Chapter 10: The Ball

The halls of the palace were dark and empty, no sounds disturbed the silence and darkness of this late evening. Windows were alined through the hall, streaming down a dim glow of the moon and stars from outside. Its waves crossed the tiled floor and vases. No one was in sight, everyone had gone to a more important occassion.

Except five.

The Teen Titans were walking, or rather rushing to get to the ballroom on time. They didn't exactly pack anything formal because they were unprepared for this surprised engagement between Starfire and Karras. They felt embarrassed and also afraid on what the Tamaraneans, in particularly the King and Queen, would think about them.

Their feet tapped loudly on the tiled floor and their feet and hard breathing echoed through the halls of their presence. They kept on going, their eyes blinded with confusion, trying to find the ballroom. No one had told them where to go or where to turn.

But luckily, Redfire was with them, helping them get ready for the ball as best as he could and also to guide them to the actually place. Since again, they didn't have any attair for this party, he also helped. He snuck into Blackfire's room again and grabbed a dress for Raven and a couple of his own armored suit for the men. Since Cyborg doesn't wear clothes anyway, he stayed the same.

Raven was wearing a dark indigo dress that Blackfire once wore. At first she protested on wearing a dress once worn by an enemy, but Robin and the others rushed her and yelled at her until she finally gave up.

The dress had two pieces, the top and the actually skirt of the dress. Her top was a tube top, with crystals crossed over her chest and to her bare stomach. Sleeves of crystals twisted around her arms to the tip of her fingers. Her skirt was thin and was cut off from the sides, revealing her pale legs up to her hips. A dangling jeweled belt was wrapped around her waist, holding onto the skirt which went down in between her legs to her ankles.

Around her short violet head was a tiara made of crystals. Some hung by her dark eyes and as the moonlight reflected to the crystals, it softened her features, making her more mystical then dead pale.

Redfire, Robin, and BeastBoy were wearing suits of armor fitted for their teenage bodies. Redfire's hair was combed thoroughly and hung on his shoulders, while Robin had his hair in its usual spikes and Beast Boy had his hair mushy and unclean. A cold chill passed them up and made them shiver because now they were topless, only with a capes and a shield on their necks.

They continued on when they saw Karras walking from the corner of the hall. He was fitted for the occassion in honor of his engagment, in which they despice. His long hair was flipped back and his amber-green eyes glittered brightly even though there was barely light in the halls.

Karras looked up and saw them coming toward him. He had a strange look on his face, but by the time they approached him, it was gone.

"Karras." Redfire said plainly.
"Ryand'r." Karras said with that same tone.

"So...I guess you are late, too uh?" Raven said, trying to keep calm and a little friendly on her part.

"I'm not quite late. I had a few...things to take care of that doesn't concern you." Karras said sharply at them which almost surprised them.

"Look, we aren't trying to start anything, Karras. We want to be your friend, after all, Starfire means a lot to us." Cyborg replied.
"I don't need your friendship, Cybo-trian(sp?)."
"It's Cyborg."
"Whatever." He said as he flipped his hair back. "It doesn't matter."

"It does matter, dude. We are trying to be nice to you."
"And what if you don't, little man? Are you going to transform into some animal and try to make me listen to you?"
"Little! Yo, I'm not little."
"Just short."
"Short!"

Beast Boy was about to jump him, but Raven grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back, gripping him tightly. Beast Boy's eyes were cold stone with anger and his ears were fuming in smoke in his rage. Robin cracked his knuckles under his cloak, trying to calm himself as well.

"You know, Starfire wouldn't want us to agrue. So you need to calm yourself down, because we are not going anywhere. We are going to be here with Starfire because we are her friends. We are going to be in your face for a long time, whether you like it or not." Robin said sternly.

Karras chuckled at Robin as if he found his words humorous. He stood in front of the Teen Titan and looked at him straight in their eyes, or rather to his mask. His amber glowing eyes glittered with deep hate. Karras gave him a sinister smile, with his hands behind his back.

"But when I'm king, I'll determine what Starfire wants. And I'll make sure that you won't be in the picture."
"And I'll be waiting to tear you apart."
"Is that a threat?" Karras arched his eyebrow.

Robin crossed his arms and looked at him hard, with his nose twitching a little. But he relaxed his shoulders and stood his ground. "Maybe."

Karras scoffed at him and turned away from the Titans. "Do hold your tongue, Birdboy. Because whatever you say may come true and you'll regret it."
"Oh, trust me, I won't."

Karras chuckled and a small grin crossed his perfect face. Without saying another word, he swung his hair around and brushed himself ready. "Well, if you'll excuse me then, my bride is waiting for me." He raised his hand as he started walking away from them. "After all...I must look my best." His voice whispered out into their ears and then he was gone, into the shadows of the halls.

Cyborg crossed his arms in disgust, "Man, that guy has some issues."

"Can't anyone be that conceited?" Raven rolled her eyes.

Beast Boy was still fuming up with angry. He moved his arms up and down, his eyes dilated, almost ready to transform and storm after him. "Dude! He called me short!"

"Is this the man that Starfire has to marry...?" Robin looked back at the shadows, narrowing his eyes in thought to his words and also by his behavior.

"Afraid so, Robin." Redfire came beside him, following his gaze. "If not, my people will suffer. But personally, I think that we should jump him or kick him to the next galaxy." He said and hit his fist against his palm.

"I'm with that 100" Beast Boy shouted.
"Ditto." Raven said lowly.

"But we can't." Robin protested, although his ego side would want to join them. "Starfire wouldn't want us to do something like this. We are strangers here."
"Robin's right. But what can we do? This guy's a jerk." Redfire said, spitting out gunk from his throat as if the thought of Karras made him have a bad taste in his mouth.

Robin looked down at the ground, his eyes narrowed with so many ideas on how to get that ignorant prince away from Starfire. Although he wanted to, he couldn't. He was much better than that, especially now. He won't be making the same mistakes again as he did in the past when Slade was still roaming around.

But the thought of him touching Starfire, as she had described, it urged him to do something drasic. He tapped his hand against his belt, wishing that his ultity belt was with him, wanting to grip something. But then he shook the thought aside and looked up at the others. He passed by them and started walking to the hall that lead to the ballroom.

"Well guys, c'mon. We better go to that ball. They might suspect something." He said and opened a pair of doors in front of him.

At that same moment, two tall and large doors slowly creaked open, crisps of light flashed into emerald jewels before a storm of light swallowed her from her old dreams and nightmares into a whole new world of enchantment and reality. Rainbows glistened in front of her eyes as the crystals from her tiara jingled against each other, making a sweet sound.

Music blazed in her ears and echoed all around her, vibrating against the walls. The horns continued playing different notes of this melody in her honor. She gripped her mother's hand tightly as a loud cheer surpassed the music. Hands were clapping, their tongues rolling of a battle cry.

Starfire suddenly felt cold and yet warm with embarrassment, although she didn't know exactly why. Her cheeks flushed with this overjoyed attention. Tamaraneans from all over were here in their gowns and for men, their battle armor. Their shields reflected the lights over their heads and it flickered her eyes out of focus.

The ballroom walls were illuminated by the many colors of candlelights and it reflected the colors of the tiled floor, decorated with pictures of the scenery she had often relived in her dreams of her childhood on Tamaran.

Everyone was happy to see her as her mother guided Starfire through the ballroom, making her shake hands of governors and soldiers and their wives. Her hands grew numb after shaking so many strong hands and her back ached from bowing. She looked up, her green eyes scanning for young fellows who should stand out to the crowd.

Lyand'r pulled Starfire to her side, eyeing her that her father stood in front of her, wearing his suit of armor and crown on his round, large head. His green eyes glittered with joy as Starfire approached him. His long hair hung in his shoulders with two tied braids along his sides as he looked at his daughter with a soft and warm smile.

Starfire looked at her mother from the corner of her eye as she stood by Myand'r's side. Myand'r looked over his petite daughter and reached out his hand. Starfire smiled at him warmly and took his hand. Myand'r guided Starfire to stand beside him. He raised his hand high and the cheering died out.

"My fellow servants and companions, I thank you for joining us in this celebration of my young daughter, Koriand'r's betroth with Prince Karras." As if it was his signal, Karras appeared by Myand'r's left side, with his hands behind his back and a warm smile on his face.

Starfire turned her head just as he did and their eyes met. His brown hair fell to his gleaming amber eyes, shining under the magneficient light of the ballroom. He looked masculine in his armor and beautifully tanned body. Some hormones awakened inside of Starfire, her physical attraction to him wanted to grow strong. But she quickly turned away, with a light blush, and continued to listen to her father's speech.

"It is a great honor for two very different civilizations to combine into one alliance. So now, let us enjoy this evening with music and dancing!" His voice roared like a tiger across the room and it urge everyone to raise their hands and clap loudly with joy. Myand'r smiled happily as his guests started to fill the room with dancing and laughter.

He turned to Starfire and grabbed her hand again. Starfire looked into the eyes of her father as he smiled at her, a smile she had longed to be in his face for far too long. "I hope that you will understand, kori'al, how much you mean to me."

Starfire nodded in understanding. "I do."

Myand'r pulled her in front of him. And waiting for her was Karras, standing in his most handsome form and kindness gesture. Starfire tried not to look so disappointed and at the same time, nervous. Myand'r had his hand on Karras and slowly, he united their hands together.

"And that is why I want this marriage to be successful and also to make you happy. Now, dance together." Myand'r said softly and stepped aside.

Starfire looked at Karras as he raised her hand up, smiling at her sweetly, just like on their first meeting. Karras stepped closer to her, his foreign warmth again consumed her inside her mind, mixing with this strange urge to kiss him.

Karras just smiled at her, as if sensing this urge growing inside of her. And he acknowledge it. "Shall we dance, Princess Koriand'r?"

Starfire didn't get to answer as Karras guided her to the dance floor, where the dancers filled the room like swans on a lake on a spring day. He twirled her under his arm before pulling her close against him. She flushed lightly as her feet followed the traditional Tamaranean dance, with all couples cuddled tightly with one another and their feet almost lifting off from the ground.

As they twirl and dance around the room, Starfire looked pass her old neighbors and relatives to see if she could catch a glimspe of her friends. But she still couldn't find them and her heart sank with disappointment. Maybe they didn't want to come because this was too much their hearts could bare.

Karras noticed her depressed look and touched her chin and raised her head up so she could look at him. "Something troubling you?" He asked in a soft whisper, as if their past encounters were nothing of the past. She shook her head, her eyes still searching.

She caught a small glimspe of her mother dancing with her father. Her mother shined like a beautiful jewel, a real queen, with her father as the king. She was looking at him deeply and her lips moved closely in his ear, engrossed by their silent conversation.

"I'm fine." Starfire finally replied, turning back to Karras. "Just thinking."
"You like to think alot, don't you?"
"Not much, really."

Karras chuckled lightly as he turned Starfire all around, but barely let her leave him. He pulled her back toward him, their bodies against each other as the music continued to play and the dancers continued to dance around them.

"Your father is right. This marriage should make us happy. And I know that you'll make me a very happy man and husband."
"If this engagement will go that far."
"Of course it will. Remember Koriand'r, it has been decided. We must do what is right for our people."

Starfire looked again to her mother and father, watching them exchange words and face expressions. Myand'r nodded and spoke something to Lyand'r lowly. And she nodded as well and placed a smile on her face. Soon they both smiled and turned away to dance some more.

Starfire smiled inside, hoping that her mother's promise had finally came true. She turned around to say something to Karras, but then, something heart warming and exciting just came from the back door.

Five figures were standing alone, figures she completely recognized. Not knowing what she was doing, she jerked herself from Karras' arms and started walking toward the back door, despite Karras' cries for her to return to him.

As she carefully pushed her way through the thick crowd, she looked up and saw Robin standing beside Redfire and Raven. He wasn't wearing his uniform, but Tamaranean armor. His bare, muscular chest glistened with his fair body and his coal black hair was spiked up as always and of course, he wore his mask to hide himself from the rest of the world.

She smiled happily and her eyes sparkled with joy. "Robin!"

Robin's head shot up when a familiar voice called out from the air with his name. He turned his head and for half a minute, he could have sworn that an angel was running toward him. But then he realized as the light dimmed, Starfire appeared, shining in white. Her long crimson hair flowed behind her as she ran to him and locked herself into his arms, pushing him back away from the others.

Starfire had closed her eyes as she wrapped her arms tightly around Robin. She smiled as she pressed her head against his warm chest, strands of her hair fell to her eyes and the crystals of her tiara made a small pinched sound. She held him against her, enjoying his wamrth and body against hers. Robin let out a sheepish smile as he breathed in her sweet scent.

Laughter ruined his moment and he pushed Starfire gently away from him. Starfire looked at him happily, with her hands clasped together and her eyes sparkling with her joy. "It's so good to see you!" She shouted. She turned to the others and smiled even wider. "My friends! I was so sure that you weren't going to attend the ball."

"Naw no way, we wouldn't miss it for the world." Cyborg replied.
"Yeah Starfire, we're your friends. We want to support you in everything you do." Raven smiled at her softly, two crystals fell to her dark eyes.
"Yeah Star, remember we're your baggage. You don't go anywhere without us." Beast Boy winked at her, standing beside Redfire who smiled back at her.

New music started to play, faster and faster the drums rumbled and louder the horns roared. Starfire clapped her hands together, her mood happy that her friends had arrived and with the confidence that things are changing.

Starfire cheered out a cry and grabbed both Robin and Redfire's hands, pulling them to the dance floor. Redfire grabbed Cyborg's hand while he grabbed Beast Boy. Lastly, Beast Boy dragged Raven along for the ride and all six of them squeezed through the dancers, their curious eyes looking at them and their odd behavior.

They came into a circle and started dancing, their hands locked together and their feet following with the beat and the moves from the others. The Teen Titans all shouted their own cry, but it came out as one. They raised their hands up as the dancers around them did the same and followed along the foke dance.

A couple of times, Beast Boy had transformed into animals from a dog to a chimp to a kangaroo as everyone moved along within the same beat. Raven swung her hips back and forth, her arms raising up and her eyes closed in a deep trance of music and partying. After a while, she finally smiled.

But when she opened her eyes, she noticed and felt some weight on her head. She looked over her head to notice a little green monket swung his arms all around in front of his fury chest. She narrowed her eyes and grabbed him by his back.

Beast Boy smiled at her nervously as he transformed back into a human boy, but still with his mutated green skin and pointy ears. She was about to do something to him, but then she gave up and jerked him away from her, continuing to dance. Beast Boy arched his eyebrow in shock, but he didn't let it go further.

Starfire smiled as she started spinning around in circles, with her arms over her head. The crystals dangled around her face, her hair blowing all around. Her skirt flipped against her skinny legs as the music moved on faster and faster.

When she turned again, she almost collided into Robin. Both of them looked at each other, bewildered. Their eyes looked for the others, but they noticed that they were standing alone, in front of each other. The loud, banging music no longer played and it was replaced by sweet sounding, slow music.

Robin and Starfire looked at each other still, their faces now as red as Starfire's ruby hair. They chuckled nervously, their eyes wandering off. Robin rubbed the back of his neck and turned his head to find the others looking straight at him. All of them were urging him to go and dance with Starfire, their faces squirmed with frustration for him to hurry.

Robin coughed quietly before he turned back to face the Tamaranean girl he had met almost exactly a year ago. He smiled at her sweetly and kindly and took out his hand to her. She smiled back, looking over the boy she had met and grew to love over the months she became a Teen Titan. She grabbed his hand.

Slowly, they moved closer and closer until their bodies were pressed against each other. Starfire put her hand over his bare arm as he wrapped his other arm around her waist, tickling her small waist. They started spinning around, gazing into each other's eyes and their eyes alone.

Meanwhile, someone was watching them dance. His amber eyes glittered in gold to express his anger. He growled under his breath and sharply turned around and walked away.

Robin twirled Starfire under his arm, their hands holding on tight. She came back to him in a spin, her back pressed against his strong chest. The crystals on her tiara shined with candlelight and it softened the features of her face, making her more angelic and beautiful. If she wasn't any more beautiful, Robin thought to himself.

Starfire rested her head on his chest as he ran his hand through her hair, caressing her and gliding his hand down her back and came back to wrap around her waist. Both of them remembered a similar moment when they shared their first dance; it wasn't as passionate and loving like now, but it was still beautiful and romantic, concerning that they were both shy to tell each other how they felt.

"You're having fun?" Robin said softly in her ear. Starfire nodded slowly, keeping her eyes closed and her head resting on him, wanting to sleep the rest of the night away in his arms.

"I am."
"I'm glad."
"Me too. And I am also glad that you're with me, Robin."
"I'm glad that you're with me, Star also. I've missed you these past days."

"It seemed like an eternity."
"Probably will be." Robin said doubtfully, thinking about other things.

Starfire tapped her finger against his soft lips, understanding his turmoil. She leaned in closer to his face, with a nice smile on her face. "Do not fret, Robin. You won't have to wait, because help is on its way."

Robin looked at her confusingly. "What do you mean?" Starfire giggled as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Don't worry about it. For now, let us enjoy this night."

Robin smiled, still holding Starfire in his arms. He pulled her close against him, wanting more. Their eyes softened as they looked at each other. Robin and Starfire closed their eyes and their lips pressed gently against each other, their soft lips brushed against each other as they kissed the night away, confident and happier than ever.

The hours passed by slowly after the ball and everyone had returned to their homes or returned to their bedrooms for a late sleep. No lights cast off from the skies for the clouds thickened again and blocked out the lunaer glow.

Heavy snores echoed inside the room, deep in slumber accompanied by the darkness and soft rumbling from outside of far away thunderstorms. Bodies moved along the bed, trying to find a much better spot to sleep comfortably on.

But then, carefully, a door creaked opened, trying hard not to disturb the sleepers. A dark shadow peeked through the crack of the door and as a shade, moved away from the door. White balls of eyes looked around until the dark shadow found what he was hunting for.

He lightly pressed his feet against the floor, its creaks following his every move. But as he quickened his pace and lightened his footsteps, he seemed undetected by those who were dreaming away about their futures or happy pasts. The person carefully walked around any sign of distraction. He swung his body around as if he was really a ghost.

Finally, he approached the large bed, his eyes scanning to make sure that they weren't awake or if someone was watching him. If someone was hiding in the corners of the room, spying on him, he could be in big trouble. But the room was dead silent, minusing the loud sounds of snoring and snorting of the sleepers.

A wind howled from the opened balcony and blew into the room. A body curled beneath the covers, trying to keep under the warmth of the covers from the chill the wind brought it. The wind came to the dark shadow and rushed to his eyes, watering his eyes and making them narrow.

But he shook his head away from this and slowly took something out from his pocket, holding on to it tightly with his life. He raised his hand high with something sparkling gripped in his hand. He held onto his breath as he positioned himself for the final strike.

What he held was a red bird-a-rang. Without another moment wasted, the figure speared the bird-a-rang to his target, blood splatting all over his face. But he didn't mind as he made sure that the task was complete. A loud moan escaped through the walls of the room and blood splattered all over the covers, dripping down to the ground. The dark figure left the room, leaving his weapon behind through the chest of his prey.

Starfire woke up the next morning with a start, although she didn't understand why she felt edgy. She sat up on her bed and stretched her arms and her back, cracking her spine and making her eyes heavy. She yawned quietly and lifted herself off of the bed, letting her covers fall back on top of the bed.

The golden sun flashed in front of her eyes, revealing the new day. But it didn't brush off the bad feeling that gurgled inside her stomach. She tried to ignore it and instead enjoyed the breeze that came from her opened balcony. The curtains softly flowed up and down like the waves of the sea.

She got dressed in her clothes, thinking of the evening before to relax her tensions. She thought of Robin and smiled lightly, wishing to see him this morning. The way they danced alone and when they shared yet another kiss filled her heart with the desire to be with him forever. She brushed her long crimson hair and left the room while she still tried to put on her boots.

Her attitude lightened although she didn't understand her turmoil. The sun was blazing at the windows to her side, the birds were singing happily on this early morning, and the gardens were blooming with flowers and magnefied by the brightness of the green grass. It was a sweet day, why would she worry?

As she passed by a room, her body stopped in her own tracks. She slowly turned her head and noticed a door opened. She slowly came down and landed on her two feet with a curious, yet uneasy look in her emerald eyes.

"That door isn't supposed to be opened..." Her voice traced off as she approached the door and opened it all of the way, the wood squeaking slowly as it opened up her entrance to the room.

But when Starfire looked over the room, she noticed red blood puddling on the floor and stained on white sheets. What she saw on the bed made everything turn white and cold inside of her, petrified. She opened her mouth wide and let out the loudest scream anyone can hear as she stared at the lifeless arm that fell over the bed and hung by the side, covered in blood.

Lying dead on the bed were her only two parents.