Chapter Seventeen: "Wake Up"

Robin was taken to a chamber. It was dark, and had only a single light. Not much furniture was available for him; do to the fact that Shadows don't usually need them. There was only one door and no windows.

"Let me go!" Robin yelled again. He was quickly released.

"This is where you will rest. If anything is needed please let us know, just simply howler." One of the girls informed him.

"Where's Raven?" Robin quickly asked.

"She is in her quarters." The girl replied.

"I don't believe you! Bring me to her!" he demanded.

"That is not permitted. However, we will let you see her later on, when you are rested of course." The other girl stated.

Robin didn't like that answer so he attempted to knock them out. His attack failed because his bo-staff went straight through them.

"Your attacks are useless Robin. We are Shadows; nothing can touch us unless we wish it." The girl smiled. She touched his bo-staff and it to became untouchable and fell right through his hands to the floor.

"What the -" Robin began.

"We also have the ability to make other things and people untouchable. So like I said, your attempts are pointless. Please rest. You will need it for tomorrow." And with that they disappeared into the dark.

Robin bent down to pick up his bo-staff, he still couldn't grab it.

That's why I couldn't touch Starfire in my dream. And that is why you shouldn't give them a reason to harm her. They won't hurt her. She's not here, she's safe at home. Still, if they are able to move through Shadows, they can easily get to her. That's true, but why do they want me to rest? What is so special that I need rest, and where is Raven? Why are you asking me, I'm part of you, if you don't know then I don't. Still, you can help figure it out. Stop talking to yourself. Some help you are.

Robin eventually found out why they wanted him to rest. They wanted him to sleep on Kayla's offer; Either Starfire's life or marriage to the Shadow Leader. He didn't like either, but he did find sleep.

"Raven, you know I don't care. If I must, I will-" she smiled, looking at Robin with love and lust in her eyes, "-simply eliminate the competition."

"NO!" Robin yelled out instantly. "I won't allow you to hurt her!" He pulled out his bo-staff and got into his kick-butt stance.

"Starfire is no good Robin; she's not even your species." Kayla hissed.

"Neither are you!" Robin argued, eyes burning under his mask.

This kept repeating itself inside his mind. Suddenly his mind went blank, but it only lasted for a few seconds.

"ROBIN!" Starfire yelled as she was being dragged away by two shadow guards.

"STARFIRE!" Robin screamed, running after her. "LET HER GO!" he shouted to the two Shadows.

Robin stopped running, Starfire was gone and he was left alone. He fell to his knees and pounded the ground.

"How could I have let this happen?" he blamed himself.

"It's not to late." Keyda said, appearing in front of him.

"What do you want?" he asked through clenched teeth.

"Robin, I know I am the one that has brought you the nightmares that you dream of every night. I didn't want to, but I was ordered to." She sat on her knees, resting a hand on Robin's right shoulder. "You can save her. I know you can." She smiled weakly.

"How do you know that?" he asked, still angry.

"I've been watching you. I know you've saved her many times before. Robin, get up and fight to get her back. I will try to help you all I can." She stood up and stretched out her hand towards him. She helped him up and as soon as he stood up she disappeared.

In an instant he was in a dark room, with a single light. He saw someone running towards him, he made out the figure as it got closer to him-was Starfire.

"Robin, someone is chasing me, please help me." Starfire pleaded to him.

"I'll do everything I can Starfire. I love you." He smiled.

Starfire looked up at him and smiled, they shared a small kiss before Keyda appeared before him.

"Please, you said you'd help me!" He shouted. "Leave Starfire alone!" He shouted at her in a stern voice, trying to scare her.

Keyda took a few steps closer. But soon fell through the floor, but when Robin leaned over to see where she went, but all he found was a shadowed floor.

"What kind of trick is this?" he asked more to himself than anyone else. He turned around to see if Starfire was ok. There she was, lying on the floor with the single light shining over her.

"Starfire!" he shouted as he ran to her, but she was unconscious. He kneeled down and tried to pick her up, but his hands went straight through her, as though she was a ghost, an illusion.

"KEYDA!" he shouted, looking at down at Starfire. She seemed so real. He heard what seemed to be the sound of wind, but he didn't feel anything.

"Not a joke." It said to him.

He knew that voice, it finally clicked It was Kayla. Robin got up and looked around. He walked a few steps away from Starfire. But quickly turned back around when he heard her scream, he ran back to her and found her bleeding.

"STARFIRE!" he shouted. He tried to pick her up, but again he could not. Starfire seemed to have noticed him and looked up.

"R-robin, I am . . . bleeding." She sobbed. "Please, I do not think I will make it." She continued crying. "Please, Robin, hold me in your arms." She pleaded through tears.

Robin was able to hold her this time, Keyda stood before him.

"Please, help me." He begged to her.

"Robin, I love yo-" Starfire attempted to say the last word, but she was gone.

Robin grew angry, he laid Starfire on the ground and quickly jumped up and faced Keyda.

"YOU TOLD ME I COULD SAVE HER!" he shouted.

"I did." Keyda simply said.

"YOU LIED TO ME!" he yelled, face turning red.

"I did not Robin." Keyda stated.

"What!" Robin asked, yelling, but lower this time.

"Wake up." She told him.