Chapter 26 - Journey Home
This chapter flows a lot better than the last one. I want to finish the second arche by chapter 30, but theirs just sooooo much to cover. It's very exhausting. Anyway 365 for update.
Oh, and to the guest reviewer who asked for my other account, I'll do you a favor and not tell you. I was young when I wrote those storys and they aren't great.
Saturday, January, 26th 12:30 PM - Tameranian transport ship (common room)
Normal POV
"Hello Princess."
Kori's eyes narrowed on the man before abruptly standing. Nightwing stood behind her, seeing that she was alarmed. Everyone else didn't hesitate to follow.
"You will not call me princess. I am your Grand Ruler and you will address me as such. Now bow," she demanded.
The man grimaced, but did as told. "When I am your husband you will be the one on your knees," he said.
Kori was naive, but she picked up on the sexual meaning. "My future husband is on this ship, but I assure you Karras, he is not you, and I will only be on my knees for him." She looked back at Nightwing to see his eyes narrowed on the man, now realizing who he was.
Karras smirked and rose back to his feet before approaching Nightwing.
Nightwing got into a defensive stance preparing for combat, but Prince Karras stopped a couple of feet short of him. "Do you honestly believe this human has a chance against me?," he asked Kori, but kept his eyes on Nightwing.
"I would not be so sure of myself if I were you," Kori retorted.
Even though Nightwing had no idea what was being said he added on, "If you wanna go, I can kick your ass right here, and save us the trip."
Karras just frowned, not understanding. He reached for Gar, who was standing beside Kori, and grabbed him by the shirt before ramming his lips into his.
Gar's eyes became as wide as saucers as did everyone's besides Kori and Nightwing, who both were aware that Karras was only using Gar to learn English.
When he released the green teen, Gar collapsed the ground and began to gag. "Dude, that was so not cool. If you bat that way it's fine, but I have a girlfriend," he exclaimed, motioning to Raven, who was still horrified by what she just saw.
Karras gave him an odd look. "Even with me now knowing your language, I barely understood anything you just said."
"You speak English?," the Flash asked.
"Tameranians learn languages instantly through lip contact. There is nothing romantic about it to us," Kori answer for him.
Nightwing frowned at her. "You don't like kissing?"
She looked up at him, hurriedly correcting herself. "No, I love the making out, although I would not mind more biting, especially when we..."
"Woooow," Cyborg exclaimed, not wanting to hear anymore. "Let's stay focused."
Prince Karras just looked over the group. Humans were odd. His attention was recaptured when Nightwing stepped toward him.
"Now that you can understand me, I'm going to make myself very clear. Stay. Away. From. Kori."
His cocky smirk returned. "My only reason for being on this trip is to make sure our little princess here returned home." He leaned down so that his face was only inches from hers. "Unless she would like to give me an early wedding present."
That was it. Nightwing had it. In a move so lightning quick that it could have rivaled the Flash, Nightwing knead the leaned down Karras in the face, before sweeping his legs out from under him and pinning him to the ground with knee on the prince's throat. "If you even try anything you want make it back to Tameran," he said in almost a calm voice.
Kori knew it wasn't when Nightwing was yelling that you had to worry about him. No, when his voice was like this was when he was serious. She bent down and pulled her chosen off the bloodied nosed Karras. "N'laene, please now is no the time for this."
"How dare you touch me you worthless human. I shall have the guards throw you into space for this," Karras shouted.
Nightwing lunged back at him, but was stopped by Kori once more. He shrugged her hands off his shoulders before grumbling something and walking over to Flash, who was smiling widely at the sudden display of violence.
Kori turned back to the now rising Karras. "You will do no such thing. I am Grand Ruler and I overrule you. Now, return to your room, and if you cause any more issues on the return to Tameran it shall be you who is thrown into space."
He gritted his teeth, but by the fire in her eye he could tell that she wasn't bluffing. "Very well, but mark my words Koriand'r, you will be mine. That, I promise you," he said before turning from the room, glaring at Nightwing as he did.
With Karras gone, Kori made her way over to her chosen, who sitting on the arm of Flash's red chair, his eyes narrowed in a brooding glare and his arms crossed over his chest.
"Nightwing, you shouldn't have done that," she scolded him.
He shot up from the chair arm. "I shouldn't have done that? He was suggesting that you have sex with him. I should have done a lot worse."
"You know I would not accept, so therefore you reacted for nothing. If I were not Grand Ruler you would be put to death as soon as we returned to Tameran for assaulting a noble."
"I'm your boyfriend, or chosen, or whatever, why are you taking his side," Nightwing exclaimed.
"I am not taking his side, I am simply trying to keep things calm until we arrive. Besides, is it not wise to let him believe you to be weak, instead of showing him the contrary," Kori reasoned, much more softly.
Nightwing just scowled. Damn her logic.
"All I ask is that you be the have the rest of the trip. We will be at Tameran in a few days, and you may have your space from each other," she said, pleadingly.
He sighed, dropping his hands from his chest. "Sorry," he mumbled.
Seeing that he'd given up, she smiled at him and took his hand. "Let us sit," she said, taking his hand and leading him back to the couch.
Gar, who was still seated on the floor with his back leaning against the couch, looked around the room. "So umm guys, when we get home how about we don't bring up I got kissed by a shirtless dude?"
Cyborg burst into laughter, followed by the Flash and Bumble Bee.
"Dudes, I'm serious."
Their laughter was only halted when they felt the ship jolt, signaling that they were taking off.
Kori took a deep breath. "Here we go."
Monday, January 28th 11:00 PM (Earth Time) - Tameranian ship
Kori's POV
I awake in mine and Richard's bedroom. Though I am not facing him, I can feel his arm wrapped around me. I love the warm, safe feeling it gives me, but I have to use the facility, so I move gently away, careful not to wake him, which is not as easy task. He is a very light sleeper.
After successfully removing myself from the bed I exit the room, nodding to the guards outside my doorway before making my way to the bathroom. One of the things that I miss most about Earth is having a bathroom in our bedroom. Richard says I drank to much during the day time, and that is why I have to use the facilities so often at night. He is probably right, but I maintain that it is his fault. He is the one who gave me my first Sprite. I cannot help that I cannot stop drinking them.
I finally manage to make it to the bathroom and take care of my business, but as I make my way to leave I run into someone who must have been on their way to the bathroom as well. I look up to find that it is the last person that I wanted to see. Karras.
"Taking a late night stroll are we Grand Ruler?," he says with that awful smirk. I am not sure why, but I have always found Richard's cocky smirk sexy, as they say, but on Karras it just angers me.
"I was simply using the facility, and if you do not mind I need to return to my chosen before he wakes," I say as I attempt to walk passed him, but he moves to stand in front of me.
"Before you leave, I have a question for you. Why chose a human? They are weak creatures. Do you not desire someone strong?"
"I chose Nightwing because of the man he is. He has shown me kindness and love unlike anyone I have ever known, and I assure you he is not weak."
"You may cling to that thought as you watch me kill him," he smirks.
That was the wrong thing for him to say. Enraged, I forcefully slam him up against the nearest wall. As my hand squeezes his throat I hear him gag as he trys to breath. I light a starbolt and put it to his head. "I suggest you thank Nightwing for installing human morals in me, otherwise I would not hesitate to kill you where you stand, regardless of what the elders on Tameran would think of it. Personally, I do not care."
I give one last forceful squeeze before dropping him to the ground, and watching him slide down the wall, panting for air. My eyes narrow on him. "Nightwing is my chosen, and not your opinion, nor anyone's on Tameran will change that," I say before walking off back to my room. I wish I would have killed him there, but Richard would not be happy with me if I did so, and I do not know if I could even do it at this point.
Richard says heroes do not kill because that would make them no different than people like the Joker or Slade, and I know what he says is correct. On my planet I would be considered weak to not finish an adversary, but that is part of the reason I wish to make my home on Earth. I was always somewhat of the ball that is odd on Tameran. You were supposed to always exude confidence and never cry, never show weakness, but the fact is that is not me. I am emotional, sometimes to much, but I cannot help it. It is who I am.
When I re-enter our room, I find Richard setting up in bed, looking somewhat confused. "Where did you go?," he asks me.
"I had to pee," I answer bluntly, deciding to leave out the confrontation with Karras, as I approach my side of our circular bed.
He blinks at me, but I am able to see slight amusement in his eyes, even through the darkness of our room. "Told you not to drink so much, but no, someone was Ms. know it all and said she'd be 'the okay.'
I giggle and playfully slap his arm. "Do the shutting up and go back to sleep."
He smirks. "I have a better idea," he replys before rolling on top me. I feel his teeth graze against my shoulder."You said something about more biting?," he whispers.
My body tenses in anticipation. "That would be pleasurable," I respond in the same tone, as I tilt my head to give him access to my neck.
His teeth firmly bite down on my neck, but just enough to send waves of pleasure coursing through me. I close my eyes and interlock my legs around his waist. I feel him reach for his pants of jogging that I am wearing an begin to pull them down. I am enthralled by the sensations coursing through me, and after a stress filled week, I believe it is time for some release.
Wednesday, January 30th 2:00 PM - Tameranian ship
Normal POV
Kori paced back and forth across the ships common room, now wearing traditional Tameranian clothing that had been brought to her by one of the guards. Nightwing along with the rest of the Titans and the Flash watched her, their eyes following her every movement. She had been informed just an hour earlier, that they were nearing Tameran, and would be there soon. Ever since then she had been walking back and forth like this, despite everyone's best attempts to calm her.
Nightwing feeling it was his responsibility to ease her, stood from where he was seated in between the Flash and Raven, and walked over to her, wrapping his arm around her to halt her nervous pacing. "Kori, relax."
"I am trying, but it is not that simple," she retorted.
He took her hand and led her over to the couch. As he sat, he pulled her onto his lap to hold her in place. "If you don't calm down, were going to have to get Raven to calm you down."
She looked over at Raven. "That might be for the best."
"Can you Raven?," Nightwing asked her.
Raven nodded and grabbed Kori's hand.
Kori felt her body relax just enough so that she wasn't in a panic. "I thank you," she breathed as she slumped back against Nightwing.
"No problem, it wouldn't be good for you to show up on Tameran as a nervous wreck."
"Speaking of that," Cyborg began, "is there anything we should know before we land?"
Kori thought for a moment before nodding. "Yes, a few things. The majority of the times you will be confused, due to not knowing our language. I will try and explain things the best I can when I get the chance. Also, tonight before I proclaim Nightwing as my chosen I will make a decree that no one is to touch you in any way, especially the lip contact," she began, remembering the incident with Gar, "but until then, do try to avoid it, especially you," she said, looking back at Nightwing with a glare in her eyes.
"Though I know they do not mean it sexually, I still do not wish for another females lips to be against yours."
He nodded. "I'll keep my lips to myself as much as possible."
"That would be wise," she replied warningly, to which Nightwing just smiled.
Kori refocused and turned her attention back to the rest of the group. "Also, I will not be able to be with you all the time, so when I am not, please stay together or in your rooms. The royal palace is quite large, and it would not do for you to get lost, and please understand some things you see will be considered strange, but that is the culture difference." She glanced at Nightwing. "Some of you will likely become frustrated with me, but please understand that whatever I do or say I have a reason for. Are we see through... clear on everything," she corrected herself.
The Flash gave her the okay sign with his hand. "Crystal, but I do have one little complaint."
"Yes?"
"How about we just let all the females kiss me, you know to get our language and everything?"
Nightwing just smirked and shook his head.
Kori shrugged. "Very well, but do not say I did not warn you when a large man kisses you."
He waved his hand dismissively. "I'll just run away from them."
Before Kori could reply a royal guard entered the room through one of the metallic sliding doors, and approached her. "Grand Ruler, we are set to land."
"Then let us," she replied.
He bowed. "Very well," he said before turning on the heels of his boots and leaving the room.
As he exited through the door, Karras passed by him, entering the room. "Well, it appears that we are home. I am most grateful, a few more days with all you humans and I am sure I would have gone insane."
Nightwing growled. He wanted so badly to retort, but he promised Kori he would 'be the have,' and let her handle everything.
"Do not worry Prince Karras, we did not find our time with you anymore enjoyable," Kori retorted.
"Especially me," Gar added, shuddering slightly as the thought of the kiss replayed in his mind.
"I was not referring to you Koriand'r. As much as you would like to be, you are not human, and I am very happy that we will be spending the rest of our lives ruling together."
Nightwing tried to stand, but Kori managed to keep him seated. "Believe what you wish Karras, but I assure our time together shall be very short."
"Damn right," Nightwing added.
Karras opened his mouth to reply, but before he was able to say anything, the ship jarred slightly, signaling that they had landed. Everyone stood to their feet, bags in hand, just as the sound of the hatch opening filled their ears. Six Royal guards marched on to the ship, bowing as soon as they laid eyes on their Grand Ruler.
"Grand Ruler," the lead guard began, "we have been instructed to escort you to your K'norfka in the the throne room of the palace."
Kori straightened her back. "That will not be necessary, I am quite capable of making it to the throne room without your assistance." She had never been a fan of guards constantly following her every move, and now that she was the Grand Ruler she could finally do something about it. "Your are dismissed," she waved them off.
By the hand gesture, everyone could guess what she had told them.
"Very well," the lead guard replied before rising to his feet and motioning for his men to exit the ship.
Karras turned back to Kori. "Shall we go Grand Ruler? You do not wish to keep your K'norfka waiting, do you?," he said with a smirk.
Kori just scowled, grabbed Nightwing's hand, and walked past the prince, the rest of her friends following behind. When they reached the outside of the ship, all gaped in amazement. The royal palace was indeed huge, making Wayne Manor look like a storage room. It made entirely of grey pricks, but was decorated in many purple flags, as if Kori had designed it herself.
The royal palace was not the only thing that caught their attention. Tameran's sky was red, and the clouds above were almost a brownish color. Out in the distance some vegetation could be see, but everything was mostly sand and rock formations, similar to a desert landscape on earth. Despite how strange it seemed it was also beautiful in a way.
"Dude," Gar breathed as he stared, wide eyed.
Kori turned back to her friends. "Come, let us make with the haste. My K'norfka is waiting to greet me." she said before turning and walking down a stone bridge that lead from the ship's landing spot to an arch shaped entrance way, dragging Nightwing along with her a she walked.
A room, a very large room with a purple carpet down it's center that lead to two chairs at the very end, is what the group was lead to. A man, much biger than any earthling, stood at it's center. Kori 'eeped' before releasing Nightwing's hand and flying off toward the man, tackling him with a hug upon meeting him.
He bellowed a laugh. "Oh, I have missed you my little bumgorf."
"As I have you. It is glorius to see you again," she exclaimed as she nuzzeld into the man's beard. When she finally broke from the hug, she placed her lips breifly against the mans to transfer the English language, before turning to her friends.
"K'norfka Galfore, these our mind friends from Earth, "and this," she began, floating over to Nightwing and wrapping her arms around him, "is my chosen."
"Greetings, warrior of Earth," Galfore bellowed as placed his fist in the middle of his chest in a saluting motion.
"Copy his motion," Kori whispered into his ear.
Nightwing did as instructed and placed his fist to his chest.
Glafroe dropped his hand and studied the human. He was indeed tiny, and why were his eyes covered? He guessed it was a custom of Earth warriors, somwewhat like the glowing eyes of Tameranians. He moved his attention to the others behind Kori. They all seemed quite strange. One was as green as a Tameranian's eyes, and was very small. Another had insect wings. There was a larger one, who appeared to be half machine. One who's face was nothing but blackness, shadowed out by the white hood on her head, and a another with a more full mask than the Nightwing had.
Galfore stroked his beard. "All your friends our warriors?," he asked Kori.
She nodded. "We our known as heroes on Earth."
He nodded his head in understanding, just as a guard approached him and whispered something into his ear. "Very well," he said, and the guard turned to leave.
"What is wrong?," Kori asked.
"There is nothing wrong my bumgorf. The High Council on wishes for your presence," he informed her.
Kori fought not to swallow. She had to remain calm. "Very well." She turned to one of the guards standing at attention nearby. "Please escort my friends and my chosen to my room on corridor seven."
He bowed. "I shall."
She turned to her friends and her chosen, who were all looking confused. "I must meet with the High Council. I am having my guards escort you to your rooms, and I will join you once my meeting is over."
"I'll go with you," Nightwing said quickly.
"No, you will do as I instructed you to do and go to your room," she replied sternly.
Nightwing gaped at her. Did she really just give him an order? "Kori,.." he began to protest before being cut off.
"Nightwing, I said go to your room. Do not test me." She should have explained that she was expected to act a certain way here, and that he should follow her instructions the moment she gave them.
Nightwing narrowed his eyes at her and was about to retort when he felt one of the guards grab his shoulder and yank him backwards. Big mistake. In a quick motion, Nightwing managed to remove the man's hand, disarm him, and twist his arm in a very painful position behind his back.
In a split second, all nearby guards had their spears pointed at Nigtwing.
Raven's eyes began to glow white, Beast Boy shifted into a Gorilla, one of Cyborg's arm converted into a sonic cannon, Bumble Bee took flight, and Flash readied himself in a sprinting position, all prepared to defend their leader.
Galfore just looked on with interest, a small smile playing across his lips. This Nightwing must be a fantastic warrior if these 'heroes' were willing to risk their lives for him.
"Drop your weapons," Kori commanded to guards. "Release the guard," she ordered to Nightwing.
The guards traded glances before doing as told and returned their spears to their sides.
Nightwing pushed the guard forward before turning to Kori, his eyes now in a glare. "I'm the leader of this team, my orders are the ones that are followed."
"And I am the Grand Ruler of this planet, here I out rank you, and you will listen to me. Now to your rooms," she retorted.
Nightwing's face turned stoic, but he could not stop himself from growling. "Fine," he said bitterly. He was never good at taking orders, hence the reason his Batman relationship faltered as he grew older.
She was thankful that he didn't reply with 'and if I don't?' She didn't have an answer for that. Maybe 'you will not get sex for a month?' Outside of that she didn't have much leverage on him. Hell, she couldn't even go a month without needing him, so she really had no leverage. Another down side of her love being internal and his not.
Kori nodded at one of the guards. "Take them."
"Come on Titans," he grumbled, as he followed a weary guard off, the Flashes arm draped around his shoulder, saying something about how they totally would have kicked their asses.
Before Nightwing exited the room, he glanced back at Kori, his eyes still narrowed.
She caught his glance, and mouthed 'I am sorry, I love you,' to which he just turned away.
That hurt. She let out a heavy sigh, and turned back to Galfore. "He is upset with me."
Galfore nodded. "Us warriors do not like taking orders." He stroked his beard some more. "I am impressed with him though."
Kori's eyes widened slightly. "You are?"
"Your friends, they were willing to fight for him without hesitation. They have great respect for him."
She nodded. "He is the best leader I know. I have watched him dispose of much larger foes than himself, using strategy rather than strength. We all have great respect for him," she replied, feeling somewhat bad for snapping at him. She should have known he wouldn't respond well to her giving him commands, or rather her yelling at him. Is had explained to him that outsiders were not allowed in the High councils chambers that might have went a lot better than it had.
"If you are to return to Earth with him, I wish to speak with him first," he informed.
"Very well, but do show him the kindness. Human love is not internal, and I do not wish for you to scare him off," Kori pleaded.
"I will be good," he assured, but with a mischievous grin on his face.
"That is good, now will you please accompany me to the High Council's chamber?"
"It is uncharacteristic for the Grand Ruler to bring someone with them to such important meetings."
"I am appointing you as my personal adviser as of now. Besides I do not plan being Gran Ruler for very long, so if do things considered odd, it shall not matter."
Galfore considered her before a smile spread across his face. "Oh, I cannot say no to you."
She beamed up a smile up at him before he placed a hand on her back, which actually took up the whole width of her, and lead her toward the High council's chamber. She could only imagine what awaited for her.
Whelp, Nightwing isn't a happy camper, and they only been on Tameran ten minutes. Not look good. Next chapter possibly some more drama, and a few more things I'm gonna keep quite about. Anyway review. It's that button at the bottom... seriously, do it.