Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans. All Tamaranians mentioned are mine. No sudden movements, and no one gets hurt.

We finally come to the end of Chaptire 9. I must say I've gotten a lot of positive response about each chapter. Thank you all for your comments everyone! I'm glad people think I've kept true to the characters. After this, I'm looking at about at least three more chapters. The end will get really big; at least I'm thinking as much, I've got a lot to cover.

Enjoy all!

"In My Place" by Coldplay


Chaptire 9 – 5: Robin - How Long Must She Pay?

The morning sunlight greeted the Andorkori Monastery for another productive day. With the Godstar functional, it was imperative to get to work to destroy it. Robin, the sunlight touching his face, awoke immediately. He knew that if he was being trained to use the staff, it wasn't going to be easy. Sure enough, that moment, Legasnouro had entered Robin's room, already dressed in his garb.

"You have a half – hour, then you meet me atop the monastery," he ordered, and with that he left the room.

'Not going to be easy,' he thought, 'not a bit.'

Robin spent his half hour getting dressed and some food for the morning. He didn't bother to shower, being that he was going to be breaking a sweat all day. After his preparation, Robin led himself to the rooftop of the monastery, Royal Staff in hand. Legasnouro was there, in a sitting position, waiting for his pupil.

"Robin," he began, "today I'll teach you the basics. By today, if you can't form a weapon, you will fail. Do you understand?"
Robin was used to the harsh statements of training. "Yes, I'm ready," he simply stated.
"Good, you will begin with basic form. Practice for two hours, while I have matters to attend to. When two hours have past, you will have built enough ki to begin the next phase." With that Legasnouro picked himself up and left Robin to train. "Oh one more thing," he said, "Princess Koriandor said she would make you a meal for lunch."
"What?" said Robin. "You're joking right? Why would Starfire go to all that trouble?"
"I'm not," replied Legasnouro, "and I believe you should ask the princess those questions." Legasnouro then descended the rooftop stairs

When he left, Robin was aggravated to say the least. Why did he just leave? Wasn't he going to teach him personally? Robin just decided to shake it off; after all, he didn't need training in basic form. Robin took the Royal Staff in his hands, and began to twirl around, in a fanciful fashion. The basic form consisted of basic attacks, stances and jabs. To the casual observer, one could almost say Robin was dancing with the staff. He continued for two hours, each successful round of the form quickening in pace. To Robin, he just let his mind wander, and let his body and memory do the work for him.

In my place, in my place
were lines that I couldn't change
I was lost,
Oh yeah

After two hours of work, Robin heard words shouted out to him. "Robin, sei!" said the voice. Robin recognized the words as a signal to stop. He slowly came out of his practice, and turned to see Legasnouro and Starfire with a basket of sort.

"Good, constant fighting for two hours, take a break. I believe this young lady has something prepared for your delight. I'll be back in one hour, then we continue until nightfall," said Legasnouro, and left the two to their meal.

I was lost, I was lost
Crossed lines I shouldn't have crossed
I was lost,
Oh yeah

"Star, when he said that, I really didn't think he meant it," said Robin. "Did you really make that basket for me?"
"Um, Yes," said Starfire. "It's not much, but I hope you will except it just the same." With that she held out the basket.
"I'm sure it'll be fine Star, and thanks. That Legasnouro famous for his training for a reason, he's running even me ragged," he smiled and accepted the basket.
"It seems he's taken a personal interest in you. It seems he sees something special." Starfire sat on the soft bamboo rooftop, to which Robin joined her. He opened the basket, to find the fish luncheon made by Starfire.
"Wow," he said, "it almost looks like a dish made on Earth."
"I found it in a cookbook. Get this, the book was written by my father."
"Really? Wonder if he ever visited Earth before he died," Robin quickly gulped. He was afraid he spoke of Korisunjin too soon. Sure enough, a look of pain overtook Starfire's face.

"Star, I'm sorry, I should've been more sensitive," he said. Then again, that was never his strength.
"No," she said, "I will need to talk about it sooner or later. I am actually happy that all the way out here in the monastery, I found a piece of my father I never knew."
"That's a nice thought," he replied, "It's been so long, I don't have any memorabilia of my family anymore."
"I'm sure they were fine people, after all," she said, "look at how you turned out. You're a hero of Earth, what could better news for parents to hear than that?"
"Thanks Star," he said, "well, enough talk, time to eat!"

He took a piece of fish, and began to eat it. Robin chewed the fish for a minute, all the while Starfire's eyes on him waiting for a reaction. Robin's eyes, when wide, and began to choke out some words.

"Star, Star," he choked out, "hot, hot, it's way too hot!!"
"Oh!" she shouted, afraid she hurt him, and frantically looked for water. "I can't seem to locate any water."
"Star, canteen, over, there," Robin choked out, pointing to a canteen by the staff.
Starfire sped over to the container, and quickly returned it to Robin, who proceeded to guzzle a large amount of water down.
Robin gasped, having quenched the fire in his mouth. He turned to Starfire, who had her head held down in shame.

"Well," said Robin at a loss, "your father sure liked his spice."
"I'm sorry," she said, "I really thought I made something good this time."
"It's not that Starfire, just cut it down next time," he said, and quickly finished the fish and slugged the rest of the water.

Yeah,
How long must she wait for it?
Yeah,
How long must she pay for it?
Yeah,
How long must she wait for it?
Oh for it

"Robin," came a voice, which the pair recognized as Legasnouro, "it's time to finish today's lessons."
"Sorry Starfire, I have to get back to work," said Robin, a smile on his face.
"I understand Robin," replied Starfire. "Uh,' she said.
"Yes Star?" inquired Robin.
"Would it be ok to make you something tomorrow?" she asked.
"Sure," he said with a smile, "I'd be glad to have something tomorrow."
Starfire smiled back widely, "well then, please excuse me. Good luck with your training."

With that, Starfire passed Legasnouro and left the roof. Legasnouro walked up to Robin, holding a large thick staff.

"It's time to show you to form energy," he said to Robin.
"How do I do that?" he asked, for he really didn't know how Legasnouro did it last time.
"Jendiandor (Soul Fire) is based on two things: the strength of ki the wielder uses, and the emotion of the wielder when he unleashes it."
Legasnouro took a defensive stance with his staff. "To pass the lesson Robin, use that ki you've built up and form a weapon. You must destroy my staff to pass. Beating me won't is not acceptable, nor disarming me. I will only guard for the fight, so give me all you got."

Robin took the Royal Staff and got into an attack stance. "So all I've got to do is focus the energy I've built up into the staff?"
"That's only part one Robin. The staff will take the energy you give it, but it's the emotion of a person that dictates what form the energy will take. All you need to do is find an emotion that will form the weapon into something to destroy my staff."
"That's crazy! You expect me to play "Guess the Emotion" with this thing?" said Robin. "I'm taught that emotions can only get in the way of a warrior."
"That may be the case sometimes," said Legasnouro, "but that is how the Royal Staff unleashes its power. So to answer your question: yes, find the emotion while fighting me. But remember, I won't be fighting back. This won't always be the case."

Robin quirked an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"
"Really Robin, do you need to ask?" said Legasnouro. "This key to unleashing the power of the Royal Staff is what made the king a superb fighter. Using emotion while keeping it in check is the mark of someone who can use it. I will teach you this. For now though, concentrate on just creating a weapon using the Jendiandor."

I was scared, I was scared
Tired and under prepared
But I'll wait for it

With that, the battle began. Robin circled Legasnouro, probing for any weaknesses. 'Focus an emotion into the staff. Which one? Well, come up with a random one, think about something and what it makes you feel,' he thought. Having thought too much, Robin almost forgot he should start an attack. He charged forward and unleashed a light flurry of jabs and strikes with the staff. Legasnouro, focusing on defense, was not at hardship to block and deflect Robin's every strike. Keeping a sense in the battle, Robin began to search his mind for things to think of to cause emotion. The first thing that came up: Cyborg and Beast Boy. The staff, reading the thoughts of Robin, began to glow, and a small bump of red light erupted from the staff. Legasnouro, caught off guard for a moment, backed off from Robin as the bump formed into a sphere, and launched from the staff's tip towards him. Legasnouro took his staff in front of him, and deflected the small energy ball to his right, where upon contact with the floor behind him, exploded.

"I see," said Legasnouro to himself, "happiness, competitiveness, and pride. These emotions associated with friendship. It's a start."

Robin, now aware of what he did, decided to keep up the new assault. Focusing on the thought of his friends, he launched ball after ball of energy at Legasnouro, who continued to shield himself with his staff. The relentless barrage however, failed to even crack the thick staff.

"Robin!" shouted Legasnouro, "you've figured out how to use the Jendiandor, but until you break my weapon, you are failing this lesson!"

'Shit, he's right,' Robin thought. 'Going to have to come up with a new trick.' He searched his mind for another thought, and found another 'Raven.'

The staff glowed again, and this time instead of an attack, the staff morphed, as it transformed into three even lengths of stick chained together. 'A three-stick staff, the staff became a new weapon,' said Robin.

"Trust," said Legasnouro, "when you show the staff trust, it shows you an entire new side of itself."

Robin decided to use the new weapon, and charged Legasnouro again. Robin, knowing his weapons advantage, used both sides of the staff to attack Legasnouro from two sides. Legasnouro was now feeling a little pressure, as he saw Robin handle the three-stick effectively, giving both of his sides equal use. Legasnouro thought also knew the three-sticks disadvantage, and quickly advanced into Robin's space, forcing him to defense, as the lengths on either side were pretty useless. Robin, seeing as he was bested, stepped back. 'Time for another round' Robin thought. He turned to the last thought relating to his friends, 'Starfire.'

Legasnouro stood there patiently. 'This boy is putting up a good fight, but it is almost nightfall, and he has yet to break my staff.' He then saw as the Royal Staff started to glow violently, as if almost to burst. The red light sprung forth, and formed into a thin, long, red blade. Legasnouro smirked, 'well,' he thought, 'now we have something to work with. I'd better keep the staff out of the way and just watch his movements. In anything in this world, the two powers that define the differences between all living things are anger, and love. Question is now, which one will you use Robin?'

If you go, if you go
Leave me down here on my own
then I'll wait for you (yeah)

Robin sprung forward, and unleashed the last of his energy in a brutal assault. Legasnouro just dodged to his ability, making sure Robin did not have a clear shot at the staff. The two preformed their dance of war all over the rooftop flooring. After a good half – hour of keeping up the constant movement, even Legasnouro was feeling a bit winded. Robin was breathing heavily, this lesson was taking a toll on both his body and mind. In a last attempt, Robin jumped in the air, making an air dive at Legasnouro. Legasnouro just stood there, waiting for the attack. 'All this strain must have made him forget. He can't win unless he destroys my staff. Robin dived down, the energy tip downward, and straight towards Legasnouro's head. Robin smirked, and then righted himself so he landed on his feet, to which he immediately took one last swipe at Legasnouro's staff, completely unguarded. Legasnouro looked downward in shock, he had been tricked! Robin was faking him out so he would drop his guard. With the last swipe of the staff; Robin landed a hit on the master's staff, to which the energy burned straight through it; like a hot knife through butter.

The duel had gone to Robin, to which both combatants stood up and bowed to each other.

"Well done," said Legasnouro, "you have passed quite brilliantly. Do you now see why it takes a great warrior to use the Royal Staff?"
"Yes," said Robin, "I've never been so exhausted in my life, but I'm still ready for more training."
"Not tonight, you must get some rest. You've earned it," said Legasnouro, and left the roof of the monastery, leaving Robin with a toothy grin on his face.

The next few days consisted of the same routine. Now that Robin could call forth the Jendiandor, Legasnouro and he would consistently practice honing it. Starfire would come every day at lunch, waiting to try her own practice on Robin's mouth. Robin would tell Star of her improvement, much to her delight.

Yeah,
How long must she wait for it?
Yeah,
How long must she pay for it?
Yeah,
How long must she wait for it?
Oh for it.

On the fourth day, Robin came up to the rooftop, and Legasnouro was there waiting as usual. However, upon Robin's entrance, Legasnouro immediately stood up and came up to Robin. Legasnouro looked Robin in the eyes, and smiled brightly, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Robin," said Legasnouro, "your Jendiandor has improved greatly. Today's training will not be here today."
"What?" said Robin, "Then where is today's training going to be?"
"Over there," said Legasnouro, and he pointed to the west of the monastery. Robin went to the edge, and peered into the distance. To the west of the monastery, a sizable ruin could be seen.
"What's that?" asked Robin.
"It was originally an arena, used for monastery demonstrations and tournaments. Today, it is a monument to the kings of Tamaran. Robin, today you will journey there and meet King Korisunjin in battle."
"What? Fight Starfire's father? How am I going to do that?" Robin by now was very confused. Where was this going?
"Since the times of the staff's creation, the wielders of it grow strong in spiritual energy," said Legasnouro. "When the wielder of the Royal Staff passes away, it is a tradition that their Jendiandor journeys to those ruins to wait for the next wielder. When the new master of the staff can defeat the tremendous energy of the former master, it shows they are ready to learn the Tamaran Korivelius (Star Crusher)."

"But," started Robin, "why do I need to? Can't I just learn it now without a giant fight?"
"Only one person is allowed to learn the Tamaran Korivelius," said Legasnouro, "besides, if you can't beat the kings energy, it shows you are not ready. Since the staff's creation 200 years ago, this has been the tradition for the Tamaran Royal Line."
Robin just shook his head, "I can't."
"What do you mean?"
"I just can't fight someone on a whim. Besides, this is the king, Starfire's father. And you just said this is what the Royal Family does. Why am I involved? I'm not royalty."

Legasnouro just shook his head, "I know this has been forced on you, but it is the will of the council. Besides, there's one more thing you should know: until the king's Jendiandor has been defeated, his soul can never truly rest," he turned away from Robin, "I don't know about the king, but if your soul were stuck on Earth until someone set you free, would you care who it was?"

"No," said Robin, "I wouldn't."
Legasnouro started to leave. "I'll make sure you are given some provisions. It's a three-hour journey to the ruin. I will keep the gates open for your return." And with that he left.

Singing
Please, please, please
come back and sing to me
to me, me

After Robin had been given some rations, he left with the Royal Staff towards the ruins.

When he came to the head of the ancient arena, he found himself in unexpected thought.

'Ok, so all I do is come here and meet the kings ghost, and fight him. Doesn't seem too hard. But, am I ready for something like this? Another thing is, I don't really want to do it. I never met any of Star's family, and a part me wants to know more about her.' Robin kept thinking to himself until he came to a large obelisk made of thick limestone. The largest emerald Robin had ever seen was inscribed into the stone. Then, the Royal Staff started to glow, and with the emerald in resonance. A green energy emitted from the emerald, and came to Robin's level, where it began to take shape. It was there that Robin saw for the first time King Korisunjin in humanoid form.

Come on and sing it out,
Now, Now
Come on and sing it out,
To me, me
come back and sing

"You are the new master of the staff?" spoke the aberration.
"Yes," Robin said simply, "my name is Robin."
"A Terran? What is the goddess thinking?" the ghost of Korisunjin rubbed its temples.
"I'm here to send you to the other side," spoke Robin, he knew the King knew what he meant.
"I would figure as much. Now that I'm dead that brat Morugenji can awaken the Godstar without a hitch. Why is my daughter not performing the ritual?" he asked in frustration.
"The council ordered me to go to the Andorkori Monastery. Master Legasnouro has taught me to use the staff, under the orders of the council."

"I knew Legasnouro for a very long time. Why would he just submit to an order I know he would object to?"
"Well," said Robin, scratching the back of his head, "it seems both the council and Master Legasnouro went through with it with the consideration of your daughter."
"Koriandor's consideration?" said the shocked aberration. "What would drive her to that decision?"
"I'm not sure exactly myself," said Robin. "Legasnouro said that Starfire seemed to really care about me. That was the reason I agreed to the training at all."
"I see," said Korisunjin, "and what about you Terran? What do you feel for her?"

Robin was taken back getting the third degree from a dead guy. "I, I, Starfire is a great friend. I truly care about her."
"Just 'care'?"
Robin turned his back; "I can't believe I'm getting this from a ghost. Why does everyone want me to say it? Those words, those three words are dangerous."
Korisunjin was intrigued at his reaction, "how so Terran?"
"My father figure has said those words many times during his life," stated Robin. "Every time he repeated them to another, a part of him died, became more distant. I decided not to make the same mistake."
"You're monogamous then eh?"
"And what's wrong with that?" said Robin, turning to face Korisunjin again. "I decided that if I'm going to say those words to somebody, I'd make absolutely certain that they were the only one."

Korisunjin smiled, "well, I hope you find that someone someday." The ghost floated back, "now is the time. You will get only one attack. Pick wisely! If you are correct, you will overpower me and show your strength."

Robin took the staff, and watched the ghost of Korisunjin stand there, waiting for him to make a move. 'One attack eh?' thought Robin. 'Legasnouro must have taught it to me somewhere along the way.' He thought long and hard, and then came to his decision. Robin channeled his emotion, and emitted a red blade from the staff. With the blade formed, Robin charged Korisunjin, only to pass right through him, and lunge upwards towards the emerald. The two energies clashed in a flash of brilliant white light. The emerald, struggled valiantly, only to slowly crack, until Robin's Jendiandor shattered the jewel.

Korisunjin clapped his ghostly hands, "well done, and quite original. I was surprised you built your ki up so fast."
"I was charging it while we had our discussion," said Robin with a smirk.
"Good, I was doubtful because of your race, but you have shown great Jendiandor." Korisunjin started to fade away, as his spirit was faded into the heavens.
"Robin was it?" asked Korisunjin.
"Yes sir?" said Robin.
"My daughter, I know you're only friends, but please keep her alive. Tamaran will need her in the future."
Robin was taken back with surprise, but then bowed and spoke, "I swear, she'll be safe, and I'll defeat Slade for good."
"Thank you," said Korisunjin, "one last thing: the staff. Read the inscription, and take head in its words." The remnants of Korisunjin then faded into the next realm.

Robin held the staff in both hands and rotated it until he found the inscription. It read the following: "Let it be known: the holder of this staff, holds the hope of Tamaran in his grasp. My people will know peace; I vow this into this staff. King Harosunjin (Hope Forger), 26th King of Tamaran."

Robin seared the words into his head; and having done what he sought, started back towards the monastery.

In my place, in my place
were lines that I couldn't change
I was lost, oh yeah
Oh yeah.......


"Thank You!" To The Following:

Lady Paine
One of my new readers, welcome! I'm glad you are enjoying the story.

lilac-lily 510
Your words are very kind, thank you so much! Please keep enjoying the story.

Penguin
Well, I did it, what did you think? Thanks for all your support.

DIWaRrIa
I posted a review for your story. It's the least I can do eh? I thank you for your kind words.

Archer of the Titan
I just got lucky with my material. My dad is a scientist, so you can learn a lot. I'm not an authority, but I know enough. Thanks for the revew!

Aeris-Raven
I didn't give it much thought now that you mention Beast Boy's new control of his powers. I know I wanted him to go through some changes, but I haven't worked out all the possible consequences. I'm glad you still like the story.

Marchwardens Blue Eyed S
Hi Ruby, and thank you again for the dedicated chapter in your story. It makes me feel so good :D! Chaptire 10 will finally move forward, with Terra's confrontation with the Titans, and Robin's relationship with Star. I'm thinking I should return the favor. Thank you again!

KPAAF Everyone! I'll see ya next time!