AN: Hello again.
Anger ripped from Starfire's throat as she responded back just as quickly. Robin glanced around to see Cyborg, Batgirl and Superman exchange worried looks, eyeing each other carefully. Robin quickly lifted his hand to his ear realizing his translator must have gotten shut off from Raven's teleportation. Turning it on he quickly heard the end of the conversation.
"Find them! I do not care how many guard it takes to obtain their location. How could you possibly allow them to become missing? Dignitaries will be arriving as we speak words," she snapped, her eyes blazing in anger.
"Some have already arrived. Her majesty Mev has been keeping them entertained." The guard nodded nervously trying not to make eye contact with Starfire.
"Find them…now," her voice dangerously rippled.
(ROB POV)
And Princess Koriand'r had returned, which was necessary in this stage of the game, but it still didn't mean I had to like it. But now our priority had switched to finding missing parts of our team. I still wasn't sure how someone as crafty as Batman, large and loud as Galfore, or strong as Ta could simply vanish but we would find them.
I sent Cyborg and Batgirl to find Raven and Beastboy so our team was stronger in numbers while I followed along with Starfire towards the palace.
"We'll find them Star," I affirmed for her as I slid my hand in hers and we continued walking.
"I do not doubt it; I just wish for this to all be over." She sighed as we continued walking towards the dignitaries Queen Mev was supposedly entertaining when we heard a mess of voices and clanging. Starfire eyed me suspiciously as we both listened and determined the sounds were coming from the main throne room. Cautiously we both crept up to the door and peered in to find our three missing team members drinking dancing and throwing their glasses around.
"They have had too much of the drink," Starfire shook her head as in surprise. I was amused to see Batman had been forced into dancing by Galfore and was being spun in circles while they drank.
"Less stress with much to drink!" Ta bellowed out as the men laughed. He had perched himself on Galfore's shoulder and had a small goblet of his own he was gulping from.
"It would be more joyous with an abundance of women!" Galfore agreed whole heartedly as he downed another glass and smashing it to the floor in thousands of little pieces allowing the three men to laugh. I was confused as Starfire shut the door so we could no longer see and motioned to the closest guard to come towards us.
"You shall gather our Grand Ruler's doctor and see to it that he brings them back into their right minds. Let no one know of this, do you understand?" Starfire asked in all seriousness. The guard nodded earnestly as he scampered away to obey.
"Well I wasn't expecting that," I shook my head as I heard another cup being smashing into the ground from behind the closed doors and more laughter echo after it.
"Sometimes it is nice for the refreshing break. Do not have worries our medical doctor will bring them to their right minds quickly and they shall join us when they hear I have returned. For now we must assist Queen Mev with the dignitaries. She is having to handle their multitude without aid." Star sighed as a large thump sounded and Galfore's demanding voice could be heard as he begun to sing a song.
"I'll alert the team they are alright and inform them to meet us with Queen Mev," I nodded as I ushered Starfire away from the loud commotion occurring in the room behind us. I quickly sent a text to everyone informing them of the situation and to quit searching as we neared the main dining hall where Queen Mev and the dignitaries could be heard.
"I do hope I am prepared for this," Starfire whispered as we stood in front of the door. "This war is coming and for the saving sake of both our planets this has to have the ending of happiness." Starfire clenched her fist tightly around mine, thankfully without crushing any of the bones.
"You can do this, you have a team behind you and we can handle this." I encouraged her trying to give her tightened fist an encouraging squeeze in return. Starfire nodded as she in turn pushed the door open and walked in with her head held high.
I followed her in a daze, grateful for many things in that moment. Number one: for Beastboy's long, obsessive and mind numbing need for watching sy-fi movies. The amount of aliens and different looking dignitaries did not faze me as much. Some with ozzing parts dripping off them, others with eyes circling their entire frame and others that looked so sy-fi I would have given them an award for their creativity in Hollywood costume designing. Number two: Batman's need for a stone cold attitude and emotionless face. Because at that moment it was the only thing I could rely on to not commit any galactic blunders. Number Three: My mask. Enough said. I could look around without being seen and that was the only thing I could ask for; and finally number four: Starifre. No matter what I knew she wouldn't leave my side and would be able to handle this. She was incredible.
"Ah Princess Starfire of Tameran , Warrior of Earth Robin you have arrived. I informed our guests you were handling personal and specific events to our current predicament." Queen Mev informed us with the biggest look of gratitude I had ever seen from her. She looked like she had been through the ringer with already the dozens of dignitaries that had arrived and I had no doubt she had tried every tactic to hold this room together until someone could arrive to help her.
"Majesty Queen Mev," Starfire greeted with warmth as she gracefully bowed gently pulling me down with her so I was following suit and not standing out. "My appreciation is strongly given as yours. Matters have been resolved and other dignitaries shall be arriving through the night." She replied as Queen Mev bowed in response as did the entire room before everyone was standing upright again.
"There are many questions they currently possess that I am unable to answer. Please my husband, he is," Mev paused to think of an appropriate way to ask.
"He is with Grand Ruler Galfore and Warrior of Earth, Family Protector and Dignitary from Earth Batman. They are currently discussing affairs and shall be finished soon, I have only recently departed from their well sung company," Starfire answered for her so she would not have to ask if he had been found. Mev's shoulders dropped in relief as she smiled and nodded towards Starfire and I.
"My gratitude, Princess the room is yours," Mev smiled as she stepped back to her tiny throne of a chair and sat down as Starfire's hand squeezed mine one last time before she motioned towards a chair next to Mev's and taking my cue I sat down. I watched her take a deep breath and turn to the room.
"Kings, Queens, Rulers, and Dignitaries from across our system, I wish to warmly welcome you to Tameran!" Starfire raised her fist in the air as the room erupted in what I can only describe as grunts, blurbles, gurgles, slaps, howls and rasping. She waited for the noises to simmer out before she continued. "I have the understanding many of your questions have yet to be answered and they shall in time. However tonight you are guests of Tamaran! Tonight we shall celebrate!" She cheered as the doors exploded open with more dignitaries arriving as well as servants of Tameran carrying heavy trays of food and drink. The room exploded in joy while Mev jumped to Starfire's shoulder and no one seemed to notice as we easily slipped out a side door.
"Where and how were they found?" Mev asked once we were safely away from the noise and celebrating dignitaries.
"Intoxicated in the room of the thrones of the Kings," Starfire answered simply for her as we followed her down the hall. "Robin please have the Titans and Superman meet us in the medical bay Galfore and yourself recovered in. They will have been brought there for detoxification." Starfire informed me as I pulled out my communicator and quickly arranged a text as we rounded the corner and arrived to find the three men passed out on beds of their own.
"You majesties," the doctor bowed humbly before standing up and continuing to prepare what looked like injections.
"How much more time do you require?" Starfire simply asked as Mev clicked her tongue and shook her head in annoyance at her husband's behavior.
"Nearly complete your majesty. This is the final does needing to be administered," he nodded and continued his mixture and measuring.
"The toxins of alcohol that warp the mind can be countered by medical herbs found on Tameran and various other planets in the system, they might have been drunk before they were forcibly detained but they shall awaken sober and without any of the effect of their sides alcohol may produce such as the overhang and the headaches." Starfire smirked at me trying to explain to me what was happening as the rest of our group entered the room.
"Before their celebration," Queen Mev shook her head again in distaste. "Galfore had arranged for the members of your court to become personal body assistants. They are now able to attend the meetings and as I believe he said touch you without fearing harm." Mev stated with a smile.
"Members of your court?" Beastboy asked in curiosity.
"Easily translated as team members," I informed him, quickly trying to catch on myself and smiling as Starfire nodded; agreeing with me.
"Pardon the interruption Princess but I am ready," the doctor explained as he held three sharp needles filled with a thick white substance.
"Please good doctor, proceed." Starfire nodded towards him as he in turn quickly injected all three men with the serum. It only took a few moments for the effects to work as each man's eyes exploded open and they sat up taking in great gasps of air.
"There better be a good reason for removing my merry state bungorf," Galfore warned as he eyed Starfire for a moment then paused. "OH! My bungorf you have returned!" He shouted and stood from his bed quickly enveloping her in a crushing hug.
"Robin," Batman nodded at me. Translation from Batman: You made it there and back alive. I'm glad. Yup my name and a nod was about the extent I would get as I nodded in return. Ta however was on the receiving end of a tongue lashing from his Queen as we all turned our ears from it as much as we could because none of us wanted to be caught in her wake.
"So what news do you have? The dignitaries are arriving tomorrow?" Galfore asked as he gave a large stretch.
"You have drank yourself through a sun and a moon I fear, may dignitaries have already arrived and are feasting as we speak. Communications shall begin in the early sun rise and hopefully the war," Starfire nodded to her care taker as Batman eyed us both in confusion.
"You guys drank for a looooong time," Beastboy whistled receiving glares and choosing to again remain silent.
"So what's our next step?" Superman asked right before an ear splitting slap was issued across Ta's face and we all winced for him.
"Next time you wish to leave me amongst them you shall receive more of a punishment than that!" She growled in frustration.
"Never again my love," he vowed before enveloping her in a hug.
"We prepare for," Batman began only to be stopped by a guard rushing in out of breath and shaken from fear by the looks of him. The room froze as he paused to catch his breath.
"Your majesties, the Citadel they are here." He gasped out.
AN: Next chapter the war begins.
