DISCLAIMER: Don't own the Titans…I thought I did…just kidding!

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Chapter 13

Challenge

-"She ain't here!"-Cyborg said

-"We need to find her!"-Robin said

-"We do. But calm down, dude!"-BB said

-"She may not be here, but there is someone else here"-Raven said

The Titans ran to where Raven was and saw the dead, bleeding body that was on the floor; it was Slade's body.

-"Is that…Slade?"-BB asked

-"No way!"-Cyborg said

-"Who do you think did this?"-Raven asked

-"Red X…but why?"-Robin asked

-"Who knows? I've finally tracked Starfire's communicator. We better get going 'fore he does the same thing to Star"-Cyborg said

-"Let's go!"-Robin said

Starfire's trace led them to an abandoned warehouse not far from where Slade's lair was. The Titans were outside it and were thinking how to get inside without being noticed.

-"Dude, I don't think he is expecting us"-BB said

-"I hate to admit this but I agree with Beast Boy, Red X thinks we are dead"-Raven said

BB winked at Raven and poked her with his elbow. Raven rolled her eyes and then gave a mad glare at BB who moved and hid behind Cyborg.

-"We need to get inside fast. Every second that passes is another second we allow Red X to hurt her"-Robin said

-"He is right. We should go inside and…"-Raven said paused

The Titans heard an explosion not far from they were and turned to see what was going on. They saw two figures flying. The one at the front was flying in a bizarre way. The person gained altitude and then seemed to fall on the ground but got up again. The person behind was flying normally, if a flying person could be called normal.

-"Dude! Isn't that Starfire?"-BB asked

-"Starfire?!"-Robin asked

-"Why is she flying like that? She drunk?"-Cyborg asked

Robin turned and glared at Cyborg who ran behind Raven and hid himself from Robin.

-"If that is Starfire, then the person chasing her must be Red X"-Raven said

-"Yo, Star!"-Cyborg yelled

Starfire heard somebody calling her but she thought she was hearing things. A while after Red X had sedated her again she woke up. It was late night already and Red X was asleep. She tried not to move suddenly to not wake him up but he had caught up with her when she was halfway down the hallway that led to the exit. She was feeling dizzy and was reacting slowly; the sedative was making it really hard for her to fight back. Even though Red X was not attacking her she felt the necessity to fly away from him and go back to the Tower and see what was left of it. Starfire tried to escape Red X by flying and she was surprised when she saw him fly too.

-"He can fly?"-Starfire asked

Starfire had been flying around the warehouse until she arrived at the top of it and while trying to escape, she crashed into a window and almost fell on the ground. She managed to fly before she hit the ground and threw a starbolt at Red X. She could not even aim at him. The only thing she wanted to do was to get away from him.

-"Starfire! You are ok!"-BB yelled

-"That sounded like Beast Boy! Oh! My desire to see my friends alive must be affecting me"-Starfire said

-"Star, you can't run away in this condition! Wait!"-Red X said

-"Starfire! Red X get away from her!"-Robin said

-"Robin…?"-Starfire said

Starfire looked around to find the place where the voice had come and then saw them. The Titans were there, in front of her, safe and sound. BB, Raven, Cyborg and Robin, all of them were alive…Robin was alive. She could not believe it.

-"Are my eyes playing tricks on me? Are you really here?"-Starfire asked

-"No, Star. They are here, unfortunately!"-Red X said

Starfire ignored Red X's comment and flew and walked as she could to reach her friends. The Titans also ran towards her and Robin was the first one to reach up to her. She fell on his arms and he made sure she did not fall. Robin was so glad she was ok. She had so many things to say to her. Starfire's legs weakened and almost fell, but Robin helped her get to the ground safely. Robin took a look at Starfire and saw all the bruises she had. He laid her partly on the floor and partly on his body. Starfire looked at Robin and started to cry.

-"Robin! I thought I had lost you forever"-Starfire said

-"I also was afraid of what had happened to you, Star"-Robin said

Starfire lifted her hand and touched Robin's face. She had always wanted to do this, but was too ashamed and afraid to do it before. Now nothing mattered, she was not going to let her shame hold her back. Robin also lifted his hand and touched Starfire's face. He dried some of her tears and caressed her hair. He was examining her and saw something that made him feel angry as hell. Starfire had marked bruises on her throat.

-'What the…? Are those bruises? Choking bruises? He did this! Red X did this! Oh, my Gosh, Star. What did you have to go thru? I'll kill him! Nobody touches you! Nobody hurts my Star and lives to show off about it!'-Robin thought

-"Robin, what worries you? I may look badly hurt but I am fine"-Starfire said

-"No, you are not! I am so sorry, Star!"-Robin said

-"Do not feel guilt, Robin. Please tell me, is it true that our home was destroyed?"-Starfire asked

-"Yes, Star. There's nothing left of it"-Robin said

Starfire felt even sadder when she heard Robin's answer. The other Titans surrounded them and were happy to see her alive.

-"Friends! You are alive! I thought I would never see you again!"-Starfire said

-"Ya almost didn't. If it wasn't for Raven's powers we would all be dead now"-Cyborg said

-"Told you Robin would calm down once we found her!"-BB said

-"Beast Boy…?"-Raven asked

-"Yes, Rae?"-BB asked

-"Shut up"-Raven answered

-"How did Raven get you out of the predicament?"-Starfire asked

-"She used her magic to open a portal and we used it to get out just in time"-Robin answered

-"Yeah! Bad thing is that we had to see Raven's creepy dimensions"-Cyborg said

-"I could have let you back at the Tower, you know?"-Raven said

-"Just kidding, Rae!"-Cyborg said

Red X had been watching the scene and he was disgusted. He hated the fact that the Titans were back, especially Robin. He hated the fact that Robin was holding Starfire and that Starfire did not mind at all. He hated Robin, period.

-"You were lucky last time but you would not be that lucky now!"-Red X said

Robin held Starfire even harder when he heard Red X and saw him getting near them.

-"I am tired of you! You hurt her…I will kill you for what you did!"-Robin said

-"No, Robin! Wait, he did not…"-Starfire said

-"Calm down, Star. I'll protect you at all costs. Don't force yourself, you are very tired"-Robin said

-"But Robin, you do not understand, Red X did not…"-Starfire started to say but Robin stopped her when he kissed her cheek, really close to her mouth but not close enough.

-"Starfire, I would not loose you again"-Robin said

Starfire could not react after what Robin had done. He had never EVER kissed her. Even though it had been on the cheek she felt so happy that he have had the courage to make it happen. Red X had lied to her, Robin did love her and he had just demonstrated it to her. Robin placed Starfire on the floor and smiled at her before he turned back and glanced at Red X.

-"Titans…GO!"-Robin said

The Titans began attacking Red X but they could barely touch him. Cyborg used his cannon but Red X reflected it and the laser went back to Cyborg who pushed BB when he flew back. Raven used her magic and stopped them from hitting the ground and then flew to Red X. She lifted some rocks and threw them at Red X who easily dodged them and after getting his newly acquired retractable staff he pushed Raven and the rocks away. It was Robin's turn and also used his staff to attack Red X. Red X threw an "X" to Robin but he evaded it. Unfortunately, the "X" curved and hit Starfire who was still on the ground and completely defenseless. Both Robin and Red X look at her and then both of them looked each other.

-"See what you did?"-Red X said

-"What I did? You were the one who threw that thing!"-Robin said

-"Maybe, but you created it, Remember?"-Red X said

Robin frowned. Maybe it was his fault. If his obsession had not made him so desperate to find whom Slade was he would not have created Red X and Slade would not had cloned him using his version of Red X to attack them. It was his fault, somehow. He washed this thought away and concentrated on the fight. The only way to make it up for what he had done was to eliminate Red X, even if it was not his style. He had hurt what he loved the most and now he had to deal with the consequences. Robin looked at the Titans who were standing up already. Even though they could not fly (except Raven) they surrounded Red X and prepared themselves to attack him. Red X frowned and gave them a pitiful look.

-"I don't have time to waste with you…I am ending this now"-Red X said

Red X hit all the Titans (except Starfire) and when they hit the ground he attacked them with his powers. He quickly flew towards Raven and punched her a few times with such force she groaned. He grabbed her by her cape (which caused her to choke a little) and send her away to crash on one of the outside walls of the warehouse (A/N: yes, I know Raven and walls, well, they just go together). After seeing this BB got very upset and transformed into a pterodactyl. He flew around Red X, trying to make him dizzy but BB got dizzy instead. Red X threw an "X" at him and prevent him from using his wings to fly. BB transformed into a human and started to fall.

-"Can't fly? Let me help you with that"-Red X said

BB could only close his eyes when Red X kicked him right before he hit the ground and still tied up rolled over until he stopped at the entrance of the other warehouse at the other side of the one he had been. Cyborg used his cannon and shot at Red X several times, one of those shots actually hurt Red X and he went down.

-"Boo-yah!"-Cyborg yelled

-"Boo-yah back!"-Red X said

-"What?"-Cyborg asked

Red X grabbed rocks and threw them at Cyborg who could not react in time and pushed him away from the battle. Red X turned to see Robin who was in front of Starfire.

-"Just who I want to get rid of the most"-Red X said

-"That makes two of us"-Robin said

-"We are alike"-Red X said

-"We are not!"-Robin said

-"Whatever!"-Red X said

Robin took a look at Red X. They did look alike. They even had the same mask on and they once were Slade's apprentices too. Also, they both loved Starfire with all their heart, mind, body and soul. Robin threw birdarangs at Red X who used his staff to crush them. Robin jumped as high as he could and threw a rope to tie Red X up and try to bring him down. Red X did not budge in and began to fly. Robin who was still holding the rope quickly felt his feet leaving the safe ground. He was not scared of flying, he had been raised and trained on high altitudes, but this time it was different. This time he was not performing or training, he was battling his worst enemy: himself. Red X broke the rope and Robin began falling. Once he hit the floor he groaned and tried to stand up; he could not. Robin punched the ground with his fist in frustration and Red X enjoyed the scene. He thought that was it for him, and maybe it was, and just to make sure, he threw a big amount of his powers to the fallen Robin. He smiled at the thought of seeing Robin cry in pain and then die; but he did not expect Starfire to jump in and protect Robin. And he did not expect Robin to protect her. Red X tried to stop his bolt but it was too late. After the smoke and dirt had cleared he saw Starfire on top of Robin on the ground. His anger grew.

-'Why does she keep protecting him? Anyway, he will not take her away from me'-Red X thought

For Red X's surprise the Titans were not defeated yet.

-"Azarath! Metrion Zinthos!"-Our favorite psychic said

Raven's power hit Red X but he did not seem to be badly hurt about it.

-"What? Don't you ever give up?"-Red X asked

-"No, we don't!"-Raven answered

Raven and Red X were fighting. Cyborg got up and started using his cannon against Red X. BB turned into a rhino and attacked Red X who was already on the floor; Raven had brought him down. Robin carried Starfire away from battle. She was more tired than anybody else because she had been fighting Red X long before they did and Slade for that manner too. He touched her cheek and smiled at her.

-"Stay here, Star. I wont let him hurt you. I promise"-Robin said

-"Robin, I do not wish to be useless for the team. I will help you and perhaps all together we might be able to…"-Starfire said

-"No, Star. I am not letting you fight like this and don't you ever risk your life again for me. That's an order"-Robin said

-"How can I stop myself from risking my life for you if you cannot stop yourself from risking your life for me?"-Starfire said

Robin smiled and hugged Starfire almost with the exact same strength she always hugged him.

-'I love you SO much'-Robin thought

-"Wait here Star. I'll be back for you"-Robin said

He knew that the last part was not completely true. He knew that Red X was very strong and that he probably had not even used his full force. Robin also knew that none of the Titans would give up and that they would continue fighting until the end. Red X had seen Robin take Starfire away and saw him touching her. That was the last thing he would deal with. No more mister nice guy.

-"That's it! I had enough!"-Red X said

Red X managed to get loose from Raven's power and went straight to her and kicked her.

-"Let me see the fear in your eyes"-Red X said

Red X shredded Raven's cloak and saw exactly what he wanted: Raven's face washed in fear. He finally hit her and threw her to a wall (poor Raven, she always gets the walls). Then he flew to where Cyborg was. Cyborg tried using his cannon against Red X but he ripped his arm out.

"You have built a great weapon…too bad it will be used against; Cyborg was down. Red X threw the arm next to Cyborg who did not move at all. Red X then attacked BB. He did not have to do a great maneuver like with the others to defeat BB. He rose for his pocket and got a little device out. It was the shape-shifting blocker. This one was more powerful than the one both BB and him had created. This one not only stopped BB from shape-shifting but it paralyzed him too. Then he saw Robin. He hated him. He was the reason Starfire would not love him. He had to die.

-"So, Robin. It's down to us two"-Red X said

-"I am gonna get you for this!"-Robin said

-"Are you?…get this!"-Red X said

Red X used his powers and flying ability to punch Robin. Robin was very tired now and could barely manage to protect himself but soon his guard was down and he became Red X's training bag. He was almost on the floor when Red X decided to finish him off for good. He aimed at him and again threw several of his "X". He hit his target…along with Starfire, again.

-"Star, no!"-Red X said

Both Robin and Starfire were on the ground. They were close but not close enough. Robin crawled to her, trying to reach her hand.

-"Star, why? I told you to stay there!"-Robin said

-"I could not, Robin. I could not let him take away what I love the most"-Starfire said

-"I can't reach you Star"-Robin said

-"Is this the end, Robin?"-Starfire asked

"No, Starfire, I will not let him take you away from me, you will stay here were you belong"-Robin answered

These were the last words Starfire heard. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before fainting.

-'Oh!, my God! Is she dead? Did she just stopped breathing?'-Robin thought

For the first time ever, Robin had tears in his eyes. He closed them to hold the tears back and decided it was not going to end like this. They had to fight back. Red X could not win this fight. He may have been strong enough to defeat Slade, but that did not mean they could not defeat him. Robin looked at Starfire. She was in very bad conditions, and he was still alive because of her. If any of the attacks that Red X had used had reached him, he would have been dead by now. He knew Starfire was stronger than him but now it was his turn t be strong for her.

-"Titans, I know you are tired. But we can't let him win. We can't let him take away what we have and what we are"-Robin said

-"Yeah, we're the Titans aren't we?"-BB said

-"Let's bring'm down!"-Cyborg said

-"This isn't over yet"-Raven said

-"We're just getting started…Titans GO!"-Robin said

Robin slowly got up and so did the other Titans. Cyborg got up and put his arm back to where it belonged. Raven also got up and used her magic to destroy BB's device. They all looked at each other. Maybe they would not be able to defeat Red X. However, they would die trying. Raven flew towards Red X and wrapped him with her powers. She also helped Robin reach Red X. BB changed into a pterodactyl and flew Cyborg toward Red X. They all started attacking him. Raven wrapped him tighter and tighter. Cyborg jumped on his back and aimed the cannon straight to his back. BB was poking him from above and Robin was trying to punch him anywhere he could. Red X moved a lot and Raven was trying to keep all of them from falling. She was getting tired, they all were.

-"You may had stopped me from moving. But you can't defeat me. None of you can!"-Red X said

-"That is NOT true!"-A familiar voice said from the ground

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