Chapter 7: Sibling Growth Part3

A figure stood fiercely in front of them, with long hair flowing in front of his amber eyes. His muscular, tanned body reflected the light of the sun. He blinked his magnificent eyes with his thick eyelashes. His dark brown hair as dark as coffee kept coming in front of his face and he brushed it behind his ear as he stared at the Teen Titans.

Starfire stood behind Robin and when she saw Karras standing there, her heart started pounding with fear. Karras looked around them as if searching, and then he found Starfire and held his gaze at her, making her back tight and heat rise to her neck.

He crossed his arms against his chest, his eyes never leaving from hers. But when he spoke, he spoke to everyone. "So...playing hooky I see?"

They stood frozen, thoughts scrambling inside their minds on what would be the penalty for sneaking out. On Earth, if they were regular teenagers, their parents would have grounded them or if they were thieves, be handed in to the police. Was it the same here on Tamaran? Worse?

Karras looked over them with a displeasing and disgusted look in his amber-green eyes. Strands of his hair fell to his eyes as he turned his head to look at Starfire, who stood frozen and pale with guilt. Robin saw this and moved her behind him, squinting his eyes at Karras.

Karras didn't flinch and just tapped his foot against the ground, his anger conducted static electricity in the air. He looked fierce and angry. Both Starfire and Redfire were trembling with fear of what he might do. The others noticed their turmoil, but didn't understand.

"You know what could have happened if your father were to find out about this?" Karras' voice roared and sent some of the birds who were resting in the trees off to the sky, disturbed.

Starfire looked at him, afraid. "Karras"
"You should be ashamed! Do you really want to dishonor your family even more?"
"Dishonor?" Starfire's eyes widened in shock.

Robin looked at Karras. "Hey! She didn't do anything wrong."
"Yeah man, what's your problem!" Beast Boy shouted, along with Cyborg and Raven who stared at him coldly.

Karras' eyes glowed in gold, frustrated with them all. "If you want yourselves to be sent to the cell, go right ahead. If not, I suggest you hold your tongue!"

"You can't tell us what to do." Robin said, his eyes squinting with the anger he's trying to retain inside of him, but Karras made his patience grow thin. Starfire pulled him back to restrain him, sensing his anger and urge to attack.

"In case you haven't noticed, Bird Boy," Karras started coldly and deep, "You are not from this planet. Things are different here than from your pathetic little planet. Here, my judgment stands more than yours. I'm going to be future king here and since apparently you all are staying here on my planet, you will listen and follow my every command."

Redfire straightened himself out to be fearless. He looked up at Karras, who glared at Robin hard. He scoffed at him, annoyed by his hotshot attitude toward his upcoming leadership and also his rude behavior toward welcomed guests.

"We're just having some time together, Karras." Redfire replied loudly, making heads turn. Starfire was surprised that Redfire didn't say 'Your Highness' or 'Your Grace' like they were supposed to. Redfire looked at him as if he was just someone in the way; low like a peasant and a cruel housekeeper.

Redfire crossed his arms against his chest and stood firmly as Karras turned his golden eyes toward him. "Is that wrong for friends to spend time together on a day like this?" Redfire leaned his body back, loving the look of Karras' eyes, shocked and a little nervous. His pearly white teeth grinded against each other like nails on a chalkboard, portraying his anger. He opened his mouth as if trying to say something.

But Redfire spoke first, "Or you're just too jealous that you don't get enough attention, pretty boy?" Beast Boy snapped his fingers and the others widened in their eyes by his statement that stayed in the air with a sense of foreboding.

Karras approached Redfire with fuming eyes. He bit his lip and tightened his knuckles, like he wanted to use his fist to punch out his jaw. Karras raised his arm up, his face flushing in red like fire.

Starfire pushed Robin aside and grabbed Karras' arm before he threw a punch at her younger brother. They struggled for a moment, their muscles tight in protest. Although he was a Tamaranean and looked very masculine, Starfire seemed a lot stronger than him as she forced his arm to move and fell back to his side.

"Please. Let us not start a quarrel." She said motherly. She looked at Karras with a friendly, calm stare from her shining emerald eyes. She still had her hand on his wrist to strangle him. "Ali Karras. Gol'f ga bork'la vandoom. Ni'shaka kor bar."

The other Titans turned their head toward Redfire, expecting him to translate. He sighed heavily. "She says that she apologizes for not inviting him to come along." He rolled his eyes.

"Same ol' Starfire."
"She can never be mean to anyone." Cyborg added.

Robin looked at Starfire, understanding her motive. She was just saying that so Karras wouldn't have to punish them.

Karras looked at Starfire and smiled at her. His free hand came and caressed her cheek tenderly, making her face flushed. He smiled at her still, loving the tension she was building inside and her nervousness. Her heart began to race as his fingers curled around strands of her hair and placed them over her eyes.

They looked at each other for a long time and dead silence lingered around them. The others were tensed, unsure of what to expect. Robin kept trying to go over to Karras and hit him in the face, but Raven pulled him back to strangle him. Redfire switched glances from Starfire to Karras. When he looked at Karras, he caught him staring and made a cruel smile across his face as if he had won. Redfire growled under his breath when Karras looked at Starfire and touched her arm.

Karras came close to her face, his breath tickling her skin and his scent filling her nose with a calming feeling throughout her body. His lips came close to her ear, caressing her earlobe as he spoke to her softly, "Apology accepted, Princess."

Starfire blushed again as he moved away from her face. He was acting as if what she had said to him the last time they've met meant nothing to him or as if it never happened. And she was feeling this way. Could he have that much power over her as he had mentioned?

Karras looked at Starfire, admiring her beauty even more as she blushed in his presence and also loving the jealous look on Robin's face. He looked up at them as if he didn't notice their looks. "Let's go back to the palace. Your parents would be worried." He said, partly to Starfire and Redfire.

"Yeah," Raven replied, trying to change the mood she felt lingering inside her mind from her friends. "We had enough fun for one day. I'm tired." She said and watched pass Karras without saying one word.

She turned her head slightly, giving him a cold look from her violet eyes. At first, she wanted to use her powers to make him fall, but instead she flipped her hood over her head and continued walking.

She sensed Starfire's emotions as she and Karras barely talked. She was nervous, struggling not to fall under his spell. Although Karras was awfully attractive physically, he was a jerk and a fool. She had half hoped that Robin would crush him to bits, but she didn't want to cause any trouble, especially in this place she is hardly familiar with

As she walked, she wondered about a thought she had caught from Starfire's mind. What had happened to her to make her seem edgy toward her family?

Beast Boy snarled as he transformed into a dog and tailgated Raven, swinging his tail from side to side. He barked at Raven, who glanced at him, understanding whatever he was saying. Redfire and Cyborg walked together from Karras with narrowed eyes and their arms crossed.

Both of them felt like crushing him with their own hands, but like Raven, they felt that they shouldn't try to stir up trouble. Both of them felt brotherly to Starfire and they exchange a few words to each other under their breaths, so the others wouldn't hear.

Robin rubbed her nose as he approached Starfire and grabbed her hand, freeing her from Karras' seductive stare. She shook her head and looked at Robin, who glanced at her as softly and sympathetic as he could. Starfire tried to smile, but she felt that she betrayed Robin somehow with the way she looked at Karras. Before she could say anything, Robin brushed his hand in front of her face, brushing the thought aside.

Karras looked after them and then glanced over the sky as the wind started to howl in his ears and lean his body to the side. Leaves flickered off from the branches of the trees and were carried by the wind, twirling around like a twister. Clouds were also following the wind's currents, colliding into each other to create larger clouds; thick and gray as if a storm was coming.

He smiled slightly before turning away from nature's call and walked after the others toward the palace, his hair flying in front of his deep eyes as they calculated a plan; rearranging into something diabolical.

The Titans continued on walking through the courtyards that were in front of the Tamaranean palace, when suddenly the wind started building up. The alien birds shivered up their feathers and flew away in a loud cry. Starfire looked up confusingly as thousands of birds flew over their heads, crowding against each other, shoving each other for room to fly away.

"What's wrong with them?" Beast Boy asked as he transformed back into a human boy and as Starfire came by his side. Starfire shield her eyes with her hand from the blazing sun that emerged from a cleft of clouds. She looked over the sky and tried to see the birds. Few loose feathers fell down from the sky and came around her.

"I am not sure." She replied silently.
"Look!" Someone exclaimed, pointing their finger toward the sky.

The dark clouds beside the sun separated, curling about as if something was going through. Soon, something shiny and as dark as coal floated over the fog of the clouds and reflected the light from the sun, blinding their eyes. The winds became stronger now and more dangerous as whatever was displaying in the skies came closer.

Their hairs and their capes flapped crazily on their backs as the Teen Titans finally noticed that the unfamiliar object was actually a ship. Not just one, but three four as others suddenly appeared from the clouds and fog like magic.

"What's that?" Cyborg asked.
"Let's check it out." Robin shouted.

Together, they ran quickly to the edge of the cliff. Starfire and the others came by the ledge of the cliff. Beast Boy made an abrupt stop, awfully close to the edge. Few round pebbles of rock chipped off and rolled down the cliff, echoing and echoing with a soft eerie sound. They looked up with horrid eyes.

Green linings were all over the ship, shielded in black as shiny as obsidian. The ship was painted with images and symbols they weren't familiar with. The markings was on top of each cockpit of the ship; the official sign of whatever they came from. The black, big ships came in a straight line. And the wind howled in its presence.

A gasp escaped from Starfire's lips as she finally recognized the symbol that was painted over the cockpit of the ships. Screams pierced her ears and the wailing of prisoners couldn't leave away from her mind. For some reason, her stomach felt empty and there was a strong sting all over her body, burning her with pain. She felt weak and wanted to fall on her knees, an unconscious command she must follow.

But she forced herself to stay standing, but in result her legs shook crazily like Jell-O. A high pinched scream came loud from her ears before she realized that she was actually screaming at that very moment.

The others turned their attention to her, filled with worry and concern. And also with fear. What was it on her face that brought their own pale and frightful. Robin turned to her with his eyes concerned. "Star, what's wrong?"

Starfire stepped back away from the group, her eyes turned black with childish fears coming back to torture. Her face turned dead pale as she placed her hands against her ears, haunted by the voices that screeched inside her mind. "I-It's them..." She whispered softly, her voice shaking.

"Who's 'them?'" Robin asked again as he approached her, grabbing her wrist to try and pry it away from her ears so she could listen to him. But Starfire shook her head as angry tears slid down her cheeks and memories flashed inside her mind.

"Fight, you worthless girl! Fight!"
"You will never see your family again!"
"Silence, slave!"

"If you try to use your Tamaranean abilities, the collar will kill you!"
"You Tamaranean twit! Get up and fetch me water now!"

"You worthless, little weakling, fight now!"
A young scream was heard after a sound a whip thrashing crossed the air.

Their voices wouldn't stop screaming in her. She shut her eyes tight and opened her mouth wide in a screeching, fearful voice, "It's them!"

"Here they come!" Cyborg pointed his finger as his right arm transformed into his sonic cannon. Starfire gasped as she looked up, her hair blowing with the wind.

The ships dove down, aiming for their target. The sun reflected its mirrors as they sped toward the Teen Titans. Robin took out his bird-a-rang, Beast Boy transformed into a T-rex as Raven glowed with her black magic. Starfire was about to power up her starbolts when the ships whooshed over their heads in less than a second. All turned their heads when a sudden thought crossed Starfire's mind and made her eyes white.

"RYAND'R!"

Her little brother looked up in response to her call only to find four strange ships coming toward him, with their guns out and ready to fire. His aqua eyes froze in fright and he dropped a piece of fruit down to the ground. He stood still, consumed by his own fear.

Starfire looked over her little brother and saw over him as the same little girl as she once was, small; helpless; and scared.

Starfire felt her body burn up as her power started growing inside of her, pulsing through her veins and inside her brain; giving her a headache. But she ignored the pain as she narrowed her eyes, concentrating. And with the next second before anyone took action, she opened her eyes, flaring in green and with the emotions building inside of her.

Her fists glowed in the same green color, its dangerous temperature immune to her. She looked up over the ships with fierce eyes, her whole body filled with her chemically enhanced power. She raised her arms, her eyes bubbling and fuming like fire.

"NNNOOO!" She roared as green beams of light shot out from her eyes and from her hands.

The Teen Titans turned toward her, engulfed by her light and then they quickly turned their heads toward the ships as they lowered their altitude to snatch Redfire.

Redfire looked up and saw rays of shooting stars coming at him. He gasped as his eyes reflrected this great light and ducked low to the ground, with his hands over his head.

The starbolts beamed at the tails of the ships, all four of them. Fire exploded on each of the ships, the skies now clouded with smoke and red flames. The air became thick and it was hard to breathe and the wind howled like a wolf in the night. The ships lost control and were swimming around in midair like a cruppled bird with only one wing.

They flew over Redfire, just close enough to touch him, and they crashed a few yards ahead. The earth rumbled from this impact, shaking the trees and buildings surrounding them. Few branches and even trees collasped; with roots stick out and large holes of dirt of where it once laid.

Starfire's eyes returned to normal and she quickly glided to Redfire to his aid.

"Ryand'r!" She shouted as she came up his side and wrapped her arms around him, with tears streaming down her eyes. He looked at her and embraced her. "Star, what's wrong?" He asked with concern. But before she could say anything, the others ran to them.

Beast Boy was about to say something to them when he glanced up and widened his eyes in shock. "Dudes, look!" He shouted and pointed his finger toward the ships. Starfire looked up and followed his gaze.

Smoke sizzled in the air, thickening as more flames consumed the ship and its surroundings. A ring of fire encircled the ships, glowing intensively like the depths of hell and hotter than the ultraviolet rays of the Solar System's sun. Their eyes watered from the thick puffs of smoke as they tried to see beyond the smoke and flames.

Starfire squinted her eyes, holding her brother tightly by the shoulders. Her heart stopped when she saw them.

The monstrous creatures emerged from the inferno and smoke, walking slowly in a single file. Their large, masculine greenish bodies shined like jewels, reflecting the light from the flames that burnt around them. Their teeth shined, stained with blood; they had just finished a fresh meal before coming here. And a fowl, familiar smell hung in the air that made Starfire want to barf.

The same symbols that were displayed on their ships marked their bodies; but in black like tatooes. Some crossed over their eyebrows, their cheeks, and even their bald heads. Tatooes of their homeland ran down their hairy yet slimy arms and their built legs. That same squeamish feeling from those years ago came crawling back to her and stirred inside her stomach and up to her lungs; gagging them for air as they burned against her chest.

Starfire widened her eyes once more, gripping her brother tighter than ever. She opened her mouth, but wasn't sure if she had the will or ability to speak anymore. "It's them..." She whispered, "The Gordainians."

"Who?" Cyborg asked as he held his right arm to be steady and firm and ready to aim at these strange and physically strong monsters.

"Gordainians." Redfire said again, "Big guys with a real big attitude. Their strength alone can crush you and with their guns, burn you into ashes. They're very strong and very dangerous."

Robin took out another bird-a-rang from his utility belt and clipped it to the own he already held in his hand. The two rangs combined into a long and golden sword, with a red helm for his mighty fist to hold. He looked ahead with his masked eyes as the wind started rushing around them once again, clearing the smoke and fire into smaller flames; close to the ground.

"We've handled much bigger guys before." He replied.
Redfire looked at him with the corner of his eye and let out a small smile of confidence, "I know."

The Gordainians walked slowly and easy toward the Teen Titans, their eyes like jade, almost black. They grinded their teeth against each other, scratching whatever bit of meat they had left in between their teeth. Beast Boy shuttered a little; his fur shivered from an internal cold that ran through his body. Raven slowly levitated her body off the ground, her hands glowing with her magic. She tried to scan their strengths and weaknesses telepathically, but she couldn't get through; like she couldn't get through a brick wall. How strong are they?

Cyborg's right arm hissed, the sonic cannon juicing up with electrical energy; ready to burst at any moment and blast the suckers out of the park. But he stood still, his mechanical eye watching their every move as they come toward them.

Robin held his sword in his hands, gripping the helm tightly, making his knuckles white and the rest of his hand purple with the quick rush of blood coming down his arms. He felt pumped up, ready to fight whatever these things are. And from the quick glimpses at Starfire's face, she was very frightened. Why? He didn't know. But he was determined, more determined than ever before to stop these guys from scaring her anymore.

Starfire pushed Redfire behind her and guarded him, his own protector. Her fists glowed in lime green, making the features of her tanned face soften and her eyes like fire. Her body shook and although her hands were warm, she felt cold inside. Her face was mixed with many emotions; mostly fear and anger. She felt scared for her little brother, wondering quickly why would they try to capture him; and also angry because of all of the things they had done to her in the past. And from she recognized by the markings on their forehead, these were the leaders of the Gordianians.

Karras stood beside the Titans, positioning himself to get ready. He looked over Starfire, seeing the tension and also other emotions that were expressed on her face. He sensed her true thoughts and caught what she was thinking, thinking of thoughts about a past he already knew and a future she didn't know what will come. He turned his attention back to the Gordianians as they came finally into view.

The creatures raised their arms, holding on to their guns. Their teeth slowly parted, revealing steam and saliva in between their teeth and on their gum. Their eyes grew small as a battle cry escaped from their lips. The battle has begun.

"Titans, GO!"

Subconsciously, Starfire's eyes glowed and she stormed out before any of the other Titans were able to counter against these creatures. She tightened her fists and flew toward them with hatred in her eyes. Blood boiled inside of her, heating her body up with a determination she never had before. She felt stronger, powerful than ever before. She growled lowly as her eyes glimmered in red, instead of her innocent green eyes.

The Gordianian ran toward her, shooting their laser guns at her. Their beams kept missing her as she glided around them, her body blowing like the wind. When she was in range, her eyes glowed brightly in red with hate. She let out a scream and shot out lasers from her eyes. One Gordianian tumbled to the ground, his chest steaming with extreme heat. The others looked at Starfire, as if they were seeing a part of her that have never existed.

Starfire ignored their stares and instead used it to her advantage. She charged at them and punched them hard, crushing her knuckles with pain; but she embraced the pain as the Gordianian flew off their backs, dropping their guns by their sides. Starfire floated over them and started throwing starbolts at them like a machine gun. They didn't even have time to stand from all of the bolts shooting at them.

The Teen Titans saw this as they ran to Starfire's aid. Robin looked at Starfire as she flew down and smashed the Gordianian down to the ground with her fists and kicking them so hard that their graves were already made out for them; like this was their last battle.

The Gordianian leader of the group groaned and looked up, seeing his gun just a few feet away. He groaned again as he reached out his arm, which was covered in blue blood. He grabbed firmly and held it against his cheek, aiming at Starfire. He shot it. Starfire glanced aside and her eyes returned to normal as the blast came at her, sending her flying across the plateau.

"Starfire!" Robin screamed out. Starfire crashed into a tree, breaking the bark in half. The branches came tumbling on top of her fragile body. Her eyes closed as she fell into unconsciousness. Redfire looked over the creatures as they got on their feet. His heart raced with anger as they slowly glowed in orange. He looked around until he found what he was looking for.

He ran to a large boulder next to a tall tree and kneeled down by it. He could the others attacking, with Beast Boy's cawing as he transformed into a dinosaur. He could also hear the blasts from Cyborg's sonic cannon and from Robin's small bombs. Raven's chanting filled the air with her native language and the air was thick with her magic and smoke as it soared over their heads.

Redfire shook his head and concentrated on the task ahead. The thought of Starfire crossed his mind and it gave him strength. He groaned loudly, his muscles stretching as the boulder slowly raised off the ground, carried in his arms. Small pebbles and dirt rolled down his legs as he carried the boulder over his shoulders like the Mighty Hercules.

Beast Boy turned his head as Redfire came, screaming at the top of his lungs. He looked overhead, with his eyes fierce in light and he threw the boulder toward the Gordianians. "Whoa..." Cyborg gasped quietly as the boulder flew over their heads, blocking the sun's glare for a quick moment.

The Gordianians looked up with caution as the boulder came at them. One of them stood in front of its path and before it even touched its face, he grabbed it by his hands like a baseball. Everyone widened their eyes in shock.

"That isn't going to work now, is it?" Raven replied.

"Keep fighting. These creatures are vicious." Karras said lowly, his eyes looking out for them as they stood up and came charging at them. He ran toward him before Robin did his command. As he ran, he lift himself off the ground and punched one of them hard in the face. But the Gordianian recovered and grabbed Karras and tossed him aside like trash. He screamed as he was thrown of the cliff.

"GO!" Robin shouted again as he took his sword in his hands, his tongue rolling within his scream. He took a short step and jumped about seven or eight feet into the air, his cape flapping behind him. He swung his sword at one of them, but he dodge and tried to hit Robin. He moved his body back and blackflipped out of the way. He held his sword of the side, and with his quick reflexes, he took out his bird-a-rangs and threw them at him.

The Gordianian dodged them again and began shooting at him. Robin flipped his body around, the bullets close to his cheek, barely missing him. He got on his feet and charged again, knocking the creature against his chest and to the ground. Robin flipped his sword between his fingers and when he got the chance, he pierced the sword to the monster.

But to his surprise, no blood came from his chest. It was as solid as stone. His sword was bent like a spoon and he widened his eyes in shock. The Gordianian looked at him with an evil smile. Before Robin could react, the Gordianian grabbed him by his hair, deep enough to his scalp.

Robin groaned as the creature moved his face so it was close enough to his flaring nose. The Gordianian smiled with his blood stained teeth. "Pathetic human." He said and tossed Robin to the other side. Robin yelled out at the top of his lungs as he crashed againt a wall, his spine cracking(but not broken). Pain rushed throughout his body and his vision became blurry. His head rolled around before falling out of conscious.

"Robin!" Raven cried out. She glanced at the others as they came charging at them, shooting their laser gun, but missing them. She glared at them hard as she relaxed her mind and concentrated on her powers. She still floated in midair, her cape flowing around her thin, pale body. She closed her eyes, meditating her mind.

When she opened them, they were glowing bright in black and white. "Azerath Metrion Zinthos!"

The ground shook beneath them, crumbling rock and grass down to the depths of the earth. Everyone tried to stay standing, but Cyborg and Redfire fell down to the ground as large pieces of rock raised up from the ground, glowing in black. Raven looked ahead as the Gordianian continued to shoot, showing no fear.

Raven smiled. She was the definition of fear.

She threw the rocks at them. Two of them fell back, but the other one came and aimed at Raven, catching her off guard as she used her magic to create a lightning storm, shocking them with its bolts.

The Gordianian shot at Raven. Its glow reflected in her eyes as they returned to their violet color. She screamed as electricity rushed through her, burning her skin, riping her sleeves.

She rolled her eyes back and fell down to the ground, hidden under the tall grass.

"Raven!" Beast Boy cried out when he saw her fall. He looked over the Gordianians, his teeth grinded against each other as a low growl escaped from his lips. His green eyes dilated as his DNA allowed him once again to transform, into a lion. He swung his tail and let out a roar from his mighty jaws; sharp teeth shining under the skin.

He charged at them with no mercy. He jumped on top of one of them and started scratching him with his claws, blood spilling on his fury arms and legs. The Gordianian groaned with pain, but he looked at Beast Boy as if he poised not much of a threat. He grabbed Beast Boy by his maze and pressed him against the ground.

Beast Boy's eyes dilated again and he transformed into a small fly, escaping from his grasp. The Gordianian tried to shoot him, but the fly was too small for a good aim.

Beast Boy transformed again into a small green monkey and clasped around his face, screeching loudly. The Gordianian continued shooting anyway, exploding branches and holes through walls. The Gordianian grabbed Beast Boy's back and threw him out of his face. Beast Boy floated in midair with outstretched arms as he transformed into a gorilla.

But before he got a chance to attack, the monster shot him with a transquilizer, shocking him until his eyes were white and his body couldn't take it anymore. Beast Boy transformed back into a human boy and rolled over when he fell to the ground. Beast Boy moaned softly, his eyes unclear as the Gordianian came over him.

The Gordianian was about to shoot him when suddenly a flash of blue came to his chest and threw him off. The Gordianian crashed into a tree, breaking it apart. But he got up quickly and glanced up as he saw two remaining men standing. Cyborg's right arm steamed with smoke as he moved it aside and glared at the aliens with a sinister smile.

"Boo-yah."

The Gordianian growled, now really angry as he stood up. The other three came by his side to join him. They reloaded their guns and glared at Cyborg and Redfire with evil eyes. But they weren't afraid.

"Ready, little man?" Cyborg asked without looking at Redfire.
"Yeah. Let's do it."

Cyborg got his arm ready as Redfire tightened his fists, his blood pulsing through his veins. The sun came back from the thick fog of smoke and clouds, radiating him with its warmth and regenerating him with power. He had always dreamt of fighting with the Teen Titans. And besides, he had to do something to save them and Starfire, whatever these guys are up to.

Cyborg and Redfire let out a battle cry as they both lifted themselves off the ground and came charging toward the Gordianians. The Gordianians started shooting at them with their guns, but the young boys were quick and dodged each of them. Cyborg roared as he used his own weapon against them.

Two of them fell back, but the remain came charging at them. Redfire's eyes glowed in orange as he tightened his fists firmly and threw a punch at them as hard as he could. Heads turned and a few teeth scattered on the ground. They looked around as Cyborg and Redfire floated back with victorious smiles.

Blood prickled down their noses and their chests from Cyborg's blasts, but they still were standing. They reloaded their guns and came charging at them again; with Cyborg and Redfire doing the same. But the Gordianians were ready.

As Cyborg used his sonic cannon, the Gordianians jumped high into the air and collided against the two before they react. They pinned the remaining two to the ground and started hitting them with their fists and their guns. Cyborg tried to stand up, but the other monster came by his side and prevented him from doing so. He felt dizzy as human blood came down his forehead and he closed his eyes in defeat.

"Cyborg, no!" Redfire cried in between each groan and scream. He tried to push the Gordianians away from him. But even with his Tamaranean strength and the sun by his side, he was no match for their brutal strength and durability. One Gordianian punched him in the face and left him unconscious.

They stood up slowly, admiring their work. They looked around and saw a mush of red hair in between two long strips of bark and piles of branches. They smiled coldly as they walked over the fallen Tamaranean princess.

Starfire groaned softly as she forced her eyes to open. Black shadows came in front of her, but their faces were unclear for the moment. But when she recognized the black markings on their forehead, she let out a weak gasp.

The Gordianian leader of the group chuckled at her childish cry and grabbed her by the hair. He raised her off from the floor and held her close by his face, his fowl stench came uninvitedly to her nostrils and made her eyes water. The leader looked over Starfire's ear, his long finger tracing over the long scar he remembered very clearly.

"Well, well, well," He started off with a sing-song voice. "Isn't this convenient? Don't you recognize her, men? It's little Starry." The others snickered from behind him, enjoying this moment.

Starfire whimpered as he used his finger to raise her chin so she could meet his gaze. "How much you've grown...how long has it been. Three, four, five years? You look so different and yet the same weakling princess we picked up from this miserable planet all of those years ago."

"W-Why...why are you here?" Starfire spoke softly, although she had tended to sound braver. A chill entered inside of her as he touched her cheek, observing her carefully of whatever change he is seeing in her features.

"We've come for your debt. Since you've run away, we needed someone to be with us. Although..." Starfire sobbed as he caressed her skin, making her form tears in her eyes. "We've missed you, Starry."

"Don't you ever call me that." She said harshly.
"Why not, Koriand'r? Princess Kori? Does it bring back memories?"
"You...ruined my chance to be with my family...after all of these years, I never wanted to see you again."
"But I'm here, Princess." The Gordianian leader smiled, "But unfortunately, not for you."

Starfire looked at him as her heart started pounding hard against her chest and her body tightened with this tension that couldn't go away. The Gordianian looked at her as if he sensed her thoughts and physical responses. He leaned close to her face, his scent strong, making her vulnerable with the horrible.

"We've come for your spouse." He whispered softly.

Starfire gasped as her eyes drifted to her little brother, helpless and not awake. His thick red hair flowed around his innocent face as the wind curled around this area, blowing through the trees and whistling in her ears.

She shut her eyes as tears slid down her cheeks.

"Get out of the way!"
"Mommy!"
"You're not going anywhere but with us! Because you will never see your family again!"
"No!"
"Mommy! Daddy! No! Mommy! Komady!"

"Fight you worthless little girl! Fight!"
"No please! Stop!"
"We will never stop! Work! Fight!"
"Let me go! Let me go home!"
"Shut up!"

A childish scream filled her ears, followed by a whip and another cry. Behind her mind, she could hear laughter. Laughter that had haunted her in her dreams and ever since she had came back to Tamaran.

"No..."
"These Earthling friends of yours could be quite useful in the digs, don't you think?"
"You can't!"

"Oh...we will, Starry. We will make sure that they will suffer...much more than you have. So you would have to endure the failure in saving your friends and your little brother. We'll take good care of him, Starry. We promise."

"NO! YOU CAN'T! PLEASE!"

After her final scream, a battle cry echoed in the air. They turned around and their eyes widened as a figure came flying by and used his body to pushed the Gordianians aside with a mighty crash. The Gordianian lost his hold of Starfire and she fell on her knees. Flashes of gold crossed her eyes and the Gordianian fell on their backs yards away from her.

She glanced up to find the most compelling amber eyes she had ever seen. The sun alone couldn't match its greatness.

"Karras..." She said softly as he came by her side and helped her stand.

"Are you alright?" He asked, his hands caressing her cheeks to lick off the dirt and dry blood. Starfire nodded in reply and stared at him with gratitude. "Thank you."

He smiled kindly at her as he helped her move off of the debris. "Come on, let's get back to the palace." He said, his voice comfortly and making her mind calm and heart soothing. But then a thought crossed her mind and she gasped loudly.

She turned her head with white eyes as she saw the Gordianians running toward her little brother, strongly attending to capture him and make him one of their war-slaves; like they had made her when she was made as a sacrifice.

"NO!" She cried out, trying to go to his brother's aid, but Karras tugged at her arm, trying to pull her to the other direction. "It's too late! We have to leave before they come back!"

"NO!" Starfire continued crying out, sparkling white tears came from her green eyes as she struggled against Karras' arms to save her little brother.

They were getting closer and closer to reach him, there was no way she could make it.

Screams filled her mind with horrific images and she could feel her back burning and stinging with whips. She heard her own cries, begging for mercy, but it was simply ignored and the torture continued on without a care in the world. She looked over the Gordianians, their greenish bodies; strong and unbreakable. They couldn't be stopped. They were too great.

But as she thought of them, more and more unpleasant thoughts came into mind; consuming her conscious mind with only thoughts of her childhood and the life she had gone through. The more their faces were put in front of her mind's eyes, the more hate she felt for them. How much they've made her suffer, how much they've taunted her, how much they laughed and killed, all she had seen and repressed from her memories for so many years.

But not anymore.

Her eyes once glittering in green and beauty, flashed in red with hate and the internal flames of hell. A low growl escaped from her throat as she felt a strange power coming over her. The sun rays came from the other side, beaming her with its light and heat. With that only, it conquerred what she had wanted to do for nine years.

With a force that Karras couldn't control, Starfire was released from his grasp and started flying toward them, her trail leaving a milky color of red and orange. Her hair flapped against her round face as the wind howled in her ears and tried to slow her down. But not even nature could stop her.

Before they laid one finger on Redfire's hair, they heard a scream. They turned their heads and that was the last they remembered before Starfire grabbed them all in her arms and held them as she flew away from the Teen Titans to the ledge of the cliff. The sun bathed over her, refilling this power growing inside of her.

The green creatures widened their eyes with real fear as Starfire pinned them to the ground and started giving them the beating they've deserved. She punched them by their jaws, kicking them by their chests, zapping them with her starbolts which glowed in red surprisingly. Starfire had a strange look on her face, as if killing them brought her pleasure and she laughed at them pitiless like a certain person she once knew.

Blue blood spilled on her face and arms, pooling beneath their bodies as they took their last breath.

The Titans slowly awakened and glanced up lightly as they noticed their friend, but at same time a totally different person killing the Gordianian with the happiness of their displeasure and defeat.

Robin groaned and rubbed his head. He looked up and his eyes were mixed with confusion and shock. "Starfire?"

Starfire used her eye lasers to destroy them for good, splashing blood all over her body. But she savored it and breathed in the horribly wonderful smell of their blood. But when she looked down at her prey and kill, something crossed in her eyes.

Starfire suddenly couldn't pull air into her lungs. They felt like they were stabbed against her ribs, killing her slowly. She wheezed to breathe as her face grew pale and instead of being comforted by the sun's warmth, it gave her a cold rush that went deep inside of her. Her red, devilish eyes now returned to her emerald shine. Sweat beated down her forehead and cheeks when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

She turned sharply and was forced to look into the scared, concerned eyes of everyone. Redfire moved away from Starfire, as if something on her face scared him and didn't want to embrace her. Beast Boy hid behind Raven, unsure when to move or where to look. Robin couldn't express anything and neither can Cyborg.

She looked over Cyborg's robotic eye and her eyes widened at the reflection she saw through it. She saw a pale, dark haired person looking straight at her. It wasn't her reflection, but a maniac, an obsessed being with no control. She looked like Blackfire.

"Star...?"

Starfire looked at Robin's concerned and sad eyes as he approached her. Tears blurred her vision as her legs trembled with this chill she felt. She shook her head and moved away from him before he was able to touch her, to even comfort her in any way he had done before.

"Star?"

"No..." She whispered and before anyone said anything, she flew off to the palace, although her body continued to feel cold and gradually weak. Starfire panted heavily, wanting nothing more than to go inside as if this never happened. But she haven't gone far from the others before her ears felt clogged and she couldn't see. Her eyes rolled back and she fell to the ground.

"Starfire!" Robin screamed out when he saw her fall.

They ran to her side and Robin held her in his arms. He brushed some strands of her hair away from her face, praying silently that she was alive.

He looked over Redfire. "What happened? Who were those people?" He asked, voices coming out from his lips more than what he really thought in his mind.

Redfire looked at him sadly as he shook his head. "You really don't know her." He said.

Over their heads, the wind was silent and no birds were chirping or flying high in the sky. The sun was setting in the west at last, making the sky bright in red, dark red. A terrible sign, Redfire thought as he looked up. Blood had been split upon this evening.

hope you liked it. any of you who have read my first fic "the anger within" will understand why starfire's eyes were glowing and stuff. I hope you liked it and will expect to see more