Author's Note: Thanks for all the great reviews last chapter! Sorry I didn't get this out sooner…the only explanation I can really give is, well, stuff happens, you know? This chapter goes more into what caused the war and probably will make you all dislike Talan more than you already do. Angst equinox, I haven't read your story, but I'll be sure to check it out if you mention the title in a review. I swear I wasn't trying to copy Talan off anybody else's OC, so I can't really explain how he and yours ended up so much alike. Linnath- that would be the easy way out ;). No, I said there would be a war and there definitely will be a war. Hopefully starting by next chapter. The Goddess Athena brought up a question about everybody's age in the story. Umm…well Robin's still Robin and not Nightwing if that gives you any idea. So I guess still somewhere in their teens. Probably around 16/17. I think that's about all I was meaning to address review-wise. If you've got any questions, critiques, or just random stuff you like to talk about, leave a review or send me an email!
Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Titans.
Polaris: The Black Fire
Back in the kitchen, Raven was nursing a hot cup of tea. Her eyes fluttered shut as she brought the drink up to her lips and took a sip. As she brought the cup back down, she sighed. Her fingers reached up to massage her temples.
Azarath meant nothing to her. Less than nothing. She had left that planet long ago with no intention of returning. They had been such a power-hungry civilization led by a power-hungry ruler, a demon, her father. While they weren't necessarily evil like he was, they were certainly not without fault. Even for a princess, Raven had been somewhat of an outcast in her world. She had no interest in ambition and clawing her way to the top. She had no use for attending social functions or leading conquests. She had simply wanted to be left alone.
The problem was the Azaratheans were not only petty, they were smart. Waging war against them…she wondered what had possessed the Tamaraneans. What in Azar's name had offended them so badly that they were willing to battle against one of the most intelligent, advanced civilizations in the galaxy?
Unless Tamaran had something up its sleeve, Raven knew this would be tough, almost impossible battle. As a rule, the people of Azarath would do anything to win against anybody. Challenges were meant to be overcome, and enemies were meant to be destroyed. Raven had grown up on that mantra.
Raven felt the aura of someone stepping up behind her. Her lip curled.
"I told you to stay away."
She could feel surprise radiating off him.
"You've gotten better," he said, "I'm impressed."
Raven opened her mouth to speak again, but Talan cut her off.
"But not good enough. Any other Azarathean would have heard me before I even entered the room."
"The people of Azarath don't have half the powers I do," Raven retorted, "and the powers they do have are cheap technological copies."
"They weren't cheap," Talan disagreed, chuckling.
"They're still copies."
"I don't think you understand, Raven," he said silkily. He took a step forward, closer to her. "We don't just copy your powers anymore. Azarath has made incredible scientific advances these past few years. We have duplicated the powers of over twenty other civilizations. With the press of a button, I could create an electrical surge so powerful it could black out the entire city."
"The Zorbecks," Raven whispered. "But they're…"
"Light years away from us," Talan smirked. "I know."
"Who else have you copied?" Raven demanded.
"Oh, you know," Talan said, waving a hand expressively, "The Darthorns, the Neosiams, the Sesitians…the worlds with great power but with little use."
"And why do you target these planets?" Raven asked suspiciously. A light bulb was flickering on in her head, but she needed more details.
Talan laughed. "You always were sharp. You're halfway to figuring this little puzzle out, aren't you?" She only glared, and he continued. "Dear Raven, don't you see? Azarath was only trying to rid the universe of unnecessarily clutter—a noble gesture if you ask me. The Zorbecks could generate enough electricity to power an entire galaxy for over a century. But they didn't. They lacked the mental capacity to recognize what they could really do. So Azarath came in. We found a way to copy their abilities, to generate the same power." The corner of his lips curled upwards into a sadistic smile. "But of course, once we had their power, there was no use for them anymore. They were—what did I say earlier—unnecessary clutter."
"So you stole their powers and then destroyed their planet," Raven said flatly. "Nice to see Azarath's morals haven't changed."
"This is so far above morals, Raven dear. This is a scientific revolution! Azarath could someday have the capabilities of millions of civilizations at their fingertips!"
"In exchange for millions of lives," Raven said. Her voice was dry and unyielding. "And the people there wonder why they're called evil."
"Small price," Talan shrugged.
"Uh huh," Raven said, "so tell me, Talan, which civilization is Azarath targeting now?"
"Isn't it obvious?" he said, grinning. "The Tamaraneans never were anything but a bunch of useless troqs. Why they were blessed with such strength is beyond me."
"You'll be fighting alongside Tamaran," Raven reminded him. "It would be wise to grow some respect."
"Details," Talan waved her off. "I'm only doing this because of you."
"By all means," Raven said, "leave if you want. I've got no desire to stretch out this little visit."
"I said I would be loyal to my princess, and I'll be damned if that isn't what I do," Talan said stubbornly. He ruined the chivalric mood, however, with a nudge and knowing wink. "Noble of me, isn't it? Do you find that endearing?"
Raven's expression twisted in irritation. "Nothing about you is endearing, Talan."
"Oh, come on now, Rae princess," Talan smirked. "We all know I'm attractive."
"What you are is far too egotistical for your own good," Raven snapped, "I fail to see that as attractive."
Talan smiled dangerously. He took a step towards her, and she took a quick step back in return. "I think you do see it, Princess."
"And that's exactly why I'm backing away from you," Raven said dryly. "You know, most people would think that meant the other person found them repulsive, but if you want to call it attraction…"
"You're backing away because you're scared," Talan cut in. He took two swift steps towards her and caught her wrist before she could move. He fixed his gaze on her, and she glared back defiantly. He had always found this unbelievably alluring. The girl claimed to be emotionless, but her intensity couldn't be matched.
"Do I look scared to you?" she demanded.
"No," Talan admitted, "you look fierce, and it's pretty hot. But that doesn't mean you're not scared. I know you, Rae."
"Really?" she said doubtfully.
"Really," Talan confirmed.
She smirked. It was humorless. "Then you should know what I mean when I do this." She caused the oven she had broken earlier to fly towards him on a wave of dark magic, and Talan barely had enough time to let go of her and duck before it smashed him. It flew back around for a few more shots at him, and he was forced to dodge those as well. Raven sauntered out of the kitchen as the oven continued to harass the other Azarathean. Her smirk was erased, however, at the words that followed her.
"You're turning to homicide then. With an oven as your weapon of choice, no less. I must have really gotten under your skin."
She scowled and continued down the hallway, choosing not to respond. Even attacking Talan with a household appliance could not garner her any satisfaction. It was frustrating. So frustrating, in fact, that while she turned the previous encounter over in her head, trying to think of a way she could have stung him as she did with Beast Boy so easily, Raven passed by Starfire without noticing, even after the fourth time Starfire called out to her retreating back.
"Friend Raven!" Starfire called again. It was the closest she had ever come to being exasperated with one of her teammates. The edge to her voice finally seemed to catch Raven's ear, and the dark girl twisted around in surprise.
"Something you wanted?" she said coolly.
It was obvious Starfire had been taken off guard by Raven's unfriendly tone. Her face contorted into one of confusion and hurt, and Raven felt guilt seize her for a second before she shoved the rampant emotion back where it belonged. "I was wishing to call a meeting of the team," Starfire said in a small voice. "We have much to discuss."
"I'll be there," Raven said, careful to chip away at the ice in her voice. "Just let me stop by my room for a second, okay?"
Starfire nodded. She did not leave, however, instead fidgeting where she stood. Raven knew better, but she paused anyway. "Anything else?" she sighed, exasperated.
Her teammate offered a weak smile. She seemed hesitant to speak. "Please, friend Raven, I do not wish for this war to invite the Reckmas."
The Drifting, Raven remembered. She made a face. Tamarans and their stupid superstitions. She regretted the thought as soon as it flitted across her mind; it was exactly the kind of derogatory thinking the Azaratheans had thought when they decided Tamaran was a useless planet. She was not, and would not be, like them.
"That won't happen, Star," Raven assured her. Assuming the conversation was done, she resumed walking towards her room.
"You must promise me, Friend Raven," a voice called out solemnly. Raven twisted back around to see Starfire staring at her with wide green eyes. She was looking for something…confirmation, Raven realized.
"Did you not believe me the first time?" Raven lifted a brow. This was very unusual behavior for her friend. Raven had never seen her so serious and determined.
Starfire obviously was not pleased with the dark girl's response. Her lower lip jutted out in a perfect pout, and her eyes softened from searching to imploring. "Friend Raven, please."
Raven regarded her carefully. She herself hadn't given much thought to it, but it was apparent that Starfire was very distressed by the idea that this war could tear apart their friendship. It was touching, really, if not rather silly. Raven knew who her real friends were. And she knew they sure as hell weren't the arrogant army of pale people running around in different colored cloaks. Nevertheless, she complied and offered Star a rare, though somewhat aggravated, smile. "I promise, Star. There won't be any Reckmas-ing around here."
Starfire broke out into a smile herself. "Glorious!" she exclaimed, running over to her friend and throwing her arms around her in the second bone-crushing hug of the day. Raven winced; this was more like the Starfire she knew. "Simply wonderful! Thank you, friend Raven!"
"No big deal," Raven choked out before Starfire finally let go of her. Starfire shook her head, somber again. Raven didn't think she liked the change in her friend's personality.
"It is a very big deal," Starfire said. "You are my only female companion. You are my closest friend. I would grieve for the loss of our meditations together should the Reckmas occur."
"It won't," Raven reassured her firmly. She smirked. "Besides, who else am I supposed to meditate with? Beast Boy? The tower would be blown into bits, starting with his stupid tofu."
Starfire, however, was not laughing. "I am afraid you do not take this seriously enough, but you have promised me. I will trust your words."
Raven fidgeted uncomfortably. "I should get back to my room now. I'm behind on my meditation."
"I understand," Starfire nodded. "I must call the meeting of the team now as well. Will you join us?"
"Soon," Raven promised.
"I will be seeing you then," the orange-skinned alien said in way of a farewell.
Raven rolled her eyes as she turned around. "Yeah, see ya, Star."
Starfire stared at Raven's back until she disappeared around the corner. Her normally bright features were troubled. She did not wish to upset the balance of her precarious relationship with her friend, but she had to fight in this war. It was her duty as the Princess of Tamaran. Her precious planet was in danger of destruction at the hand of the Azaratheans.
She had always pledged to do what was best for Tamaran, no matter the price. She loved her planet, and she would not let it be demolished without a fight. Starfire had confidence in the ability of her friends and herself. Though Azarath was clever and cunning, the Tamaraneans were resolute in their devotion to their planet. They were a pure and good race, and Starfire was a firm believer that good always won out in the end.
"We will be victorious," Starfire said aloud as she entered the kitchen.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that, Princess," a voice answered nastily. Starfire's head shot up to see a rather disheveled looking Talan sneering at her in the midst of what appeared to be the wreckage of their oven. Starfire felt a strong displeasure lick at the insides of her stomach. It was a fairly unfamiliar feeling for her, usually felt solely in the presence of her sister and perhaps Kitten.
"I think you are underestimating the strength of Tamaran," she said.
"Or maybe you overestimate it," Talan shot back lazily. "Azarath has defeated many worlds before yours. What makes you think Tamaran can succeed where the others have failed?"
"I have faith in the lorkna of my people and friends," Starfire said simply.
"Faith," Talan snorted. "A meaningless word if there ever was one. Face it, Princess, they and their make-believe lorkna will fail you, and your planet will fall to the mercy of Azarath."
"They will not!" Starfire said hotly. Balls of green energy spiraled in her hands activated by a heavy dose of righteous fury. Her fingers tightened around them.
"Now, now," Talan said, smiling dangerously. "No need for that, Princess. I'm on your side, remember? I don't want to fight you."
"You are a bad man," Starfire said, her eyes glowing green as well. "Tamaran would not benefit from your aid."
"That's where you're wrong," Talan hissed. "I can prove it to you, right here. We'll pit the powers of Tamaran against those of Azarath. Then you'll see how much trouble your precious planet is actually in."
"I am not afraid of you," Starfire proclaimed. She floated a few inches off the ground into the air in hopes of intimidation.
"No?" Talan said, lifting a brow. The smile played on his face again. "Well, you will be." He snapped his fingers and a black and red flame ignited on his fingers, licking at his palms but apparently not burning at him. Starfire's eyes widened, and Talan laughed. "Are you getting the idea now, Princess? Do you see what lengths Azarath has taken to achieve the ultimate power?"
"Dear Zol," Starfire whispered, temporarily stunned. Talan's echoing laughter eventually broke through her stupor, and she shook herself back to consciousness. Her eyes burned with anger again. "You are evil," she snapped. She drew back her arm and sent the green ball of energy she had been holding hurtling towards him.
Talan dodged the attack easily, and it soared past him only to explode against the back wall, leaving a decent sized hole. When he looked back up at Starfire, his black eyes seemed different, lost maybe. "No, not evil," he said, "just misguided." His tone almost seemed bitter, and for a moment, Starfire felt pity rise inside her.
Then she looked back at the fire in his hands. The feeling was quick to dissipate. "There are some things that cannot be forgiven," she said.
Talan froze where he stood. "What happened to that famous Tamaran compassion, huh?" he asked wryly.
"Compassion is only given to those whom are deserving," Starfire said. "You are not." Two more spheres of energy formed in her hands. Her face screwed up in concentration and rage. She would not miss again.
This did not go unnoticed by Talan. "Are you sure you want to do this, Princess?" he asked coldly. He lifted his left hand, which cupped the fire he had created.
"You do not frighten me!" Starfire roared. She hurled the spheres at him as if to prove her point.
Talan clenched his fist and the flame extinguished. He then threw his right hand out in front of himself and a black shield much like Raven's materialized in front of him, effectively knocking away the green globes. To retaliate, he did not call up the fire again, but instead pointed a clenched fist in her direction and with his other hand pressed a button embedded in the skin of his wrist, sending out a wave of crackling electricity at her.
Starfire ducked below the bolts, though a tickling feeling in her scalp told her she had at least been singed at the tips of her hair. She squinted her eyes and sent out her green beams in his direction. A yell told her she had made contact.
"Tamaranean bitch," Talan hissed as the green film disappeared from her eyes, and she could see properly again. His cloak had been blown back, revealing baggy black clothes underneath. His hands clutched at his chest, and he was slightly hunched over. Starfire stood again from her hunched position on the floor, and before she could inquire as to his well-being (this was friend Raven's boy, after all) his eyes burned red, and one of the hands clutching his chest erupted into flames again, and he threw it at her.
She dodged to avoid the attack, but the flame caught her trailing right hand. Starfire screeched in agony as the waves of pain echoed through her hand and spread to the rest of her body. It was unlike anything she had felt before, and it made the idea of cutting off her own hand a welcome alternative to this anguish.
Talan stared at his hands in horror as she keeled over. Her screams attracted the attention of the rest of the team, and they came racing in, Robin at the forefront. Cyborg and Beast Boy yelled when they saw the scene in front of them.
"What did you do?" Robin demanded as he knelt beside a screeching Starfire. He was torn between comforting her and running over to tear him limb from limb. He settled for patting Starfire on the back and trying to coax her into letting him see the hand she was huddling over when he saw Raven step up to confront Talan. His eyes remained glued to the scene.
"What did you do?" she repeated, though Robin suspected her words had a much stronger impact than his. They were dripping with ice and ordered attention. She was the picture of intimidation.
Talan's face melted into a grim detachment. "She wanted to know what we were up against. So I showed her."
"Showed her what exactly?" Raven barked.
He refused to meet her eyes. "Something I've picked up along the way. She'll tell you."
Raven glanced back at a hysterical Starfire pointedly. "I really don't think she's in any condition to explain anything to us right now, Talan."
"I can fix that," Talan said. His dark eyes were unreadable, and his aura completely closed. Raven had no way of knowing what he was feeling at the moment. He reached for Starfire. "Let me see her."
Robin drew Starfire in close. "Don't you think you've done enough?"
Talan's eyes flashed. "Do you want me to heal her or not?"
"Can't Raven do that?" he asked sharply.
Shaking his head, Talan sighed. "Not this kind of injury."
Robin looked over at Raven who, in turn, looked over at Talan. His eyes were steady on Starfire. It was possible that she may not be able to heal Starfire as he claimed, but…there were very few injuries that were beyond her capability. What had he done?
"He may be right," Raven told Robin as she turned back to face Starfire writhing in his arms. Her hand remained hidden as she clutched it against her and folded the rest of her body around it. "Let him see her."
"You'll have to back away," Talan added. Robin looked like he wanted to protest, but Raven shook her head. Reluctantly, he withdrew his arms from around the alien and walked over to stand beside Raven.
"You sure this is a good idea?" he muttered.
"Look at her, Robin. This is obviously out of my league," she spoke in return. "Besides, Talan isn't stupid enough to hurt her with all of us around."
"He did it once," Robin said tightly.
Raven did not speak again.
Talan, meanwhile, had already made his way over to a now hoarse Starfire and knelt in front of her. Through her hysterics, Starfire seemed to notice who was in her presence and shrank back accordingly. "No, no," he murmured. "The fight's over. I'm going to help you now."
"Liar," Starfire gasped through her tears. "You are a liar! You are a bad, bad man."
Talan shook his head impatiently. "I'm on your side. I was just showing you…" he trailed off and reached for her hand instead. "Let me look at it."
"Friend Robin," Starfire sobbed, "Friend Robin, please, do not let him. Friend Robin…"
Robin stepped forward, and Raven's hand shot out to wrap around his wrist. Her eyes were not on him but on Talan. He followed her gaze to what looked to him like Talan grabbing at Starfire roughly, causing her to screech in pain. Raven could obviously see something that he couldn't. "He won't hurt her again," she said in a near whisper. Her eyes drifted to Cyborg and Beast Boy, who looked ready to attack as well. Beast Boy was already in tiger form, crouching low, ready to pounce. "Change back," she commanded.
Looking confused, Beast Boy nevertheless did what he was told. Cyborg shot her a look but also lowered his cannon. All eyes turned back to Talan.
By this point, Talan had already pried Starfire's hand out from the enclave she had created around it with her body and enshrouded it from view with his cloak. The room was deathly silent, save for the occasional whimper from Starfire, but even those were few and far between now. Whatever Talan was doing seemed to be working. As the final tear track dried on her face, Talan released her hand and backed away. Starfire immediately brought her hand in close again.
"She's healed," Talan said as he stood and faced them all. "I did the best I could, but scarring was unavoidable. It should fade over time." He turned to face Raven exclusively. "She'll need it wrapped," he directed, "for vanity as much as anything. It's not pretty."
Raven nodded. She had some advice for him as well. "You should go, Talan. Wait in my room, and I'll deal with you later. Touch anything, and I won't be nearly as forgiving as I am now."
Talan bowed his head in acceptance. He seemed incapable of the smart remarks that had littered his speech earlier. After a wary glance at the angry faces of the other Titans, he swept out of the room. They all watched the door swing shut behind him.
"Are you okay, Starfire?" Robin asked immediately after. He hurried to her side.
She smiled, though her eyes were clouded with distress and the aftershocks of her pain. "I am fine, friend Robin. The injury does not cause me pain any longer. However, I have discovered something most troubling. I wish for us to reconvene in the room of controls for an emergency meeting of the team."
The others exchanged glances and nodded. "Sure, Star," Robin said. "Let me help you up."
"I am fine, friend Robin," she insisted stubbornly, pulling away. "I thank you for your concern, but I am capable of standing myself." She did just that to prove her words, careful to keep her hand out of view from the rest of her team. Robin's expression tightened, hurt by her actions, though it was only noticed by Raven.
"Okay, then," he said. "I guess we should head over to the Control Room now. Let's go, Titans."
Starfire led the way, floating in front of the rest of them and diligently guarding her hand from view.
Notes and References...
(1) I've been doing this since the first chapter, but I thought I'd note it now. As far as the spelling Azarathean and Tamaranean go as opposed to Azarathian and Tamaranian, I got it off a website. Yes, I was geeky enough to double-check this.
(2) Umm, I mention the Reckmas in here somewhere. Means, as Raven pointed out, the drifting. Got it from How Long is Forever? If you haven't seen it already, I recommend watching it once, just because there are a few great quotes (Raven: Great, Robin, more yelling will definitely stop all the yelling) and because future Raven rocks in a creepy, sad kind of way, and then never again because you will start noticing more and more the Starfire/Nightwing moments, and they will annoy you more and more and…
(3) I realize Azarath as a whole is drastically OOC. For the purposes of this story, it had to be. I mean, Tamaran can't fight a world if it's destroyed can it? Pretend with me, if you will. I'm well aware that my Azarath does not tie in with canon Azarath.
(4) Starfire said something like "Dear Zol" in this chapter. That came from Betrothed. I'm assuming it's the equivalent of "Dear God."
(5) Um, the chapter title wasn't meant as a pun on Starfire's sister's name. Not until I typed it and realized what I had done and decided it had to stay that way. Blackfire, the character not the chapter, is great.
(6) Please, please review!