Chp. 11: The Honor of a Man

Robin looked helplessly up at Starfire as the white aura of light traveled around her frame.

"Hey, old man, make her stop!" Lyss yelled over his shoulder at the king as he ripped off what was left of his top armor, leaving him shirtless.

"I-I don't know how..."

"We have to do something!" Robin yelled.

Her father hung his head as more tears hit the floor.

Robin looked over at Lyss. "I'll finish you once Starfire is safe." He then ran at her and took a flying leap at her frame.

The light burned his arms and hands as he reached out to her, and soon his cape had become nothing but ash. He wouldn't give up though and continued until his arms were around her neck. His whole body was engulfed in her aura and began burning greatly.

He screamed out in pain but pushed his body tightly against hers. "Starfire! Starfire! Can you hear me?! Please, answer me!!!" He yelled in her ear. He couldn't see anything around him besides white light

Starfire's eyes, though still bright with no color, blinked twice. Her head turned slightly.

"Starfire!" Robin smiled. She had heard him. "Starfire, listen to me. It's Robin. You have to stop! You need to quit using this power or you'll die! I can't let you die! Please stop!"

"I--" Her voice echoed several times around him, sounding older and deeper. "I---"

"Starfire..."

"I--- don't----"

"You have to try... You have to try, Star!" He cried.

"Robin---"

"Please, don't give up..." The burning light had begun to cut his arms, and blood was now rolling down them. His armor was slowly beginning to disintegrate. He began to feel weaker as his eyelids were slowly giving way to his conciousness. His mask burned from his face.

"I---"

His arms began to loosen from her neck.

"must----"

He let go.

"Robin!"

She grabbed his hands. The aura dissapeared, and though she still had white clothing and hair with golden shine, her eyes had returned as a golden color themselves.

Robin floated up in front of her, unconcious. She held his hands tightly as they both landed on their feet, only a trifling spray of light surrounding their frames and keeping them standing.

The spray of light dissapated, and Robin collapsed into her arms. She held him tightly. "Robin, wake up..." She sniffled, trying her best not to cry.

Robin's eyes twitched slightly. He opened his eyes slightly. "Huh?" He asked.

"ROBIN!" She hugged him a little too tightly.

"Nnnnnn...." Robin muttered, the area above his nose turning blue. "Star... I can't breathe."

"Oh... my apologies..." She let go of him. "Robin... I am so glad you are sa-" She fell into his arms and returned to normal. He laid her down gently on the floor and stood up.

The entire kingdom around him was staring in awe at the boy wonder. He ripped what was left of his armor off, becoming shirtless as well. "Now... Are you ready to finish this?" He asked as it clanked to the floor.

"You survived the aura of a chrysalis..." Lyss said. "I can't fight you..."

"What?"

"I don't stand a chance. Your determination exceeds us all. There's no reason for me to try. Determination is one of the most powerful elements on our planet. I'll just leave now." Lyss walked towards the door.

Needless to say, Robin was stunned. "HEY, HEY, HEYYYYY!!!!" He yelled, unable to keep his mouth shut. "You can't just... leave!"

Lyss stared at his feet. "Robin... I read up about your kind while on my way to your planet. I read about you, and I must say that you truly are a wonder. I didn't know that humans were as strong as you were. I can't let my face be seen among my fellow Tamaranians or you humans, for I have done wrong, stupid things in the name of greed. Do not speak to me."

"So... you're just gonna walk away?! You're not gonna try and fix your problems, and make things right?! That's low. That's really low."

"Shut up, Robin. I don't need to hear all this from you. Just take Starfire and go home with your little friends. I'm not gonna bother you anymore, so back off!" He yelled, looking over his shoulder at him.

"Fine... go..."

"Lyss, wait," Starfire's father said, getting up off his knees and walking to the boy. "I do wish you banished from the planet... but only until I pass away. Then I wish for you to come back and take my place on the throne."

"Wh-what?" Both Lyss and Robin said at the same time, wide-eyed.

"You showed great nobility by not being stupid and continuing to fight against Robin. You let your shame show in front of your kingdom, unafraid of how they would feel about you. I find that a brave thing to do, Lyss. since Starfire does not want to take the throne and since you want it so badly, I believe it is in order. You only must promise that you will be a kind, respectful, good ruler of my kingdom, or someone else will have you over-throw you. Do you understand?"

Lyss stared at the king in silence. He then stepped ofrward, leaned down, and bowed to him. "I'm so sorry! I-I understand, sir!" He began crying. "I-I'll do exactly as you say, sir! I-I-I p-promise that I'll be a good leader! I'm really sorry! I'll never do it again!" He sobbed into the floor.

"Good... Now, you understand that you still suffer your suitable punishment of leaving the planet, yes?"

"Yes, s-sir..." He stood up and pulled himself together. "I really am sorry."

"Yes, I am too." Her father looked away.

"Well," Robin picked Starfire up. "Just forget about it. I have nothing against you or anything."

"Yes, and as for you Robin," Her father looked over at him and smiled, "I have something for you too."

Lyss took Starfire from Robin and held her for h im as Robin stepped foreward.

"Well, first of all, you need some new clothing..." The king twirled his finger around, and Robin was in his uniform. "I suppose this is what you wish for?"

"Yeah, thanks," Robin smiled as his mask appeared over his eyes.

"-and this." Her father held out a golden medal witha green jewel at the top. "It's a medal of honor and power. I wish for you to take it. You are now an official protector of the princess. Make sure you can be in contact with her at all times." He smiled and winked at him.

"Uh... thank you..." Robin blushed in embarrasment and put the medal in his belt.