Ch. 9 Sibling Rivalry
Starfire and Raven returned to the island shortly after the thunder and lightning had begun to strike around them. The rain began to fall at a slow pace, more sprinkling around them like a clogged up shower hose.
"We have returned." Starfire said upon her arrival onto native soil again. Raven followed behind Starfire, she walked as she always did as well, head down, and seemed darkened. Dark was standing now, his tattered clothing revealed most of his already exposed muscles. Holding back a squeal from both girls, they took a breath that was just below a gasp. The others looked at them in near horror at what they had witnessed minutes before. Among the few that were horrified, Dark was not among them.
"How did we look?" Starfire asked slightly battering her eyes at Robin and Dark. Both Robin and Dark glanced at one another wondering who should answer. In unison they had answered her question.
"You were great." It was true, no doubt about it. For two days time, both of them had grown greatly in power, and skill. Blackfire would have a much harder time than she thought underestimation was on their side.
Dark walked up to both of the girls, "Blackfire should be arriving soon, be on your guard, tonight would seem probable, but, all the same, keep an eye out." Both girls nodded in agreement.
"What do you suggest we do? Just wait in the tower until she makes an entrance?" Cyborg asked.
"That would be most wise at this point. If she does show up, we will take the battle outside. If we wait out here, and she doesn't come, then, we will be unprepared for tomorrow. Inside would be the best place to wait until her assumed arrival."
All of them agreed, slowly but surely. They didn't like the idea but soon came to realize that it would be best. Besides the tower would be warmer, and slightly safer. In time, they had entered the tower, all except for Robin.
The door to the bottom level stayed ajar, while Robin almost walked in he saw something. Cyborg was in front of him, and turned to see Robin looking at something.
"What are you lookin' at?"
"I'll check it out, I won't be long."
Cyborg replied as he turned and walked into the darkness, "Alright."
The door closed behind Cyborg, and Robin walked toward what was that 'something'. It was moving, in the bushes. Robin knew full well to be cautious, but the curiosity was overwhelming. He touched the bush that moved before, nothing happened. Must have been the wind, he thought. Relieved Robin turned around and took a step forward heading for the Tower once again.
"Robin, it's so nice to see you again." The voice was all too familiar leaving Robin to stop in his tracks.
"Blackfire."
"Oh, I didn't think you'd know you voice now." She appeared before him, she was still as beautiful as she was all that time ago. Her black hair, silver armor around her chest and arms, black clothes in essence it resembled Starfire's clothing all too well.
"How can I forget a villain like yourself." Robin said.
"Oh, you've gotten a little meaner since last we met. You remember this?" With a jolt, Blackfire suddenly hurled Robin over herself and had him land hard on the ground. Again Robin remembered that all too well from when last she was here. He stood, wiping off the small pieces of mud, and other materials.
"What do you want?" Robin's hand found his red bat–a-rang, he kept it there. Blackfire answered sexily.
"I want you."
"Me?"
"Yes. All I've ever wanted was you. I want you to protect me, to hold me, to love me. Please Robin, give me the feeling you have always had for me." Blackfire moved closer, her seducing was working splendidly.
"What?"
Blackfire moved up to Robin, putting a hand on his chest and rubbing around with one finger slowly, caressing him.
"I've wanted you Robin, so take me now, I love you Robin."
Robin looked into Blackfire's eyes, he saw no lie. She must have only come here for me, it had to be the reason. She did destroy her home world, but Robin would have too to find his love, no matter the cost, he told himself.
Robin turned, and embraced Blackfire. "I love- you too Blackfire." Blackfire hugged him back, their shoulders resting one another's heads. They cuddled a little before Blackfire spoke again.
"Yes, my knight." Calling Robin a knight made him feel much stronger and braver than he had ever felt. Blackfire continued, "Leave these Titans behind, you are a knight now, my knight. Love with me, live with me, and I promise you paradise for all eternity with me. Eliminate these Titans, and I will give you what you seek."
Without hesitation Robin replied, "Yes...My queen."
Cyborg entered the main hall, seeing before him everyone seated and silent. Dark turned his head to Cyborg, and asked, "Where is Robin?"
"He said he had to check something out, he will be back shortly."
Footsteps were heard from behind Cyborg. "Ah, that must be him now."
It was Robin, he was breathing heavily, it was unusual for Robin to be breathing that hard from coming up an elevator and running to the main hall. Something was amiss.
"Turns out what I had to check out was just that wind." Robin said, he was calm enough, maybe nothing was wrong.
Each of them went to their own designated seats, Dark sat at a barstool and lay crouched forward. They all sat in silence, awaiting the unknown.
Beastboy looked out the window. The rain was coming down much harder now. Then, he saw a light, it wasn't much of a light, but a light nonetheless. There were no lighthouses around here, nor was the light toward the city.
"Uh, guys...is that light supposed to be there?" All heads looked up and saw the small light, it looked as though it were getting larger.
Dark's eyes widened, then with an effort, he dove before them all. He put forward his hands making them flat. Each of them looked at him oddly.
"STARFIRE! IT'S BLACKFIRE!" The light was coming much faster, Dark shot forward an energy blast, but warped it around to make shield for all of them. Dark added. "When she attacks the second time, when she is much closer, counter her." Dark directed Starfire. She nodded, her eyes turning the bright green that they always had been. Dark's eyes illuminated as well, the dark blue. The blast from Blackfire broke the glass on each window on that level. Glass soared around them, only being thrown off by the blue shield. Blackfire flew forward, and emerged before them all.
She laughed at them all, then saw Starfire and Dark. "Oh, what is this? A reunion? I remember you well Han, I heard rumors that you were weak in the military. Is that true?"
Dark whispered to Starfire, "Screw the strategy." The blue shield surrounding them shot forward, hitting Blackfire's chest, and throwing her away. Beastboy answered the blast, "Whoa. Dude!"
"She will return." Dark closed his eyes, and moved his left hand up, turning his arm, he found the weapons side he wanted. The array of weapons found took up the entire bottom of the cloaked gauntlet. He pressed the button labeled: "Twin Katana" Immediately at both sides appeared two katanas, slightly shorter than his first.
Dark drew both of them out, one in each hand. He then turned his head at Robin. "Robin, you an I will lead the first attack on Blackfire! Hurry!"
"I will not be joining you."
Taken aback, Dark turned, and had a look of nobility that had been betrayed. "What?" Upon saying the words, Dark realized, then answered before Robin. "You-joined up with her? Didn't you?" Dark's death glare shot at Robin, who remained calm.
"I am her Knight, and I will protect her!" Defiance was full in Robin's white eyes. Starfire's eyes welled up in tears, in disbelief she asked him, pleading him, "Deny it Robin...Deny it!"
Robin smirked, and lowered his right hand from his belt, it was inconspicuous to everyone.
"You gotta be kidding man!" Cyborg said,
"Dude, this isn't real!" Beastboy commented.
"Heh, let's see if Starfire can define reality." In an instant, the red Bat-a-rang flew forward aimed directly at the defenseless Starfire. Inches from her face were it was snatched, and was in the possession of Dark's right hand.
Robin growled, Dark's eyes remained the same, unforgiving. He crushed the 'rang and tossed the remains to the ground. "I have fought you before Robin, and now, you will witness death by my hands."
Starfire put a hand on Dark's shoulder. "He is possessed, do not hurt him." A command that was given, yet not easily taken. Dark store down at Starfire as if she was insane, which at this point could be an easy misconception.
Dark nodded, and stood unmoving. "I cannot inflict pain, until further request. Robin, you've got me wide open and willing to take a hit."
Robin smirked, and soared forward raising a fist and slamming it to the side of Dark's face. Moving only a little, like a punching bag, Dark returned for more punishment.
Starfire knew that she was hurting Dark, but knew that hurting Robin or even killing him would bring her great remorse. She couldn't have both of them hurt she was confused. Robin let out taunts as he punched away at Dark's middle and face. Blood was coming from Dark's mouth, though he took it willingly, he would obey Starfire to his death if needs be.
She couldn't take this anymore, Starfire. "Dark, harm him if you must, but keep him alive." At that precise moment, Blackfire came back dusting herself off.
"Well, Han, that was much stronger than a weak little captain could conjure, I'm a little impressed."
Again the anger welled up in Dark, the dark blue eyes appeared again. Dark put a hand forward taking Robin's fist, then crunching it down. He had broken his hand easily. Robin gave a few sounds of pain, and shot forth the second fist. Dark parried it, and clenched his fist, and summoned forth an amount of energy. He slammed it hard into Robin's face, hearing a few snaps he was sent in a split second to the wall making a gigantic hole.
"Hold her off, until I get to her." Dark's voice was deep, the battle hardened Dark was heard, and it scared Starfire. Each of the others nodded and attacked Blackfire who occasionally laughed, Starfire remained behind, awaiting Robin's return.
He did return a moment later, holding his nose. "That was good." Robin said as if he had a cold. Robin then let go of his nose and showed Dark and Starfire that it was broken. Robin then put a finger to his nose, and then snapped it back into place, Starfire gave a small gasp. Dark smirked, then narrowed his eyes. "You will be near death when I am finished with you Robin."
Dark flew forward, Robin pulled out the staff and brought it down to a vertical swipe. Dark caught the attempted hit, and forced his hand forward with a slight move and broke the staff in two. With Dark's half, he twirled it in his hand and struck Robin on the side of the head.
Robin flew to the side, and flipped up to his feet and made ready again. Robin narrowed his eyes, he threw the staff over his shoulder and raised a fist that met Dark's face. Dark flew back a little, and hit the ground. Robin took another 'rang from his belt and leapt on top of Dark. The edge of the 'rang shone in the light. "Your death will be our foot hold to Blackfire and her knight's ambition to find paradise." He was speaking nonsense.
Dark lifted a hand, flattened his palm and shot a blast of energy at Robin's face. It hit his chin and sent him into the air, Dark flew up and rammed his right fist into Robin's stomach as he began his descent onto the ground. Starfire still watched them fight, she remembered Raven's words to her. She had to choose, or one of them would wind up dead. Tears streamed from her eyes like a waterfall, she couldn't speak, and she didn't want them to die. They fought onward.
Before Robin hit the ground, Dark shot a beam to Robin's arms and legs, this would pain him greatly. It hit with a crackle, which made him cry out in the pain that was unimaginable. Dark then flew down, landing hard onto Robin's ribs with his knees. Until at last the final blow from Dark landed on Robin's face, expelling water and blood from his mouth and nose. Robin was unconscious at this time.
Starfire stared at Dark and he at her. "Starfire. Please, Blackfire had corrupted his mind, he was out of his mind at this time. Fight her back, destroy her like you vowed."
She put aside the tears of sadness for Robin, and turned the tears into anger. She flew forward with great speed out the window and saw Cyborg, Raven, and Beastboy attacking aimlessly at Blackfire who dodged every one of their attacks. Starfire came up behind Blackfire and took hold of the back of hear head and shot forth a full force of her energy at Blackfire. With a light scream it sent her to the ground. A crater was made, and victory was felt between all of them. "Way to go Starfire." Cyborg said, lifting a fist in symbolizing her succession. A small taste of victory was felt, until a high intensity blast was sent at them all, knocking them to the ground at great speed. Standing was out of the question for all of them.
Dark came at last seeing them all being knocked to the ground. Instinct took in and Dark flew to Starfire, she was on the ground, she looked up at Dark, and smiled at him. "The pain...kill her...for me..." She would not die, but her fate would be that of Robin's, in a lot of pain for some time. Dark narrowed his eyes, and looked the crater, showing Blackfire hovering above the hole.
"You can't kill me, you are much too weak." Blackfire taunted. Her hands wrapped around something, Dark couldn't find out what.
Again the taunt aggravated Dark, sending the blue energy coursing through him and exposing it through his eyes. He stood up straight and walked slowly toward her, pulling free the two katanas, and coursing the energies through the steel turning them a deep blue color.
Upon releasing Dark's energy into the steel, Blackfire revealed what was hiding in her hands. Kit. The small stature puppy, sat in her arm, whimpering and afraid to jump for fear of hurting itself. Dark widened his eyes, he could not move. Kit looked up at Dark with hopeful eyes, telling him 'please, get me out of here!'.
Blackfire put a hand gently on Kit's head, stroking it reassuringly. "This your puppy?" She asked, then looked into the eyes of the pup. Dark didn't move. The hand that was stroking gently gripped the entire head of Kit, her nails grinding into the soft neck. A shriek called into the blackness of the night. Blackfire's hand rushed up and tore Kit's head from it's shoulders. Dark gasped and watched his dog, one whom he loved second to Starfire, fall to into two pieces to the ground. Dark watched the blood spray across the yard and fill the ground where it lay. Blackfire turned the knife that was embedded in his emotions, by continuing her taunts.
"Oh yes, and your kin, your brother the lieutenant. He may out rank you but, that blast you hit me with, ha, pathetic little cockroach."
Dark stopped, then lowered his gaze, and closed his eyes. "For all your power you have nothing more than taunts to blur my gaze. What else have you to say, wretch?"
Blackfire opened her eyes slightly, then smirked at the light comeback. "Well, verbal abusing now? Shall we get on with this little skirmish and leave me an Robin to take control of this world?"
"You will not take this Earth so easily, you have not tasted what I will unleash upon you. Robin is no longer a threat to me. Now, I will end this sibling rivalry for Starfire!" Dark flew forward and thrust both swords at her middle, she moved aside.
"You know my sister," Dark attacked again, and missed then Blackfire continued, "she was quite the little whore when you left, Han."
"LIES!" Dark charged again, and gave a diagonal swipe across Blackfire's chest, which cut through part of her clothing and letting her bleed a little.
Blackfire flew back, Dark followed quickly, "Ha, you made me bleed. For all your strength you know it is true." Blackfire was only playing with his mind, this couldn't be true, and it never would be true, never. Dark swiped his blades down, and missed her again.
"You are very inaccurate." Blackfire said, flying around having Dark follow her willingly.
Dark charged again, and brought the left katana down in a vertical swing. Blackfire moved aside as she was doing very well at this time. Dark swung his second katana and cut into her middle, leaving a deep cut, but not fatal by any standards.
"Ah," Blackfire flew up again, clutching the wound, "I must have slipped a little." She then raised her hands and aimed them directly at the blades, and fired her deep purple energy at them. Noticing too late both blades were hit and broken into shards in various lengths. Dark dropped the hilts, and charged with raised fists. Blackfire fired a number of times more, Dark put his arm out as a shield, concealing his other hand that was charging full of energy.
After only three blasts his arm became numb. Only a little farther he told himself, just a little farther. Another few blasts hit his arm, which opened up a few wounds that bled out. Upon reaching a necessary distance, Blackfire fired one last blast, Dark shot it aside and thrust forward the concealed hand and shot a blast that covered her in blue energy.
A scream was heard in surprise, and once the blast ended her body was seen crashing down. Dark flew as he followed her descent. She hit the watery ground hard. Dark landed on his feet and observed the body, it looked dead, it wasn't moving.
"Humph. And so passes Black-" Suddenly Blackfire stood and shot a blast at Dark's chin, knocking him backwards and onto the ground. She leapt up, and landed on top of him, she rested her knees beside him, having her crotch around his middle. She landed three punches to his face, that were charged full of energy that made his cheeks burn a bleed profusely.
"You see, how I am on top of you now, Han. Starfire liked it this way, just like this." She lowered herself and laid her hand on his chest moving it downward. Seduction was commonly in her nature; it had worked on Robin. She felt the little pieces of clothing holding together his shirt and cape.
As much as Dark liked this feeling, he raised his hand, and touched her cheek softly. "Blackfire." He said softly. "I have never felt this before toward you, you truly will take Starfire's place."
Blackfire felt warmth on her cheek; she figured the feeling just as trust and love. A wave of blue energy shot forth from the hand upon the cheek and sent her soaring off of him. Another scream echoed from her, Dark stood up to continue, "You wanted her dead, in the underworld. You will take her place there."
Dark shot forward, toward her trajectory. Blackfire flipped around to stop herself, which she did and quickly charged to Dark. She charged her hands, as well as Dark did. Both of them shot forth both waves. Her strikes hit Dark square in the chest an in the face, sending him back to the island. His shirt was now ripped apart and hanging at his waist. His cape meanwhile stayed on his shoulders, as if it were attached to his skin.
Dark's two blasts missed Blackfire, but left two scars on her sides just below her ribs that would last the next millennia.
Dark stood, shook off the pain and looked at the others, beginning to regain themselves. In the distance, a sound of marching and a girl's voice barking orders came from his left, beyond the tower. "Slade. Terra." He whispered. He flew hastily to Cyborg and shook him, he came online and looked up at Dark. "Whoa, what happened." He held his robotic hand to his head, apparently a headache.
"Listen, Slade is nearly here! Get the others awake and begin battling Slade, I will keep Blackfire away from you. Robin has betrayed you, you are our leader now!" A blast of deep purple sent him away from Cyborg and had him land hard on a tree. "GO!" Dark called. Cyborg nodded, and went to awaken the others with no time to waste.
Coming from the tree Dark lifted himself out and flew forward straight onward to Blackfire. "You really are pathetic, Han." Blackfire taunted, as Dark came within ten feet of her in mid flight. Dark stopped, clenched his fists, brought them out slightly from his sides and roared up to the heavens. The power within the training room went up thirty fold, the imagined wind that sent up Dark's now matted down white hair flew up on end and swayed hither and thither.
An aura of energy shot forth that was beyond anything anyone could witness. The roar itself was louder than the thunderclaps from the skies. Blackfire flew back a little, shocked at the power and intensity growing before her. The energy exhibited to Robin was nothing compared to the power now.
"Well, well. Han, it's about time you showed up in your true form. Now let me show you mine." Like Dark's power she copied him and shot forth- another wave of energy, which echoed, across the land. She called to the sky as well, the cry was stronger than Dark's original ending roar.
Upon ending the gigantic forces of Tamaranian power, Dark and Blackfire narrowed their eyes at one another, each emitting their own color of energy. "This ends here and now Blackfire." Dark said, in the deep battle hardened voice.
"Yes." Blackfire said back throwing forward a punch, which was blocked by Dark's arm. It was almost as if Dark had anticipated the attack. He then noticed that the gauntlet she wore was much larger. "You do not deserve that." Dark gripped the gauntlet and threw her behind him emitting power into the gauntlets on both arms, destroying them immediately.
Blackfire's hand was free, she shot forth a small amount of energy at Dark's chest, he moved back a little until hundred of energy blasts came from the one free hand. A mark was being made on Dark's chest, he noticed that it was the Tamaranian word for 'weak'. Once reading the word, he gripped her wrist with both hands, and twirled her around, roaring once again. With a strong fist he slammed it into her left bicep, the arm he is holding, and snapped the bone. Dark then threw her to the ground emitting energy from the throw to send her quickly downward. Next, Dark was not satisfied with the speed of her falling and flew forward, he twirled around raising his right leg and then bringing it down on her belly increasing her speed one hundred fold.
She hit the ground making an ear-shattering boom. Dark floated beside the hole that she had created. With a relaxed breath he looked at the awakening Starfire. Dark smirked, Starfire smiled, and it was over for Blackfire.
A rumbling was felt below Dark, and blasted forth the deep purple energy sending him skyward in pain that was near indescribable. Every square inch of his body felt as though someone was ripping his own soul from his body, violating it, and destroying every part with a rusted knife.
Starfire's eyes widened at seeing Dark soaring into the air screaming in pain. Blackfire came from the hole once the blast had ended, and Dark began his fall toward the ground. "You truly are weak, Han." Blackfire watched in awe at what she had done, she was amazed at her own work. In horror, Starfire watched Dark hit the ground, water spraying everywhere not thirty feet from where she stood.
"HAN!" She called, running to the hole, the Blackfire had already reached. Blackfire soared upward, holding the limp Dark by the neck. "Weak little, Han." Blackfire whispered, then with a short toss upward, she released her grip and soared around him, punching and kicking at every part of his body. The scream echoed again, the energy of deep purple flashed around his body. The moment lasted what seemed to be hours, until Blackfire let Dark drop again.
Dark hit the ground again, with a voice from his throat "Ugh." Starfire gasped. Blackfire caught sight of Starfire, then flew slowly to her. "Now dear sister, it is your turn." She landed on the ground, and walked forward.
"Any last words?" she added, raising a hand. With a quivering lip, she looked beside her sister, and saw Dark lifted up with his elbow and with his right hand outstretched, charging energy with the greatest mass.
Starfire knew, then answered, "Yes." She flew out of the way, while Blackfire cocked an eyebrow for the fraction of a second. In that fraction a blast of pure energy from Dark, last few drops of his strength left him in that one blast that sent her far and into the utmost pain.
Dark fell back, and closed his eyes, he could no longer fight, he would not sleep though, and he would witness this battle.
The scream from Blackfire was unearthly, Starfire watched, Dark turned his head and gazed at his strength. To his amazement, he knew it would drain her drastically. The blast ended and her figure shot toward Dark, and with a force to be reckoned with she flipped him over while taking the position on top of him again.
"I kill you...NOW!" Blackfire called, raising her right hand, her only good hand, and charging her energy into one last strike.
"No dear sister." Starfire's voice was close, and calm. Blackfire looked aside, and widened her eyes, when a bright green ray shot her off of Dark, and left her spinning on the ground. In an instant Blackfire was in the air and held by her neck. Starfire was on the ground lifting her up, and choking the life from her.
"The cape was luscious." Blackfire said, until the last of her breaths sounded. Starfire shot forth her bright green energy that destroyed her neck and had her head fly into the waters, and bob up and down for a moment. Starfire dropped the body, and wondered her last words. She searched her mind for what they ment. Starfire turned as she realized what she ment, Robin.
He was standing behind her, with the broken staff, the end was sharpened. Robin pulled it back, and shot it forward. Starfire screamed and closed her eyes, at the on coming pain. Surprisingly there was none, was this death, she wondered. Starfire opened her eyes, and found Dark standing before her, she took a step beside him and saw the staff in his gut, expelling his own blood. With one hand he held on the staff, the other at his side, he was near death.
"NOOO!" She cried, and shot forth a great amount of power, that covered the island in a bright green glow. It would seem that all things were swept from existence in that last second.
The glow ended, the marching had stopped, and only six people remained. Robin was seen on the ground bruised and broken almost beyond repair. Starfire would eventually forgive him for his temporary insanity. Dark lay on the ground, the staff still protruding from his stomach. Raven flew forward and placed her hands over the wound quickly. A white glow shone from Raven's hands, Cyborg, and Beastboy emerged behind her, watching in anticipation.
After some time, Raven quickly pulled out the staff and threw it aside. The wound was healed, and Dark's body was back to fighting condition. Dark breathed normally, but he couldn't move his arms, was healed, that was for sure, but he did not have the strength any longer.
It was a miracle that he even spoke. "Blackfire...Dead...Slade's coming army...defeated...Miss Starfire...My protection of you must...subside for now...I...I need rest...take me...to my...-eh- room..." With that he faded from consciousness, and fell into a deep sleep.
Cyborg lifted Dark and Robin up, and slowly marched into the Titan tower. In a great deal of horror, depression, and silence, they accompanied both males into their own rooms. Not a word was spoken from anyone for the rest of the night, and not until the next day did one of them finally awaken.
Starfire and Raven returned to the island shortly after the thunder and lightning had begun to strike around them. The rain began to fall at a slow pace, more sprinkling around them like a clogged up shower hose.
"We have returned." Starfire said upon her arrival onto native soil again. Raven followed behind Starfire, she walked as she always did as well, head down, and seemed darkened. Dark was standing now, his tattered clothing revealed most of his already exposed muscles. Holding back a squeal from both girls, they took a breath that was just below a gasp. The others looked at them in near horror at what they had witnessed minutes before. Among the few that were horrified, Dark was not among them.
"How did we look?" Starfire asked slightly battering her eyes at Robin and Dark. Both Robin and Dark glanced at one another wondering who should answer. In unison they had answered her question.
"You were great." It was true, no doubt about it. For two days time, both of them had grown greatly in power, and skill. Blackfire would have a much harder time than she thought underestimation was on their side.
Dark walked up to both of the girls, "Blackfire should be arriving soon, be on your guard, tonight would seem probable, but, all the same, keep an eye out." Both girls nodded in agreement.
"What do you suggest we do? Just wait in the tower until she makes an entrance?" Cyborg asked.
"That would be most wise at this point. If she does show up, we will take the battle outside. If we wait out here, and she doesn't come, then, we will be unprepared for tomorrow. Inside would be the best place to wait until her assumed arrival."
All of them agreed, slowly but surely. They didn't like the idea but soon came to realize that it would be best. Besides the tower would be warmer, and slightly safer. In time, they had entered the tower, all except for Robin.
The door to the bottom level stayed ajar, while Robin almost walked in he saw something. Cyborg was in front of him, and turned to see Robin looking at something.
"What are you lookin' at?"
"I'll check it out, I won't be long."
Cyborg replied as he turned and walked into the darkness, "Alright."
The door closed behind Cyborg, and Robin walked toward what was that 'something'. It was moving, in the bushes. Robin knew full well to be cautious, but the curiosity was overwhelming. He touched the bush that moved before, nothing happened. Must have been the wind, he thought. Relieved Robin turned around and took a step forward heading for the Tower once again.
"Robin, it's so nice to see you again." The voice was all too familiar leaving Robin to stop in his tracks.
"Blackfire."
"Oh, I didn't think you'd know you voice now." She appeared before him, she was still as beautiful as she was all that time ago. Her black hair, silver armor around her chest and arms, black clothes in essence it resembled Starfire's clothing all too well.
"How can I forget a villain like yourself." Robin said.
"Oh, you've gotten a little meaner since last we met. You remember this?" With a jolt, Blackfire suddenly hurled Robin over herself and had him land hard on the ground. Again Robin remembered that all too well from when last she was here. He stood, wiping off the small pieces of mud, and other materials.
"What do you want?" Robin's hand found his red bat–a-rang, he kept it there. Blackfire answered sexily.
"I want you."
"Me?"
"Yes. All I've ever wanted was you. I want you to protect me, to hold me, to love me. Please Robin, give me the feeling you have always had for me." Blackfire moved closer, her seducing was working splendidly.
"What?"
Blackfire moved up to Robin, putting a hand on his chest and rubbing around with one finger slowly, caressing him.
"I've wanted you Robin, so take me now, I love you Robin."
Robin looked into Blackfire's eyes, he saw no lie. She must have only come here for me, it had to be the reason. She did destroy her home world, but Robin would have too to find his love, no matter the cost, he told himself.
Robin turned, and embraced Blackfire. "I love- you too Blackfire." Blackfire hugged him back, their shoulders resting one another's heads. They cuddled a little before Blackfire spoke again.
"Yes, my knight." Calling Robin a knight made him feel much stronger and braver than he had ever felt. Blackfire continued, "Leave these Titans behind, you are a knight now, my knight. Love with me, live with me, and I promise you paradise for all eternity with me. Eliminate these Titans, and I will give you what you seek."
Without hesitation Robin replied, "Yes...My queen."
Cyborg entered the main hall, seeing before him everyone seated and silent. Dark turned his head to Cyborg, and asked, "Where is Robin?"
"He said he had to check something out, he will be back shortly."
Footsteps were heard from behind Cyborg. "Ah, that must be him now."
It was Robin, he was breathing heavily, it was unusual for Robin to be breathing that hard from coming up an elevator and running to the main hall. Something was amiss.
"Turns out what I had to check out was just that wind." Robin said, he was calm enough, maybe nothing was wrong.
Each of them went to their own designated seats, Dark sat at a barstool and lay crouched forward. They all sat in silence, awaiting the unknown.
Beastboy looked out the window. The rain was coming down much harder now. Then, he saw a light, it wasn't much of a light, but a light nonetheless. There were no lighthouses around here, nor was the light toward the city.
"Uh, guys...is that light supposed to be there?" All heads looked up and saw the small light, it looked as though it were getting larger.
Dark's eyes widened, then with an effort, he dove before them all. He put forward his hands making them flat. Each of them looked at him oddly.
"STARFIRE! IT'S BLACKFIRE!" The light was coming much faster, Dark shot forward an energy blast, but warped it around to make shield for all of them. Dark added. "When she attacks the second time, when she is much closer, counter her." Dark directed Starfire. She nodded, her eyes turning the bright green that they always had been. Dark's eyes illuminated as well, the dark blue. The blast from Blackfire broke the glass on each window on that level. Glass soared around them, only being thrown off by the blue shield. Blackfire flew forward, and emerged before them all.
She laughed at them all, then saw Starfire and Dark. "Oh, what is this? A reunion? I remember you well Han, I heard rumors that you were weak in the military. Is that true?"
Dark whispered to Starfire, "Screw the strategy." The blue shield surrounding them shot forward, hitting Blackfire's chest, and throwing her away. Beastboy answered the blast, "Whoa. Dude!"
"She will return." Dark closed his eyes, and moved his left hand up, turning his arm, he found the weapons side he wanted. The array of weapons found took up the entire bottom of the cloaked gauntlet. He pressed the button labeled: "Twin Katana" Immediately at both sides appeared two katanas, slightly shorter than his first.
Dark drew both of them out, one in each hand. He then turned his head at Robin. "Robin, you an I will lead the first attack on Blackfire! Hurry!"
"I will not be joining you."
Taken aback, Dark turned, and had a look of nobility that had been betrayed. "What?" Upon saying the words, Dark realized, then answered before Robin. "You-joined up with her? Didn't you?" Dark's death glare shot at Robin, who remained calm.
"I am her Knight, and I will protect her!" Defiance was full in Robin's white eyes. Starfire's eyes welled up in tears, in disbelief she asked him, pleading him, "Deny it Robin...Deny it!"
Robin smirked, and lowered his right hand from his belt, it was inconspicuous to everyone.
"You gotta be kidding man!" Cyborg said,
"Dude, this isn't real!" Beastboy commented.
"Heh, let's see if Starfire can define reality." In an instant, the red Bat-a-rang flew forward aimed directly at the defenseless Starfire. Inches from her face were it was snatched, and was in the possession of Dark's right hand.
Robin growled, Dark's eyes remained the same, unforgiving. He crushed the 'rang and tossed the remains to the ground. "I have fought you before Robin, and now, you will witness death by my hands."
Starfire put a hand on Dark's shoulder. "He is possessed, do not hurt him." A command that was given, yet not easily taken. Dark store down at Starfire as if she was insane, which at this point could be an easy misconception.
Dark nodded, and stood unmoving. "I cannot inflict pain, until further request. Robin, you've got me wide open and willing to take a hit."
Robin smirked, and soared forward raising a fist and slamming it to the side of Dark's face. Moving only a little, like a punching bag, Dark returned for more punishment.
Starfire knew that she was hurting Dark, but knew that hurting Robin or even killing him would bring her great remorse. She couldn't have both of them hurt she was confused. Robin let out taunts as he punched away at Dark's middle and face. Blood was coming from Dark's mouth, though he took it willingly, he would obey Starfire to his death if needs be.
She couldn't take this anymore, Starfire. "Dark, harm him if you must, but keep him alive." At that precise moment, Blackfire came back dusting herself off.
"Well, Han, that was much stronger than a weak little captain could conjure, I'm a little impressed."
Again the anger welled up in Dark, the dark blue eyes appeared again. Dark put a hand forward taking Robin's fist, then crunching it down. He had broken his hand easily. Robin gave a few sounds of pain, and shot forth the second fist. Dark parried it, and clenched his fist, and summoned forth an amount of energy. He slammed it hard into Robin's face, hearing a few snaps he was sent in a split second to the wall making a gigantic hole.
"Hold her off, until I get to her." Dark's voice was deep, the battle hardened Dark was heard, and it scared Starfire. Each of the others nodded and attacked Blackfire who occasionally laughed, Starfire remained behind, awaiting Robin's return.
He did return a moment later, holding his nose. "That was good." Robin said as if he had a cold. Robin then let go of his nose and showed Dark and Starfire that it was broken. Robin then put a finger to his nose, and then snapped it back into place, Starfire gave a small gasp. Dark smirked, then narrowed his eyes. "You will be near death when I am finished with you Robin."
Dark flew forward, Robin pulled out the staff and brought it down to a vertical swipe. Dark caught the attempted hit, and forced his hand forward with a slight move and broke the staff in two. With Dark's half, he twirled it in his hand and struck Robin on the side of the head.
Robin flew to the side, and flipped up to his feet and made ready again. Robin narrowed his eyes, he threw the staff over his shoulder and raised a fist that met Dark's face. Dark flew back a little, and hit the ground. Robin took another 'rang from his belt and leapt on top of Dark. The edge of the 'rang shone in the light. "Your death will be our foot hold to Blackfire and her knight's ambition to find paradise." He was speaking nonsense.
Dark lifted a hand, flattened his palm and shot a blast of energy at Robin's face. It hit his chin and sent him into the air, Dark flew up and rammed his right fist into Robin's stomach as he began his descent onto the ground. Starfire still watched them fight, she remembered Raven's words to her. She had to choose, or one of them would wind up dead. Tears streamed from her eyes like a waterfall, she couldn't speak, and she didn't want them to die. They fought onward.
Before Robin hit the ground, Dark shot a beam to Robin's arms and legs, this would pain him greatly. It hit with a crackle, which made him cry out in the pain that was unimaginable. Dark then flew down, landing hard onto Robin's ribs with his knees. Until at last the final blow from Dark landed on Robin's face, expelling water and blood from his mouth and nose. Robin was unconscious at this time.
Starfire stared at Dark and he at her. "Starfire. Please, Blackfire had corrupted his mind, he was out of his mind at this time. Fight her back, destroy her like you vowed."
She put aside the tears of sadness for Robin, and turned the tears into anger. She flew forward with great speed out the window and saw Cyborg, Raven, and Beastboy attacking aimlessly at Blackfire who dodged every one of their attacks. Starfire came up behind Blackfire and took hold of the back of hear head and shot forth a full force of her energy at Blackfire. With a light scream it sent her to the ground. A crater was made, and victory was felt between all of them. "Way to go Starfire." Cyborg said, lifting a fist in symbolizing her succession. A small taste of victory was felt, until a high intensity blast was sent at them all, knocking them to the ground at great speed. Standing was out of the question for all of them.
Dark came at last seeing them all being knocked to the ground. Instinct took in and Dark flew to Starfire, she was on the ground, she looked up at Dark, and smiled at him. "The pain...kill her...for me..." She would not die, but her fate would be that of Robin's, in a lot of pain for some time. Dark narrowed his eyes, and looked the crater, showing Blackfire hovering above the hole.
"You can't kill me, you are much too weak." Blackfire taunted. Her hands wrapped around something, Dark couldn't find out what.
Again the taunt aggravated Dark, sending the blue energy coursing through him and exposing it through his eyes. He stood up straight and walked slowly toward her, pulling free the two katanas, and coursing the energies through the steel turning them a deep blue color.
Upon releasing Dark's energy into the steel, Blackfire revealed what was hiding in her hands. Kit. The small stature puppy, sat in her arm, whimpering and afraid to jump for fear of hurting itself. Dark widened his eyes, he could not move. Kit looked up at Dark with hopeful eyes, telling him 'please, get me out of here!'.
Blackfire put a hand gently on Kit's head, stroking it reassuringly. "This your puppy?" She asked, then looked into the eyes of the pup. Dark didn't move. The hand that was stroking gently gripped the entire head of Kit, her nails grinding into the soft neck. A shriek called into the blackness of the night. Blackfire's hand rushed up and tore Kit's head from it's shoulders. Dark gasped and watched his dog, one whom he loved second to Starfire, fall to into two pieces to the ground. Dark watched the blood spray across the yard and fill the ground where it lay. Blackfire turned the knife that was embedded in his emotions, by continuing her taunts.
"Oh yes, and your kin, your brother the lieutenant. He may out rank you but, that blast you hit me with, ha, pathetic little cockroach."
Dark stopped, then lowered his gaze, and closed his eyes. "For all your power you have nothing more than taunts to blur my gaze. What else have you to say, wretch?"
Blackfire opened her eyes slightly, then smirked at the light comeback. "Well, verbal abusing now? Shall we get on with this little skirmish and leave me an Robin to take control of this world?"
"You will not take this Earth so easily, you have not tasted what I will unleash upon you. Robin is no longer a threat to me. Now, I will end this sibling rivalry for Starfire!" Dark flew forward and thrust both swords at her middle, she moved aside.
"You know my sister," Dark attacked again, and missed then Blackfire continued, "she was quite the little whore when you left, Han."
"LIES!" Dark charged again, and gave a diagonal swipe across Blackfire's chest, which cut through part of her clothing and letting her bleed a little.
Blackfire flew back, Dark followed quickly, "Ha, you made me bleed. For all your strength you know it is true." Blackfire was only playing with his mind, this couldn't be true, and it never would be true, never. Dark swiped his blades down, and missed her again.
"You are very inaccurate." Blackfire said, flying around having Dark follow her willingly.
Dark charged again, and brought the left katana down in a vertical swing. Blackfire moved aside as she was doing very well at this time. Dark swung his second katana and cut into her middle, leaving a deep cut, but not fatal by any standards.
"Ah," Blackfire flew up again, clutching the wound, "I must have slipped a little." She then raised her hands and aimed them directly at the blades, and fired her deep purple energy at them. Noticing too late both blades were hit and broken into shards in various lengths. Dark dropped the hilts, and charged with raised fists. Blackfire fired a number of times more, Dark put his arm out as a shield, concealing his other hand that was charging full of energy.
After only three blasts his arm became numb. Only a little farther he told himself, just a little farther. Another few blasts hit his arm, which opened up a few wounds that bled out. Upon reaching a necessary distance, Blackfire fired one last blast, Dark shot it aside and thrust forward the concealed hand and shot a blast that covered her in blue energy.
A scream was heard in surprise, and once the blast ended her body was seen crashing down. Dark flew as he followed her descent. She hit the watery ground hard. Dark landed on his feet and observed the body, it looked dead, it wasn't moving.
"Humph. And so passes Black-" Suddenly Blackfire stood and shot a blast at Dark's chin, knocking him backwards and onto the ground. She leapt up, and landed on top of him, she rested her knees beside him, having her crotch around his middle. She landed three punches to his face, that were charged full of energy that made his cheeks burn a bleed profusely.
"You see, how I am on top of you now, Han. Starfire liked it this way, just like this." She lowered herself and laid her hand on his chest moving it downward. Seduction was commonly in her nature; it had worked on Robin. She felt the little pieces of clothing holding together his shirt and cape.
As much as Dark liked this feeling, he raised his hand, and touched her cheek softly. "Blackfire." He said softly. "I have never felt this before toward you, you truly will take Starfire's place."
Blackfire felt warmth on her cheek; she figured the feeling just as trust and love. A wave of blue energy shot forth from the hand upon the cheek and sent her soaring off of him. Another scream echoed from her, Dark stood up to continue, "You wanted her dead, in the underworld. You will take her place there."
Dark shot forward, toward her trajectory. Blackfire flipped around to stop herself, which she did and quickly charged to Dark. She charged her hands, as well as Dark did. Both of them shot forth both waves. Her strikes hit Dark square in the chest an in the face, sending him back to the island. His shirt was now ripped apart and hanging at his waist. His cape meanwhile stayed on his shoulders, as if it were attached to his skin.
Dark's two blasts missed Blackfire, but left two scars on her sides just below her ribs that would last the next millennia.
Dark stood, shook off the pain and looked at the others, beginning to regain themselves. In the distance, a sound of marching and a girl's voice barking orders came from his left, beyond the tower. "Slade. Terra." He whispered. He flew hastily to Cyborg and shook him, he came online and looked up at Dark. "Whoa, what happened." He held his robotic hand to his head, apparently a headache.
"Listen, Slade is nearly here! Get the others awake and begin battling Slade, I will keep Blackfire away from you. Robin has betrayed you, you are our leader now!" A blast of deep purple sent him away from Cyborg and had him land hard on a tree. "GO!" Dark called. Cyborg nodded, and went to awaken the others with no time to waste.
Coming from the tree Dark lifted himself out and flew forward straight onward to Blackfire. "You really are pathetic, Han." Blackfire taunted, as Dark came within ten feet of her in mid flight. Dark stopped, clenched his fists, brought them out slightly from his sides and roared up to the heavens. The power within the training room went up thirty fold, the imagined wind that sent up Dark's now matted down white hair flew up on end and swayed hither and thither.
An aura of energy shot forth that was beyond anything anyone could witness. The roar itself was louder than the thunderclaps from the skies. Blackfire flew back a little, shocked at the power and intensity growing before her. The energy exhibited to Robin was nothing compared to the power now.
"Well, well. Han, it's about time you showed up in your true form. Now let me show you mine." Like Dark's power she copied him and shot forth- another wave of energy, which echoed, across the land. She called to the sky as well, the cry was stronger than Dark's original ending roar.
Upon ending the gigantic forces of Tamaranian power, Dark and Blackfire narrowed their eyes at one another, each emitting their own color of energy. "This ends here and now Blackfire." Dark said, in the deep battle hardened voice.
"Yes." Blackfire said back throwing forward a punch, which was blocked by Dark's arm. It was almost as if Dark had anticipated the attack. He then noticed that the gauntlet she wore was much larger. "You do not deserve that." Dark gripped the gauntlet and threw her behind him emitting power into the gauntlets on both arms, destroying them immediately.
Blackfire's hand was free, she shot forth a small amount of energy at Dark's chest, he moved back a little until hundred of energy blasts came from the one free hand. A mark was being made on Dark's chest, he noticed that it was the Tamaranian word for 'weak'. Once reading the word, he gripped her wrist with both hands, and twirled her around, roaring once again. With a strong fist he slammed it into her left bicep, the arm he is holding, and snapped the bone. Dark then threw her to the ground emitting energy from the throw to send her quickly downward. Next, Dark was not satisfied with the speed of her falling and flew forward, he twirled around raising his right leg and then bringing it down on her belly increasing her speed one hundred fold.
She hit the ground making an ear-shattering boom. Dark floated beside the hole that she had created. With a relaxed breath he looked at the awakening Starfire. Dark smirked, Starfire smiled, and it was over for Blackfire.
A rumbling was felt below Dark, and blasted forth the deep purple energy sending him skyward in pain that was near indescribable. Every square inch of his body felt as though someone was ripping his own soul from his body, violating it, and destroying every part with a rusted knife.
Starfire's eyes widened at seeing Dark soaring into the air screaming in pain. Blackfire came from the hole once the blast had ended, and Dark began his fall toward the ground. "You truly are weak, Han." Blackfire watched in awe at what she had done, she was amazed at her own work. In horror, Starfire watched Dark hit the ground, water spraying everywhere not thirty feet from where she stood.
"HAN!" She called, running to the hole, the Blackfire had already reached. Blackfire soared upward, holding the limp Dark by the neck. "Weak little, Han." Blackfire whispered, then with a short toss upward, she released her grip and soared around him, punching and kicking at every part of his body. The scream echoed again, the energy of deep purple flashed around his body. The moment lasted what seemed to be hours, until Blackfire let Dark drop again.
Dark hit the ground again, with a voice from his throat "Ugh." Starfire gasped. Blackfire caught sight of Starfire, then flew slowly to her. "Now dear sister, it is your turn." She landed on the ground, and walked forward.
"Any last words?" she added, raising a hand. With a quivering lip, she looked beside her sister, and saw Dark lifted up with his elbow and with his right hand outstretched, charging energy with the greatest mass.
Starfire knew, then answered, "Yes." She flew out of the way, while Blackfire cocked an eyebrow for the fraction of a second. In that fraction a blast of pure energy from Dark, last few drops of his strength left him in that one blast that sent her far and into the utmost pain.
Dark fell back, and closed his eyes, he could no longer fight, he would not sleep though, and he would witness this battle.
The scream from Blackfire was unearthly, Starfire watched, Dark turned his head and gazed at his strength. To his amazement, he knew it would drain her drastically. The blast ended and her figure shot toward Dark, and with a force to be reckoned with she flipped him over while taking the position on top of him again.
"I kill you...NOW!" Blackfire called, raising her right hand, her only good hand, and charging her energy into one last strike.
"No dear sister." Starfire's voice was close, and calm. Blackfire looked aside, and widened her eyes, when a bright green ray shot her off of Dark, and left her spinning on the ground. In an instant Blackfire was in the air and held by her neck. Starfire was on the ground lifting her up, and choking the life from her.
"The cape was luscious." Blackfire said, until the last of her breaths sounded. Starfire shot forth her bright green energy that destroyed her neck and had her head fly into the waters, and bob up and down for a moment. Starfire dropped the body, and wondered her last words. She searched her mind for what they ment. Starfire turned as she realized what she ment, Robin.
He was standing behind her, with the broken staff, the end was sharpened. Robin pulled it back, and shot it forward. Starfire screamed and closed her eyes, at the on coming pain. Surprisingly there was none, was this death, she wondered. Starfire opened her eyes, and found Dark standing before her, she took a step beside him and saw the staff in his gut, expelling his own blood. With one hand he held on the staff, the other at his side, he was near death.
"NOOO!" She cried, and shot forth a great amount of power, that covered the island in a bright green glow. It would seem that all things were swept from existence in that last second.
The glow ended, the marching had stopped, and only six people remained. Robin was seen on the ground bruised and broken almost beyond repair. Starfire would eventually forgive him for his temporary insanity. Dark lay on the ground, the staff still protruding from his stomach. Raven flew forward and placed her hands over the wound quickly. A white glow shone from Raven's hands, Cyborg, and Beastboy emerged behind her, watching in anticipation.
After some time, Raven quickly pulled out the staff and threw it aside. The wound was healed, and Dark's body was back to fighting condition. Dark breathed normally, but he couldn't move his arms, was healed, that was for sure, but he did not have the strength any longer.
It was a miracle that he even spoke. "Blackfire...Dead...Slade's coming army...defeated...Miss Starfire...My protection of you must...subside for now...I...I need rest...take me...to my...-eh- room..." With that he faded from consciousness, and fell into a deep sleep.
Cyborg lifted Dark and Robin up, and slowly marched into the Titan tower. In a great deal of horror, depression, and silence, they accompanied both males into their own rooms. Not a word was spoken from anyone for the rest of the night, and not until the next day did one of them finally awaken.