Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans. Now there's nothing left to live for. (Sob!!)

Wow! This story is gaining steam. I would like to just shout out my gratitude, but there will be time for that later. College began again today, and that means a lot of extra work to do. I will try to put out one chapter each week, as I leave myself time to write after I finish my assignments. Hopefully I can do more than one per week, but I need to see how heavy my workload is before I can make a promise like that. Besides, after so many people have said they like this story, I feel it's my responsibility to make sure I get what I want out of each chapter. Anyways, enjoy my chapter.

Chapter 8: To Earn A Planet's Trust.

As Starfire entered the chambers of counselor Jothebratock (Gold Scale), she was trying to figure out two things. One was why the counselor wanted an audience with her, and the second is how she would respond. Though she was the last of the Royal Family other than her imprisoned sister, Jothebratock was appointed by her father to uphold law. Right now, the fate of her captured friends was in the hands of him. Councilman Jothebratock was at his seat behind his work desk in his chamber, and motioned Starfire to take a seat on the opposite end. As she sat, he was examining her, trying to decrypt her thoughts through her body language.

"Princess," he began, "I have called my fellow councilmen off, and do you know why?"
"No, counselor, but I assume you want to tell me," she replied. She thought it best to let Jothebratock finish his thoughts.
"It's because we are at dilemma; a member of the Royal Family is on trial, and meanwhile someone has awakened a Godstar."
"A Godstar?"
Jothebratock stood up and approached his chamber window. He opened it, letting in the Tamaranian sunlight.

"An artifact of the last great war ever fought on Tamaran. Princess, you are aware of the Tamaranian law that forbids technology to ever be used as a tool of war directly."
"Yes, and it has been that way for 200 years. The people have issued grants to the Royal Family and the Council to allow new advances."
"The Godstar was the offspring of a man who did not agree with the Council's decree. He was a Tamaranian scientist, and an accomplished warrior of the Andorkori (Fire Star) Monastery. This man was know as Genjidasin (Demon Sword) for his superb skill in sword and staff technique."
"What happened with him?" said Starfire, almost lost in the Counselor's story.

"Genjidasin died a long time ago, a rival of the King back then. Later his son, Welicgenji (Demon Hand) created, with knowledge given to him by his father, created the Godstar. Your father Korisunjin used the Royal Staff to obliterate the Godstar's power. Welicgenji was found a traitor and banished, along with any of his family. Their family's scorn for the Royal Family was born then."
"I see. So what caused its resurrection?"

"Your father kept the key that ignited the power source of the Godstar, and input it in his circlet. It's now apparent that he was murdered to get it back. And only one other person would know of its whereabouts; that is the same person who led a rebellion five years ago. The son of Welicgenji, Morugenji (Demon Gear)."
"I don't understand why you would then excuse me of the charges against me?" Starfire asked, as Jothebratock still didn't get to the point of this long story.
"I believe with what you showed me, that your Slade and Morugenji are one and the same."

"How do you know? What did I show you?"

"The same thing as the king showed us fifty years ago. You showed me a man who knew nothing but his obsession; a man who cared only for his ideals, not caring if it harmed any living thing. Princess, you showed me that Tamaran and Earth were played for fools, all for the obliteration of the Royal Family, and the revival of an artifact of foolish obsession."
"So that's why you dismissed the charges," sighed Starfire, she was so glad that she did the right thing. Hopefully now, communication can be made with Earth to stop this war.

"Now about your friends, I still have to pass judgment on them."
"What?!" she stood up, astonished at what she just heard. "You just said that you were fooled! Now that it's in the open, what good is there to punish my friends from Earth? You know what the law of acts of war is to foreigners."
"That's exactly why Princess, I need to judge them because of the same law you cited. Tamaran does not treat P.O.W's all too well, as far as punishment goes. As much as the war will now stop, they were still active in that war."

Starfire was about to tear out her hair over the frustrating news, but then she got an idea.

"Then counselor, as acting member of the Royal Family, I call forth a Royal Favor, as the law allows me."
"Hmm," Jothebratock was intrigued, "what would you ask of me then Princess? I can't release them, even on a Royal Favor."
"But I can ask you to send them where I choose. I want them under the tutelage of Master Legasnouro (Light Spirit) of the Andorkori Monastery. Please counselor, Robin and my other friends know Slade better than anyone here. We can help with this Godstar."
This received a laugh from Jothebratock, "To have such praise come a member of the Royal Family. How is it that these people have earned your admiration?"

Starfire stood up to the statement, "What's that supposed to mean? I have every right to show gratitude."
"Don't get me wrong princess, I just mean that your father and mother were very reserved and only gave homage to their own people."
"They are my best friends, and they see me as an equal, not royalty. I've worked with them for four years, and I know that the fiercest our opponent, the harder they all try. And Robin, he has been there to help me with all my questions, and I have appreciated that he didn't see me as a bother, but as a new friend."
"Enough princess, I didn't mean to upset you. Your Royal Favor will be obeyed; I'll sign the papers this evening. You should go back to the castle, and get some rest."

Starfire nodded, and left Jothebratock to his work.

Sure enough, the next day, Robin, Raven, Starfire, and Cyborg were sent to the monastery. As they exited their transport, they found themselves in a deep forest, where the trees blocked out all but the strongest sunlight. The temple walls stretched upwards as if to break free of their forest prison. As they entered, the ground, they noticed, was much like a Buddhist training place, with the dirt well raked and devoid of stones. Robin was side-by-side with Starfire, so he decided to start conversation.

"Starfire," he started, "why did you decide to join us?"
"I felt it would be good for myself," she replied, "besides, soldiers request Master Legasnouro for training from over the entire planet"
"Wow, guess I'll be in for a lot of work," he stopped for a moment before, "Star, I heard you had a part in getting us here. I guess we owe you, since otherwise we'd be mining rocks for twenty years."
"Robin, it's like we said to each other before, we take care of each other. There is no need for thanks." They were interrupted when they reached the main hall of the monastery.

There in the center of the room, sat Master Legasnouro, waiting for his new soldier students. The head monk stood at six feet, and had graying aqua colored hair, showing his age and wisdom. His robes were of black silk, and the outline of his chiseled body was barely visible. His eyes were of dullest gray, and were slanted ever so slightly. Robin and the other Titans were led to the middle, where they sat and waited. Legasnouro picked himself up from his sitting position, and then walked towards them, where he paced himself, much like a drill sergeant with his new meat to mold. He came upon Raven first; who sat the furthest left of him, and stared at her. This to the most part confused her, as she didn't know what he was up to. Within a couple minutes he clapped his hands, his signal for one of his consorts to approach him.

Legasnouro spoke, his finger pointed at Raven, "She will join the Meditation Classes, Elite Level."
"Sir!" as the consort bowed, and motioned the sorceress to follow him. Raven had a slight smile to her face, 'Meditation, maybe this won't be so bad.'
Cyborg was his next examinee, and after a couple minutes, "Put this one with the Smith Students," he said, as another consort escorted Cyborg. 'What's this guy up to? Blacksmithing went out with the Middle Ages.'

Robin was next to on the block. Robin, trying to psyche him out, mouthed, "Not going to work." A quirked eyebrow later, spoke to his consort, "He will come with me."
Starfire, being the last, was treated the most kindly, "Princess Koriandor, as you are here on your own volition, I will let you do which classes you wish. My consort will get you ready," and she was escorted like the others.

Robin was the last Titan in the room, which made him think he should of just, let things go. On the other hand, he had better things to do, like find a way to stop Slade's newest creation.

"Leave us!" spoke Legasnouro, and all other monks in the room swiftly left.

"Well," he began, "plenty of confidence in you, that's for sure. I was going to ignore Counselor Jothebratock's request, but now I think I will train you personally."

"No offense," said Robin, "but I don't think you could teach me anything I don't already know."
"Hmm. How many techniques are you familiars with?"
"About 40 different arts, including three not know anymore on my planet."
"I see, but I'm not just a monk of Tamaran. I am also a scholar of many other planets. There are arts I'm sure Earth hasn't ever heard of before."

He walked over to the side of the room, where a weapon rack lay. Legasnouro, picked up a steel bow-staff, and tossed it over to Robin, who caught it at once.

"I assume you know how to handle that?" he asked casually.

Robin swung the staff, finding it very light much like his own. He twirled it around him in a masterful fashion, ending with him in attack stance. "I think I'll manage," he said.

"Now let me show you how a Tamaranian king fights," he pulled out a large staff.

"This is the Royal Family's staff. I asked Jothebratock to send it to the monastery after the king's murder. The king mastered many techniques unique to this staff, and now," he prepared himself in attack stance, "I'll show you who taught them to him."

Robin charged forward, and began with a slow tempo of Bo thrusts, which Legasnouro blocked rather easily, using his size to absorb each blow's impact. Robin decided to add his legs to the mix, and attempted a sweep kick, which succeeded in the fall of Legasnouro. However, Legasnouro just caught himself with his hands, and back flipped into attack position, and began his own assault. Legasnouro used large strikes with the long end of the staff, to which Robin blocked, until the monk stepped forward, and used the other end to jab Robin in the stomach. Robin lost his breath, but continued his defense. Legasnouro tried to use his momentum to get behind Robin, but he cut him off, jabbed him in his stomach, and used the steel staff to throw him. Legasnouro hit the ground hard, but had to react fast to avoid Robin's down thrusting of his Bo to his face. Legasnouro grinned, "I guess its time to end this," and he stood for a moment, his gray eyes starting to glow silver. Robin backed off, and prepared to defend himself. At first, he thought Legasnouro was attempting a simple overhead smash with the staff, but then the crystal at the end emitted a thin gray blade of energy, which sliced Robin's Bo in two. After breaking his weapon, Legasnouro grabbed Robin by the neck and slammed him to the ground. When the ringing of the tremendous 'thud' ended. Legasnouro picked Robin up, and then bowed to him.

"This staff is the most powerful weapon ever created by the Tamaran. It was made to respond to the threat of the Godstar. It reacts to the person's spiritual energy, and forms itself to its will."
Robin, after being defeated, stood there and listened, "That's amazing, it can form any weapon?"
"Yes, but that's not how you can defeat the Godstar. Care to see the staff's true power?"

Robin simply nodded, wanting to see this weapon that could defeat Slade.

Legasnouro pushed open some large paper doors, which shielded a large deck, overlooking a small mountain. Legasnouro closed his eyes, and the staff glowed a tremendous silver color, almost as if the crystal on top would break with energy.

"Tamaran Korivelius (Star Crusher)!!" and the crystal let off a giant silver beam, which shot toward the mountain, and obliterated it.

Robin just stood in amazement. He had never seen such a power come from such a small object.

"That energy is called Jendiandor (Soul Fire), after the former queen. It's that spiritual energy that destroys the power source of the Godstar. Care to learn that?"
"Yes, if it will destroy Slade's weapon. I have to stop him once and for all."
"Then you will train with me starting tomorrow, and you will be the keeper of this staff." Legasnouro handed the Royal staff to Robin, and made his way to exit the room.

"Wait," Robin shouted, "Why me? Why did the counsel want me to train with you?"
Legasnouro sighed, "I knew Korisunjin since we were both little. I'm doing this for his "Angel of the Stars""
"Angel of the Stars?" asked Robin.
"That what her parents called the Princess. The counsel told me about her. They told me how her smile widens at the sound of your name. They told me how her eyes light up when someone talks about her friends. Most of all, they told me how she thinks you're going to be the one to stop this chaos."

Robin was wide-eyed, at least as far as his mask was concerned, "Starfire said all that?"

"I don't know how one from Earth gained such praise from the Princess. But to speak of you so deeply, its apparent you keep a place in her heart. I will respect her wishes, and try to help her, as I helped my friend, the king, so long ago." With that, Legasnouro left the room, leaving Robin with his thoughts.

Robin gripped the staff tightly, and used his other hand to take off his mask, revealing tears coming down his eyes. "I'll show you," he said to himself, "I'll show all of you why she believes in me. I'll show her I deserve her faith for the rest of my life! She's given me a chance to show everyone what she already knows. Starfire, I thought I came here to stop a war. Now, I'm here for you. This I solemnly vow." With his speech to himself, he left the room.


"Thank You!" to the Following:

Marchwardens Blue Eyed S
Well, Ruby, I'm glad you've liked the tale so far.

bob thebuilder
Wow, I'm glad you find it original. I said this before, but I would have thought someone had a similar idea by now.

DIWaRrIa
I'm glad you're still reading this. I think after ss, you're fan number two.

terra
Hope you liked chapter 7. I listen to Fuel a lot, and I'm glad I listened to it when I wrote the chapter.

Black Dawn
Don't be afraid to say anything, I encourage questions. Thanks for reading!

Aeris-Raven
I'll consider your advice, but to be honest, I'm pulling chapter's out of my brain on a weekly basis, so I can't look too far ahead. Thanks and keep reading, you're another of my big fans!

robin's my boy
Another fan with a threat, I must be getting popular! Glad you enjoyed chapter 7

Caj Valivian
BB and Terra will have more to come, and they will join up with the Titan's later.

El Zero
Thank you very much!

KPAAF everyone! Keep the reviews and questions commin.