Alright. Chapter 8. More Dickori stuff, so you've been warned. Enjoy.
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Chapter 8:- The Shadows Lifted
Kori sat on the edge of the local Wayne Industries building, crying. Despite her orange skin and sopping wet outfit, she still looked radiant as the storm cleared and gave way to a calm, peaceful night. The huge Wayne Industries sign behind her lit up, reminding her of the owner's adopted son. The one she left soaking wet on the edge of the pizza restaurant about twenty minutes ago.
"This is the last place I expected to find you," came a voice from behind her.
Kori stood up alarmed, wiping the tears from her face, and beheld Robin the Boy Wonder, standing behind her. His hair was wet, as was his outfit, and it took away from the bright yellows, greens, and reds.
"You are Robin. The one Gar and Vic go on about constantly," said Kori.
Robin smiled. "Yes." He walked forward and sat down, letting his legs hang over the side of the building. "It is quite funny when you think about it."
Kori sat next to him. "What do you mean?"
"It's not important."
Kori bowed her head. "OK."
"It wasn't meant to be offensive, Kori."
"I am not Kori. Not like this," she said, looking down at her orange hands. "Like this, I am Starfire."
"Well, Starfire. I came here to say… I'm sorry."
"You do not make sense, Robin."
"I was foolish. I was trained by the world's greatest detective, and the detective side of me got the better of me… I felt like I needed to know. I became obsessed, and I didn't think what I'd do to you. I'm sorry."
"Robin, you are very nice and I am glad to have met you, but I do not know what you are talking about."
"Then maybe, I can't hide behind this mask for this. Maybe, I can't say this as Robin," Robin said, reaching for his mask, and taking it off, revealing his true face. "But as Dick Grayson."
"Dick?"
He nodded.
"You are Robin?"
"Always have been."
"Why?"
"It's a long story. Are you sure you want to hear it?"
"Yes."
"Three years ago, I was an acrobat. A member of a popular circus performing group known as the Flying Graysons," he turned out to face the dark sky. "Then, the accident happened. I lost my mother, my father, and two brothers in less than a minute. I despaired for days, my performances got progressively worse until the circus didn't want be anymore. They left me, all alone, with nothing, in the dark alleys of Gotham City. I lay in an alleyway, known now as Crime Alley, starving, cold, and full of grief, until I was found by a shadow. I was too weak to fight it. The shadow emerged from the dark sky and wrapped his heavy cloak around me. That shadow was the one they call 'Batman'. He took me to an adoption agency, where I was adopted by the billionaire Bruce Wayne," Dick continued, nodding back at the illuminated sign. "It was a method to bring more girls to his mansion I think, but he kept good care of me. I became healthy and managed to hone my acrobatic skills. When I was strong enough, I went out at night, and tracked down Batman, who once again took me in, and gave me the mantle of his sidekick, Robin. We worked together for three years, but as I grew older, I did not want to be hidden in Batman's shadow all my life. He suggested I come here, enroll in the boarding school, and protect this city at all costs. I did so, and here I am. The bird of the darkness. The wing of the night."
Kori was silent for a moment, until Dick turned to her. "I shouldn't have pushed you. I know how it is to keep a secret most of your life, and still I pushed," he bowed his head. "I'm sorry."
"There is nothing to apologize for, my friend."
Dick smiled, and leant forward, giving the orange girl a huge hug. When they pulled away, she leant into him as his arms encircled her, as he asked:
"So… Starfire, huh?"
"It is the honorary name that was bestowed upon me when I turned eleven. I prefer it to Koriand'r, but I had to come up with a reasonable name for this planet."
"Kori Anderstar…"
Starfire nodded. "Since you have told me everything, I will do the same. My name is Koriand'r, and I am the second daughter of the ruling family of Tamaran, but my heritage has been forgotten for a long time. My life has been complicated. Not in a long while have I been truly happy."
"Tell me, Star."
"My sister, Komand'r, was born defected. She did not have the ability to absorb the sun's energy and use it to fly. No-one knows why she could not, but she could not. When I was born, since I had that power, I was declared the heir to the Tamaranian throne, not Komand'r. She grew… angry, especially at me. Soon, she left Tamaran swearing vengeance upon its people. And for a time, I was happy. The people of Tamaran loved my family and me, and respected us. I became an idol, a celebrity. But soon Komand'r returned as the leader of a powerful race known as the Psions. She used a legendary gem of incredible power to gain control of them, and used them as pawns to attack Tamaran. She told my father… her father… that he had to hand me over to her as a slave, or she would kill every Tamaranian on Tamaran. My father had no choice, and he turned me over to her."
"Star…"
"Komand'r took me to a prison cell on a faraway planet, and was determined to transfer my power of flight to her using Psion technology. She tortured me with numerous needles and experiments until she succeeded, and when she did an odd side effect occurred. The power did not transfer as she expected, instead she gained it, and I kept it, and in addition, we both had the ability to convert sunlight into physical energy, which she nicknamed star bolts as a mockery of my bestowed name. I still use the term because I think it reflects their nature."
Starfire lifted her hand, and a green globe formed around it, lighting up the dark sky. Then she extinguished it, and continued.
"Komand'r nicknamed herself Blackfire, a mockery of my name and a reflection of her nature, much like her naming of star bolts. She planned to kill me then, and conquer Tamaran and rule it as she 'should have done'. But I was rescued by a man named 'Green Lantern', and Blackfire was taken before the Intergalactic Court, where she got away with her crimes by claiming to repent. I still do not where she is. I was offered the throne of Tamaran by my father, but I could not accept it. So, with my father's blessings, I came to Earth, to start a new life, and covering my alien heritage with cosmetics. "
She pulled away from Dick's arms, and looked him in the eye. "That is my story."
"No. That is your story so far."
"I do not understand."
"I have a feeling, Starfire. A feeling that you and me will do great things in our future and that we will many adventures together."
She leant back into his arms. "I hope so Robin."
Robin was silent for a moment. "Please don't tell anyone I'm Robin. Not even our friends."
She looked up at him. "Please do not tell them about me either."
"Deal."
Starfire stared out into the dark sky and Robin replaced his mask, and looked down at the beautiful girl in his arms. He could not resist kissing her on the forehead, to which she smiled and sighed in content.
"Everything will be perfect…" she said softly.
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Alright. A very flashbacky chapter but two of the Titans are set up. Now I have to finish the other three! But it only goes up from here!
Next:- The Fate Of Garfield Logan
