I know this one took a while to get out, but my computer got messed up, so I had to sue another. I haven't been getting many reviews lately. Maybe that's because the story isn't as good as it was before. Don't know, I leave that up to you. Well here ch.7 R&R. please.

Ch.7

Orion, Liman, and the other royal officials had gathered in the main hall for what had become their usual meetings of conspiracy. For nearly two hours Orion had run off at the mouth at how their time of conquest was at hand, and that soon all that stood in their way would end as part of the new Tamaranian Empire. Throughout the speech Liman had been silently shaking his head at everything. He had been talked into cooperation by his other colleagues, saying that it was the safer thing to do. But was it the right thing to do? All of this and more had been troubling him from the start. He couldn't believe he had allowed himself to let this go on for as long as it has. Up until the time that she left Tamaran, he had watched her grow up form a small infant to the young beautiful girl that she is now. He taught her to speak in both their native language and the common tongue (English), or at least enough to find her way around if she got lost or something. He taught her how to use and control her powers, he was even their in the hospital to assist in bringing her into being. Now he was helping this madman change her. He stood up while Orion was in mid speech.

"This has gone on far enough"! His voice rang through the halls. Orion's excited face faded and he walked over to Liman. He approached him and looked him over.

"Liman, what's the matter", he asked as if nagged. "I remember you voicing your irrelevant disapproval before, and what did I tell you then"? Liman didn't answer though his eyes turned a yellowish gold. Orion spotted this and laughed silently. "I told you to keep your comments to yourself and to watch that temper of yours. You see everyone", he went back to addressing the whole room. "Ideas are very dangerous things. My lamented apprentice somehow got the idea that she belonged on our enemies' side. Now she is a charming ornament on her own wall".

"KORIAND'R IS HER OWN PERSON", boomed Liman. Orion turned back around. "You have no right to control her so".

"It will not last forever I assure you Count. She is merely a means to an end". That did it; Liman left his seat and began walking out of the room. "I would be careful", Orion yelled up to him as he was leaving. "You'll find our streets to be a lot more treacherous then they were a few years ago". Liman paused and then silently walked out of the room. Orion clapped his hands together. "Well, it seems his grace will not be joining us for dinner". He motioned for Ream to approach him. He came up behind Orion and listened. "Follow him. If he goes anywhere Koriand'r or the Titans, kill him".

GETTING BACK WITH RAVEN AND BB............................

Raven and Beast Boy were currently sprinting down the halls of the palace trying to find anyone that resembled one of their friends. Raven had tried several times to try and telepathically contact Lee, but so far nothing. She tried once more as Beast Boy came back out of Cyborg's empty room.

"Any-thing", he panted.

"Nothing", replied Raven. "They may not be in a position to reply". She took her hands off her head and put her hood back up. "What about Cyborg"? Beast Boy shook his head.

"Not so much as a robotic dog", said Beast Boy looking back into Cyborg's room. Just then a thought crossed his mind. "Hey Raven, what about Lee's friend. What's her face? Aurora"! Raven considered it and then bit her lip.

"I don't know Beast Boy, for some reason I've got a bad feeling about her". She stopped suddenly and looked straight ahead. Beast Boy waved a hand in front of her and got nothing. Raven nodded, "Right, be hear as soon as you can", she said. She looked over at Beast Boy who looked like he was questioning her sanity. "Lee just now contacted me, they're on their way". BB sighed in relief.

"So what about Aurora? Yes? No? Maybe so? Possibly over a cup of jo"? Raven turned around so he couldn't see her laugh to herself. She NEVER laughed, and so far only BB had been able to get a few short puffs out of her. She couldn't understand why she was so awkward around him. Getting her usual composure back she faced him.

"Alright, we'll see if she knows anything. But we should be careful". Beast Boy nodded and they headed to Aurora's room. They carefully made their way down the hall and heard a group of droids coming their way. Then they heard another group coming the way they came. Hearts pounding Raven picked up Beast Boy and levitated up to the high ceiling. The droids crossed each other's paths and continued on. Letting out sighs of relief they sailed back down to the ground and proceeded onto finding Aurora. A few minuets later they were standing outside her doorway and knocked, there was no answer. Beast Boy tapped a little harder.

"Aurora, you in there"? He shrugged and tired the handle. It was open, and what's more, loose. Beast Boy pushed open the door and saw a darkened room before him. Looking back at Raven uneasily he slowly entered. He and Raven felt around for the light switch, which Raven eventually came across. She flicked it on and both of them instantly caught sight of the hanging Aurora.

"Oh my God", whispered Raven. They took a step closer and then stopped dead when they heard footsteps.

"RAVEN-SAN, are you there"? They recognized the voice as Lee's. Raven and Beast Boy shot each other some nervous glances, he was coming their way. "Raven-San, We have been unable to locate you two for a whi"-. He trailed off as he entered the room. He didn't seem to notice Raven or Beast Boy. He was completely transfixed by Aurora. He stepped in the room and approached Aurora's limp form. Open mouthed he looked down and noticed a small trial of blood going down the wall behind her. He walked up to her and pulled the blade out her stomach and threw it aside. Raven and Beast Boy made no such mistake as to speak to him or get in his way. Holding her in his arms he walked over to her bed and laid her down. Lee sat down next her and stroked her cheek. The moment he saw her like this, he realized what kind of a fool he had been. He didn't even take time to realize that he actually loved her. Even with all the past horrors that he carried with him, he felt at peace around her.

"Aurora, my Aurora", he whispered. He took her hand and to his utter and complete surprise felt hers close around his. His eyes shot open, and he looked back at her to see her struggling to keep her eyes open.

"GOOD LORD! Aurora, y-you're alive"! She swallowed and slowly nodded. Shaking his head he looked back up at Raven who without reading his mind got the message. She sat herself down on the other side of the bed and began healing Aurora as fast as she could. Aurora closed her eyes and let her head rest to one side, she fell asleep.. Lee put his face in his hands and looked up at the ceiling.

"Oh thank you, thank you God". He gave Raven a look of eternal gratitude. Raven put on her rare small smile and continued with the healing process.

"But how", asked Beast Boy.

"Tamaranians have a tougher anatomy than ours; whoever did this expected that she would not be found in time". Lee then slowly raised his head from his hands and uttered a single word.

"Orion". He rose from the bed and headed out the door. Beast Boy ran over to him.

"Wait Lee, what about Rob and Cyborg? Where are they"? Lee turned his head slightly.

"Robin is searching for Starfire. Cyborg is prepping our rebuilt ship". Beast Boy knew Lee's mind was elsewhere, he had called them by their regular names. Lee turned back to go. "Lee stop, we need you here. You take care of Aurora, Raven and I will get Robin".

"Raven needs to tend to Aurora's wounds, I must find Orion".

"LEE", Raven stood up. "Do as Beast Boy says". Raven swallowed a bit, for she didn't know what would happen next. Of all the Titans, Lee was the most temperamental (right next to Robin anyway). Lee was very honorable in his upbringing, but there in lies the problem. He is not accustomed to defeat or loss. Neither he nor Robin is, which means when those they care about are hurt, they take revenge to the extreme. Lee finally turned around and walked back over to the bed. He nodded and Raven and BB left the room. Apparently Raven had finished most of the work so all she needed now was care and a lot of rest. He glanced over at her wall and noticed a small picture of Orion. Obviously when she looked at him as a father. Lee removed a small blade and turned back to Aurora. Just before he picked her up he threw the blade behind his back and it hit the picture dead canter. Then he carried her out of the room.

CATCHING UP WITH ROBIN............................

Robin was currently outside Starfire's room. Was what Orion had told them true? Was Starfire actually changed through the acquisition of power alone? Robin shook his head. 'NO WAY'. It just wasn't possible for Starfire to be like that just because of her old life coming back to her. Now that he thought about it, Orion probably wasn't even her real messenger. It was probably a safe bet that he, whoever he was, had been dead for some time now. Robin decided it was now or never and knocked on the door. He heard a small voice say, "Come in". He did what the voice said and entered. Starfire was at her small round table looking over what seemed to be documents. She looked up at him and her face brightened.

"Robin", she got up and hugged him lovingly. "How glad I am to see you".

"Star, we need to talk. Now". Robin said sternly. Starfire didn't seem to notice.

"Yes of course, we do have a lot to talk about", she said walking around her room happily. Robin could tell where this was going. He dreaded what was about to come. Starfire walked back over to him. "You have reached a decision about what I asked you yes"? Robin gulped and nodded.

"Yes".

"Well", urged and excited Starfire. "Tell me". Robin walked up to her and took her shoulders. 'This was it'! She thought.

"Starfire, I can't". Star's smile faded immediately and she backed away from him.

"Wh-why can't you", she asked frowning.

"Starfire, it's all wrong. You coming back as princess and becoming queen tomorrow. It's all an elaborate conspiracy put together by"-

"STOP", shouted Koriand'r. "I forbid you to accuse him of anything. He is my most trusted advisor and I am tired of hearing nothing but these preposterous allegations". Controlling his breathing Robin glanced at her nightstand and noticed an empty glass, with remnants of a clear liquid.

"Star through you he's usurping control over everything, you're the only one who can put an end to this right now". But Koriand'r only shook her head.

"He said you would be like this. He said you would try to persuade me to give up my title all for the sake of a meager group of people who believe themselves to be the protectors of everything"!!! Robin's mouth hung open. 'Meager? Is that what she now thought they were'. He took a few steps closer to her, she backed up slightly.

"Starfire please"-

"AND STOP CALLING ME THAT!! My name is Koriand'r of Tamaran, and by midday tomorrow I will be crowned queen".

"You don't belong here Star".

"NO Robin, no. It perhaps might be you who does not belong here"! Robin noticed her eyes turning not green, but a dark shade of purple. It also felt as if the whole room were closing in around them. Something wasn't right, someone else was here. When a cold shiver ran down Robin's spine he got a pretty good idea who it was. Then almost instantly the feeling left. Star's eyes were no longer purple, though she still looked very upset.

"This is your final chance", she said to Robin. "Either join me here on Tamaran as my king, or leave now". As she spoke Raven and Beast Boy came in but stayed by the door. Robin noticed them but did not turn.

"Funny Star, I never really thought of you as the mad dictator type". Koriand'r narrowed her eyes. "Starfire, deep beneath that dark gown is a valued member of the Teen Titans. Someone who I love more than my own life, and we came all this way for that person", he pointed behind him at Raven, Beast Boy, and Cyborg who just now joined them. Koriand'r looked at the ground and then back up to Robin.

"Well you wasted your time", she turned her back to him. Robin fought back the urge to just break down right there.

"No Star, you don't mean that", he said shaking his head. Koriand'r lowered her head and whispered so only Robin could hear.

"Go home". A small barley noticeable tear escaped Robin and he turned to the shocked Titans at the door.

"Lets go everyone", he said walking towards them.

"What about Starfire", asked Beast Boy.

"She's not coming with us". BB looked over at her and mouthed 'why'. Cyborg cleared his throat.

"Lee's back at the ship, with Aurora".

"Then we'd better get to him and get out of here. All of us", Robin walked out of the room saying no more. Raven, Cyborg, and Beast Boy turned to face their seemingly lost friend. After a long silence they each walked out in turn, Raven being the last to leave.

As they were boarding their newly repaired ship, Orion stood beside the ramp to make sure they all left. As they went up they shot him murderous looks, Raven and Beast Boy stopped and faced him.

"We saw Aurora", said Raven. Orion smirked.

"Really? How is she these days"? Raven suppressed the desire to strangle him right then and there. Inside the cockpit Robin prepped the controls and readied the ships navigation. As he worked he noticed someone watching them from her bedroom window. As soon as she had been discovered she left the window.

Koriand'r sat on her bed, thinking. 'Robin. Who was he to tell her how to perform her duties? Who was he to just leave her like that'? Then another thought came to her. 'But who am I to just destroy him like that'? Starfire's head suddenly shot up and jumped from her bed and ran to her door. She flung it open and found Orion standing there.

"Is something troubling you your highness"?

"Oh Orion, I have made a terrible, terrible mistake. We must go to the platform and stop them from leaving". She moved out of her room but Orion grabbed arm and flung her back in. "ORION what are you doing". She moved to go past him but he blocked her. Then Starfire realized what was happening. "It was true. Everything Robin said was true. You have been blinding me from the truth the whole time", she pointed at him. With tremendous speed he flew up next her and grabbed her.

"I think its time for a booster". He touched her forehead with his index finger and her eyes went blank. He released her as her body relaxed and she swayed on the spot. She opened her eyes and looked around.

"What was I saying"? Orion smiled and led her out of the room. Back with Robin and the others, they were currently getting free of Tamaran's gravity. They all sat at their stations in silence. Not one of them could believe that form now on they were going to live without Starfire. Robin gripped his controls hard and watched as the planet Tamaran got smaller and smaller. He sunk his head down and mumbled to himself.

"Starfire, what's happened to you"?

On Tamaran endless columns of the droid soldiers stood ready for loading into drop ships and landing craft. They all marched as one large, dark mass moving on to spread it to other worlds. The synchronized marching of the droids resembled that of a familiar dictator from WWII. From atop of her balcony Koriand'r watched as her army arranged themselves into large perfect square formations and marched into their designated ships. Eye's distant and emotionless she looked over the blanket of darkness and nodded somewhat. Orion put a hand on her shoulder and gave her a congratulatory smile. As she stood she couldn't help but wonder why she was having these thoughts about this boy that recently left her presence. It felt as if he were really special to her, just then that thought was somehow taken out of her mind and she simply stood and watched. Stood and watched. Stood, and watched.

So what you think so far? I know it seems really dark, but this is were evil appears to be winning. Who knows what will happen next? But I promise to get the next chap. To you as soon as I can. R&R please.