There was no chance to react. As if in slow motion, Robin, Beastboy, Raven, and Cyborg saw Starfire begin to fall. She had arched her back gracefully and turned her head just a bit to smile sadly at her friends before she fell into the lake of fire.
No one could move. No one spoke. Everything just stood still in that moment.
"No!" Robin cried out as he ran towards the flames. But, before he could get close enough to try to save her, the tunnel closed up and Starfire was gone.
"You son of a bitch." Cyborg said. Anger spread over all their faces.
"Titans Go!" Robin yelled. Trying his best to run before the other Titans so he could have the first swing…
But before they had gotten to the gray-man, a clear barrier barred them from coming too close.
"You must understand-" The man began.
"Bring her back!" Raven yelled. She tried her best to break the wall, but with no luck.
"Listen!" The man yelled, silencing all of them. They all breathed heavily as they angrily watch the man get closer. "You must listen. Starfire is not gone."
The other Titans stared oddly at the man as he slowly lowered the barrier.
"Where is she?" Beastboy demanded.
"She is right here," A familiar voice from behind them said. They all turned in time to see Starfire fly from the dark abyss below and land next to them. They all ran to her and embraced briefly.
"Are you alright?" Robin demanded worriedly.
"I am fine Robin," Starfire said, putting a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Cyborg?"
"Scanners say it's her. And scanners say she alright." Cyborg said, picking Starfire up and wrapping her in a bear hug.
Robin turned back to the gray man and began to approach him furiously. Starfire turned to see him and ran to block his way.
"No Robin, you must listen." She said, standing next to the gray man.
"I will be brief yet thorough. My time on this world grows short." The man said. The Titans all drew cautiously closer and listened. "There is an opponent coming that is stronger then anything you will ever face. Like I said, I have been searching for a long time for a hero that could take on such a foe. Half a century I have searched. Many different individuals have come close to being the best but they all failed my tests. I have tested thousands. You don't understand how special your group truly is. You are the only ones to have ever passed. My tests were to find the right characteristics that I needed. I gave you a test to make you face your darkest fears, for that is what you may be faced with. I gave you a test for you to deny yourself your hearts deepest desire for the preservation of a human life. This creature works in many ways; bribery may or may not be one of them. But, to be truly ready is to be prepared for things you never thought you would face. Then I gave you the final test. You had to watch your teammate; a friend, sister, a…" He gave a warm look towards Robin. "…And other things, I made you watch her die. This being will not listen for mercy. It takes great pleasure in watching the pain in others. I had to make sure you were prepared for anything."
The Teen Titans glanced at each other. Were they ready as a team for such a foe? Was he to leave them with only this information?
"I must leave. My time on this planet is very limited. I must leave. " He turned and lifted his hand. A large carrying craft of alien technology emerged from the floor and an opening unfastened in the ceiling of the cave. "But," He said turning back around. "I will leave you with this as well."
The gray man raised his hand and a horrific visualization occurred in their minds. When each one of them came to, they were back in their beds at Titan Tower.
