Okay okay a good number of people said they'd rather not see Starfire as a vampire again and after looking it over yeah it makes sense. We've had enough of that. And not that anyone might care but this is officially the longest story I've ever written, words and chapters. Freakin' Sweeeeeet! You must really like this story to have stayed with it this long. If that be the case I'll do my best not to let any of yall down. Cool. Okay now thanks and more thanks to loyal reviewers; Gaurdian of Azarath, Koriand'r Star, Valda, Rose Red2.0, Realfanficts, Toonman24, x Tommy x S x, Teen Freak, I laught at ur pain, Starfire I, A rose by another name715, DuskEcho, InkFreak25

Chapter Twenty-Five

Slayer and Sovereign

Having left their horses by the hidden entrance they began at, Robin and Lee were pleased to find them there still. Robin helped place Nayia in front of Lee on his horse allowing him to hold her steady as he rode.

"Do you think it's true what Isard said about Beast Boy?" posed Lee as they trotted alongside one another. Robin didn't answer at once; honestly he didn't know what to think at the moment. "To me it sounded like propaganda, Beast Boy would not allow himself to endanger anyone like that."

"Unless he didn't know about it at first," suggested Robin. Lee regarded him skeptically. "No think about it; there have been cases where a victim of a Lycan attack was completely unaware of their condition until later or when they changed for the first time. Beast Boy might've begun to feel something some time after Raven brought him back to the valley."

"If that is the case then he is indeed a time bomb that is about to be triggered," said Lee unpromisingly. At his words the two picked up the pace, knowing full well they would not arrive before nightfall.

KITSUNE VALLEY…………….

Starfire sat outside on a wood catwalk running along one of the valley's rock walls. She hugged her legs to her stomach and sighed into the night. 'They have been gone for so long. Of course they would be, when have things ever gone according to plan'? She noticed someone nearby and stood up. Walking around the rocky corner she found Beast Boy looking over the wood railing. He saw her out of the corner of his eye.

"How far down do you think this goes?" She glanced down toward the ground curiously.

"Quite far, why?" He gripped the railing, wondering if he could save his friends by taking a deep plunge. A fleeting grin swept across his face then left as though it never came.

"Ahh, no reason…just having one those freaky moments I guess." Starfire nodded though she had no idea what he was talking about. He reached up and began rubbing the bridge of his nose. Starfire furrowed her brow with concern.

"Are you okay Beast Boy?" He quickly took his hand away.

"Fine! Fine, why-why do you ask?"

"You seem well…in much discomfort." Beast Boy looked away from her. How in the world was he supposed to explain to a life long friend that tonight was the night that he might tear her to pieces?

"I'm really am okay, Raven used some funky incense with her meditation and it's just given me a headache." But his tired expression did not go along with his attempts to convince Starfire. She approached him and laid a hand on his shoulder.

"Beast Boy, are you certain you are oka-"

He shoved her hand away, "I said I'm fine alright!" She backed away somewhat with a gulp.

"Okay, I will leave you in peace then." Starfire turned away from him and Beast Boy couldn't help but feel like at total jerk. After all it wasn't Starfire's fault that she was born a tenderly caring person. He was also well aware that what happened to him wasn't her fault either.

"Hey, Star…" She looked back at him with a straight face. Without ever getting an explanation as to why he walked up to her and hugged her tightly. Stunned by this reaction utterly Starfire took several seconds before returning it. "Thanks," he whispered. They parted and she saw what was unmistakably sorrow in his eyes.

"Friend…what is wrong?" He mouthed wordlessly.

"I can't tell you." She felt taken aback. He took her shoulders. "Look Star, I have to go away." Her mouth fell open. "I have to get away from all of you as soon as possible, the longer I stick around here-"

"But you cannot leave," quietly argued Starfire. "It is important to us, and to Raven." Beast Boy hung his head with a smile.

"Believe me I'm doing this as much for her as for everyone else. But if something goes wrong, I'd just like to say in advance that I'm sorry." The Tamaranian was a complete loss for words. It was anyone's guess as to what he was actually talking about. All she did was come to see if he needed comfort and ended up getting herself into so much more. Beast Boy glanced skyward and saw the moon beginning to come up. There wasn't much time left. "I have to go say goodbye to Raven."

"Must you truly go?" He nodded them after giving her a brotherly hug he moved past her. Starfire's eyes followed him until he was no longer in sight. She slowly drifted over to the wood railing. 'Ohhh, must everything end in tragedy these days?' Starfire pondered this thought many times. But it had been clear for a long time that as long as they had such powerful enemies to fight there would be casualties. Starfire looked upward and noticed it would be a full moon tonight. 'Full moon, time of the dogs, as Rafael would often call it. Perhaps I should Beast Boy about traveling while newly bred Lycans would be on the prowl'. Starfire's hand suddenly flew to her mouth. A terrible thought occurred to her. "Cyborg…" The red head sailed into the air in search of her half mechanical friend.

ROBIN AND LEE…………

Although they would much rather have continued on unhindered, the two warriors were forced to stop so their horses could rest. Nayia seemed passed in and out along the way, murmuring strange and inane things in her sleep. Robin guided his horse to a shimmering pool to have drink. He sat down with his companions and gazed pensively at Nayia.

"She's been out of it for good while now, aren't your concerned?"

"Actually not that much," replied Lee. He picked up on Robin's confused features. "Nayia has always shown a weakness when it came to things like this," explained Lee. "Years ago when she had trouble resting because she was ill I was hesitant in giving her a sleep aid. Studies suggested about fifteen minuets for it to take effect; Nayia was deeply asleep in under five minuets."

"Wow, that's-that's pretty zonked out."

"Indeed."

"Beast..Boy," muttered Nayia. She drew their attention. "Beast….Boy." With an arched brow Robin glanced at Lee.

"Does she usually say-"

"No." The only eye they could see behind her mask moved about rapidly. "She appears to be dreaming." He closed his eyes but failed to see into her thoughts. "Of what is a mystery even to me."

"No!….Beast Boy-I can help it..." That was the end of it. Robin scratched his head.

"Okay when was the last time she described something happening in real time while in her sleep?"

"She has not before now," replied Lee.

"Oh really?" said Robin sarcastically. "I don't like the sound of it; we need to get moving again as soon as possible." Lee silently agreed while keeping a close watch on his sister.

BACK IN THE VALLEY…………

Cyborg sat before a table illuminated by a desk lamp. He slaved over something that looked very much like the flash grenade he'd shown Beast Boy. Not an hour ago he was on the upper deck experimenting with the prototypes he'd managed to get built. Using a pair of tweezers attached to his index finger he inserted a tiny blue rock. "There, should make a big bang."

BANG!

Cyborg juggled the gold ball sized bomb in his hands as the door slamming open took him entirely by surprised.

"Cyborg!" He turned in his chair to see Starfire out of breath.

"Star? What's wrong with you?" Cyborg gave up his seat for her thus allowing her breath to catch up with her. She breathed in once more.

"Cyborg, Beast boy was Isard's captive for some time was he not?" Cyborg's eyes moved about trying to call up the memory.

"Y-Yeah he was, so?"

"As we know Isard possesses the strength of a Lycan as well as a vampire. Not a few moments ago I discovered Beast Boy in a disturbed state, he seemed most agitated and that he must leave…for some reason. Then I noticed a full moon forming tonight." Cyborg was quick on the uptake.

"And you think infected him with Lycan blood?"

"It seems logical to me." Cyborg nodded.

"Where is he?" It was then that she remembered where it was he went exactly.

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"I still don't see what you're being so distant about this," said Raven. Beast Boy stood looking out the window at the brightening moon. Beads of sweat moved down his head. She took his hand and forced him to look at her instead. "You know I'm the one person you can't hide emotions from." He shook his head and moved past her.

"Raven for crying out loud…"

"I'm serious Beast Boy; I haven't this kind of distress from you since Terra." He crossed his arms. She became aware of his hard breathing. "You didn't come in here and tell me goodbye for no reason at all, what's happening to you?" It didn't matter anymore; he'd spent too much time gushing over her. In few minuets he was going to change and there was nothing he could do about it. He stood with his back to her. Raven's patience was at an end. She took hold of his arm and spun him around. Then with a hushed gasp she backed away as his eyes began to give off an eerie glow. She understood immediately. "No, Beast Boy…you're a-"

"Stay-AWAY FROM ME!" He gripped the edge of her bed and with little effort threw it up between them. He rounded on her door and kicked it into splinters. Raven shielded herself from the debris with a dark sphere. When the dust cleared Beast Boy was nowhere in sight. Starfire and Cyborg ran inside in time to see Raven levitating what was left of her bed back into place.

"Raven? What in the world happened?"

"Its Beast Boy, he can't be allowed to escape….for his own good." The three hurried out to catch their friend. Outside among the valley houses, Beast Boy ran at breakneck speed trying to outrun what he knew he couldn't escape from. He skidded to a halt at the sight of Shandrey ahead of him.

"You can't leave Beast Boy, not until you give us a chance to help you."

"DON'T YOU GUYS GET IT? I CAN'T BE HELPED! AAAHHHHHHRRRGGGHHH!" Shandrey backed up somewhat. The beams of the full moon rained down on him, he was beginning to transform. He gripped his chest as his ribcage expanded inhumanly. Shandrey swallowed hard as she prepared a swirling fluid within her hand. His green color darkened so much it was hard to distinguish it from all out black. "ACKKK! AAARRRRGH-" His screams soon morphed into growls and roars. Shandrey's mouth parted and she began to regret her actions somewhat. She saw his grow into a snout and the transformation was complete. Before Shandrey could warn them the villagers poked their heads outside to see what the commotion was.

"NO! GO BACK INSIDE!" It was too little too late. The first person Beast Boy's eyes laid on was the first to fall from a vicious slash across the chest. The shock of the attack left Shandrey breathless and stunned. So much that Beast Boy had time to strike yet another three innocent bystanders. The yells and screeches of the people filled the valley and many fled for their lives. Shandrey shook her head and caught Beast Boy's raised and clawed hand with a water tendril. "Sorry Beast Boy." She gave it a hard tug but he only slid a few feet. He leaned in the opposite direction, putting his weight into it. With a heave Shandrey left the ground was thrown in the air. "AHHHHH!" She screamed and would of landed on a wooden fence post had she not been caught by a field of dark energy. Raven, Cyborg, and Starfire entered the scene. Raven landed Shandrey beside them and they encircled Beast Boy. He gave short growls as they moved closer and closer. Raven focused all of her attention on him.

"Beast Boy, it's me." Cyborg, Starfire, and Shandrey could do nothing except watch Raven inch closer and closer to the Lycan form of their friend. She began to mentally reach out to as signified by her glowing eyes. She drew closer and he jerked somewhat with a snarl. The others jumped into ready stances. "No!" said Raven stopping them with her hand. "Stay right where you are."

"Ravennn," said Cyborg warily.

"I know what I'm doing," said Raven not taking her eyes off Beast Boy. He moved toward her. "Beast Boy…" As he got nearer he parted his mouth as if to preparing to strike. She felt his torrential emotions before focused on her. "Stop," she said calmly. "I know you don't want to do this Beast Boy." Starfire held a ready starbolt behind her back. Raven, who was shaking from head to toe, was now just a few feet from him. "I can help you." She reached out a hand to him. "I can help you control it." The combination of Raven's calm speaking and her telepathic prowess seemed to keep Beast Boy pretty docile. For a moment it looked as though Raven might actually have caged the beast so to speak. Then along came a lone villager trying to be a hero. Unbeknownst to the Titans he ran up behind them and pointed a shotgun at Beast Boy. Raven's hand was just a hair away from him when she noticed the villager behind Beast Boy. "NO!" He fired anyway. As Raven knew it would, the buckshot hardly fazed Beast Boy and only roused his animalistic temper. A loud howl filled the air as Beast Boy jumped clear over Starfire and Cyborg. He landed not far from the fleeing villager and caught him around the neck. Raven looked away as Beast Boy's griped tightened the point where ever flowing blood seeped around his hand. His attacker dead Beast Boy stormed through a nearby door leading into the canyon side.

"Come on!" Shouted Cyborg. Shandrey and Starfire followed him through the hole Beast Boy made. Raven on the other hand chose a different path.

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Inside his cell Amon paced back and forth. He heard many sets of gunfire and screams of agony and fear. "What in God's name is going on out there?" He had no window to see out of but from the sounds could tell whatever the commotion it was drawing closer. A roar from the source of the terror told the vampire everything he needed to know. He'd heard a roar like that many times. A guard from the hall burst in the room and slammed the door shut. He didn't seem to notice Amon. He leant against the door breathing hard.

"He buddy, you all right?" The guard turned his head somewhat.

"Are you kidding, I'm lucky to ali-" Amon quickly grabbed his head and twisted it around. The body slid to the floor with Amon promptly padding and looking around in the pockets. He found the door key and took the guard's 9mm as well.

"In my opinion…" He cocked the weapon. "You're lucky to be dead." He walked out of his cell and trotted down the halls looking behind him every now and then. The hoarse sound of a Lycan made him pause his movements. He ran into a crevice in the wall and waited. By the sounds of it the Lycan was drawing near. He would wait for the beast to come closer then using the few amount of bullets he had he would slow him down long enough to land the killer blow himself. And so he waited….and waited……and waited some more. Amon grew impatient. He looked around from inside his cover and saw nothing. "Where'd you go?"

"Mmrgh!" He froze as the hot breath of something large, hairy, and growling stood behind him. He ground his teeth then swiftly turned to open fire. Beast Boy caught the hand that held the pistol and crushed it with his hand. Amon would have cried in pain had it not been for Beast Boy suddenly gripping his jaw.

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Cyborg accompanied by Starfire and Shandrey ran swiftly through the halls. Everywhere there were signs of Beast Boy's passing. As they saw the aftermath Starfire began to understand Beast Boy's strong desire to leave, he just didn't do it in time. They reached Amon's cell and slowly came to a halt. Starfire brought her fist alight and stepped inside. A moment later she emerged shaking her head.

"He is not here." Cyborg angrily beat his fist against the wall.

"Damn weasel, should've killed him when I had the chance-oh..wait hold on…" He looked around into a crevice and backed up slightly in disgust.

"What is it?" asked Shandrey. "Is it Amon?"

"What's left of him." He walked on. The two girls braved a glance at what he described and immediately wished they hadn't. "Come on girls we gotta move," called Cyborg. They promptly left the gruesome scene. They caught up with Cyborg just as he engaged Beast Boy in short combat. They stood out on one of the wood catwalks along the canyon wall. The Lycan slashed at Cyborg always missing him by a hair. Beast Boy slid backwards as Cyborg shot the ground just above his feet. As soon as he stopped Starfire hit his shoulder with a fairly low yield starbolt. He twisted his head around and growled fiercely at her.

"Please friend Beast Boy! Stop this!" With another loud yowl he leapt down from the wood platform. "Beast Boy!" He hit the ground landing on one knee. Completely unhindered by the shock of the drop he continued on his way. Cyborg leant forward on the railing gazing out at the disappearing Beast Boy.

"Man how could this day get any worse?" Down below a lifeless hand jerked to life and a hissing growl could be heard. Cyborg closed his eyes in dread. Shandrey sent him a 'you had to ask' look and looked down. The recently deceased victims of Beast Boy suddenly sprang back to life.

"No," She turned back to Cyborg and Starfire. "They're turning!"

Cyborg hung his head. "Ohhhhh crap."

"We have to stop them," said Shandrey finding a short cut to the ground. Cyborg irritably followed by means of the extending grapple his arm could become. Starfire stepped up on the railing to follow also but caught of something out of the corner of her eye. She turned her gaze upwards and saw Rafael perched on the upper deck where Cyborg had practiced earlier. He stared down at her with a straight face then walked away. Starfire let out a growl reminiscent of Beast Boy's and took flight. Rafael stood running his hand over ornately carved wood railing. It all looked very much like the roof of Titans Tower. He heard the air behind shift unnaturally. Turning in place he saw Starfire hovering in the air with one knee bent to keep her balance. Her fists were clenched and both containing a ready ball of energy. He grinned with a wide toothy smile.

"What?" she asked with a massive annoyance.

"You just look so sexy when you're pissed off." A quick beam from her eyes at his feet told him not to continue that thought. He quirked an eyebrow at the singe mark on his shoe. "That was a compliment."

"I am having difficulty in restraining myself," warned Starfire.

"Then don't," teased Rafael. "Get rid of all those useless inhibitions and let the crazy take over. Trust me its fun." He couldn't see her irises as both her eyes were a bright green.

"Leave this place and bother us no more."

"Then I suppose you won't be coming with me." Starfire simply couldn't believe how thick headed even he could be.

"I find myself surprised, you are smarter then you appear." Rafael finally seemed to have had enough. He nodded and began walking about.

"Very well, but if I can't have you…" he drew from within his billowing clothes a sword. "Then neither will he." For Starfire there was no other way to deal with such a twisted individual. Her speech became replaced by battle cries and launched her self forward.

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Down below Cyborg and Shandrey were having a heck of a time dealing with the turned Lycans brought about by Beast Boy. No doubt their rapid transformation was product of Isard's mastery with genetic manipulation. Cyborg kicked away one fallen wolf and turned just in time to see one pouncing from above. He shot it in the chest with a strong sonic blast sending into a burning pile of wreckage. His next move was to stop one from advancing on Shandrey as she kept two at bay. She was vaguely aware of Cyborg's defense on her behalf, not that it really mattered at this time. She waved her arms like a freely moving fluid. Strong pulses of water shot from her hands and struck the oncoming beasts.

One quick wolf jumped down beside Shandrey and knocked her backwards. Instinctually she held out her hand making a water whip spring from it. It grabbed the Lycan around the neck allowing Shandrey to steady herself. With a simple thought the whip turned to ice and soon so did the wolf. Cyborg took advantage of that by shattering it to pieces with quick sonic blast. And yet their foes just kept coming. The ones that rose up as Lycans seemed to kill any who were stupid enough to stick around and they became Lycans also. For every one Cyborg and Shandrey killed another two seemed to take its place. Shandrey formed a swirling cone between her hands and with a gentle blow from her mouth transformed it into a sharp ice spike. She shot it forward skewering the nearest werewolf. They stood back to back defending each other. Cyborg let a volley of missiles fly from his shoulders; they detonated more on the ground to create shrapnel. He saw them closing around them and knew they needed some kind of reprieve.

"Shan give us some room." She nodded. With a growing moan that signaled a gathering of strength Shandrey crossed her arms. She suddenly spread them out and a huge bubble of water burst forth from around her and Cyborg. The rampaging wolves shot backwards, some hitting hard against rocks walls while others became impaled upon pieces of destroyed housing. She leaned over slightly. "You okay?"

"Always takes my wind," she said referring to her latter attack. Cyborg looked around.

"Where's Star?" Small explosions above drew their attention in said direction. "Yep, more bad stuff."

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"YYAAAA!" A long green starbolt hit the ground leaving a smoking crater in its wake. Rafael had leapt aside to avoid the blast or rather ending up like that crater. The enraged Tamaranian let loose more starbolts, and then more just because she felt extra-as he put it-pissed! He managed to deflect a few with his sword but became worried his blade might succumb to repeated hits. Thus he resorted to hopping around and dodging her attacks.

"Come on Nightingale you can do better than this!" He taunted. His vampiric speed carried up behind her and she promptly received a blow to the back. She skipped along the ground skidding to a halt. She raised herself up and craned her neck around to face him.

"DO-NOT-CALL ME THAT! HA!" Her eyes discharged two unrelenting beams of energy. They struck him directly in the face the sheer force of which knocked him in a back flip. He landed on the ground face first. Starfire hoisted herself back into the air. Rafael took hold of his sword and using that for support rose to his feet. She cringed slightly at seeing his severely scared face slowly healing itself.

"I rather like it, o'natur-al." He spud up to her and grabbed her arm. He swung her against the ground then threw her like a rag doll. Determined not to give him a moment's peace she fought back even as she flew backwards through the air.

From a distance Robin and Lee rode alongside each other. They stopped when the sounds as well as sight of explosions ahead caught them. Robin steadied himself.

"Lee."

"The valley," confirmed Lee. They looked at each other. Lee was well aware he couldn't ride as fast as he could while carrying Nayia with him. "Go. I'll catch up. GO!" Robin kicked his horse's sides and galloped on ahead. He beat the reins harder against the neck of his steed. No matter how steady the speed of his horse actually was Robin willed the world around him to go by faster. Soon the mouth of the two canyons opening the way to Kitsune valley were ahead of Robin. He passed through them and just as they feared Lycans prowled the grounds. He spotted Cyborg and Shandrey still doing battle with the inexorable monsters.

"Cyborg!" Cyborg knocked away the snout of one and looked toward the one who called his name. Robin came to a halt beside him.

"Robin?" The vampire slayer looked about for the rest of his friends and one in particular.

"Where is everyone?" The pace of the battle forbade an explanation of any length so Cyborg merely pointed to the highest point where Starfire was currently doing battle with Rafael. Robin jumped off his horse taking his sword with him. Cyborg saw him disappear in the doorway leading upwards and rejoined Shandrey.

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Starfire blasted flying barrel that was thrown at her by her opponent. Unfortunately it was of course filled with fuel and upon defending herself the barrel blew up giving Starfire a few burns.

"It's a shame you don't heal as well as you used to," said Rafael eyeing her wounds. "One of the perks you lost upon returning to the life of an imperfect mortal. However I suppose some part of you will always be Nightingale."

"I am not a vampire!" Spat Starfire hurling two more starbolts at Rafael. He took one in the shoulder and ducked behind some cover.

"And you're not quite Tamaranian!" He shot back. "So what are you? A hybrid? A shadow of what our species could be? Oh I hate what you've done to me Nightingale." Starfire flew about the rocky roof top in search for Rafael. "My life is now meaningless as long as you're not a part of it." She saw him and let the air light up with her fury. She pelted his hiding spot with a barrage of energy.

"Can you not see I find this way of living far more enjoyable than the previous?" asked Starfire having lost sight of him again in the blind anger with which she used to attack.

"And that is something I refuse to believe my dear." She heard his voice behind her but didn't act on it in enough time. She felt him grab hold of her ankle and pulled her down from her spot in the air. Shocked and off guard Starfire suffered hitting the ground hard and feeling cold steel slash at her back. A pain filled screech escaped her. Rafael stared at the sheen of blood on his blade. Starfire rolled over onto her back and gazed up at him. He sampled the red fluid directly from the sharp metal and closed his eyes. "Oh my, I've forgotten…I've forgotten how sweet you are." Starfire began trying to inch away from him by crawling backwards. He stomped his foot down on her ankle and she heard it crack.

"AH!" her voice was cut off by the throbbing in her ankle. He looked down at her wicked smile.

"Spare the formalities and spoil the alien, I will bathe in your blood." He held his sword above his head telling Starfire all she could do was close her eyes and look away. "Goodbye Nightingale." He brought down his sword. Starfire braced herself for the killer blow…..but instead heard a resounding ring; the type of ring when two cold steel blades collide with one another. She dared a look and could hardly believe her eyes at seeing Robin standing over her. He knocked away Rafael's blade kicked him something fierce. With the vampire lying a fair distance Robin bent down to the alien girl.

"Are you okay?"

"I am now," she whispered. Robin hardly had time to make sure she was mortally wounded. He became aware of Rafael straightening himself back up.

"Dragon, you are making a career out of interference!"

"Some career," muttered Robin. Rafael kicked his sword up into the air and caught while staring straight ahead. The wavy hamon running down Robin's katana shined in the moonlight. Starfire sat up leaning to one side. She pulled her hurt ankle up to her and held it with a slight wince. As she looked at the two combatants she could swear a bolt of lighting was going to strike in between them. The air was then filled with battle hardened yells from Robin and Rafael. Loud clangs and rings cut through the cold air. Robin spun about letting his sword slash at his opponent. Rafael broke his sword apart into two thinner versions making Robin's eyes widen. Robin manipulated his sword with god-worthy speed in order to block the two sharp edges. He parried Rafael's latest attack then corkscrewed to the left to avoid a slash at his leg. Rafael stepped back as Robin came out of his flip. The former boy wonder landed on one leg and quickly steadied himself with the other. The two moved about in a circle.

"Is she worth this Richard?" Robin's grip tightened as did his hardened features. Starfire sat herself against a natural rocky formation. "Is she worth dying for?" She turned her eyes back to her hero. Robin forced his dried throat to swallow down some tension.

"Yes." Mere words could hardly heal her body physically but they did wonders for her spirit. She tried to stand up and join him but found as soon as she tried to support herself with her hurt leg she yelped painfully. Robin shot a fearful look back at her giving Rafael what he needed. The vampire glided forward as though on wheels and lunged the point of his sword ahead. Robin saw the attack coming but only moved far enough for Rafael to just miss his belly. He instead stabbed Robin through the right leg.

"YEAAAAHHHHHH!" He hit Rafael hard off the jaw to knock him away. Starfire saw an opening and with a combination of starbolts and eyebeams sent Rafael flying. She gathered up Robin and pulled him behind the rock formation she was sitting against. Rafael quickly recovered and looked to searching for them; however the veil of night kept them hidden for the moment. The two allowed Rafael to pass before exchanging hushed whispers.

"Can you continue Robin?" she asked quietly. He barred his teeth in an attempt to relieve some pain.

"I have to." His eyes then fell upon something in between them. He picked up something the size of a golf ball and recognized it immediately as one of Cyborg's flash grenades. It must have been left over from his training session. Starfire noticed his pensive face.

"What are you considering?"

"THIS IS GETTING TO BE QUTIE RUDE OF YOU TWO!" They jerked at the sound of Rafael's voice. Robin looked around the large boulder to make sure he was out of earshot.

"I was just wondering how invulnerable Isard's daywalker serum actually made him." Starfire began to speculate on the possibility but Rafael suddenly grabbed Robin around the neck. He did it so suddenly Starfire screamed aloud. He pulled the vampire slayer from out of their hiding place and threw him to the ground.

"Hide and seek is done my friend."
"No! No you leave him alone!" Starfire flew up and pounded on his back. He swiftly turned to back hand Starfire across the face. She fell back to the ground with a thud.

"Wait your turn; I'll be with you in a moment bitch." Robin surreptitiously tapped a button on the grenade putting it in standby mode. He felt the toe of Rafael's shoe kick him in the stomach. It forced a raw grunt out of him. Rafael twisted his neck about, relieving stress. Back behind the large rock Starfire awoke from the short knock out. She shook her head deliriously then made an effort to climb back over. When she was finally able to see over the rock she saw Rafael flip Robin over and pick up by lapels of his coat. Robin and Rafael's faces were mere inches apart. Rafael's hungry fangs exposed themselves with a menacing hiss. "I'm going to savor this moment." Yet as soon as he began to bring Robin forward the renowned warrior stabbed the vampire in the stomach with a dagger. He'd carefully pulled it out from inside his boot. Rafael halted his advance, his confident voice turned to a series of gasps for air. Robin twisted the blade about making the wound wider. Starfire winced at the sound it made. Rafael's grip on Robin's clothing tightened. His foe weakened and off balance, Robin led him to the wood railing along the canyon drop. Rafael craned his neck around to look down the long drop to the ground. He then returned his gaze to Robin, a river of blood seeped out of his mouth. He grinned mockingly. "It…it had to end this way….d-didn't it?" The hero nodded. His other hand pressed the same button on the flash grenade stating the short timer. He smoothly removed the dagger then jammed the tiny grenade into Rafael's wound.

"Time to face the sun." He laid a strong kick to Rafael's chest forcing him past the wood railing. As he fell Rafael arched his back while beams of white and blue light poured out his mouth and eyes. Robin looked away just as the vampire's skin was burned away and the whole of his body blew apart in all directions. Robin sensed the bright light had died down so he opened his eyes. Rafael was utterly destroyed, there was nothing hanging on the catwalks below or lying on the ground, not a single it of him remained.

"Robin." He looked behind him. There was Starfire limping up beside him. She fell on her wrenched ankle and Robin swooped down to catch her. However he too put pressure on his own leg wound and they both fell to the ground in a crumpled heap. They both just lay there beside one another taking in deep breaths. Starfire turned her head as did Robin. Her eyes moved up and down his form. "You look terrible." Robin's eyes blinked several times. With a chuckle that caused him pain in his stomach he moved some matted hair out of her face.

"Yeah well….so do you." Sheer relief from victory and seeing the other alive brought a round of quiet laughter out of them. Still lying on his back Robin reached up to his face. "Ohhh man, I'm looking at some serious vacation time." He felt the deep wound in his leg and winced. "Star, my leg hasn't stopped bleeding. Ya think you could do something for me?" Her eyes fluttered open.

"Of course, what is it?" He gestured to his leg and she put on a reluctant face. However she saw what he meant and obliged. She crawled over to his leg and after making sure he was ready applied a hot starbolt to his leg. Robin instantly shot up but she caught him by the chest. While he then passed out from the searing pain Starfire did manage to stop the bleeding. Her task done Starfire collapsed on his chest. 'Oh my, I am so tired.'

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Lee galloped into the valley with Nayia tucked firmly between his arms. He saw Cyborg and Shandrey rounding up the dead and placing them neatly side by side. He slowed his horse to a steady trot. Shandrey was first to notice him. She grabbed Cyborg's attention and the two hurried up to his side. Cyborg took Nayia allowing Lee to jump down.

"Are you two alright?"

"We'll live," said Cyborg. He cradled Lee's sister in his metallic arms. "What's up with her?" he asked looking her over.

"Nothing much she's just been heavily sedated." Shandrey peered down at Nayia curiously. She took the young girl's hand so as to rub it gingerly within her own. "Shandrey?"

"It is just so hard to believe it's her, I haven't seen in such a while." Lee nodded agreeably. He darted his eyes about looking for someone.

"Where the others?"

"Robin and Starfire are up there," said Cyborg jerking his head skyward. "We only took care of things down here a minuet ago. It just got pretty quiet so I was gonna head on up."

"Raven and Beast Boy?" Cyborg and Shandrey glanced at one another.

Shandrey held her arms. "We don't know."

Some distance away from the valley Beast Boy, still in his Lycan form lurked about in a patch of forest. He grunted and snorted as he went, pausing only to rest his tired limbs.

"There you are." The wolf wheeled around. Raven touched down on the ground from up above in the trees. She lowered her hood revealing her lilac hair. "Whatever Isard has done to you I can counter." The instinct driven werewolf geared himself up for a charge. "Don't make me hurt you." But it seemed Beast Boy was currently incapable of reason. He let Raven hear his roar of raw power. His legs then carried him toward her. Raven brought a glow of her powers to her hands. "Fine."

Jeeze loweeze that chapter actually required adrenaline to write, not to mention read. Hopefully things will improve for our heroes, but we'll only know for sure once I update. Which will be soon…..hopefully.