Chapter Six: A Deadly Truce

Robin collapsed on his knees with a divine mixture of hatred for himself and to The Ring Manster, and the worst type of fear he could ever imagine; fearing for Starfire's safety. He knew his skin was milk white and his breath was ice cold, he had even more fear than the mentioning of the word ''circus''. Even the image locked in his head from the very last time he was performing in one long ago made his spine shiver at the thought.

''Robin! Come on! We haven't much time! Hold him down!'' Raven barked harshly

Robin's fearing and speculations were shattered from the sound of another's voice other than Starfire's, or his own. It took three seconds for the order to completely process through his brain, and then he jolted up to turn around to see his friend flinching and tingling from the venom accelerating through his nervous system. The heat that was building up in his mind that would cause it to explode any minute was also building in Robin's heart; the hate and fury he had against The Ring Master, attacking and destroying so many precious things all so fast. It was burning in his bruised heart like the venom was burning inside the Changeling. Every heat flash causing Beast Boy to sweat, jolt and thrust as Robin knelt down to keep him still with Cyborg gently pressing down as well close by.

''Good, hold him right there'' Raven ordered

The Azarathian's eyes highlighted white as her hand began to flourish blue healing energy, she crouched on her haunches and gently laid her hand upon the green adolescent's punctured shoulder. She closed her eyes, slightly moving her lips chanting in her mind to complete such a violent task, slowly, her eyelids began to tighten as the hand on her friend's shoulder was beginning to increase in grasp with the Changeling's entire body glowing a blinding white. Raven was enhancing her energy and emotions deep within Beast Boy's blood stream, injecting rage and gentleness to reduce the venom's merciless wrath; trying to maintain a balance between both emotions for if one or the other were to be too much the healing could backfire and become fatal.

But Raven concentrated well, and then, she felt it. She felt her energy flowing within his body and attacking the toxic within the venom, and with a final glow of white energy, Raven let go of her grip and pulled her long robes over her as she rose to her feet.

''Okay, I have reduced the venom's power, but he's still going to be temporarily paralyzed for a few hours, he should be better and up by tomorrow'' she claimed

''Now we can go after that circus drop out and get Starfire back'' Robin declared as he began to march with his fists balled

Raven extended her arm in front of him ''No, we are in no condition to fight, not now''

''But--''

''C'mon man, Terra's as cold as a rock, and BB's paralyzed, the way that dude fights he'll be finished with us pretty soon'' Cyborg insisted ''Star will be fine, she can handle it, we'll come after her when as soon as Terra and BB wake up, that's for sure''

Robin was beginning to feel his heart sink

''But Starfi--''

''No, that's it, end of discussion, we have to come back when we're all up, that's final'' Raven concluded firmly with a hint of harshness

Robin broke his lips apart to speak, but thought better of it and tethered his words at the sight of Cyborg making a solemn shaking of his head. Robin nodded uneasily and turned around to leave as Cyborg carried the unconscious Terra in his mechanical arms while Raven held Beast Boy in hers

The boy wonder saw the T-Car tailed with screech marks on the end of street, but looked passed it whilst Raven and Cyborg gently placed their teammates in the back. When Cyborg saw Robin walk past the vehicle, he hooked an eyebrow with curiosity.

''Aren't you gonna ride?'' the android questioned

''I'm in no mood to sit, lay down or go to sleep'' Robin replied coldly ''I need a walk''

Cyborg nodded in understanding, he knew Robin was very agitated when it came to Starfire as he ducked his head in the T-Car and roomed away.

Robin turned his head away from the car as he decided to take the long path home, while he was walking, hands in his pockets and head bowed low, he saw a single strand of a familiar brunette-black. Robin crouched to view it closer and realized it was The Ring Master's hair, Robin glared at the sight of anything that had to do with him and had an urge to spit on it and stomp it to the dusty street. He thought better of it, however, and tenderly picked it up, examined it's condition, and slipped it into his pocket.

The boy wonder dragged his feet as he finally saw the T-shaped tower he called home. Knowing that Starfire was not within its corridors or delighting it with her voice or happiness, however, the tower just seemed gray like everything else. And had lost the warm welcoming feeling it once had.

He entered and did not bother to look at any of the titans as he just heaved himself to the roof and perched on the edge with little faith in his heart to see the beautiful Tamaranean flying back to him. He rested his head on his kneecaps and looked dimly to his gray city.

''I miss you''

Meanwhile...

Her green jades were racing at every scene of her environment she could capture, she did not like this place, it was dark, cold and had an evil force linger in it's presence.

''Like it my dear?'' a false sweet voice asked

''No, I despise it, everything about it, and I ESPECIALLY despise YOU!'' The Tamaraneam hawked with her eyes highlighted green

''Oh I doubt you'll think that for long'' The Ring Master purred cunningly nearing the beautiful alien

''Stand BACK!'' Starfire warned with her hand readied with starbolts ''I do not wish to fight, but I will not hesitate to if I am left with no other option!''

The Ring Master chuckled creepily as he held his hand to her.

''And I do not wish to fight you either, my dove, that's why I wish to propose...a truce'' he offered with a wicked smile

Starfire's eyes widened.

''Y-You do? Then you will release me?'' She asked still readied for defense

''Perhaps, IF you take my hand and accept my truce, and then I will let you be free...'' he negotiated

He held out his hand waiting for her return, she hesitated, then slowly reached for his hand.

But at the last minute when she felt her instincts telling her not to accept the hand and was about to pull away...

The Ring Master grabbed her hand and squeezed it tight as her body began to glow blue

''...''free'' to be MINE! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!''