Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans, not until I make a diplomacy check at –50 penalty.

Part II: And when the Sky Begins to Bleed....

It had been seven days since Starfire's return to Tamaran, and once again, the Titans were once again coming home after another surprising day. The first to enter the tower was Beast Boy. "Man, another boring day! I wonder if all the villains forgot they're supposed to be attacking the city."
"Stop complaining BB," butted in Cyborg, "Just be grateful that we got some time to work out having only four members again."
"Shhhh!" said Raven, "That subject is taboo, as you know how it's affecting him," as she pointed to Robin, sternly and calmly entering their house.
"Yeah, the way he's been fighting, he could easily protect the entire city on his own," said Beast Boy, as a shiver of nervousness came up his spine at the thought.
"Yeah you said it, remember the incident at 1:00pm today? Robin took out all five perps in one minute. He fights like a demon."

As for the Boy Wonder, he retreated to his room, bushed from the day's rounds in the city. 'Man I'm beat,' he said to himself, 'but somebody's got to pick up the slack.' He turned to the window looking at the evening sunset. 'I wonder how she's doing? Seven days ought to have been enough time to get home.' He took off his cape, mask and belt and placed them on a hanger. Afterward, he removed his steel shoes, removed his pants, and replaced his shirt with a tank top. Robin crawled into bed, 'whatever happening on her world, I'm sure she's alright', and with that, he retired for the evening.

Planet Tamaran

Starfire dropped to her knees, her eyes watered. She slowly climbed the steps of the Royal Family mausoleum. It was when she reached the summit that she noticed two fresh graves, on which the tombstones read:

"Here rests Prince Storikroe (Stone Will) of the 27th Royal Family. The stars claim yet another of their children. "

"Here lies Queen Jendiandor (Soul Fire) of the 27th Royal Family. The goddess awaits her return"

"NO!" she screamed, "I don't understand, why would my mother be murdered? My brother has never done anything wrong! This is not fair! Why did the goddess take them? WHY?" She couldn't speak anymore as her throat became scratchy and dry. Starfire then conceited to kneel there and cry her eyes out. Her father King Korisunjin (Star Forger), slowly approached his daughter, as he did not want to disturb her goodbye to her family. The king placed a hand on her shoulder, gaining her attention, and she hugged him, as he wrapped his arms around her.
"My daughter, I believe now you know why I asked you back. I have lost my wife and child, and my elder daughter is imprisoned. I could not risk losing you, not after so much loss already." "Father, who did this?" she asked, desperate for answers.
"I have Omjudasin searching the countryside for answers as we speak. For now, please stay here on castle grounds until I believe it's safe." And with that, Korisunjin started his decent down the steps and towards his throne. Starfire stood up, wiped the tears from her eyes, and put her hands together in a prayer stance.
'Mother, Brother,' she said to herself silently, 'I promise that I'll bring the murderer to justice, no matter who it is.'

As Korisunjin entered the throne room, he noticed Omjudasin standing there patiently, as if waiting for someone. He turned his head and noticed the king,
"Sire, I have new information concerning the queen and prince." Korisunjin's eyes lit up at the mere mention of new information.
"What is it Omjudasin?"
"There were traces of metal in the wounds of the captain, queen and prince, the wounds tell us it was a bladed weapon, much like our gauntlet spears or halberds."
"So? What's that show us besides it's someone on the planet?" spoke Korisunjin angrily. "That's the point Sire," exclaimed Omjudasin, "if it was one of our weapons, we wouldn't have found any metal, as are weapons are formed by our inherent energy and shaped by the weapon gauntlets. This weapon left traces of metal not found on our planet."
"An assassination?" said the king, shocked at the possibility.
"Yes Sire, and the metal is only found in large amounts on one planet in the galaxy."
"Which is?"
"The planet the Princess returned from, Earth."
"Are you saying that my daughter?"
"No Sire! Not at all, there was one other clue. It was this insignia left behind as a calling card," he handed Korisunjin a metal, jagged "S" symbol.

"I see," he said eyeing it carefully, "connected I assume?"
"Yes, the person we're looking for is from Earth." After several minutes of pacing and thinking, Korisunjin stood still and spoke,
"Omjudasin, call all my armies to the capital, on count of Rakmuy Takopkal (Final Option)." "Majesty!" cried Omjudasin, "Are you absolutely certain? This is the gravest call of duty one can use."
"Our situation is grave Omjudasin," calmly replied the king, "two of the Royal Family have been assassinated, I doubt the perpetrators are going to stop with only half of us dead. I also you've gathered enough evidence of the origin of this attack." Korisunjin, slowly turned around toward the throne, and reached behind it.
"200 years without a need to wage war. I never thought I would have break my great-grandfathers legacy." The king pressed a switch, and the throne skidded to the left, revealing a podium with two objects: a bright button, and a finely crafted gold staff, decorated with angel wings and adorned with a polished white orb on the top. The staff contained upon it old writing, in Tamaran language. Korisunjin took the staff in his right hand, and pressed the button with his left.

Earth: Titans Tower

Robin awoke the next morning to a loud ringing in his room. 'Ugh, what is it so early?' he thought, as he groggily got out of bed and approached the source of the ringing, his private phone. Robin picked up the receiver and spoke, "Hello?"
"Robin, it's been a while, I hope you are living up to my expectations," said a familiar voice.
"Is it really you?" asked Robin in utter surprise.
"Yes, it's Bruce, I need you and your team to come to the mansion ASAP. Something has the League concerned," said the Dark Knight.
"The Justice League worried? Must be trouble. We're on our way." Robin put down the receiver. 'Looks like the first real problem for weeks' thought Robin. And he quickly got dressed to retrieve the other Titans. After a half-day's journey, Robin and the Titans had made their way to Gotham City and the Wayne manor. Robin was the first to knock, where he was greeted with an old man.
"Master Dick," the old man smiled, and opened his arms to Robin. Robin accepted the offer, "It's been years Alfred."
"Five to be exact Master Dick. Master Bruce is expecting you in the usual place." He stood aside, "Please this way."

Down in the depths of the cave, Robin and the other's eyes quickly adjusted. "Man, this guy needs to consider a good lighting scheme," smirked Beast Boy, receiving a slap from Raven. "This is no time for jokes. It's not everyday we get a call by Batman and the Justice League." "Rave's right BB," agreed Cyborg, "If they really need our help, it's too serious a situation." Their conversation ended with the last steps down to the platform, containing Batman's collection of evidence. The Dark Knight was sitting in his usual position at the computer, with the entire League looking in their direction. Superman was the one to greet them, as he took Robin's hand.
"Robin, we appreciate you coming on such short notice."
"I'm sure you didn't bring my team here to converse," said Robin, cutting to the chase. "What did you need from us?"
"Quiet," said Batman, "you'll see soon enough." He typed in some commands and brought up a video image.
"Hey that's DC right?" asked Beast Boy. The others were cut off by the image, as the sky above the capital started to become covered in red. The sky slowly became painted in blood red as the video came to an end.
"That was taped approximately two hours ago," said Batman, the usual calmness in his voice. "What would cause that?" asked Cyborg.
"We had Batman do a search for unusual activity, and found a radiation signal coming from Tamaran."
"What?" screamed the Titans all at once.
"The Tamaran Royal Family is the only ones who could do this, as Tamaran forbids use of such messages unless it's a last resort," said Hawkgirl. "
We had Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter go there to talk with Tamaranian diplomats, but they have refused all requests," added The Flash.
"The only other thing we have had is a recording sent by satellite to the League Space Station. Here it is," said Superman, and pulled out a tape recorder, pushing the play button.

"Je hakwor yionm jaskarg wentenk to corocarna shen daiodork"

"What did it say?" asked Raven.
"In short Tamaran has declared war on Earth."

Robin was taken back, to say the least, "What! No way! I refuse to believe it!"
"You have no choice but to accept it," said Batman, "and we all have been called to duty by the nations of Earth to defend it." Robin was still in his own world at what he heard.
'Why? Is this why Star left? Did her father call her back because he was going to fight us? Oh no! He might have Star fight us. Would we have to? Could we if we had to?' Robin turned around and started to head for the upper floors.
"Robin wait!" said Beast Boy, but was halted by Cyborg.
"Let him go, he needs time for it to sink through."
"Titans, you are to report to the Gotham base at 1800 hours tomorrow," said Superman sternly. "We will need everyone's help to end this swiftly."

Planet Tamaran

"What? War?" shouted Starfire. "We have had no reason to go to war for 200 years, why now all of a sudden?"
"Princess," said Omjudasin, "you must understand, the murders of Royal Family members are certainly reason enough to go to war."
"But, I don't want to fight. My friends are on Earth, and I have a horrible feeling in my heart that I will fight them."
"That's right my daughter," interrupted the king as he entered her room, "you will need to lead our elite troops to victory over the Earth forces."
"Father, this isn't right. Earth has done nothing wrong."
"Nothing wrong?! Murder is certainly something wrong. Are you saying it is right to let the planet responsible go unpunished?"
"No but –"
"I would have though you would have wanted to justify your family's deaths, but it seems I was wrong to think you actually cared."
"Enough!" said Starfire, as she held her head down, "I'll, I'll do it."
"Good, now my daughter, you will need your rest for tomorrow's rallying of the troops." Korisunjin came up to his daughter and kissed her on the head, "Goodnight."
"Goodnight Father," said Star softly, trying her best to suppress her fears. 'I must believe,' she thought, 'I need to believe that my friends and I won't have to battle each other.'

Planet Earth: Wayne Manor

Robin sat on the balcony of his room in the manor. As he looked at the stars, he couldn't help but feel that something he did caused this. 'Why do I feel I caused this to happen? I don't know; I can't help that I played a part in all this. And now my friends will be the ones to pay.' He thought about Starfire, 'I will pray she's ok, cause I don't think I will be capable of fighting a friend, let alone my best friend.'

As he looked at the night sky, a song came to his head:

(Broken, by Seether)

Robin:
I wanted you to know I love the way you laugh

I wanna hold you high and steal your pain away

I keep your photograph I know it serves me well

I wanna hold you high and steal your pain

'Cause I'm broken when I'm open

and I don't feel like I am strong enough 'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome

and I don't feel light when you're gone away


Starfire, feeling herself drawn to the balcony of her room, felt a song sung to her, despite not knowing who it was.

Starfire:

The worst is over now and we can breathe again

I wanna hold u high and steal your pain

there's so much left to learn & no one left to fight

I wanna hold u high & steal your pain

Together:

'Cause I'm broken when I'm open

and I don't feel like I am strong enough 'cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome

and I don't feel right when you're gone away 'cause I'm broken when I'm open

and I don't feel like I am strong enough

'cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome

and I don't feel light when you're gone away

Planet Tamaran

In a dark, metallic room, a familiar figure stood in front of a large window, taking in the landscape. "It's been so long, I've forgotten that there are some good point about this planet." "Master Slade, the Royal Family has declared war on Earth."
"Excellent, Malren, now the dogs have been thrown off the scent, so to speak."
"Also Master, your generals have arrived."
"Send them in."
Malren bowed, and then opened the chamber door to four men of the same outfit as Slade. The men approached Slade and kneeled before him
"Master Slade, for five years we have awaited your return," said one, never taking his eye off the floor.
"Yes general, I'm glad my forefathers' army still stays loyal."
"So shall it be till out dying days. By the way sir, your assassination of the prince and queen were very efficient."
"Oh but your mistaken General," said Slade as he turned around. "That wasn't me, that was your new commander." Slade then pointed to his right, as a small figure appeared. Her blonde hair swaying with the gentle breeze in the room.

"Gentleman, meet your new commander, and my apprentice, Terra."

Hi again! I got this done in a couple hours, so I'm pretty psyched. I don't think this is one of the better chapters though.

Anyway, please review and ask any questions, I think after Chap 3, I'm going to answer some of them.

Keep the Passion of Anime Alive Forever (KPAAF)