"So how is school?" says Starfire, fixing up Robin's hair.

"It is okay mother." he says fidgeting. The others try to hide their mirth. "I still think the principle is out to get me…"

"What did she do?" says Starfire, combing out a few tangles.

"Ouch! Nothing really. She just seems very suicidal or put out. Especially around me."

"I'm sure principle Kitten has a lot on her mind." says Starfire. Raven rolls her eyes. "You did not fly on school grounds again did you?"

"I learnt my lesson the first time." says Robin, slightly hurt that he was accused of doing such a stupid thing. "I think it was because I accidentally ate our science project…"

"Ah yes, the dissection incident…" says Starfire. "I remember talking to you about that..."

"In my defence, it was a dead frog on a wooden board. There was even an assortment of cutting utensils."

"That was some time ago. I doubt she could still be mad about that… (she thinks to herself) though maybe she could…"

"Should I tell him the full story of Miss Kitten now?" says Raven, willing to bust out the really annoying educational enemy. Being Robin's 'guardian' at school meant the two often had to clash (Often at points when which Robin would accidentally jeopardize his parent's identity through his powers). They never really got over their past differences.

"That would be a looong story…" says Starfire.

"Too true…" says Raven. Robin groans disappointed. Then Raven thinks again, to the other story in which we are continuing…

…

Flashback

…

"I'm coming Rich." says Starfire as she hears the knocks on the door. All her stuff was packed in their suitcases and all the food (What was left) was parcelled nicely as a gift to their neighbours. "That was a relatively short trip…" she says, but her voice trails as she sees who it is. "You?"

"You sound frightened?" says Phyzzon, entering the abode, helmet under one arm. As custom, he places his sword and scabbard at the door as a gesture of peace. He half back away. "If you wish me to leave, I will do so. I just wanted to…"

"No, it is okay Phyzzon." she says, getting up from leaning against a wall. She takes the scabbard and sword in custom and he enters. "It is good to see you. It was just such a surprise." she says smiling. "I'm sorry if I…"

"You did not. It is okay." he says, returning the smile. He bows. "I am happy for your happiness Koriander, the fire of the stars. I accept the fact that you chose this man yourself. I cannot and will not force you otherwise. I am little hurt, save you have written or said little since our last meeting."

"Courteous as ever captain Phyzzon." she says, sighing some relief.

"Now I am supreme general. Second only to the admiralship now."

"That is grand news." says Starfire, returning a bow. "I am sure Tamaran will not dare to wage war on your sector now. Perhaps stunt the growth of the tyranny and bring new hope to peace and reconcile."

"You are kind and you still bring light to my heart Koriandr. Loth I am that I was not your match. But you are still and always will be within my heart."

"And you in mine." returns Starfire. "But you must know I also truly am heart bound to my mate, yet in ways stronger than it ever could have been with you. You were a great help, support and friend to me. I pray that it will continue. I have said little, nay, naught of you to him as of yet."

"To which is why I have arrived." says Phyzzon. "You are of great heart, yet sometimes your fear expands far beyond its real threats. I will introduce myself to this human. I have come to see with my own eyes this wonder of aliens who matches the great Koriandr. I have my congratulations and blessings to give to him also."

"That relieves me of some burden…" says Starfire, offering him a seat. "I thought…"

"You thought I was going to challenge him…" he says with a slight grin. Starfire nods, but understands his jest and smiles. "Fear not. If he is to what I believe him to be, I will have no need to draw swords at him. You judge with great mercy yet justice and can see through many thick shades of deceit. I doubt any man you turn your heart to will be of wicked ways after you have observed and known them."

"You were also worthy dear Phyzzon." she says, her eyes look apologetically. Phyzzon gives a look back to show that there is no need for such a look. "I am sure you will grow to befriend my mate. He is both wise and just in his ways, with the strength and ability to hold to it. He will be here soon."

"I shall wait with you." nods Phyzzon. "I have little doubt in my mind that our meeting will be the start of something much greater... to us all"

…

"So he really was good to begin with…"

"What was that friend Raven?" says Starfire, observing her snapping out of her dreaming.

"Oh, nothing…" says Raven. Her mind tries to contact a friend far away.

"Nothing again? Twice?" says Blackfire. "Are you sure that it is not something?"

"I think there's something on your shoulder."

"What? Where?"

"There; nothing!"

(Angry glaring)

"Well I am well feasted." belches Galfore. His large belly is patted comfortably. He takes a great swig of root beer. "Aha! Perhaps we should be leaving now?"

"Oh please do…" thinks Raven.

"Oh please don't." says Starfire. Raven short circuits. "You must stay here for a rest. There is no place better, you must be very tired from your travelling."

"Indeed, I admit." nods Galfore. Robin elbows him awake. "But where will I sleep?"

"Outside." thinks Raven. "Why not right where you're sitting?" she says, using her more civil side.

"Do you not mean the carpet?"

"It WAS a sofa…"

"Then it shall be."

Blackfire strides off. "I think I'll just…"

"Get out of my room and pull out a rug!"

"I claim the kitchen!" says Starfire.

"Ooh! A sleep over? How intriguing." says Robin, getting a torch and tent.

"He's going to sue you when he's older…" says Blackfire. Raven 'accidently' hits her with a passing bag of tent hooks…

…

Flashback

…

"So when are you moving?" says Cyborg, backstage and in BB's trailer. Terra, BB, Raven and Rich were there to, discussing the couple's new plans.

"Straight away if it can be done." says Rich. "The attention at the festival should buy us some cover, but we need you guys to keep Blackfire and Galfore busy."

"Want us to do in your in laws eh?" says Terra. Rich ponders. "Just kidding! Just kidding! You can count on us!" and the others link arms (Raven reluctantly) and nod.

"Thanks. You make it sound so easy…" groans Rich.

"Hey! How much trouble can they be? They're Starfire's family aren't they?"

"Hmm… You've never met Mr. Gargantua or Queen Bimbo yet have you?" says BB. "You're in for a tough ride girl friend!"

Suddenly, there is a great hullabaloo and a table collapses and another table collapses and another table collapses… and one chair. The gruff voice of Galfore starts talking apologetically as he back stepped from his wake while more people scream as they get bumped about.

"Hmm… You guys can take on the giant." says Terra, peering out. "I'll sort out the sister."

Unknown to her, there is a gladdened hissing sound of 'yes' from the others. Rich has already made a discreet exit.

…

"So you are moving again?" says Phyzzon.

"Yes, after that compromise, we are moving to a more secret location." says Starfire. They sit and talk in the now very empty lounge. Phyzzon's guards were stationed outside the building.

"Perhaps I could aid…" he begins, but Starfire raises her hand.

"Nay. Ro… Richard is very protective of not only myself, but also of his former mentor. We cannot let you in on that secret if it can be avoided."

"That is understood." he nods in agreement. "But I mean my space ship may offer a better security? Though I do not doubt the integrity of the 'Bat-cave'."

"I might consider that actually!" says Starfire brightening. "I am sure Rich may also smile upon this as he was reluctant to return to this cave of bats. I gladly accept, though I must wait for my mate to comply."

"As you…" but he is interrupted by an urgent call from one of his men who had rushed up the stairs as quick as lightning. "What is it Sergeant? Are you okay Korporan? Breathe deep and speak."

"We have received distressing news from the ship o general!" says Korporan. "A cloaked vessel has secretly penetrated Earth's defence… it is the Garthem!"

…

Rich makes his way out of the pavilion as discreet as possible, all the more better with Galfore still attracting attention. He walks out through the less crowded areas…

On the roof of a hotel a man waits, overseeing the party. A dead policeman who was posted there lies in his blood, shot in the head. The word 'redivider' is on a piece of paper, scrolled up and lodged in the bullet-hole. A sniper looks through his rifle… his head facing the other way.

Torque, Dudley Soames, uses a special attachment to his mirrored glasses to look through the scope, aiming his rifle around; waiting for his chance…

Rich walked briskly away when he saw something that didn't agree with him; a gang of men chasing a woman down the street… and the party goers nearby not even raising their eyes to the scene. That's what got at him most…

Rich steps to a corner of a shadow and Nightwing suddenly gives chase. The attackers soon become the attacked in a few of his long sprinting steps. His batons wheel out to pummel.

The Soames didn't see the transformation, but that mattered little after he was done…

"There you are…" smiles Soames on the back of his head. "It was pretty easy to figure out why you disappeared for such a long time my foe." he says, still waiting for a better shot. Nightwing was still chasing the men. "Then all I had to do was to wait. Wait until some store runs out of mustard and then just stage a little fight to get you where I want you…" Nightwing takes a breather after dealing with the mob. "You should have said no..." he pulls the trigger…