Bree-2006: I'm just glad you were able to read it and get caught up. There will be plenty of Rob/Star fluff to come.
The Winds: Oh please forgive me :Bows to reviewer: I am always trying to stay true to the comics so in my stories they'll be blue from now on. Sorry about that.
TTHPFan: I'm glad you liking it, for jumping in around this time. I was afraid someone who hadn't been reading from the begining might not understand it. OH no kidding! Those SAT's and PSAT's sucked balls for me. I usually do pretty good with grammar and vocabulary but that test pulled out all the stops on me and bit my head off. But trust me, its worth it. I finally got my dim brain into college so can you, and you should. Though on a less serious note, nobody really cares but I'll say anyway, by bowling team went from twelveth place to second place last week so we're siked about that. Well hope you like this chapter and I can't wait to get your review. Laters! Oh and three hour naps kick ass.
Princess Angelfire of NZ: Well I'm glad you approve. LOL. how's your story coming along?
Samanthe 2121: Sure looks that way doesn't it. Hee hee hee ;)
Itxprincessxlala: You bet I know what its like. I've stayed up pretty late trying to get this stuff done, maybe that's a little crazy but who cares. I like it. Laters!
Starfirelover: I really don't konw myself when the what the last chapter will be, we'll just have to see ;)
NightsMysteriousStar: I thank you very much for the cookie. lol. And anyone who takes the time to review for one of my stories is a hero of mine. Thanks alot. Hope you enjoy this chapter as much.
I thank you all for you generous reviews and now without further anticapation your udpate. Enjoy!
Chapter Nineteen
These Four Walls
Starfire smiled sweetly and let her head fall back down to Robin's. Off to the side the two fish turned to charred bricks. With little to no regard for the fact that their meal was now burnt to a crisp Robin continued to passionately take her in.
In the dark shroud of the tree line a figure stood watching them. The black cloaked member of the triad watched them unceasingly for the longest of times. He then raised his hood and stayed stationary. He pulled his hood down and his face had completely changed to mimic that of the Titan leader. He pulled his rob away to reveal that he know not only appeared as Robin facially but also in dress and form. Soon, very soon, he would carry out Osiris' plan. Soon, their newest member would be back where she belonged, or she will die. He silently made his way out of the woods.
GRANIK STATE HOSPITAL…………………
A host of men walked down hall of the infamous psychiatric hospital. They all surrounded a young man who had been striped of his traditional Japanese robes and katana. They all slowly followed as he was led to an office down a long hallway. Lee's escort seemed bent on not allowing a single unauthorized breath to escape him. As he passed each locked room he noticed several of the inmates stared back at him with dulled marbles for eyes. 'What is this place,' he thought. They all stopped just before the office and the lead guard detached a number of the bindings holding him stiffly. Now able to move more freely Lee was summoned on through and ordered to sit before a man behind a desk. He was bald with many wrinkles across his face and one of the lenses on his bifocal glasses was slightly chipped. He read over a small file then folded it neatly and peered at Lee with his beady eyes.
"Good afternoon, my name is Dr. Bilger." Lee barley nodded in response. "Do you know why you have been placed under my care," he asked casually.
"I have been falsely accused of murder," returned Lee plainly. He looked about the room and at the three guards who were grinning with a hint of scorn. "Where is Raven? I want to see her."
"I think you need to calm down for a moment and tell me all about the story you told to the doctor who so charitably bestowed you upon me." Lee rolled his eyes.
"As I told you associate my friends and I are currently being pursued by a powerful cult set on mass genocide in order to-"
"Yes, yes I am well acquainted with your ardent argument that if we do not release you your friends will die and the world will end." Lee shifted in his seat. "Is this not so?"
"Well not end per say but change in many horrible ways. Why do you continue to detain me? I wish to see Raven."
"Oh yes your accomplice. We have yet to evaluate her but rest assured we will be able to find room for you both and now if you'll follow these nice men they'll take you to your room." Lee's mouth slacked open in astonishment.
"Take me to Raven; I have to make sure she's alright." Dr. Bilger allowed a grin to creep across his face.
"Oh you need not worry, she's sleeping most soundly at the moment. Now be a good boy and go to your room." Lee's eyes then fell on a ring around one of the Dr's fingers. At once Lee recognized the symbolic depiction of an Egyptian cat. He leaped forward but was suddenly pulled back by the guards behind him.
"NO! HE'S ONE OF THEM! STOP! UNHAND ME!" Dr. Bilger gave the head guard a nod and the man unclasped his nightstick. Lee sent up a protesting glare and received a hard blow across the face. Three men pinned him down over the desk as the Dr. strode up and stuck a long syringe in Lee's arm. He wasted no time in injecting the clear liquid in the teen samurai and backing away slightly. Lee's struggling arms slowly lost their strength and he let out a long tired breath.
"Alright," whispered Bilger. "Take him out of here." Two guards draped Lee's motionless arms around their shoulders and they dragged him out of Dr. Bilger's office. The captain was moving to follow when Bilger held him back. "I want you to keep an eye on him; this one is not to be underestimated."
"What about the girl?"
Dr. Bilger shook his while checking his watch. "She is heavily sedated, and routinely done so I don't see why we can't keep her here in-defiantly for further study. The samurai on the other hand, at the first sign that he becomes exceedingly dangerous I'm afraid we may just have to misplace him. Do you understand me?" The captain gave him a quick nod.
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A door was slowly pushed open and the two men roughly dropped Lee onto his thin mattress. He groaned and sluggishly turned on his side though his eyes remained closed. His mouth moved robotically thought only allowing inane mumbling to escape it. The captain sauntered on inside and tapped Lee jabbed at Lee's side with his baton.
"I know you can hear me right now." Lee finally blinked. "It was just a little something to help you relax. I don't usually talk to our patients but I just wanted to make sure you understood something." He placed the tip of is slender club beneath Lee's chin and propped his head up. "The good doctor doesn't run this place, I do. And I really like the way things are. So all you have to do is abide by the rules and keep all your crazy bullshit to yourself. You understand me, you catching my drift. Or do I need to pay your friend a visit." Lee slurred a passive response and the captain straightened up. "Alright, now maybe you should get some shut eye." He turned and the other guards followed him out. Lee fell on his back and remained stationary.
"Lee?" The drugged teen peeked open one eye and moved his eyes about.
"W-Who said that?"
A voice popped back up in Lee's head. "It's me R-Raven. I can't keep this up for long, I don't know what they did to me but I can't concentrate long enough to even walk."
"It's okay Raven-San, I'm just glad you are okay."
"If…that's what you call it." Lee grinned slightly.
"Don't worry I'm sure the others will find a way to free us soon."
"Whatever you sa.." Her words trailed off and Lee only heard his own thoughts.
"Raven? Raven?" He closed his eyes when he realized that Raven was no longer conscious and allowed himself to taken into sleep's clutches.
BACK WITH ROBIN AND STAR……………
"See it?" They leant back on Robin's cape.
"No I still cannot see it," answered Starfire disappointed. Robin smiled and pointed his finer back up at the nighttime sky.
"See that line of stars that curves slightly?" She trailed her eyes until she finally made out the celestial depiction.
"Oh yes! Yes I see it now," she exclaimed happily. "What is it called again?"
"That one's called the 'big dipper'."
"Dipper?"
"Yeah you know it's shaped like a ladle, a spoon, you know?" She nodded while staring up at the myriad of lights above them. "And look, that one's called 'Cassiopeia'. She's supposed to be some kind of princess or something." She cocked her head curiously at it.
"Cassiopeia was banished to such a high place?"
"No it's just a little thing they made up for it. And there's Cephius, Orion, Orion's belt, and the little dipper." Starfire giggled.
"I felt the desire to ask if there existed a subordinate constellation to the 'big dipper' but decided it would be a silly thing to inquire." Robin gave her a nudge.
"Naaa, believe it or not I've met a handful of people who haven't even heard of the big one." Starfire's eyes then squinted as she apparently found something.
"Robin, unless I am mistaken I believe the tail star of the 'little dipper' is the North Star." Robin furrowed his brow.
"No kidding, you know I never noticed that. You know for as long as people can remember, the North Star has been a guide." Starfire glanced at him.
"Do you think that is so?" He smiled.
"I know so; my guiding star however isn't up in the sky." Getting caught in the moment once again they began to moved closer when a sharp beeping snapped them out of it. "What the-" He removed his comm. link from within his uniform. "Did I just hear this beep or what…"
"I heard it also. Perhaps you should attempt to achieve a stronger signal." Robin scrunched up his face.
"But I'm a much better time here," he whined. She smiled and pulled him up off the makeshift blanket.
"If you do so we may some extra time," she tempted. Robin thought about for a moment and chuckled.
"Well who can beat that logic, alright but it may take a minuet." She nodded and he walked off holding the little device up and scanning for a decent signal. Starfire let herself fall back down to the boy wonder's cape. She lay down and sighed upon picking up the obvious scent of Robin. Her eye lids began to droop shut when she heard a small snap off to the side. She sat up with a start and saw Robin standing not far from her.
"Robin?"
"Starfire," he said plainly.
"I thought you were attempting to make contact with our friends."
"I did, we're all set."
"Wonderful," she said happily. He sat down beside her and smoothly guided her down to her back. She gazed up at him a little surprised. "Robin?"
"Yes?" he smiled down at her mischievously. She swallowed a little apprehensively.
"I wish to know if you are feeling okay."
"Of course, why wouldn't I?" Starfire shifted her eyes about.
"Well, I am simply taken aback by your action. Though please do not misunderstand me, I am always happy to be near you." His smile widened and settled down next to her.
"Then just relax." He gently wound his hand her neck and brought her mouth toward his. Though as Starfire was awaiting his inevitable touch a dark stream of smoke poured out of Robin's mouth and flew into hers. Her breath congealed and her eyes went wide. Gasping for air Starfire felt the burning desire to jump up and run but found not one of her limbs obeyed her. She then did the only she could do; speak.
"R-Ro-obin?" 'Robin' began to breathe more of the incapacitating fog into Starfire's mouth. The now apparent imposter Robin bent lower but never broke his link with the Tamaranian.
He spoke in a silent and creepy whisper. "Osiris is thy god." A bead sweat ran down the side of her head.
"O-Osiris…is..m-my enemy," she coughed. Undeterred, 'Robin' poured even more ghastly smoke into Starfire.
"Osiris is thy god," he repeated. Now afraid that she now also heard his voice inside her head Starfire twisted her head as much as she could trying to sever the connection.
"H-He is my enemy." His eyes narrowed.
"Your god." And Starfire let out a loud gasp as not a stream but a column of smoke shot out from 'Robin's' mouth. "Osiris is thy one true god and you have always bowed before his infinite wisdom." Tears streamed out of her eyes as she felt the ability to breathe leaving her.
"No, I-I have not." He took a firm hold of her head, gripping her temples in a vice-like grip.
"Listen to me slave, you will embrace Osiris as your god here and now or I will not stop do you understand. You're going to follow him or your going to die." Starfire trailed her eyes up to the stars and coughed a short breath. 'Robin…..help me.'
Robin walked back around a fat clump of bushes irritably stuffing away his communicator. "Stupid damn thing, can't get the smallest signal anywhere." He stopped dead when he saw Starfire's eyes drooping shut and someone who looked exactly like him uttering something. The imposturous Robin closed his eyes and began chanting while still delivering the jet black smoke.
"Befall thee sortie…" Robin's eyes bulged out at the one word and he darted forward.
"SHADOW!" 'Robin's' head shot sideways just as the real Robin tackled him off of Starfire. They rolled a few feet Robin finally pinning his double to the ground. The imposter then turned to black nothingness and rematerialized behind a bewildered Robin. Shadow grabbed Robin by the back of his shirt and threw him into a nearby tree trunk. His back aching beyond belief Robin staggered to his feet and saw his evil twin retake his original form. Robin readied a bird-a-rang in each hand. "Where's the rest of the Triad," he sneered. Shadow's pale face and milk eyes rested on Starfire.
"Engaged." He then turned to vapor and reappeared beside Starfire, who at that point was only semi-conscious. A sharp whistling caught his ear forcing to jump away or risk being hit by the two bird-a-rangs that now returned to Robin.
"Don't you dare take one more step toward her!" Spat Robin.
"Yee only delay what is inevitable, Osiris is a god. The power of the eye will soon be his as will thee and thy companion." Robin gritted his teeth and moved in front of Starfire protectively.
"Over my rotting dead corpse." Shadow scoffed.
"That may very well be a distinct possibility. Be wary of thy wishes." And in the blink of an eye he transformed into a shade of black and vanished. Robin darted his eyes about the area making sure Shadow had simply transported elsewhere. He scrambled down beside Starfire propped her up on his lap.
"Starfire! Starfire please move your hand or something, anything!" Her eyes slowly opened and closed.
"Robin, I am having difficulty breathing," she said quietly. He nodded and gently set her back down. He knew what he had to do but was slightly nervous about it. He lowered his mouth to hers and began breathing normally. He then gave a few quick pushes onto her chest. Hoping the only remedy he could conceive for this would help Robin continued until Starfire coughed a couple of times gasping for breath. "Starfire," he exclaimed with a smile. "Are you alright?" She sat up and rubbed her throat.
"I am feeling better." She stared at him for a moment then threw her arms around him. "Thank you Robin." He nodded and hugged her back. He felt her grip tighten as though she felt utterly safe with him was afraid to let go. He gently rocked her and stroked her hair.
"Its okay Star, he's gone now."
"What was…it felt so-"
"Invading," prompted Robin. Starfire pulled away and gave him an astonished look.
"Yes." He could tell she was curious at how he had made his guess so accurate.
"They've done a lot of things to me, some I've spent everyday trying to make myself forget. Though I think I've finally found out just how they create the sortie." Starfire cocked her head.
"Sortie?" He opened his mouth to explain when they heard the last thing they expected to hear, Cyborg's voice.
"Robin….are you there? Starfire do you read me?" They stared blankly at one another before Starfire pointed to Robin's pocket. He roughly reached inside and fumbled with his comm. link.
"Cyborg! Cyborg is that you?"
"Robin?"
"YES! I mean yes it's me. Where are you guys?"
"St. Petersburg," answered Cyborg. Robin smiled back at Starfire.
"They figured out the last riddle. Cyborg, I know this may be a bit of an asinine question but…how have you guys been?" A small silence passed through the comm. link.
"How have we been?" Starfire shrugged as though Cyborg could see them both.
"What I mean is have you run into the Order or three weird guys who call themselves the Triad?"
"You could say that." Cyborg then proceeded to go into great detail from the time that they arrived in the train station, meeting Kiore, up to Lee and Raven being taken away. Starfire took Robin's arm.
"Friend Cyborg please tell us our friends are okay."
"Based on what Kiore's told us we're going to guess they're still alive but I'm not sure how long they'll stay that. We're cooking up a jail break as we speak."
"Cyborg can you tell us where we are?"
"Yeah, I'm tracking your signal about two hundred miles North from where we are." Robin and Starfire's faces brightened up. They weren't as far off as they previously thought. Starfire borrowed Robin's comm. link.
"We will be there as soon as possible Cyborg."
"Star are you sure you can fly that far," asked Cyborg.
"Yeah are you," confirmed Robin. Starfire nodded definitively.
"I am."
"Alright we'll wait for yall to get here but be quick about it, we don't know how long Raven and Lee can hold out in there."
"Got it, over and out." Robin stuffed away the communicator. "You've been through a lot yourself Star, I don't wanna make you do something your not up to. And what if we run into trouble again?" She smiled and put up her hand.
"You needn't worry Robin, in all truthfulness a long flight with you as a burden will assist me in forgetting about….what just happened."
"Well, I'm glad I can help." She smiled and pecked him on the cheek.
"You can be sure I am more than appreciative of you company Robin, you will protect me yes?" He smiled and nodded.
"You know I will."
"Well let us begin, we have little time remember?" Robin chuckled and allowed himself to be taken up by the beautiful Tamaranian. As they took flight however Robin frowned in wonder. Why was Starfire being so, relaxed? It was almost as if she was faking it.
In all truth after I got finished with this chapter I wasn't too happy with it, but I am still eager to hear what you have to say about it. Hope you enjoyed this latest installment, LATERS!