Betrayal

Chapter 5: The Search

Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans nor any of the characters there within.

Robin was standing at the edge of the great bay, the waters tossing with strange animosity toward him. Every once in awhile, a sudden wave would rear up and soak Robin through. He did not truly notice; his mind was elsewhere.

The little tele-communicator the Titans used to locate and call upon one another for aid was now clutched in his hand. Had Robin's grip been any tighter, the poor little radio might have been crushed. This was another little detail Robin seemed not to notice.

He was teetering on the edge of whether to go with his gut on the issue or just dub himself stupid for falling prey to these threats on Starfire's life.

Robin's teeth ground together, creating a fuzzy sensation toward the back of his skull as a rage exploded somewhere within his being.

Damn her. Robin snarled hatefully. Damn Blackfire and her games.

The tele-communicator was before his mouth in an instant, gripped by quivering white knuckles. The communicator buzzed softly, the dull hum grave as it awaited its master's command. He summoned up the will at last to call their Companion of the Deep.

"Aqualad." Robin struggled to keep his voice in check. "This is Robin. Come in Aqualad."

Silence.

"Aqualad!"

A sudden panic rose in him, what if the Atlantican did not answer? Where was he and what could he be doing? Had his final decision all been for naught?

The moment stretched into eternity before a voice crackled over the radio.

"Hey Robin." The languid voice of Aqualad reached the Boy Wonder's ears. Robin fumbled with the machine for a moment before he calmed himself. "What's the trouble?"

"Aqualad, I need you to find something for me." Robin's voice fell from his throat as a thick mumble. Aqualad gazed back at his friend in stark unease. Something was unquestionably amiss.

"Sure," he spoke gently, "what am I looking for?"

At the question Robin ground his teeth again, still disbelieving of his set decision. "I'm looking for a knife." He ground out. "About the size of a dagger. The handle has delicate craftsmanship…" for the life of him he could not recall what the little blade looked like precisely.

"A dagger?" Aqualad said disbelieving, uncertain if the leader of the Teen Titans had suffered some random bonk to the head. "I dunno if you have realized it, but this is a rather large body of water—"

"So I've realized. Get the creatures to help you then."

"But Robin…"

"Just do it!" Robin snapped and curtly shut the communicator so that he could no longer see the Atlantican's face. He knew he should not be quarrelling with the only person who could aid him in his plight, but his situation had been too stressing to be much pleasing to others of late. He would have to apologize with his companion, but later. Right now, the search was on.

Robin stomped back to the Tower even more miserable than when he had left it. This endeavor was going to be the death of him, he knew it. Or worse, it could be the death of another…

He angrily shoved the thought from his head. Insidious lies! All of it! This was such a load.

Why do I have to suffer this burden? Why have I been chosen for this misfortune?

He sighed audibly, resting his forehead on the cool metal of the tower door. The metallic surface seemed to do wonder's for his heated brow. He imagined that he could infuse all of his troubles into the metal of the door and the door in return would do naught but give him its chill for his fevered brow. Relaxed. Oh it was a lovely feeling.

SLAM!

The door flew open and Robin was pitched back several feet.

"Robin? Robin!"

Starfire had appeared through the portal, calling animatedly for her teammate; very unawares that she had just nailed him with a heavy metal door.

"Robin! Rob—" she squeaked in horror as she saw their leader sprawled ungracefully on the ground. Robin groaned softly, gingerly rubbing the growing red bump on his head as he sat up. "Oh Robin! Please forgive me!" The red-haired girl rushed to his side, fearing for her leader's health. She moved to help him stand, but he slid away from her reaching hand.

"No, Starfire. I'll be fine." Robin took care to avoid her eyes which had grown large in surprise. Tightly wrapping his cloak around his shoulders, Robin strode swiftly to the opened doorway; his hand reached out and shut it partway—a motion not to follow.

The poor Tamaranian girl was left alone; considerably cheerless and bewildered. What crime had she committed? Was the mishap of the smashing of a door into the face of a companion considered a grave taboo on this planet? Had her accident caused her friend grief?

Starfire sank to her knees in the grass; stirred by a melancholy breeze. This was her punishment then. She had wanted nothing more than to apologize, but she had done something impermissible—enough to turn her leader's head from her repentant aid. How was she to make amends? An apology was due, yes, but how is he to receive it when she was not permitted to give one?

This world was so very confusing. The Tamaranian girl drew her gaze up to the heavens. This world was nothing like her own and it was often that she felt as though she did not belong; it was a feeling of being horribly misplaced. But—but Robin had been there. Robin had been there to save her from the mocking and jeering throngs that day.

This was her first journey. Ever since a particularly nasty fight between her sister and herself, she was told to embark upon a mission. She was to join a team of four to fight the wicked so that justice may prevail. Although she had long forgiven her sister, Blackfire was not as willing to admit to an apology when in truth, the battle had been her doing. Starfire did indeed fight back, but her elder sister was better trained—more suited for the trade than she. Nonetheless, Starfire did as she was told and departed for the Blue Planet.

Her first day to Earth had not been a pleasant one. She had touched down with naught but the companionship of one glorback, or backpack, and the clothes on her back. She had learned the language of the earth people, but she was rather shy to speak it out. Gathering courage, the Tamaranian girl began to ask the people of the Justice Team she had heard of. Her accent was heavy with an unidentifiable dialect and many of the earth people laughed. She struggled with the strange tongue, hoping that she made sense to someone, somebody, somewhere.

"Hey sweetheart, wanna go out on a date?"

"I've got a pillow with your name on it at my place, darlin'."

"Look at that cutie, is she for real?"

"Let's skip the small talk and make straight to the love."

"Are you a virgin, babe?"

A crowd had formed around her, pointing, poking, wrenching. Starfire hugged her arms to herself, confused at all of the questions. What was a sweetheart; something to be eaten? How could a pillow know her name? And what was a Q-T?

The mob closed in tighter around her; someone pawed at her skirt and she shied away from that person as another tugged at a lock of red hair. Sashaying away from that one, she came to rest against another who encircled his arms around her tightly. Starfire's eyes blazed a hot emerald green in anger and surprise, but she did not attack. Their motives were undeniably hostile, but she did not wish to make war among these peoples when she had only just arrived.

Suddenly one of the crowd members was hurled forward, then another fell backward as a third toppled atop the first. The mob was dispersing in confusion; falling apart, sliding away.

"Leave the girl alone! She's with me!" A voice snapped over the irritable voices. The man holding Starfire quickly released her and scurried off before any harm could come to him. The red-haired girl staggered slightly as she regained her footing and she caught sight of her savior. A boy all in green and black came sidling up to her as the mob broke away entirely. He glared at them in disgust before turning his attentions to her. "I'm sorry miss, are you all right?"

Starfire gazed at the newcomer, hesitating on her next words.

"Yes. I am all right." She confirmed honestly, although she was still rather shaken at what had just taken place. The boy was smiling warmly at her; she felt comforted in that smile. "I have come from afar and I seek the joining of a Justice Team."

The boy's smile broadened. "Would this justice team of yours be the Teen Titans?"

Starfire nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! Yes! Do you know where I might find them?"

"You stand before its leader." He beamed as he extended a hand. "My name is Robin. What's yours?"

Starfire sighed gently at the memory. She would have to make amends to the Boy Wonder for her terrible mistake. That was, if he would allow it.

"Raven, I have committed a most terrible crime."

Starfire hovered before the pale-skinned girl in a nervous fervor. She had deemed it permissible that she should first speak with Raven on the matter before she proceeded to her needed apology-making. Raven, on the other hand, did not seem all that interested in the red-haired girl's troubles.

"Friend Raven, I need your most sought for advice."

Raven sighed to herself as she softly shut the heavy tome she had been reading.

"What did you do this time, Starfire?" she asked flatly.

"I have broken an Earthly taboo," Starfire whispered guiltily. "I was seeking Robin and…and I did not know…I did not know he would be behind the door…"

"You smashed Robin with the door." Raven finished for her tonelessly. Starfire nodded and shrank at the conclusion. Raven rolled her eyes. "Mistakes happen, Starfire. It was his fault for being there in the first place."

At this Starfire made an audible gasp. "But, but there must be some unmentionable I have broken! I fear I have done something most terrible, Raven."

Raven finally gazed at Starfire fully for the first time in their conversation. There was genuine guilt and fear in the Tamaranian's eyes. The emotion gave Raven a sudden aching sympathy for the girl. She had noticed that Robin had been avoiding the poor thing for days now. He would evade Starfire whenever it was possible, and when they were forcibly together, he would proceed to ignore her. It was an odd occurrence that was happening far and far more often of late.

Raven could feel the undeniable heartache emitting from her friend. Ever since their little body-switch of the Puppet Master, the two of them had a better awareness of the other's feelings. And Starfire of course, wearing her emotions on her sleeve, was only all too simple to comprehend. Starfire, not to be forgotten, held a power over Raven as well; a delicate understanding of the gothic girl that no one else could surmise to meet.

Raven allowed for some emotion to enter her voice at last. "Let me talk to him."

Starfire's spirits lifted, Raven could feel it in her soul. And the pale-skinned girl was, well, happy that she could help her friend who was in need.

It was the top of the Tower where she found him brooding into the stillness. Silently she made her way toward him, hood and blue cloak firmly in place. She stood beside him after a few moments and still there was nothing but silence. She would let him speak first. It took him a moment to respond to her presence but he did.

"Hey."

It was gruff and throaty, like he had not spoken in a long time.

"Hi."

And again the stillness ensued; neither speaking, neither moving. Raven was not usually the patient type, but she willed herself to peace, for this was a special matter. It was not often she aided a friend, or pursued personal matters that were not her own. Starfire, she believed, had earned the right.

"So. What's going on?" she spoke slowly, softly. Again it took a moment for Robin to respond.

"Nothing that concerns you."

Raven was surprised at the bite in his tone. This was worse than she had previously determined.

"You're right." Raven agreed tonelessly. She could sense his subtle astonishment. "This matter does not concern me, myself. But it concerns us as a team."

Robin brooded a moment longer. "Maybe."

Raven nodded slightly at his response, accepting of it.

"You have been avoiding Starfire lately." She stated it as an observation.

"I suppose I have."

There it was. There was pain in his voice. Raven strayed to goad him further.

"You have." Another observation. "She believes she has done something wrong. She wants to apologize for it."

Robin did not answer.

"I don't understand why our leader will not allow her to apologize for something so wrong." She mused, listening carefully for anything amiss in his voice. But again, he did not speak. She pressed him harder, tossing back her hood with both hands. "Can you not see you are hurting her?"

Robin flinched and she knew she had broken some ground in him somewhere. All it would take now is a little push…

"She does not understand."

"I'm protecting her." He admitted at last, anguish in his trembling voice. "I am staying away for her own protection. But she can't know that." He turned to Raven now, a dangerous air suddenly rose between them. "You can't say anything. Nothing about this."

"What are you protecting her from?" Raven inquired accusingly. "Her shadow, or yours?"

Robin shot her an ugly look, his hands balled into fists at his sides. He took a step toward her, but Raven was unmoved. "Will you not answer?" The silence was deafening. They stood together; one against the other for what seemed like an eternity until a shrill screech shattered the silence. No, not a screech; a ring. Robin's tele-communicator was ringing.

Immediately he clawed into his clothes for the radio, the atmosphere of the moment lost to a panicked rush. He snapped the radio open and Aqualad's face appeared on the screen.

"Well? Have you found it?" he questioned hurriedly. Aqualad's expression portrayed nothing but shamed failure.

"I'm sorry Robin, we have been unable to find the blade—"

"Damn!" he cried terribly, snapping the radio shut and hurling the gadget out to the sea. He turned on his heel and charged away from Raven, swung the door open and slammed it shut behind him. Raven gazed at the closed door in utter amazement. What was going on here?

Still the little communicator fell. Raven reached out to the poor gadget and caught it with her power. It came rushing up unhappily to greet her on the chill wind atop the tower. She numbly caught the tiny machine in her hand, releasing it from her will, examining it. It seemed to be all right, but the master of the machine surely was not.

Robin stormed in a fierce rage to his room where luckily, no one was there to greet him. He needed time to think, to plan, to rethink and to re-plan. He cursed loudly again, his voice echoing about his room as his door shut with an angry hiss.

"Ooh, such bad words coming from such a good boy is very unbecoming, don't you think?"

Robin jerked around at the alluring voice, shock powering his limbs to attack with the weapon that had appeared in his hand. He flung the weapon in the dim light toward the dark figure. In an instant, a flash of light connected with his weapon and sent it flying back toward its owner. Robin dodged the boomerang, though barely.

"My, my. Is that any way to greet a princess?"

"Blackfire." He snapped furiously. "Get OUT!"

The lavish smile of the dark-haired girl fell considerably. "That is not very tactful of you." She sauntered forward. "But then, that's what I like about you."

Robin glared at her menacingly, condemning her with her steady approach; promising that a murder may be committed this day.

"You and I share so many admirable traits; do you not see that we are so perfect for each other?"

She disappeared from his sight for an instant before she appeared again beside him, purring in contented satisfaction. A new trick?

She leaned forward, eyes closing, lips searching.

Robin hit her then, hard. The flat of his palm connected with her chest and she was flung backward. Blackfire's eyes flew open, crackling with raging violet energy.

"Foolish boy," she hurled a spiteful blackbolt that connected with his right shin. Robin went down, then pain in his leg so severe it seemed to have numbed itself to the immeasurable pain. He could not move; he had been pinned by the crazed Tamaranian. "The elements conspire against you and still you are too blind to see." Blackfire's palms erupted with pulsing energy. She approached him again, but this time, nowhere quite so amorously. She was as furious as a wounded tiger. Her body poised dangerously, eyes alight with fire.

"You have not found the dagger," her voice was low, treacherous. "Fate will turn your head. I will turn your head. I am your fate!" She had reached him now, her right hand poised to strike his skull. "Accept it, Robin! Embrace your future and she might live! Disobey and your world shall be destroyed. The choice is no longer yours. Find it; find the dagger!"

Blackfire howled an unearthly cry that wailed above the room to echo hatefully through the corridors of the tower. She brought down the raw energy of her right hand. The bolt struck Robin and everything went black.




A/N: Whew! I haven't hunkered down and written something this long in one night for a long time. Uh yeah! So it's still really confusing. Is anyone lost yet? (I certainly hope not…) I like to think that I kept all of the characters in character and if any disagree please don't hesitate to berate me for it. I got a little carried away with Starfire's story of her first day to Earth, I hadn't really intended it to come into the story at all since it's really a focus on Robin and Robin's dilemma with Blackfire who manages to keep showing up at the most convenient of times, no? grin (I just love my evil girl!)

The "glorback" isn't really a Tamaranian word. ; I'm going for authentic so cut me some slack, eh?

Raven reprimanding Robin? Who knew? If anyone is to give Robin that smack in the face, I knew it would have to be her. (Go Raven!)

Right, there should be another three chapters or so, I haven't worked out any lengths of them yet now when they might be posted, but I suppose none of them will be quite as long as this. I hope I haven't lost any reviewers yet—because I love all of your reviews! Should I drop it here because it's a buncha mumbo jumbo, or shall I continue with this enduring endeavor? Anything I can improve on? What is making you crazy people read this???

So, doubtless, please Review!

Blackfire 18