Star."
Although she wasn't certain of what was about to happen Starfire nevertheless understood. What Grayson did next, he did out of necessity, and she nodded in agreement.
It was then that the room suddenly turned black. In a heartbeat all the lights were extinguished. The guards pondered their confusion out loud and Kessa'd took a few cautious steps backward. And then it came, from the very stones beneath them there appeared a murky black pool. Like oil it spread out over the floor and from deep within there came a figure. Black as night but nevertheless emitting a strange otherworldly glow, the strange creature sprang up from the pool, dividing the room, separating Kessa'd from the two Titans. It spread its black wings and from all throughout its body shot beams of black light. At all sides of the room the rays were sent. Every guard touched by the strange light was immediately overcome with the most debilitating fear, far greater than anything he or she had ever known before. From all around came shrieks of horror and sobs of crippling fear as their weapons clattered uselessly to the floor.
Kessa'd himself, quick as he was, had somehow managed to avoid the blast. Still standing he called for all in the vicinity to open fire. His command fell on deaf ears, however; Even the guards that remained untouched by the strange energy were far too confused and awestruck to offer any kind of attack. Kessa'd's gaze then fell to Starfire and Grayson who had remained unfazed throughout the ordeal. He stared in disbelief as the strange bird-like creature turned to them, ensconced them in its massive wings and then in a heartbeat disappeared through the ceiling like water through the cracks.