Chapter Twenty-Seven: "Teach Me"
After about half an hour into training Starfire walked over to Raven. She stood there for a little while before Raven decided to open her eyes and find out what she wanted.
"Raven, pardon me for disturbing your training, but I was wondering if we may meditate in your room." She gave a small, innocent smile.
Raven looked around and saw the boys trying to win at a wrestling match.
"It beats listening to them." Raven whispered. She got up and walked with Starfire.
On the walk over to Raven's room Starfire looked troubled. Raven noticed this because she was looking at the flower and she hadn't said a word since they left the gym. Without looking at Starfire, Raven gave in and started the very long conversation that she knew they were going to have.
"You ok?" Raven asked in her usual "I-don't-want-to-hear-it" tone.
"Raven, what I want to talk about is very sensitive. I wish to ask of you a great favor." Starfire replied, still no hint of the happy girl she was this morning.
They reached Raven's room and walked inside. Under any other circumstances Raven would have went to Star's room instead of her own, but she didn't want anyone to think that she was giving Beast Boy a special privileged.
"And what would that be?" Raven sighed.
"I wish for you to lawn me some of your powers and teach me everything you know about fighting these Shadow creatures." Starfire said softly, but demandingly.
"What?" Raven asked in an emotionless tone, turning towards her rapidly.
"I warned you that it was a sensitive topic." Starfire paused, Raven didn't answer, except looking at her with a hint of anger showing in her eyes. Starfire continued. "I know you do not think you can fight them, but I am willing to try."
"Starfire you have no idea what you're asking." Raven tried to convince not to do this.
"Raven, Robin did not stand by while my sister attempted to marry me to the blob creature. I will not stand by and let him marry this . . . this, as the television puts it 'Home-Wrecker'. I love Robin and I will not let him go." Starfire told her, annoyed.
Raven sighed; she knew that once Starfire made up her mind that there was no other alternative except to give in.
"Fine, but you must learn about the Shadows first." Raven stated. Starfire nodded and sat down on her floor and was ready for the long lecture. Raven got comfortable herself and began talking.
Beast Boy was in his room, moping. He was in his human form and had been trying to exercise and play video games to keep his mind away from Raven. It worked, but only for a short time.
You blew it.
I know.
How could you have messed that up?
I don't know.
You should.
Well I don't.
What did we do wrong?
Everything apparently.
It probably would have been best to not have told her.
Gee, a little late, don't you think?
Sorry, I thought it would help.
But it didn't!
Everyone makes mistakes dude.
Ya well, I make too many of em!
Live and learn right?
Shut up and leave me alone.
Beast Boy kicked some of his stuff on the floor around. He looked in the mirror and saw a reflection of Raven yelling at him. He grew angry and punched it to pieces.
"Why did you have to fall in love with Raven!" he shouted at himself. "Why couldn't you have just asked her, or Cyborg if they could help you find a cure for Terra?" He continued shouting at himself, attempting to rip his hair out, "For once, why can't I do anything right!" He dropped to his knees and curled up. "For once, why can't the person I love love me in return?"
"Hey man, that's enough. I'm tired, time for a break." Cyborg announced getting up off the floor from the wrestling mat.
"Where'd Raven and Starfire go?" Robin asked, just now realizing that they weren't present. Cyborg shrugged and began walking to the main room.
"Should we check up on BB? I haven't heard from him since Raven yelled at him." Cyborg asked worried.
"No, he needs to be alone. I think this is more of a personal problem then a team related problem."
"I hope he's ok." Cyborg said softly.
"I'm sure he'll be fine. Let's find Starfire and Raven." Robin changed the subject.
Instead of helping Robin find Raven and Starfire, Cyborg decided to play some games to keep his mind off of other things. Robin was mad at him for choosing video games over finding the girls, but got over it quickly.
Robin came to a stop in front of Raven's door. He heard what sounded like a story. Raven's room was the last place he decided to look, but he'd rather check and get it over with.
"Raven, are you in there?" Robin asked, knocking on the door.
"Yes Robin, I am and before you even ask, yes Starfire is in here too." Raven replied, obviously annoyed. "Now if you please, we're having a --" she paused, "--bonding moment." Raven half lied.
"Well hurry, we need to talk, as a group." Robin replied.
Robin stood outside her door for a few moments, after realizing that Starfire wasn't going to come out and say something he walked towards the main room.
I have less than a day and a half and they decide to have a bonding moment. Maybe I should just take a nap. He changed his direction and went straight to his room. He pulled out his communicator and told Cyborg what he was doing. Cyborg said it was cool and that he'd make sure everything was ok. Robin lied down and fell asleep; unaware that Kayla had another message for him.
"If you don't come back and marry me, I will have no choice but to destroy Starfire." a whispering voice threatened. Robin knew it was Kayla talking.
"You're not going to hurt her!" Robin shouted into the dark.
"How can you stop me?" Kayla laughed.
"If you lay one hand on her I'll--"
"You'll what? Throw your useless birdarangs at me?" Kayla hissed.
Robin's face turned red with furry. "Show yourself you coward!"
About ten feet away stood Kayla. Wearing a completely black outfit. She smiled devilishly at him. "Tell me Robin," she began walking slowly towards him. "What would you do if you lost Starfire?" She smirked.
"What do you care?" Robin asked through clenched teeth, backing away as he pulled his bo-staff out.
"I care about you Robin," she paused, as she looked at her fingers, "Maybe even more than Starfire."
"Shut up!" Robin shouted.
"Tell me Robin, would you like to see the future?" She asked, catching his attention.
"Nobody can see their future." Robin shot back, remembering Raven's incident with her so-called Prophecy.
"Shadow Leader's are able to see into one's future. I offer you this as an early wedding present." Kayla walked closer.
"If this is a line, I'm not biting." Robin turned around to walk away.
Kayla grew angry and fell through the shadowed floor. She reappeared in front of Robin.
Raising her voice at him, "Nobody turns their back on me!" She grabbed Robin by the shoulders and began chanting something he didn't understand.
Robin tried to break free of her grip, but was unable too. A flood of pictures flowed through his mind. He opened his eyes to find that he was in a strange looking room. It was giant round shaped room. If you looked closely you could see that the walls were painted dark purple. A single light glowed in the middle.
"Where am I?" Robin asked into the dark, walking closer to the light. As he got closer to the light he saw a figure in the distance, coming towards him fast.
"Robin!" The figure shouted to him. "Someone is chasing me, please help me."
"Starfire!" Robin shouted almost immediately. "What are you doing here Starfire? I thought I told you to stay home." Robin demanded to know, as he held her close. He took his cape off and draped it around her.
Kayla appeared before him and Starfire.
"You again!" he shouted. "Leave Starfire alone." He shouted at her in a stern voice, trying to scare her.
Kayla took a few steps closer. But soon fell through the floor. This time Robin held Starfire close, not leaving her side. Kayla reappeared a foot away from the couple.
"Leave Starfire alone!" Robin said firmly.
"Robin, you either choose to marry me, or watch Starfire die." Kayla announced.
"I'm not going to marry you and I'll die before you harm Starfire." He held her closer.
"Say goodbye to her Robin." Kayla smirked as she waved her outstretched hand.
Starfire slipped through Robin's arms.
"No!" Robin screamed. He tried to touch Starfire, but he couldn't. Starfire was obviously terrified, she too tried to touch Robin, but failed. Kayla turned into a shadow, like Starfire, and began attacking her.
"Robin!" Starfire shouted as she dodged Kayla's attacks.
All Robin could do was watch in horror. Starfire was losing, she was beginning to slow down and was now getting hit more often by Kayla's attacks. Robin screamed out Star's name, but it wasn't any good. Kayla hit Starfire right in the stomach. She fell to the ground, soundless. Robin felt like he was dying inside. He couldn't take it.
"Stop!" Robin whispered. "I'll marry you. Just let Starfire go." He dropped to his knees before Starfire.
Kayla smiled happily and waved her outstretched hand again, Starfire was now able to be touched. Robin brought her close to his chest.
"I love you Starfire. I'd rather watch you live then to see you die because of my actions. I will never love anyone but you. Forgive me please." He whispered into her ear. He kissed her lips and Starfire shimmered and disappeared. "Where is she?" Robin asked in a cool, but shallow voice.
"Home." Kayla replied.