Ch.3
Smoke rose from the smoldering wreckage of a downed escape pod, which hit the planet's surface not long ago. A small crater surrounded the pod and had turned the once green grass into black chard straws. The door to the escape pod was already busted open and lay forgotten on the ground. Just then someone arose the tiny ship and poked his head out.
"Damn it Cyborg couldn't you make it a softer landing", complained Beast Boy. Cyborg walked around from behind the pod.
"Sure BB, I'll make sure next time we die a lot smoother instead of rightly living"!
"ENOUGH YOU TWO"! Raven now clambered out of the pod followed by Lee who looked a little dazed. "Shouting at each other is not going to change our current situation. We'll be just fine as long as we can keep our emotions under control". Cyborg picked up the busted door.
"LOOK! This door and that P.O.S. pod right there are the only things I have left of my new baby! Now she's dead", he started sobbing over his ship's leftovers. It was then that Robin came around after looking at the surrounding area. He came back with a somber look.
"Ok I've got god news and bad news". He looked at them for an answer.
"Dude just say something", said Beast Boy.
"The good new is we made it on the right planet"
"Yeah I'm glad we didn't miss the big giant ball in front of us", interrupted Cyborg.
"The bad news", continued Robin. "Is that we're twenty miles from the city and the city itself is twice the size of Texas".
"WHAT", everyone said in unison. Robin nodded and shrugged.
"Just how the hell are we going to find Starfire in a place like that", asked Raven.
"She's gotta be the only princess on the planet, right"? The other nodded in agreement. "She shouldn't be that hard to find".
"Robin-San makes a good point. Traditionally palaces and castles are usually found within the city's main citadel", said Lee thoughtfully. Robin waked over to the pod climbed in and started rummaging around inside.
"We'll have to camp here for the night, and then make our way to the city at dawn", he said from inside the craft.
"And what are we going to do about food", asked Raven. "Unless you intend to eat Beast Boy in the form of a cow or something". BB glared at her. Robin popped back out and threw them an assortment of cans with food and drink. Cyborg read the label and raised and eyebrow.
"Chef-boy-Ardee", he asked holding it up. (I wasn't sure how it was spelled)
"It's the best I could do on short notice. Here BB have some rations". Robin pitched Beast Boy a small can and Beast Boy looked at it disapprovingly.
"Duuuuude, its got meat sauce in it". He stuck his tongue out in disgust.
"Its just sauce Beast Boy, and you do what you have to in order to survive", said Robin opening a can and scooping the food into his mouth. Lee looked his can over and taking out a small knife opened it.
"I suppose it cannot be any worse than ice cream with mustard topping". They all set up small tents and gathered around an equally smaller fire for warmth. They sat and ate their food in silence. Until Raven was the last to say something for the night;
"Boy, I love cold canned ravioli".
BACK TO STARFIRE...........................
Starfire was lying in her bed under the covers and slept soundly. She had nearly forgotten the comfort of her royal bed. The soft blankets and air filled mattresses gave her the sensation that she was sleeping on a cloud. As she lay she dreamed many things, but one dream in particular. She dreamed of her time at Titans Tower. Awakening in her little round bed and then greeted by Robin and the others. Sure there were distressful times, but it comes with fighting crime. She missed most of all being with Robin. Just talking with him on the roof of Titans Tower. Just being held by him made her feel warm and safe. Just as her mind began to reminisce on other past experiences she woke up. Her eyes fluttered open and the room came back into focus. She sat up and cursed herself for waking just as she was getting to the good part. Then her door opened and maid walked in with a food-covered tray.
"Good morning your highness. Or should I say good afternoon", she said putting the tray on her table. With a puffy blanket still around her, Starfire got up and walked over to the table and sat down.
"What do you mean afternoon", she asked looking over the meal.
"Well you were sleeping so peacefully and looked like you were having the nicest dream, I thought I'd let you sleep it out. Your new attire has been arranged in your dressing room. And his grace Count Liman has asked you to join him for dinner tonight. Also your attendant provided me with your tonic". Starfire look around and recognized the glass with clear liquid. "If you need anything don't hesitate to call me". The maid left and Starfire sat alone with her brunch. She looked around the table and pictured each of the her friends sitting there as well. She then frowned. She had been really happy about something the night before but couldn't remember what about. She shrugged it off thinking it to be ruminants of her dream. She drank her tonic and began to eat her meal.
At dinner that night Starfire sat at the head of the table with Liman on her right and Orion on her left. Aurora was seated next to Orion. They were discussing the planets current situation with her while she did her best not to get bored.
"You see your highness a strong planet must be well armed", said Orion. "I have here a draft for an order to begin the production of newly developed weapons technology, and all it needs is your signature". He pushed the draft towards her and she pushed it back.
"I do not wish to concentrate on such things right now". He looked as if Christmas had been canceled.
"But your highness, to be well defended we must be well equipped".
"I disagree Orion", piped up Liman. "We have no current quarrels with other worlds at this time, and our economy is grinding as it is". Orion and Liman then began to argue while Starfire simply tuned the both of them out. She stared outside the window and longed to leave the city gates and go ho-
"Your highness"? Star snapped back to life as someone stood over with a small pad. "What will your highness have for this evening"?
"I will have a medium pizza with bananas, pickles, and mint frosting", she smiled up at the waiter who looked confused.
"I'm sorry but I don't think our chef knows of that particular dish". Starfire sighed in hopelessness.
"Very well, just bring me some glorp". He nodded and strode off toward the kitchen. No sooner had he left then another showed up carrying a small screen with him. He gave to Starfire.
"Here is the latest telemetry report your requested your highness", he said. She nodded happily to him and he bowed then left. She read over the report and her smile faded. Orion was fidgeting while Liman looked curious.
"Something wrong your highness".
"A-a ship which was approaching our planet and was destroyed by the defense system. You two are the only ones besides me who can give such an order". Starfire then lost her old personality and a darker image arose. "I demand to know who gave this order"! Liman looked over at Orion who got up and walked up to Starfire.
"It was necessary for your protection". Star's darkened demeanor only got darker.
"I will decide such things. I AM THE PRINCESS"! She slammed her fist on the table breaking a piece off of it. Orion then nodded and then placed his index finger on her forehead. Starfire's eyes went blank and closed. Her body relaxed for a moment then she opened her eyes and looked around the room.
"What was I saying"?
"You were merely commenting on how much you enjoyed dinner time and that you saw that the need for this bill"- he edged the draft closer to her. "-Was of the utmost importance for your people". She eyed him suspiciously then nodded. She pressed her finger to a reading plate on the draft, which then turned green to signal its authorization. He gave the passed bill to a servant who took it and walked off. As he sat back down Liman gave him a look of shameful cooperation. Orion simply smiled and gestured to Liman's plate.
"So, how's your meal"? A servant walked up to Starfire bent down and whispered something in her ear. Her eyes widened and she looked back up to him.
"YES, yes please send them in". Orion motioned for Liman to leave who reluctantly obeyed. Starfire rose from her chair and awaited her guests. "Oh Orion my friends have come! Isn't that wonderful"?!
"Yes, wonderful", he gripped his glass to where it began to crack. In walked Robin, Cyborg, Raven, Beast Boy, and Lee.
"FRIENDS"!!!!!! Starfire ran over and gave each of them a squeezing hug. She led them over to the table. "Friends you remember my messenger yes"? Robin walked up in front of Orion who had gotten up.
"Yeah what was your name? Cassiopeia, Big Dipper"-
"Orion", he said through gritted teeth. Robin chuckled loudly.
"OH Yeah, I remember it was something way up in the sky", joked Robin. He took Liman's empty seat and the others sat down as well.
"So, how's living like the rich and famous", asked Cyborg. Starfire looked down at her plate.
"To be truthful Cyborg it is both lonely and exciting". The Titans hadn't expected to hear that from her.
"So when you coming back? I'm looking to set a new record for tofu eating", said Beast Boy proudly. Once again Starfire only saddened.
"I-I am being crowned queen in three days". Every Titan who was drinking at that moment then suddenly spat it out over the table.
"SAY WHAT", said Cyborg whipping his mouth.
"Queen", repeated Raven questionably. Robin moved his chair closer to her.
"Star y-you can't be queen. You have to come back. You have to". Starfire looked at Robin sadly but not as she had when she left the tower.
"I am sorry Robin, but I have a duty to my people". All of the other Titans couldn't believe what they were hearing. "But please you will stay her e for awhile yes"? Robin sank back in his chair and played with his glass.
"Of course we will Star". She clapped her hands together.
"I shall go and see that your rooms are prepared", with that Starfire got up and left the room humming to herself. The others looked at each other and then all eyes turned to Orion.
"What"? He was getting some sour looks.
"What have you been telling her", interrogated Raven.
"Nothing. Is it so surprising for you to see her put business before nonsense"? Cyborg stood up.
"Hey man we may be crazy, loud, thrill seeking, and well, crazy. But the Teen Titans are not nonsense. We watch over our city everyday and almost every night from sneaky creeps like you"! Raven grabbed Cyborg's hand and he calmed down. Orion smiled back at him.
"You seem to have me all figured out don't you"?
"Maybe we do", said Robin narrowing his eyes at him. Just then someone else came into the dinning hall. He was tall, had messy black hair, and wore a black long coat. In fact just about everything about this guy was black. He moved swiftly over to them as though he were on wheels. The most curious feature about him was that the entire left side of his face was covered. He reached Orion and handed him a small computer pad thing. He met each one of the Titan's eyes and sent a shiver down each of them. He seemed to mostly focus on Raven. She did her best not to look him in the eye, but when she did fail his gaze seem to penetrate her as though she were being x-rayed.
"Something wrong", asked Lee from across the table. Aurora glanced at him.
"No, thank-you for asking", replied Orion pocketing the pad. "A small delivery problem. OH where are my manners I nearly forgot to introduce my most trusted assistant". He pointed to the man dressed in black. "He is an immigrant form Earth if I'm not mistaken and I'm usually not". Robin and Cyborg looked at each other. "This is Alexi Zocast. Or as he is now known around here; Ream". They looked at him uneasily; he was certainly at sight to behold. Starfire then walked briskly back into the room.
"Your rooms have been prepared, Aurora will show you the way. Robin when you are available I would like to speak with you", she gave him that familiar smile and Robin nodded smiling back. Starfire bid them all good night and left once again.
"If you will all follow me please", Aurora was standing by the door. They all got up and began to follow her out when Orion called back.
"Robin, would you stay for a moment please". Robin nodded to them saying he'd be okay and he walked back to the table as the others left the room. He sat down and Orion rose up and looked out the window. Ream hadn't moved. Robin was soon loosing his patience. "Well, what is it"? Orion walked back and leaned over the table.
"Just what are you and you're little band doing here", he asked in the most unfriendly way. Robin looked from Ream back to Orion.
"Oh you know, saving the city 24:7 we decided we'd take a vacation. See the sites meet the people. Bring the love of my life back".
"Awww that's touching boy, but at the same time ridiculously impossible. Princess Koriand'r is bound to her duties here on home planet". Robin eyed him. "You may stay for two days. In which time the wreckage of your ship will be collected and repaired. At which time you will depart and stay departed"!
"What? And miss Star's big day. I don't think so", said Robin getting up. "We'll see what Star says. After all, she's the princess". So saying he left the room. Orion motioned for Ream to do something, who bowed and left.
"Then I hope you have a nice lonnnnng rest".
It was late in the evening and most of the palace was sleeping, including the Titans. At the moment Raven had finally managed to nod off to sleep, these beds weren't something she was used to. As she slept she began to dream, about most things that we would dream about. She even had a few visions of Beast Boy. Just as she was getting comfortable in her mind's wonderland everything faded away and was replaced by a lone dark figure. He approached her and she backed up as much as she could. When he came into focus she saw that it was Ream.
"Hey this is my dream what are you doing here"?
"You should not have come here. Now you all must die", he spoke in soft unsettling voice. He moved in quickly and grabbed her by the throat and began choking her. She struggled to breathe and let out loud cries for help.
In the real world Beast Boy walked into her room with one eye half closed. "Whats the matter Rae, did you realize you're not in Kansas anymore or something"? He stopped dead when he saw Raven tossing and turning on her bed, strangling herself. "OH MY GOD, RVEN WAKE UP! WAKE UP"!!!! He shook her from side to side, but she kept on gasping for help while continuing to clamp her own throat shut. Back in Raven's dream both she and Ream began to hear Beast Boy echo throughout her mind. Ream looked around franticly then faded and left Raven. Her eyes snapped open and she sat up stiff as a tree. She rubbed her throat and breathed heavily.
"Raven, what happened, why were you"- He trailed as he watched Raven. She hardly ever allowed herself to be seen expressing any emotion. However right now she had on a look of actual fear. She turned around swiftly and embraced a surprised Beast Boy. "Hey, don't worry. Whatever it was its over now". She straightened up and regained her usual disposition.
"Find the others, we need to talk. I think there's more going on here than we realize".
SO what do you think so far. I try to update as soon as possible. I hate it when authors take like three weeks to add in one chapter. Oh well. R&R.