Gladdecease: Yes I did upload the wrong chapter as a matter of fact. I felt pretty stupid when I first realized it but it's all fixed now.
Jeanniestorm: I know your confused and that's because you read the wrong chapter and that's really my fault cause I loaded the wrong freakin' chapter. DOH! >- ,Oh well try it now.
ultimateromantic: All I can say is I'm glad you like, and on that note I will indeed continue to update.
Jadedea: Thanks, gald you like it.
Lady of darkness055: Ah, you changed your name. Well I haven't forgotten your impatience, but I look at it as motivation; get it done so you can read it.
Country Girl: I'm gonna update right now! Glad you like it.
CalliopeMused: Sources eh? Well I've got my own sources and they're damn good ones too, you can be sure of that. lol. As for the flamethrower, well I'm glad theres variety in the world. And about reaching into my mind, hey, whatever gets the story out I suppose.
Mr. X: Hmm that's a good a question, we'll jsut have to read and find out.
anwen: Well it would be pretty hard to write after that wouldn't it? I did check out your one-shot and thought it was pretty good. You were right it was slightly depressing but as depressing stories go that was pretty good.
TitansFan: Update, review, whatever when you can. Its all fine by me. So your liking them Harry Potter books? I'm in the middle of writing a TT/HP crossover right now. I had actually thought it up last year but only just recently got around to it. Glad you like it so far.
Thanks for all of your reveiws,I really like getting them. Now the chapter shall begin!
Chapter Nine
Conspiracy Theory
"Who-who is there?" Robin's eyes snapped wide open; there was just one person in the whole wide universe to have a voice as angelic as the one he just heard. He stepped closer not daring to believe whom he thought stood before him.
"St-Starfire?" She stepped closer and indeed Starfire stood before him. Robin had become paralyzed by a mixture of many feelings; shock, joy, sorrow, confusion. Starfire took in the sight of her ill treated love and put her hands to her mouth. "Starfire…" He felt his strength give way and he fell backward onto his cot. Immediately Starfire was at his side and propping him up against her while cradling the back of his head.
"Oh Robin, thank X'hal I find you alive." He looked up at her with bloodshot eyes and one eyelid drooping slightly. Starfire couldn't look at him without being on the verge of tears, the sight was simply too sad. Here was Robin, as she has always known him; strong, confident, and intrepid. Now he seemed so broken, like a warrior who had been made to endure the suffering many soldiers. He saw her look and smiled lightly.
"It's…okay, once you get past the bags, bruises, and wrinkles I don't look too bad." Starfire tried to laugh or even smile a little but couldn't force the hurt off her face. She looked closer and saw signs of a familiar weapon.
"The Psion hand device, Blackfire has done this to you?" Robin nodded.
"For two weeks, three times a day, two hours each time." Starfire couldn't help it anymore; she fell forward into Robin's shoulder and cried her eyes out. Robin reached up and patted her on top of her head then rubbed her back.
"There there Star, I'm still alive. Thank God so are you. I swear you've never looked more beautiful than now." She pulled away and gazed at him with streams of tears running down her face. Even with her face all red and puffy she was very beautiful. He brushed the watery streams away with three of his fingers. "I can tell what your thinking Star. You shouldn't blame yourself for what happened to me." She let out a long sigh.
"B-but perhaps if I had persisted that you remain behind"-
"Then it would have been Cyborg to get caught or shot down or whatever," said Robin. "Not even Raven could have seen this coming." Starfire let her head rest on against Robin's chest.
"For what reason has Blackfire done this to you?" Robin gulped.
"Well, believe it or not she wants me to run off with her." Starfire's head immediately shot up and she stared fearfully at him.
"W-What has your answer been?" Robin smiled and took a snug hold of her shoulders.
"Calm down Star, I been telling her to take a hike ever since I was brought here." She cocked her head in confusion.
"Why have you suggested that she climb a large slope? Would 'absolutely not!' Have been more efficient?" Robin chuckled a little.
"You're probably right, but that's essentially what I did tell her. You don't need to worry Star; I love you more than my own life. Not Blackfire, Ra's Al Ghul, or any maniac is gonna change it otherwise." Starfire felt the need to lay her lips on his but he stopped her once she got but an inch away. Surprised she blinked her eyes open and found he was examining her with a worried look. "Star how long have you been here?"
"Six days," she answered uncertainly.
"What are all these bruises, and scars, and…and…this bump on your head?" Starfire reached up and placed a hand over her injury.
"Blackfire's little girl, Taka I believe is her name, has been making frequent visits to my cell. Giving me serums to nullify my powers." Robin's mouth hung open. "I have also awoken everyday out of the six to the presence of the Red X." It was this that really got Robin's attention.
"Red X? What the hel-I mean what's he doing here?" Robin never liked swearing in front of Starfire, he thought it gave her the wrong impression of him. The reality then hit him. "You've been tortured as well for however long you've been here." Starfire looked down at the floor and nodded. Robin then wrapped his arms around her as if shielding her from any all who dared to approach. "No more, no one's going to hurt you anymore."
"I beg to differ," came Blackfire entering the cell. Robin Let go of Starfire and moved her behind him protectively. Starfire looked out from behind Robin. "Come sister, you have an appointment that cannot be missed."
"The only place either of us are going is out of here," retorted Robin. Blackfire held up a charged fist.
"Don't speak again Robin. You have refused to accept all of my offers I would just have you not say a word until you are ready to see things my way." Robin stepped off his bed.
"Fine, we'll talk for a minuet. But Starfire gets to go free no questions asked." Blackfire rolled her eyes and let out an impatient sigh. She grabbed Robin by the shoulder and threw him aside.
"Robin!" Yelled out Starfire. Blackfire took hold of her sister by the neck and forced her to her knees. Just as Starfire looked back up Blackfire's palm began issuing its anguishing pain. Robin caught sight of her and shot to his feet.
"NO! STAR! PLEASE DON'T DO THIS!"
"It would appear we have reached an impasse," said Blackfire. She continued to bore the energy into Starfire's forehead, the poor alien girl began letting out stifled gasps for breath. "You will leave with me. Forget there ever existed the name Starfire. And not ever think of her face again." Robin shook his head.
"I told you never." Blackfire increased the power on the device. Starfire then let out a loud yelp unable to look away from the painful light.
"I will count to five Robin, by then I will utilize this device's full potential and literally melt her brain to nothing. ONE!"
"No," said Robin shaking his head though he couldn't stand to see Starfire like this.
"TWO!"
"There's no need for this please stop," sobbed Robin.
"THREE!" Starfire glanced over at Robin and shook her head all she could at him. Her arms now lay limp at her sides as she was now close to slipping into a coma.
"I'll do it," whispered Robin.
"FOUR…"
"I'll Do It," he said more clearly. Blackfire looked up from Starfire at Robin with a single stream running down his face. "Will you please just leave her alone?" Blackfire took her hand away and Starfire fell to the floor. Robin instantly rushed over to her and propped her up. Eyes straining to stay open, Starfire gazed up at Robin.
"Robin…why…"
"I'm sorry Star, it was either you are me. I will never ever let it be you." Starfire wanted to say more but lost consciousness and lay limp in his arms. Robin looked up at Blackfire with a tearful glare. "If she's dead…"
"You'll what?" Blackfire stared back at him. "She is still alive, not that it really matters. I'll be back in five minuets with your escort," she grinned madly. "You have until then to say goodbye." With a swish of her hair she turned and left. Robin swallowed and looked back down at Starfire. She was still out of it from Blackfire's persuasion. He brushed a lock of her hair aside, leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips. He broke away and laid her down on the bed.
"This won't last forever Star, I promise you that. I will find a way back and when I do we will be married." He paused for a moment. "I'm real sorry about all this. I wish we were back at home right now, or in the church. But believe me Star I will see you again."
"I believe you Robin." Robin's eyes snapped open and saw Starfire struggling to keep her own open. He leaned over her and she smiled up at him. "Do not fear either Robin, I believe you." Robin returned her smile and tried to make the next five minuets last as long as he possibly could.
JOINING THE REST OF OUR HEROES…………………
Raven, Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Himora flew swiftly over the vast ocean toward the small island. As they drew nearer Beast Boy rechecked their mapping system to make sure they were heading in the right direction. "Okay, if the coordinates Star gave us are good then we should be seeing it over the next mile or so." Cyborg accelerated a little and within moments a small bit of land was seen off in the distance and getting closer. They landed the modified glider on the shore and carefully made their way to the complex. They crouched behind a series of trees and Cyborg did a general scan of the area. Dozens of small red dots appeared on his arm scanner.
"Man you weren't kidding Rae, they've got more security then most nuclear missile silos."
"Do you see any blind spots," asked Himora.
"Only one and its risky."
"We'll have to take it," said Raven. They waited for the two cameras to move and look in different directions before they bolted forward slipped through the one only weak point in the perimeter.
Deep inside the complex Ra's Al Ghul sat eating dinner with the three recruits sitting across from him. Red X played with his fork most of the time, Shriek moved his food around a bit, while Konichi ate her's obediently. X finally set his fork down and sighed.
"Is there a problem X," asked Ghul.
"Just confused."
"About?"
"I understand Blackfire's motive, she's obsessing over Robin. I get her," he said pointing to Konichi. "But what's your part in all this? What do you have to do with Blackfire?" Ghul raised his eyebrows thinking that was a fair question, swallowed his food and whipped his mouth.
"As I told our friend, the boy wonder, Blackfire and I have reached an understanding; between us and our two planets. We now understand that both planets would do much better should they be ruled by the two of us. A great alliance between Earth and Tamaran would form creating the most powerful allied force in the galaxy." He paused to light a cigarette. "However strong as we are Blackfire and I cannot possibly hope to overcome the full might of both our worlds. Then what are we to do, you may ask?" He took a small puff and continued. As he spoke we see the Titans slipping past other forms of security and guard personnel. "There is but one solution and it begins with a virus. I'm sure you know the story of the harvesters, but I speak not of any biological cotangent; this is the virus of deceit, of mistrust. Quite often a pathogen such as this requires a strong host in order to spread, but this virus is unique……this virus is airborne." He took another couple of puffs from his cigarette. "So how do Blackfire and I rise up as world leaders? The answer comes quite simply. You don't fight Earth and Tamaran, you get Earth and Tamaran to fight each other…..and destroy each other."
Sorry this chapter was so short, but I'm being forced to rush it along. I've got prom tonight so I was lucky to get this much out. Anyway I hope you liked and I will get the next part up soon. See ya!