Disclaimer: Still don't own Teen Titans

Author Notes: Thanks for the reviews and the encouragement! And, of course, thanks to Lovely White Violets for beta reading!

Chapter 1: Helpless

The obstacle course had never presented any particular challenge for Starfire. By flying, she could easily avoid most of the ground-based obstacles and even though dodging the airborne attacks was difficult, it was still more like playing than training.

But this time, she faced the obstacle course with nothing less than complete dread. She hung back, waiting until everyone else had completed the course. When Beast Boy and Cyborg began arguing over who had the faster time, Starfire hoped she could take advantage of the situation and slip out before they remembered she hadn't gone yet.

"I will go prepare dinner," Starfire said loudly, edging towards the door. Unfortunately, Starfire didn't have anything even remotely like a poker face and when she set about doing something 'sneaky,' she usually ended up drawing more attention to herself. This case was no exception.

As soon as she spoke, three faces turned to stare at her questioningly.

"It's only 3:00," Cyborg pointed out.

"We just ate lunch," Robin added.

"You haven't cooked since..." Beast Boy trailed off in a rare moment of tact, remembering that everyone had gotten sick on Starfire's last painstakingly prepared meal.

"Besides, you haven't gone through the course yet," Robin said quickly, hoping Starfire wouldn't take offense over Beast Boy's comment.

Starfire nodded and then forced a smile. "I will go do the course of obstacles then."

She walked over to the usual starting place and tried to summon the boundless joy that would send her soaring into the sky. She felt... nothing. Nothing but doubt and sadness. Even newborns can feel the boundless joy of flight, she thought miserably, which only made her flightless state even more certain.

Well, Cyborg and Robin managed to do the obstacle course without flying. Perhaps she could too.

Starfire started running, trying to remember how to navigate the obstacle course without flying above it. She hadn't gotten very far before the automated ground defenses started firing at her.

She yelped and dodged the first few attacks, then held her hands out and tried to summon the righteous fury needed to hurl a starbolt at an incoming exploding disk. She concentrated, aimed, and... felt nothing. She could not summon the righteous fury needed when she was uncertain that she had any right to feel angry at all.

Starfire was so overcome with surprise that her starbolts had failed her that she didn't think to dodge the attack. The disk hit her chest and exploded, sending her tumbling backwards on the ground.

The next thing that Starfire saw was Robin's face.

"You look very concerned, Robin," she murmured, still dazed.

Suddenly Beast Boy's head appeared. "Dude... is she going to be okay?"

Cyborg's head appeared, followed by his arm. "My scanners don't pick up anything wrong."

"Nothing is wrong. Why is everyone so concerned?" She blushed as she realized that all of her friends had gathered around her while she had been stunned.

The three boys exchanged concerned looks.

"Truly! I am well!" Starfire insisted. She sat up quickly, as though to prove her point. Beast Boy and Cyborg got out of her way, but her head bumped into Robin's head.

"Robin! I am sorry! Are you unharmed?" Starfire stammered nervously.

"I'm fine, Star," Robin said, even though he rubbed his head where she had hit him. He offered her a hand. "I'm more worried about you."

She accepted his hand and was soon standing in the middle of three very concerned Titans.

"What happened? It's not like you to miss with your starbolts," Robin said inquisitively.

"Or walk," Beast Boy added, but Cyborg shot him a look that silenced him.

"It seems I am unable to use my powers," Starfire admitted, looking down at her hands.

"When did this happen? Is Slade-?" Robin began, but Starfire cut him off with a wave of her hand.

"It is only my own emotions that limit my powers now. I can no longer feel the boundless joy of flight or the righteous fury needed for starbolts." Starfire wrapped her arms around herself, her head down. "And without my powers, I can no longer be of any use to the Teen Titans."