Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans. However, all Tamaranians mentioned are mine. Theft will be dealt with swiftly. How? Wouldn't you like to know?
Part 6: Beyond Good and Evil: Truth
Robin felt himself regain consciousness, and his body started to move on his command. His eyes opened to a circular skylight, made of iron in a criss-cross shape. He saw the walls, which were comprised of bricks of thick stone, well worn with their uselessness over time. He felt the coolness of the plate he was lying on, as it was of iron as well. Robin picked himself up into a sitting position, and noticed bracelets on his wrists, from which each a small, glowing cord led up to an insert imbedded in the wall. A large bandage was wrapped around his chest, a thick line of dried blood across it. 'Let's see,' he thought. 'Got to get my bearings back. The ambush didn't succeed, and we were forced to fight. One of those armored giants flung Beast Boy all the way into some jungle or forest of some such. Starfire and some other guard were on a kind of horse. I fought with the guard. Starfire shouted and then I was defeated.' He looked at the rest of his surroundings. The dungeon, as he assumed it was, was rather vast for one room. To his right on the far wall, Robin could see the only visible door leading out. It appeared to be energy based, and without his belt, he probably couldn't do anything to it. Across from him was another bunk of iron, and a figure he couldn't make out in the limited light. Then, a soft voice all too familiar came to his ears.
"I'm glad to see you open your eyes once again Robin."
"Starfire? Is that you? Why are you here?" he asked in an equally low volume.
"I, I'm here as a prisoner," stammered, like she was holding back tears.
Robin stood up and tried to go across the room. Thankfully, his bindings seemed to extend to a point, allowing him movement inside the cell. He took a seat next to her, and was shocked at her appearance.
Starfire had a visor of alien design on her face. It was made of some sort of moldable material, and the lenses were of crystal of a yellow tint. He tried to take her hand, and noticed her long gloves had been taken. Her orange skin was soft and her hands delicate as porcelain.
"Starfire, what happened?" he asked, hoping to get some clarification.
"After Welcrinken (Bravery Kind) had beat you in combat, I believe he took me prisoner as well. After I tried to come to your aid, I don't remember what happened until I awoke in here. Robin, they told me my father, my father is..."
Robin let her rest her head into his shoulder, and he knew by her renewed sobbing what they told Starfire about her father. Even though he met a similar fate when he was very young, Robin couldn't think of a way to comfort his best friend. 'You've got to say something! Or at least change the subject!' he thought.
"Starfire, why do you have that visor on? And what happened to your gloves?" he chose the latter of the two options.
"This visor is gear to suppress my power. The yellow nullifies my green energy. My gloves are what help me channel my power to fire energy bolts. Oh Robin, I never thought I'd be the one to be treated like a criminal."
Robin gently took her head off his shoulder and stared into her eyes, like they were the targets of his own personal bull's-eye. "Starfire, don't ever think that about yourself. I know this is war, but to have mercy or remorse is never a bad thing. If anything, it shows how wonderful a person you are. I should know, we've been friends for four years. I can't speak for myself, but I know you will make it through this. To think that they would punish someone for having human emotion is scary, and also pointless."
Starfire, after hearing all his words, began to calm down. She sat herself upright, took in some deep breaths, and closed her eyes to regain herself.
"Thank you Robin. I guess I needed some reassurance that I was justified. You know, you've always been able to cheer me up," her beautiful smile began to glow through again.
"You've been the only person to ever really cheer me up, so it's the least I can do," Robin smiled back.
The awkwardness of the words just spoken caused the two jailbirds to laugh at each other. The happy moment was interrupted with the sound of the door's energy field. Welcrinken came to the back of the chamber; confused at the moment he just walked into.
"Princess Koriandor, the counsel will see you and the Terran now," he spoke politely.
Robin was rather annoyed with being called a "Terran," despite it being a technically accurate label. "The name is Robin. I'll ask you to call me by that."
"Very well, the counsel will need to address you anyway. Robin, you and the princess will follow me now." Welcrinken took a small stick, with a red ruby on the end. He pressed it on Robin and Starfire's bracelets, and the cords attaching them to the wall faded.
The two were led to a large courtroom, of a circular design with seating all around the perimeter. The seats were packed with Tamaranian citizens of all ages and prestige, all waiting to see the first meeting of the counsel in a while. In the middle was a large table, with five seats behind it. Two tables with seats finished the simple room. Robin and Starfire were led to one of the tables, and Welcrinken sat himself at the remaining one. The guard appointed to the room started his announcement, "Citizens rise for your counsel."
The people stood up as five figures came into the room. They were wearing white smock, and had cloaks of thin silk on their faces to hide their identity. The cloaks and smocks both had the royal symbol upon them. The members took their respective seats and the middle one waved his hand signaling that the citizens could sit.
"The members of counsel will announce themselves, as I heard we have an outsider today. I am head counsel Jothebratock (Gold Scale). To my left are counselors Umlerdack (Brass Weight) and Crocumdack (Iron Weight). To my right are counselors Moulirdack (Steel Weight) and Felcukdack (Silver Weight). Commander Welcrinken, please bring forth the charges you wish to issue."
Welcrinken stood up and approached the counsel, which then he handed them some notes. Once again the middle member, after looking at the notes, began the trial in front of them.
"Robin of Earth, the people of Tamaran have judged you of assault in the act of war. You are here as a P.O.W. Though you are not granted the ability to oppose your actions, you are granted a chance to explain them."
Robin was rather surprised at the statement. Did they expect him to beg for mercy or something? He could understand that there was overwhelming evidence about him fighting the Tamaranian army, but this was redundant. There was no point to say anything, and he had a feeling that if Starfire was any exception of her race; they wouldn't go as far as executing him or anything. Robin stood from his seat and addressed the counsel.
"Uh," he began, as he didn't know exactly how one address' the court on this planet. 'Might as well just keep my thoughts to myself,' he thought.
"I have nothing to say really. Just that I did what I did for my planet. I'm sure counsel, you would sympathize with the feeling to defend ones' homeland," he said calmly.
"Is your thoughts then, that we should excuse the damage you did because of loyalty?" asked Crocumdack.
"My thoughts are that I believe it's the same reason Tamaran is in this war," he argued back.
"The reason we're in this war is for sense of security, Robin of Earth. The murder's of 3 members of the Royal Family would do that to any planet," Moulirdack added in the now spirited debate.
"With all due respect counsel, is it security or revenge?" retorted Robin.
"I'll ignore that remark Robin of Earth," said Jothebratock, "but we are the ones giving judgment here, not you."
Robin decided that's as big a chink he was able to be going to put in their armor, "I apologize," and with that he took his seat.
Jothebratock began again, "this counsel has heard your reasoning and will pass its belief in two days. Take him back to his cell."
"Actually counselors," spoke Welcrinken, "I wish to keep him as a witness; if that does not concern you that is." 'It should be fitting for him to watch over her. I need to know why she would risk treason for another species,' he thought.
"Very well, Robin of Earth will remain until the counsel has recessed," Jothebratock took another glance at his notes and began the next charge on the list.
"Princess Koriandor of the 27th Royal Family, the people have judged you of Treason. Do you accept or decline the accusation?"
Starfire stood up and now it was her turn to address counsel, "I decline the accusation."
"Please tell us your story Princess," spoke Felcukdack.
"I was there when Robin and Commander Welcrinken fought each other. I didn't see any need for it, even with them being on opposite sides. After all, Robin said he only came to get me out of the situation. I pleaded them to stop, and it ended when Welcrinken struck Robin down. I ran to aid him, and that's all I remember."
"He came to get you away from the situation?" asked Umlerdack. "Would you have gone with him if you had a choice?"
"It's very likely counselor, as I only went to fight because it was my father's wish. I didn't wish to fight the Earth personally though," replied Starfire.
"Princess, Earth was incremented in the assassination of Queen Jendiandor and Prince Storikroe and the recent murder of King Korisunjin. Surely you would want condolence for these crimes," said Moulirdack in an attempt to reason with her.
"I do not believe the evidence as is. From my experience, Earth is home of some of the greatest creatures in the galaxy. If anything from what I learned, they would never go to the extent of murder. I ask you counsel, what is your evidence in particular?"
"You were never told Princess?" said Jothebratock.
"My father kept me busy with preparation for war, and told me the reason was not my concern. I believed him, after all, my father knew more than all of us the consequences to declaring war. Why would I doubt him now, after all the good he has done?"
"Very well, as it seems no problem with everyone present either loyal or a prisoner who cannot share the info with the outside. The weapon used to massacre your family was primarily made of material only found on Earth. Second the same calling card was left at all three murders, showing that it was the same culprit."
"What is that calling card counsel?"
"A jagged metal "S" in the Terran alphabet. The card was also made of Earth exclusive metal."
"Jagged metal "S"?"
The sound of the pounding of fists came from Starfire's side; Robin was the origin of the disturbance.
"Slade!" he said growling in a low tone.
"Slade killed my family?" asked Starfire.
"I can only thing of one person in the entire universe who would murder and be egotistical enough to leave a calling card in the form of a metal S."
"Robin of Earth! You have had your stand in front of counsel, and must remain seated," spoke Jothebratock.
Robin stayed silent for a minute, and then got an idea. He took Starfire by the ear and whispered for several minutes, much to the curiosity of the counsel. Starfire nodded after Robin spoke his fill, and addressed the counsel.
"Members of counsel, you have been duped. Robin was attempting to speak of the reason I stayed on Earth for 4 years." Starfire felt around her waistline for her comlink, but then remembered she was a prisoner. Welcrinken was the first to ask her of her actions.
"What is it Princess?"
"Welcrinken, you would know, did you confiscate a yellow and black disk?"
"Yes, along with all your other belongings. I've kept it trying to figure it out, but Earth technology is beyond me." Welcrinken pulled out the comlink Starfire was looking for.
"Thank you!" she exclaimed, for now she could prove her point.
Starfire took the comlink, and tried to connect back to Earth, and Titan's Tower. It shouldn't be difficult, for the matter way used a sort of intergalactic radio signal.
The counsel began to get a little impatient. "Princess, is there something you wish to present with that device?" asked Cromcumdack.
"Yes counsel, take a look at these," and she handed Jothebratock the comlink. Jothebratock saw a slide show of pictures depicting a man in orange and black, and while he examined the photos, Starfire continued.
"That man is called Slade. When I was on Earth and joined the Titans, he was our nemesis. The past 4 years have been comprised of defeating villains of all types, but him especially. His goal was to destroy Jump City, for reasons still unknown. Three weeks before my father declaration, crime in the city had literally ceased to exist."
Jothebratock looked at the pictures and saw the same thing in each, a jagged S. It seemed to be his signature mark.
"Well Princess, what would you say is the cause of that?" he asked her, waiting for her theory.
"Slade, for some reason or another, is your murderer. Robin believes it was a ploy to create a giant diversion," she explained calmly.
"Why would someone from Earth want to start a war between two planets, both who had no reason to fight each other?"
"I, I am not sure why," she was searching her knowledge of Slade for an answer, to no avail.
"Princess, a claim that could stop the war, I will need more than just your word, no matter how much I want to believe you."
At this point a Tamaranian soldier came bursting through the door, causing the entire room to stir.
"Soldier, this is a session of the counsel, there is no room for this kind of interruption," said Jothebratock, he was at the peak of this patience.
"Sir! Please forgive me, but a serious attack has occurred at the city of Rayrodoc! A giant ship has leveled the city and its inhabitants."
"Put it on the room viewer," Jothebratock motioned to a guard, who pushed a button. A large screen lowered to the floor and was programmed to show the city of Rayrodoc. Much to the remarks of the soldier, buildings were nowhere to be found, and not a soul was in the surrounding area. A large spiked ball hovered high above the sky.
The sight of the apparent attacker shocked Jothebratock
"It, it is the forbidden project! Who would of released it?" he stammered with each word.
The screen turned off and rose to its resting place above. The audience, up to now calm and quiet, now whispered and screamed with each other, trying to determine what happened on their own.
"Silence!" demanded Jothebratock, and soon received it. He motioned his fellow counselors to him, and began to discuss with them privately. After a good ten or fifteen minutes, the members returned to their positions and Jothebratock spoke.
"After a review of the recent evidence, and the current attack taken into context. Princess Koriandor is found innocent of Treason. However, we will recess until tomorrow to pass judgment on Robin of Earth. That is all." The councilmen one by one left the room, and Welcrinken escorted Robin back to the cell.
Councilman Jothebratock approached Starfire and only spoke four words, "Princess, come with me."
"Thank You!" to the following:
Caj Valivian
Thank you, your words are kind.
ssjEasterBunny
Thanks for the encouragement :D! I am going into Terra and BB in the next chapter, so it's going to be extra long. Hope you like what ya see. I'm also gonna put a song in the background. Which one? You'll have to read.
Black Dawn
Thanks for the comments! I tried to keep some integrity into the fight scenes, but also not to ramble on about one insance in time.
DIWaRrIa
I would be happy to read your story, its just I don't know your pen name. Let me know and the title of the fic and I'll take a look.
KPAAF Everyone!
