Hi! Thank-you guys for all the great reviews I loved them! Anyways I believe someone asked if Starfire didn't want to do anything with Richard because she knew in the future she'd be with Akilli. Here's the thing and I hope you all read this! When Starfire was 16 she was sent into a time portal during the battle with Warp when she came out of the time portal she was in the year 3004 AD. She continued to live in that time for 10 years until the year 3014 AD when she returned to 2014 AD. During that time the Titans lived out their 10 years, also, without her. So when it's 3006 in the story it's not her future but her past. I hope that kind of explains it cause I can't give too much away. This Chapter will contain the other Titans along with some more fluff (both couples). Remember the Titans do not know where she has been or what has happened to her. So anyways on with the story! And the poem inhere it written by Kristy Glassen.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans. If I did there would be a Star and Robin fluff ep every week!
Chapter 6: Old Friends, New Point of View
It's Just the Way We Are by: Kristy Glassen
We hold on to things the tightest,
When we are forced to let them go-
We always want things to be a certain way,
When we know they can't be so.
Dreams always last the longest,
When they are furthest from our reach-
And the lessons we can learn the most from,
Are often the very ones we teach.
The grass is always greenest,
When it lies on the other side-
And the truths we preach to others,
Are often those we can't abide.
We hold fast to the things in a storm,
Which are most likely to blow away-
And yet we neglect to wear sunscreen,
On a bright and sunny day.
We spend our time trying to see things,
When perspective is what we lack-
And we never appreciate what we've got,
Until we can't get it back.
We expect the whole world to give us a break,
And yet ironically we'll find-
That when others come asking the same of us,
We tell them they're out of their mind.
We tell everyone what's wrong with this world ,
And we do nothing to make it right-
We complain about families falling apart,
And yet do nothing to keep them tight.
We preach about loving our neighbors,
And we teach children right from wrong-
But we never set good examples for them,
When real chances come along.
We complain about not having enough time in our lives,
To do what we must do-
Yet if we given more hours in the day,
We'd use all that up, too.
We desire to be close to all those we love,
Yet often look from afar-
And when it comes to the truth do we want to change,
Or remain forever as who we are?
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Views of opinion often change as we age. When we are young children we never saw the color of an other child's skin just who they were, and maybe what kind-of cool toys they had. But as we grow into adults we discover that this time of innocence and ignorance becomes a disillusion. We start to see the colors of the world and, true, some grow prejudice of it. Others still hold of to their values and are better because of it. People change. If you think back to when you were 5 or so and you think of your best friend, we most likely find that they are not your best friend anymore. Why is this so? And again it is the same answer: change. We grow-up and our points of view on subjects change. We tend not trust others and are suspicious of their actions. We are quick to judge people by their appearances and not of their true value. The monsters under our bed that we looked for every night become those we know. We lose faith in life and love. We cut ourselves off from the world in a desperate attempt not to get too close so we will not be burned. We degrade ourselves and fool ourselves into believing: this is what I want. We hold on to memories of friends and never move forward with our lives. We hold on those we cannot feel, for it is easier that way than to move on with someone new. Then again we do move on, but we still never forget what we had once. The young are often looked upon as ignorant but truly the young change their values and opinions because of shattering ideals. And as we give up our hopes and everything else that once mattered we become the exact thing we tried to refrain from becoming. And soon there is nothing, just ghosts in the machine.
The sun arose and reflected it's light of the windows of the old Titans Tower. The waves from the beach below crashed amongst the sharp rocks that outlined the small island. Little sea hawks walked along the wet sand leaving their talon marks in their wake. Various creatures started to awaken and came out of their resting place to meet the new morning. The small island began to awaken with life as it did every day. Yes peaceful and silent scenery-
" Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" a loud manly-girlish scream echoed throughout the tall T building and the small island causing the sea hawks to immediately fly away in fear and the small gofers to fled back into their small holes.
Inside the tower Cyborg stumbled into the common room covering his eyes in pain. He looked to the ceiling imploringly and said, " What have I've done? What have I done to deserve to see that! Tell me damn it!" The ceiling was silent as the door to the common room opened.
Beastboy walked out tying his robe around himself smirking giddily at Cyborg. Cyborg looked at him and just shuddered with memory.
" You!" Cyborg screamed pointing a shaking finger at the green man in front of him..
Beastboy smirked, " Oh Cyborg you are so dramatic!"
Cyborg's anger flared. " When you asked if Raven could come and stay here with us so she wouldn't have to be by herself I agreed. But I didn't think you would be keeping her personal company!"
Beastboy's eyebrow raised. " Well then you should've knocked."
" You could least put a sign up or something! But no! I had to walk in when you two were in the middle of sex! And I saw things that I didn't ever want to see! And the sounds I heard were-they echo and I want them out!" Cyborg said with his eye twitching.
" It's still your fault." Beastboy shrugged.
" My fault! Oh no! You two were the ones that forgot to lock the door! I was legally blind for about 2 seconds." Cyborg shouted.
" You were just staring for like two minutes before you screamed dude and we didn't know you were there." Beastboy stated.
" I was frozen with terror Beastboy!" Cyborg yelled.
" Well you owe Raven an apology." Beastboy said slickly.
" Yeah you peeping Tom." A monotone voice said coming into the room.
Cyborg turned to the woman in white robe and said, " I am not a peeping Tom! My eyes burned! Why do I need to apologize?"
Raven's eyebrows furrowed as she poured herself some old herbal tea. " Eyes burned, huh? I didn't know your mechanical eye could burn."
" Figure of speech Rae! And why should I apologize to you?" Cyborg asked testily.
" When you screamed I fell off Beastboy and hit my head on the nightstand." She said pointing to a red bump on her forehead.
" I am not apologizing for that. Believe me that incident hurt me more than you." Cyborg said pointing his nose up in the air.
" Hmmmm. That incident didn't hurt me at all." Beastboy said wrapping his arms around Raven's waist.
Cyborg waved his hands in front of himself frantically, " Just stop! For the love of God stop! I'm sorry, okay!"
Beastboy unwrapped himself from Raven and smiled, " Good."
" What the hell is going on?" a voice said entering the common room. The rest of the Titans turned to face Nightwing wearing black slacks and blue shirt.
" Dude where's your suit?" Beastboy asked.
" It would be kind-of hard to walk around during the day in my Nightwing suit." Nightwing said blankly.
Beastboy blushed in embarrassment and rubbed the back of his head, " Oh yeah."
" Where's Starfire?" Raven asked sipping her tea.
" At the apartment I left while she was still sleeping." Nightwing said walking over to them. He held his normal stalwartly manner but it was only Raven who sensed he was tense.
" So everyone ready to have this little meeting we arranged over the phone?" Cyborg asked. The others nodded and they headed over to a T-shaped table.
After they all sat Raven was the first to speak. " How are things going with Starfire, Nightwing?"
" She doesn't talk about anything that's happened to her. I haven't really gotten to asking her yet." Nightwing stated.
" She hasn't said anything?" Beastboy asked.
" No, she's just kind-of silent." Nightwing said looking down.
" I wonder why she still hasn't said anything." Raven said.
" Maybe cause she don't want to." Cyborg said for the first time speaking.
The rest turned to him. " What do you mean?" Nightwing asked.
" I think something is holding her back from saying anything. Nightwing have you noticed some odd behavior?" Cyborg asked.
" No." Nightwing lied.
" Well just keep trying. Try to ask her soon though, we really need to know." Raven said looking at Nightwing. He nodded.
" Cyborg have you done those fingerprint analysis?" Raven asked.
Cyborg nodded. " Yeah, they came back negative. None of those men who were killed at the museum were registered in the US, or even anywhere else. It's like they don't exist."
" Maybe they don't." Beastboy said and the rest looked at him. " Well 16 year old Starfire was just sent here the other day after going through that portal. Maybe Starfire went somewhere in time too."
" Good thinking Beastboy." Raven said thinking.
" So maybe if 16 year-old Starfire came 10 years into the future from 2004 maybe our Starfire went to 10 years in the past?" Cyborg wondered aloud.
Raven hit the side of his head. " No you idiot if Starfire had gone 10 years into the past she would've been with the Titans, thus we would remember that she was there!"
Cyborg blushed, " Oh."
" Raven before you we're talking about a time line. Explain it to us." Nightwing said.
Raven nodded. " There was once a man who came up with the idea that time is placed on an invisible scale type thing. It consists of the Past, Present, and Future and that they continually have to be even. When 16-year-old Starfire was taken from us back in 2004 it interrupted our line and completely erased her. But when 16 year-old Starfire came back here to 2014 she was back in the present. Thus when we sent her back to the past time had to even itself out so it sent us Starfire, the older one, to even us out. But time cannot just create someone so that means Starfire had to be somewhere along the time line. She couldn't have been in the past because that would make the present not possible and she wasn't in the present so she had to be somewhere in the future. I don't know where or what year but she had to have been."
" Okay then but then why didn't she just come back? I mean Warp was from the future and he had that cool time machine thingy." Beastboy asked.
" That's why we need to know where Starfire was, to figure out what happened to the time line." Raven said answering Beastboy's question.
" But if we sent Starfire back, why isn't this future changed?" Cyborg asked.
" Because the time line has spilt itself into two sub-time lines. When we sent 16 year old Starfire back she would go back with the teenage Titans. But for us we've already done that and without a Starfire. We can't change what has happened. But like I said time evens itself out so after we sent her back we got ours back too." Raven explained.
" So then Starfire is right where she is supposed to be?" Nightwing asked.
" Well yeah I guess she is." Raven said.
" But if she was in the future, is this her past?" Cyborg asked confused.
" No it's her present." Raven answered.
" How is that?" Beastboy asked.
" Well Starfire went to the future she lived 10 years there like we did here. Thus that was her past. But then she somehow returned here and now this is her present.." Raven said.
" So then her future lies here in the past?" Beastboy asked confused.
" Yes, in a way. But speaking in right now terms this is the present, well at least for us. But for Starfire who lived in the future this, year wise, is the past, but it's also her life's future to be here in the past which is our present." Raven said in a wise way.
" What the hell?" Beastboy asked.
" I know it's confusing. But apparently you have never seen the movies Back to the Future or Kate And Napoleon." Raven said raising her eyebrow.
" Apparently not. We're going to rent those damn movies!" Beastboy said.
Cyborg laughed. " Beastboy you can watch those movies 20 times and you still wouldn't understand what it means."
" Hey! What are you trying to say?" Beastboy said standing up.
" No fighting!" Nightwing said in a forceful tone. " I think we've done that enough for a life time." The rest of them fell silent and didn't speak for a few more minutes.
" I have to get back. She should be waking up soon." Nightwing said getting up.
" Wait Nightwing I have some clothes you can bring Starfire. Come with me." Raven said leading him towards the corridor. He nodded and followed.
They walked down the winding halls until they reached a room that read Starfire. Nightwing stopped in front of the door. He hadn't been in here for over 9 years. After she disappeared he used to go in there and lie on the bed taking in the smell that she left behind. But soon the smell had worn and gone. It was then too saddening to go back in, knowing that she no longer slept safely in there. But he never changed it, no he had left it just the way she had it, so that there would always be a place were the past was immortalized.
Raven opened the door and they stepped into the stuffy room. Nightwing looked around at all of her old things. Raven went to the closet and pulled out some clothes. While she did that Nightwing sat quietly sat down on the bed, feeling the purple velvet under his fingertips.
" Brings back memories, huh?" Raven said breaking the silence.
Nightwing nodded. " It does."
" You have been mourning her for 10 years, Nightwing. I think it will be okay if you stop now." Raven said putting a hand on his shoulder.
" What do you mean?" Nightwing asked facing her.
Raven sat down next to him and said, " When we were teenagers we guys liked each other… a lot. But both of you could never say it. I saw the change in you after she went away and that look on your face when she came back. And I also know now that something is wrong because you seem tense and weren't talking at the meeting. What happened?"
" I did something stupid." He mumbled.
Raven's eyes narrowed." What did you do?"
" We kind-of kissed." Nightwing said looking down at his feet.
" How do you kind-of kiss?" Raven asked.
" We started to. I wanted to and I think she wanted to. But after our lips met she just pulled away." Nightwing said sadly.
" No wonder. Like I said you two really liked each other and it's been 10 years so that sexual tension must be at an all time high." Raven said with a smirk.
" I'm weak and shouldn't have gotten that close." Nightwing said sulky.
" You're not weak, it's called being human and human's love. It happens and believe me don't hold back on love. I did and in the long run it hurt me." Raven said looking at him.
Nightwing's eyebrow raised, " So you and Beastboy, huh?"
Raven smiled, " How did you know?"
" Well for one you're smiling. For two Beastboy is out there with a robe on. And thirdly I heard Cyborg's scream from like a mile away." Nightwing said chuckling.
Raven let out a small laugh and held something in her hands. Nightwing took it and looked at it. It was a small pink bag with clothing items in it. " Here take that to Starfire. She had some civilian clothes in her closet and they should still fit her."
" Thanks Raven." Nightwing said getting up.
" Anytime." She said as he left the room heading towards his motorcycle parked outside.
After he left Raven smiled to herself. She had put a surprise in that bag. A surprise for Starfire.
Meanwhile back at Richard/Nightwing's apartment…………….
The sun awoke Starfire. She twisted and turned to avoid its rays but didn't succeed. Finally giving up she sat up and pulled the covers off her. She stood. Richard had allowed her to wear one of t-shirts, which overgrown on her. She clumsily made her way to the shower.
Once there she looked at the knob like it was a foreign object. Like the sink one had an H and the other a C. Starfire turned the dial so it faced the H and water came flowing out of the bottom faucet. Since she wasn't sure how to work the shower she decided that a bath would be best. The tub filled with steaming hot water and the bathroom became foggy. After it was filled as high as she wanted she shed the over grown t-shirt and placed on foot into the water. She winced as it burned her foot but she still lifted the other into the water. She got used to the water within seconds. She then sat down and slid her whole body into the hot tub of water. She sighed as it soothed her aching muscles. She dull fully played with the knobs at the other end with her toes as she thought and only the slow movement of water and the facets going on and off could be heard.
Her mind kept wondering to last night and the tender moment she shared with Richard. It had been a mistake, she wasn't supposed to get that close with anyone, not after what happened. The Titans would eventually ask about her past 10 years. And what would she say? She couldn't tell them anything, she didn't want to. She wanted to forget. Why couldn't she? She had heard them the other night as they talked. "Murderer" they called her. They were right, she couldn't justify in their eyes what she had done to those men , they wouldn't understand. And now she had screwed things up with Richard, the only person who actually still believed she was a good person. But was she? No. The answer was no. Starfire smiled to herself and then it turned to a frown. Richard should know more than anyone not to trust what he did not know. But then why did he trust her?
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:Flashback : Argeian City 3006 (Akilli's home)…………….
Starfire smiled to herself as she looked into the mirror. The white dress looked perfect on her. The dressmaker had worked on it for almost three weeks now. It was a white long dress that clung to her curves but flowed freely at the end of her hips down to her feet.. It was held at the straps by beautiful white pearls. She wore a silk white collar with a web of pearls coming from it. Her hair was down and waved to perfection and on her feet she wore white silk high heels.
It was the day of her wedding and she couldn't be happier. Freya had been there all morning getting her ready. Also when Freya had heard of the wedding announcement she was so excited that she started planning immediately. And luckily for Starfire she was great at it. In only 3 weeks Freya had managed to invite every noble that she could hunt down, make dresses for all the royal bridesmaids, a wedding dress for Starfire, somehow get over 500 chairs for the huge royal hall in which Starfire would be married, get a hole exquisite menu together, and have every last detail perfect right down to the design on the plates she has especially made for the event.
Now Freya winded small white lilies throughout Starfire's hair as a last preparation to get ready. Starfire looked like a princess and felt like one too. Ever since it was announced that she would be Akilli's wife every last person she met and not only bowed at the new member of the royal family but attended to her every need and gave her free things. At first Starfire was clueless on how to behave and act. But then Freya whispered so helpful words of encouragement that were " Accept what they give you and smile. Your royalty now and this is how your treated sweetheart."
But of course Starfire knew what royalty was like. She had once been a princess on a different planet, but customs were different. In over a month Starfire had gone from being a slave living in poverty to rich and living a healthy life. And she was going to be someone's wife.
Wife. Now that was weird and foreign word for Starfire. She had known what it meant to be a wife but it was just now that it the complexity of it all hit her like a ton of bricks. She started to get butterflies in her stomach. No, it wasn't cold feet in fact Starfire couldn't be more sure of anything in her whole life than marrying Akilli. No, she was happy that she would be his wife. Truly the thing that was giving her butterflies was what she was going to leave behind.
Robin. Now that was a familiar word. And as Starfire looked into the mirror she could only think of one name and it was his. Robin-sweet, gentle, kind, and patient Robin. His spiky black jet hair and his mysterious hidden eyes. The first boy she ever fell in love with, she still loved. But one must make these decisions in life even though they seem at a time impossible to make. The fact was Robin wasn't there. Robin was lost to her, lost in time. She knew that he had to exist somewhere but it just wasn't here. In the year 3006 AD all that was left of Robin now was, in fact, nothing. His dust had been blown away by the wind long ago. That made a single tear fall down her cheek. A tear for her lost love. And in a sense a love that was now dead.
So with all this in mind she was going to marry Akilli. She loved him more than words could describe and it was really no question he loved her too. Marrying him wasn't any kind of mistake at all, not even close. She realized that while she'd never forget her first love, it was her love for Akilli that she treasured.
" All done. Wow. Just look at you! You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met, Starfire. My brother is lucky to have such a fine wife." Freya whispered into her ear.
Starfire smiled a sad smile and took Freya's hand in hers." I am the lucky one."
" What saddens you, Starfire. Are you not happy with all the arrangements?" Freya asked.
Starfire shook her head, " No Freya the wedding arrangements are wonderful, thank-you."
" When why are you sad, it is your wedding day is it not?" Freya asked concerned.
" I am the happiest woman in the world but at the same time I am the saddest. Because it is my wedding day means that Akilli must leave out on war tour tomorrow. We will have not been wed a day and already he must go." Starfire said sadly.
Freya smiled sadly too. " Yes, I know how it feels. When Lucan goes away for long periods of time I am so lonely, but now I have you and Mary and we will help each other."
Starfire smiled, " I suppose so. Is Lucan going tomorrow too?"
Freya nodded, " As prince he has too. Both of my brothers and my husband are leaving."
Starfire frowned, " I am sorry Freya."
Freya smiled, " I am too. But I have gotten you as a sister and that makes up for all of it." Starfire smiled too and nodded.
" I have one more thing to give to you." Freya said.
Starfire sighed. " But Freya you have already done so much. You spoil me so much."
" Spoiling, my girl, is the best form of flattery." Freya said winking and taking out a small square box. She handed it to Starfire, who then opened it, and gasped. Inside the box were two beautiful pearl earrings.
" Th—They are beautiful." Starfire said in shock.
" Yes, they were Drusilla's I found them amongst her belongings and I knew that she would want you to have them." Freya said smiling.
" Wow I don't know what to say." Starfire whispered.
" You don't have to say anything as long as you stop staring at them and put them on!" Freya said putting them in Starfire's ears. After they were done Starfire smiled, she was beautiful.
" Now I have to go my dress on and then we shall take our leave." Freya said going behind a covering.
" Freya?" Starfire asked.
" Yes?"
" I do not know much about this war. Please explain it to me?" Starfire asked.
" Well for well over 200 years the kingdom's of Odessian and Argeian have been at war. Each has seen great losses but still we fight still today. The leader of the Odessian army is Prince Actaeon of Odessian. Prince Actaeon's father is King Odess, the opposing king to ours. Prince Actaeon fights his battles dirty, believe that. He once raided a small village while it's people slept and there weren't any Argeian soldiers there! He just wanted to get our kingdom's attention and believe me he got it. But if there is one man Actaeon fears, it is Akilli." Freya explained.
" Why does he fear Akilli?" Starfire asked.
" Akilli is the only even match in battle Actaeon has ever faced. They are both strong and brave warriors. But Akilli has something Actaeon does not. And what Akilli has is mercy. He might put up a strong front Starfire, but Akilli is merciful unlike Actaeon." Freya said coming out from the covering dressed in white robes.
" Why has this war been fought for so long?" Starfire asked.
Freya looked thoughtful and then said, " When I was young my siblings and I didn't care much the war. It didn't mean much since I had never seen it. But when the war killed my parents, I started to see it. The war, truly, has been fought because of greed over land and money. Humans are what they are, Starfire. I wish it could be different."
Freya walked over to Starfire and smiled, " Come the ceremony will be starting soon." Starfire nodded and followed Freya out of the house and headed towards the huge royal hall.
The white marble gleamed in the afternoon sunlight making the hall look like heaven. The guests stood as the bridesmaids and others walked down the aisle. Freya smiled as her three children walked down the aisle holding their little candles. But it was only when Starfire appeared in the giant doorway that the whole room just seemed to stop as they all held a breath in awe.
Starfire's arm was linked in Marcus's as they walked down the long aisle. Starfire held a small bouquet of flowers with a lighted candle in the middle. Some threw flowers out at her as she walked down the aisle.
Akilli couldn't breathe for Starfire's beauty was so great. This was going to be his wife and he felt so honored that it would be so. Marcus and Starfire reached the end of the aisle and they stopped. Marcus leaned in and kissed Starfire's cheek.
" Who gives this woman to this man?" The priest said.
" I do." Marcus said putting Starfire's hand into Akilli's. Starfire smiled as Akilli led her to the altar. He wore long blue robes and some of his blond strands were braided with beads.
" Dearly beloved we are gathered here today for the wedding of General Akilli Saxton and Starfire……." He went on to do the rest of the ceremony then it finally came time for them to say their vows.
" And do you Akilli take Starfire to be lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold from this day for with in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer as long as you both shall live?" The Priest asked.
Akilli looked deeply into Starfire's eyes, " I do."
" And do you Starfire take Akilli to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day for with in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer as long as you both shall live?" The Priest asked.
Starfire looked at Akilli and she knew that this is the path that she wanted to take, with him. " I do."
" With the power invested in me by the kingdom of Argeian by King Odess and as an ordained servant of God. I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride." The Priest said.
Akilli took Starfire in his arms and kissed her passionately. They broke the kiss and everyone stood cheering and throwing petals of flowers. Akilli took her hand and they ran down the aisle. When they got outside Akilli picked her up and spun her around laughing.
" We have to go to the celebration." Starfire stated.
" No, we do not. I have to leave in the morning and I only have less than one day with my wife. I think everyone will understand if we want to do other things." Akilli whispered.
Starfire kissed his neck, " Okay then things are what we will do." They both laughed as Akilli put her on the back of a horse and they rode off back to their home.
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Jump City-Present Time 2014 AD…………………………….
Starfire pulled herself out of the tub and wrapped a towel around herself. She walked out of the bathroom and shivers went up and down her spine for the bedroom was much colder than the steamy bathroom. She tip toed across the wooden floor and walked over to some drawers. Once there she found some sweats and an old t-shirt, which she put on. But curiosity took over and she kept going through the drawer. She didn't find anything in that one so she moved on to the nightstand.
She opened the top drawer in the nightstand and found nothing of interest. But it was only when she opened the second drawer that she came upon something that would most surely interest her. Under a big pile of nothing Starfire reached the bottom and that's where she found a frame. She pulled it out and gasped at what she saw.
It was an old picture worn with age. It was a picture of Starfire and Robin when they were teenagers only just a few months after she had arrived on Earth. They were sitting on the couch in the common room happily eating ice cream cones. And if Starfire could recall correctly it was her first encounter with ice cream. They had the frozen treat all over their faces as they had gotten into an ice cream fight. They smiled blissfully at the camera and the person( who was most likely Cyborg) behind it. Starfire held up a peace sing, a sing and meaning she had just learned that day and Robin had a protective arm wrapped around her shoulders.
Starfire smiled at the memory and a tear flowed down her face. She put the picture safely back into its place and closed the drawer. That's when she heard the front door creak open. She stood up and walked out of the bedroom. At the hall she saw Richard set his wallet on the table beside the door. He jumped back when he noticed she was there.
" I am sorry Richard. I did not mean to scare you." Starfire apologized.
" It's alright I should have learned to expect the unexpected by now." He said mumbling.
She smiled and he held out a brown bag with a yellow M on it. " Hey, well I bought you and me some breakfast from McDonalds since I can't cook. I got you a McGriddle and hash browns….I didn't know what you wanted."
Starfire smiled and did a wave of her hand, " I am sure I will enjoy any food substance we have bought me, Richard."
" Well since I'm not that much of a formal person, do you want to go watch some Saturday morning cartoons and eat?" Richard asked.
" Oh yes. I do think the "TV" is quite an entertaining delight." Starfire said walking towards the couch.
They sat on the couch and Richard turned on the TV. He flipped through some channels until Starfire yelled, "Stop!"
He smiled when he realized what the show was—Sponge Bob Square Pants.
" Oh yes I loved this show. But I do find it odd that a sponge could and work in a house of burgers under the sea. And that he can go to the beach when he is under the sea." Starfire said with an eyebrow up.
Richard smiled. The show had been off the air for years now. He looked over at Starfire to see her taking a bit of her McGriddle. She gasped at the delicious taste.
" This is good." She said with her mouth full.
" Yup it's my favorite breakfast food for sure. So have you ever had these before where, you um, went?" Richard asked trying to get some subtle information.
Starfire's eyebrow raised and she thought of answer—change the subject. " Well um—Oh no!" she said as she purposely dropped her hash brown on the floor. Both went to pick it up at the same. They're hands touched each other as they did.
Starfire turned her head towards his and that's when their eyes met. They stayed locked like that for a few moments, which seemed like hours. But Starfire finally snapped out of it when she realized that her hand had slowly started to rub his. She pulled away and finished cleaning up the hash brown while Richard blushed and pulled away also.
They were silent for a few minutes before Richard said, " I have some paperwork to do, so I am going to be out for a little while. Feel free to eat and watch anything you want. And, um, Raven gave me this to give to you. It has some of your old clothes in it and they should still fit you." He held up the pink bag and then set it by Starfire who nodded her thanks.
He turned to go out the front door and she turned back to the TV. When she wasn't looking he double backed to the hallway just off the living room. When he reached the end there was a bookcase. He pulled one book out and the bookcase spun around to reveal a stairway leading down. This was the way to Nightwing's layer.
He walked down the stairs and the bookcase closed silently behind him. He walked down the stairs to he reached the landing which was located directly under ground from his apartment building.
Batman had actually given Nightwing this idea but it wasn't he who helped Nightwing build it. No, when Nightwing built it he had some help from his now ex-girlfriend, Barbara. They didn't see each other anymore since Nightwing didn't want to marry her and she wanted to marry him. He sighed at that memory.
He then walked over to the command center where there was a bunch of computers, wires, button, and a huge big screen. He had to do some paperwork on some of the latest villains. But that wasn't really why he was down here. He was really down here just to get away from Starfire and those moments where he was afraid he would lose control.
As he sat there doing endless amounts of paperwork, he knew. He knew that Starfire had purposely dropped that hash brown so she wouldn't have to answer his question. He sighed. Maybe Cyborg was right, maybe he should be more careful around her.
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Back At Titans Tower Later That Afternoon……………………………………..
" I win!" cheered Cyborg.
" You dirty cheat!" Beastboy said pointing.
" Beastboy I am not a cheat!" Cyborg yelled.
" You really? Then where did you get the rocket booster from, huh?" Beastboy asked angrily.
Cyborg looked shocked and held a hand to his chest, " Why Beastboy whatever are you talking about?"
" I'm talking about when your race car all of a sudden used a ROCKET BOOSTER to pass my race car and then use some kind-of weapon to blow it up!" Beastboy yelled.
" Hey man just because you don't know the codes, doesn't mean that I can't." Cyborg said.
" I knew it! You had cheat codes!" Beastboy yelled.
" Will you two morons stop fighting! I'm trying to read my book." Raven said from the corner.
" Not until he apologizes and gives me a re-match." Beastboy said sticking his nose up in the air.
" Not until he gets a life." Cyborg said pointing to Beastboy.
Beastboy turned, " I so have a life, tin man."
" Beastboy I am tired of your God damn Wizard of Oz jokes!" Cyborg said.
" Hey did you see that? I think Cyborg is rusting up. Hurry Raven get the oil!" Beastboy said cracking another joke.
Cyborg then sung a little tune, " If you only had a brain."
Beastboy put a hand up to his ear," Did you hear that? Oh, I'm sorry Cy I guess you have to be real to get into Imperial City."
Cyborg's eyes narrowed, " Take off the costume Beastboy, Halloween is over."
" You should be the one to know." Beastboy said as a retort.
" Stop it you two!" Raven yelled. Both men stopped and gulped. " Now this is the kind-of fighting that lead to the Titans break-up! Here are the facts: Cyborg you cheated and Beastboy you suck at video games! Now both of you apologize to each other right now!"
Both men sighed and said at the same time, " I'm sorry."
" What happened you two? You guys used to be best friends." Raven asked.
Beastboy slumped down the couch, " I guess after Star left there really wasn't anyone to stop our rivalry from going over board."
Cyborg sat down next to Beastboy, " Yeah, I mean sure Raven and Robin would tell us to stop. But it was only Starfire who could work out a compromise."
Raven sat down next to Beastboy and said, " Starfire was my only best friend although I didn't like to admit it. And I guess I just cut myself off from emotion after she left."
" No offense Rae, but I just thought you didn't want to talk to anyone cause you didn't care." Cyborg said slowly.
" I don't blame you for thinking that, cause I sure as hell acted like I didn't, but I did. I couldn't control my powers. I guess in a way Starfire was a outlet for some of the things that bothered me and then all of a sudden my outlet was gone." Raven said sadly and Beastboy wrapped an arm around her.
" And I guess I locked myself up in the garage because somewhere in the back of my mind I thought if I did this or that she would come back. So I kept building things, but she never did." Cyborg said sadly staring out the window.
" And I guess I felt kind-of cut off from the rest of you. I didn't make jokes anymore because Starfire would always be the one laughing at them, even though they didn't make any sense at all. And she was the only one who understood that I didn't like meat and she even ate tofu with me." Beastboy said sadly.
Raven stared out the window and said, " I noticed a change in Robin after she disappeared. I knew he had liked her, but it was only then that I realized he loved her. And when he buried himself in work and locked himself up, I never really bothered to stop him like Starfire would. I think Starfire was the one thing that made Robin really human. She understood him better than any of us, let alone knew him better than any of us. I would hear him cry at night and in his sleep call out her name but I couldn't do a damn thing about it nor could I do anything for me, for any of us."
" I thought he was just cold hearted. But I guess he was just broken hearted." Beastboy whispered.
" I thought he was turning his back on us, but I guess it was us turning our backs on him." Cyborg whispered.
" And now she's back." Beastboy said.
" There is something I need to tell you guys." Raven whispered.
Both men turned to her and Cyborg said, " What?"
" You know how I can sense feelings and emotions from a person right?" Raven asked.
" Yeah." They both said.
" I was sacred to let Starfire stay with Nightwing because back museum I sensed something. It wasn't Starfire-like, it was darker but it was coming from her." Raven said quietly.
" What was the feeling?" Beastboy asked.
" It was anger, just pure anger. And revenge and a deep very deep sadness." Raven whispered.
" Do you know what happened to make her like that?" Cyborg asked.
Raven shook her head no, " I can't say, but I think there is something she doesn't want us to know. I think something really, really, really bad happened to her. And it wasn't from long ago, no it happened recently. Maybe a short as one year ago. I don't know what happened but I think it changed her."
" So were trying to find out what happened?" Cyborg asked and Raven nodded.
" And are you planning on telling Nightwing?' Beastboy asked.
" Yes but I didn't want to say anything before I was sure. I think Nightwing might be getting too close though." Raven whispered.
" What do you mean?" Beastboy asked.
Raven looked up at them with sad eyes, " I think what Cyborg said was right. She is dangerous."
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:Flashback: Argeian City 3006 AD……………………………
Starfire walked silently by her husband as they made their way to the palace. They tightly held hands as they walked. Starfire's heart beat faster and faster as they came closer into view of the palace. Akilli sensed her tension and stopped.
Starfire turned to meet his face. He gently used his hands to grip her face and said, " Do not fear Starfire."
Starfire's eyes started to tear up and she said, " How can I not fear? My husband is going off to war. What if you, if you-"
" I will not die Starfire. I promise that I will return no matter what. I just got married why would I let myself die now?" Akilli said in a self-assuring voice. " Now come we must get to the palace.
Starfire nodded and put her head of his shoulder as they walked. Last night had been too short. The last three weeks had been too short. And these next 3 months would be too long. Starfire believed Akilli would return, and he would. But as they lied in bed that past night they held each other closely not wanting to let go.
As he held her during the night, Akilli did not sleep nor did Starfire. He felt her hot tears on his chest as they softly came from her eyes and that made him hold her even closer. And when he made love to her he made sure to do it thoroughly, to let her know that he was there. And this morning as he got ready to leave she watched him do so, with sad eyes.
Now as they walked he held back tears that were forming. He would not let her see him cry. She needed for him to be strong for her, but the truth was as they walked closer and closer to the palace, were he would mount his horse and leave, his knees got weaker and weaker. But still he walked on with Starfire by his side, standing tall, assuring her that everything would be fine.
They reached the palace and walked up the long steps to the top where the king sat. they stood off to the side looking down at the city that the palace overviewed and saw thousands of citizens cheering on their soldiers. Next to the king sat Prince Lucan(Freya's husband) holding his small daughter in his arms. His daughter held on to her father while she cried and he patted her back.
Next to Lucan sat Freya with her two little sons in her arms. She cried as she held them close like teddy bears. And the boys grabbed on to their mother tightly. Starfire knew that their family was about to be spilt up too.
She then looked over to Marcus who was standing beside them. Mary had her arms around him and was crying into his shoulder. Marcus stood tall and brave like Akilli. He held her close and patted her back and kissed her forehead while whispering words in her ear. This was the situation all around the palace as husbands and wives said goodbye to each other and as families were broken apart.
The king finally stood up and walked over to the big balcony that faced the whole city. All went silent as he spoke, " Citizens of Argeian today we must all cheer and support our soldiers as they set out to once again defeat Odessian! The great Akilli leads his troops to battle! For so long we have fought this war, for so long our men have died protecting this kingdom, and for so long Odessian has been wishing Argeian's fall and for over 200 we have not fallen! We are still here! Let Odessian come let them say they fought us and let them say they were defeated! Let us honor our brave soldiers, today. Let our shouts be heard from here all the way to Odessian. Let them know we will never give up!"
The crowd cheered loudly , clapped their hand, and waved their flags proudly. The king stood down and nodded towards Prince Lucan who nodded and stood. Lucan handed his crying daughter over to Freya. Freya wept as Lucan gave her a hug and a kiss goodbye.
" I promise it will not be long." Lucan whispered into Freya's ear.
" Then keep you promise." She said while crying. He nodded and bended down to hug all his children and kiss them goodbye. At this all husbands said their last goodbyes and mounted their horses.
Akilli embraced Starfire tightly . He smelled her hair and memorized her face. He wiped the tears from her eyes.
" Do not go!" she pleaded while hugging him.
He hugged her tightly and whispered, " I must but I promise I will come back to you, Starfire. I will come back."
" I love you." Starfire whispered in-between sobs.
He cupped her face in his hands and said, " I love you." He then passionately kissed her and broke free of her embrace. He held he hand as he mounted his horse. He looked at her and whispered, " I love you." And then rode to the front of the palace steps.
Once their he raised his sword to over 1,000 men on horse and foot and said, " Let us ride!" Then he and Lucan leading the front on their horses started riding off towards the front gate followed by all the fellow soldiers.
Starfire, Mary, Freya stood at the palace steps watching them go. But then on impulse Starfire broke free of their hands and ran back up the steps to the giant balcony where the king once stood. By the time she got their Akilli, Lucan, Marcus, and their whole legion had reached the huge front gate.
Before he went out Akilli turned his horse to face the palace and he saw Starfire in the distance on the balcony looking out at him. They stared deeply into each other's eyes. Then he turned and rode out the front gate along with the many other soldiers and it closed behind them.
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Jump City—Present time 2014 AD…………………………………………….
Nightwing came out of the bookcase around 12:00am. He had his suit on and walked silently down the hallway. He stopped at the bedroom door and opened it. There in the bed was Starfire peacefully sleeping. He closed the door softly behind him and continued walking towards the front door. He walked out the front door making sure no one was in the hallway and started out on his nightly patrols of Jump City.
But little did Nightwing know, Starfire was awake. She had been pretending to sleep when he had entered the room. But now she stood from the bed. She had mostly been alone the whole day and hadn't known where Richard/ Nightwing had gone. She finally dressed for bed but wasn't able to sleep and that's when she heard him come in.
Starfire walked over to a little corner in the room and picked up the pink bag. She hadn't looked in it yet and was curious of what was in it. She opened the bag and some old clothes that she used to own, most she had forgotten she even had. Mostly there were the basics such as jeans, shirts, dress, bras, and underwear. But when she reached the bottom she gasped. There at the bottom of the bag was her old uniform, but it was now different Raven had changed it to fix the older Starfire.
There was still a purple skirt but it was a little shorter, there was the halter top with sliver lining, but in had no sliver chest protector instead it head a green amulet to match her eyes. There was still sliver armbands and gloves . Her boots were still purple but now had a heel. A note came along with it and it read:
Starfire,
A lot has changed since you have been brought back to us. But no matter what you are and will always be a member of the Titans and a member of our family. Go ahead and put this on, use it as you wish.
From Raven
Starfire smiled at the note and put it safely back in the bag. She took a look at her uniform and decided that she should put it on.
Meanwhile a little while later Nightwing jumped from rooftop to rooftop in the Westside of Jump City looking for anyone trying to cause trouble. He stopped on one roof and looked out at the big Titans Tower. If someone would've told him 10 years ago this is where he'd end up he wouldn't have believed them because at the time he was young and thought that the Titans would be together for aw while. He walked across the rooftop but then stopped.
Without turning around he said, " I thought you were asleep."
" And I thought you were working on paperwork. I guess we both just told little white lies. How did you know it was me?" Starfire asked from behind him.
Still facing the other way he said, " You've following me for about an hour now." He turned around and his eyes behind his mask widened. He didn't know she was wearing…that
She held some pipes above her and walked towards him in a sultry demeanor. She stopped a few feet from him and noticed he was staring.
" What?" she asked rising an eyebrow.
" Um, well um, where-where did you get that suit?" he asked stuttering.
" Raven enhanced my suit a bit." She said walking towards him and he frowned at bit. " What, are you not happy to see me?"
" No, of course I'm happy to sex you. I mean see you. I am happy to see you. See you is what I meant." He said correcting himself.
" All right." Starfire said slowly.
" You act different during the night. I've noticed that." Nightwing said.
" What differences have you noticed?" she asked still walking towards and he backed up a little.
" Well you just seem more serious and more, um, more, um." Nightwing said trying to think of a word.
" Dangerous." Starfire finished.
" No, well kind-of." Nightwing said.
" It's all right that you say that. I understand." Starfire said still walking towards him. Nightwing almost tripped over the edge but caught himself before doing so.
" Careful .Don't fall." Starfire said.
" Don't worry I never do." Nightwing said.
" I noticed the other day that you have no powers. I mean you carry weapons with you." He said pointing to a belt that she wore with her suit
" And your point?" Starfire asked.
" Why don't you have them anymore?" Nightwing asked.
" I don't feel like talking about it." Starfire said almost coldly.
" I've also noticed that you don't like talking about any thing concerning this particular subject." Nightwing said with an eyebrow raised.
" You seem to be noticing a lot of things lately. Tell oh-wise-one what do you know about me?" Starfire asked coldly.
" What do you mean?" Nightwing asked.
" Oh come off it. I know the other Titans want you to get some information on me. I heard you talking the other night. I believed they called me "Murderer". That's the only real reason why you wanted to stay with you." Starfire said with her eyes narrowed.
" That is not how it is." Nightwing said.
" Oh, but is how it is. I'm not a fool or naïve like I used to be. Tell me, what did you plan to do with any information you did get on me?" Starfire asked.
" I don't know." Nightwing admitted.
" And if I was a killer? What would you do then?" Starfire asked in a voice that made Nightwing taken aback.
" Listen, I don't think you're a killer. Those men at the museum were chasing you and tried to kill you. You were just protecting yourself." Nightwing said.
Starfire smiled and walked towards him. Then she whispered into his ear, " What about if I told you that even if those men hadn't been trying to kill me I still would've killed them? That would mean I was in fact, a killer. And that would mean you've been housing a murderer. Now that isn't very smart, now is it?"
He pulled back from her and looked at her with shocked eyes. " You- you've killed other people?" he asked shocked.
Starfire did a malicious grin and said, " Maybe I have, maybe I haven't. But either way it's none of your business. You and the others don't know shit about me, so don't try to justify my actions."
Nightwing's eyes narrowed, " Maybe we would know more about you if you'd actually talk you us! You have barley talked to any of us! And you don't know me either. I'm starting to get your drift now, Starfire. You can act innocent, but I think something has changed you! And maybe if you just tell me what happened I can help you. But I can't help you if you don't talk to me!"
" I don't want to talk to you! Nether the Titans nor yourself can help me! That ship sailed a long time ago. You want to play the hero but it's not going to work for you boy blunder!" Starfire yelled.
" Fine then don't talk to me! But I am not trying to play the hero here." Nightwing said angrily.
" I came here tonight to ask you to back off! Just leave this subject alone! You don't understand anything!" Starfire said about two inches away from his face in a desperate voice and her eyes filled with tears.
" Why didn't you kiss me last night!" Nightwing accidentally yelled.
Tears now feely ran down Starfire's face, " I wanted to kiss you, but I couldn't. I'm sorry."
Nightwing put a gloved hand on her face, " No I'm sorry. I shouldn't be pushing you to talk about it. I deserved to be yelled at." Before he knew it him and Starfire we only inches apart. They both leaned in and their lips met . This time they didn't pull away. He kissed her with force and passion. She ran her fingers through his hair he opened his mouth and felt her tongue slid through. She sighed as she felt his hands wonder up her skirt and that's when a light started blinking on Nightwing's utility belt.
Nightwing pulled away from her and looked at the flashing light. He looked back at her and said, " Trouble."
He started to walk away from her and to the edge of the roof when he turned and said, " Are you coming?"
She smiled, " You know I am." She walked over to him and they both jumped onto a different roof and headed for the direction of trouble.
After they had gone a figure stepped out from the shadows and laughed an evil laugh.
" So the girl has returned, Nightwing. Perfect. I will have my revenge upon you." The figure then stepped back into the shadows.
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Hi! There are some things I should explain to you. First Starfire was acting like that because she doesn't want him or anyone else to know why she won't talk about anything. Secondly some of you have been wondering if Akilli dies when he goes off to fight that battle, and I guess I'll answer that. The answer is no he doesn't, he does come back in the next chapter. And this last part with the figure was the villain. And the villain will be talked about in later chapters.
Something did happen to Starfire though and that should reveal itself after this next chapter. And in the next chapter, expect lots of tension coming from all sides. The Titans re getting closer and closer to finding out what happened to Starfire. But will they like what they find out?
Okay I do believe Cartoon Net Work will be showing a new ep this coming Saturday! And it's a Starfire one! I can't wait for that!
Anyways I have homework so I gots to go.
Bye-bye,
Hailey