Oh my gosh, it took me so long to finally get this done. For that I apologize, like really apologize. I made you guys wait so long you deserve a good episode so I hope this one lives up to that. And thanks for all the reviews from the last one, you guys are really what make writing these so much fun. Oh yeah, and the begining is the first episode recap I've done so if anyone has any suggestions on how it could be easier to follow please...enlighten me. Enjoy!
Toxic-dreamer-2, TTHPFan, Kori-Starfan93, Lyoko'sPrincess, Starfire I, Dana-Fire, PenInHand9, Realfanficts, The Seed of Chucky, Samanthe2121, RobxStarx4ever, I Collect Bannanas, Crazy Gril Person.
The Powers that Be
Previously on Teen Titans
Kid Flash moved aside and allowed them to see the limp form of Jinx. "We were attacked…..by the Etens."
Starfire addresses her friends solemnly; "I received a hidden communication from Galfore. I will leave for Tamaran within the hour."
(Voiceover Robin) "Star, you can't go alone."
Starfire speaking with Galfore
"I am sorry princess; I sent no such message. You must be mistaken."
Robin and Starfire
"Be careful," says Robin.
"You do realize you are speaking of Galfore," says Starfire crossly.
Robin knelt down on one knee and looked out over line after line of Gordanian troops.
(Voiceover Robin) "Until he admits to the message he sent you I'm gonna assume something's up."
She felt a hand touch down on her shoulder and suddenly Starfire was stricken with paralysis from the shoulders down.
"Galfore…why?"
"There is but one fate for you."
"ME FOR HER!"
Robin disappears in a column of fire. Before Starfire can speak she is sent through a vortex.
(Voiceover Cyborg) "I know we should be planning something, question is whether it's to find Robin or for his funeral."
"Robin never gave up, and neither shall I!" Shouts Starfire.
Raven bends over Jinx.
"Jinx, did the Hive do this to you?"
Raven holds Kid Flash up against the wall
"Are you seriously saying I'm working for the Etens?"
(Voiceover Raven, Starfire stands over the wounded Eten) "You are an Eten."
"TELL ME WHERE ROBIN IS!" Kid Flash's eyes glow
"He rests where all who doubt their gods are left to rot."
Robin faces Tomas
"Welcome, here you will either come to know your gods or you will not."
"We're done talking."
"We have only just begun."
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When there's trouble you know who to call
Teen Titans!
From their tower, they can see it all
Teen Titans!
When there's evil on the attack
You can rest knowing they got your back
Cuz when the world needs heroes on patrol
Teen Titans GO!
With their superpowers they unite
Teen Titans!
Never met a villain that they liked
Teen Titans!
They've got the bad guys on the run
They never stop 'till the job gets done
Cuz when the world is losin' all control
Teen Titans GO!
1,2,3,4 GO!
Teen Titans
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Raven shined a pen light forward, lowered it, then shined it again into a spot beside the last one. She finished checking Jinx's eyes then beckoned her to stand up off her bed. She did and was then instructed to walk across the room then back to her twice. Jinx seemed hesitant at first, owning to the fact that she still felt a little unsteady.
"You can sit back down if you need more time," said Raven. Jinx shook her head in an effort to stave off her nausea. She walked away from Raven then walked right up to her. She repeated this act and waited for her next instruction. Raven jotted down her progress then held up her pen before Jinx's eyes. "Follow this." She moved it steadily back and forth then up and down and finally towards her then away from her. Jinx's eyes never strayed from it and Raven held up three fingers. "How many fingers?"
"Three," answered Jinx. Raven noted the final test with an impressed nod.
"Well, you just cleared every test for someone who's suffered a sudden coma." Jinx looked only mildly pleased. "Now all we need to do is give those powers a little test." Jinx frowned thoughtfully then glanced over her shoulder and found Cyborg working at another station. She saw him chewing some gum and waited for it. As soon as he blew a sizable bubble she winked an eye at him and the bubble burst enormously covering his entire face.
"Whhht ws tht?" mumble Cyborg through his gummy face shield. Jinx giggle from her amusement but failed to catch the small fleeting smirk off Raven. She rubbed the back of her neck.
"I take it you haven't been able to find either Robin or Kid Flash have you?" Raven shook her head despondently. She began walking out of sickbay and Jinx followed her.
"The Kid Flash Eten was careful enough to tell us the usual Eten whoopla and not anything we could use." They rounded a corner.
"But you're still trying?" Raven didn't answer. "Right?"
"Starfire's certainly not going to give up so easily, ever since she got back she's ignored almost everything in favor of our search and…well……she just hasn't been able to turn up anything." Jinx trailed her eyes about in thought.
"Maybe if I gave her hand…" Raven shrugged.
"Maybe, in all truth Starfire could probably use the company." The beeping from Raven's communicator interrupted their conversation. "There's a disturbance near the first national bank; some kind of hostage situation. Look you and Starfire can stay here while Cyborg, Beast Boy and I take care of this."
"You don't need us?" asked Jinx. Raven inched closer as if telling her a big secret.
"The last time Beast Boy and Cyborg tried to take up roles as negotiators the building ended up with several holes, a few injured hostages, and one bad guy in traction." Jinx arched an eyebrow. "See you soon." Jinx gave a short wave then walked away in the opposite direction.
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Jinx used the tower computer to locate Starfire and found her hunched over a sea of papers in her room. Her bed, its original use forgotten, now served as a table for the myriad of pages. Jinx rang the door chime but Starfire barely noticed it.
"What? Oh..umm, enter," she called not looking away from her work. Jinx let herself in and with a few steps Starfire finally looked around at her visitor. "Jinx, I am glad to see you are well again."
"Thank you," said Jinx quietly. She often acted just a little shy when Kid Flash's personality wasn't there to balance things out. Jinx leaned forward to get a better look at her work. "How's it coming?" Starfire dropped whatever writing utensil she held and propped up her forehead in the palm of her hand.
"Ohhh, thus far I have learned nothing," she whimpered. "It is frustrating because the Kid Flash Eten's words were meaningful to him and the others but to me it is nothing but babbling minutia. I am no closer to finding Robin or anyone else for that matter." She fell to a despondent sitting position by her bed. Jinx felt at a loss, inspiring people was never her best subject.
"Well…uhh…I've come to help." Starfire looked up at her. "You know…..only if you want me to." Starfire wiped away her eyes.
"Of-Of course I would most certainly appreciate anything you have to offer."
"You mean you don't want to do all this on your own or anything?" Starfire sat confused for a second.
"I am not so beyond reason that I will not accept help, truthfully help is what I am desperately in need of." Jinx smiled a small one and sat down beside her.
"Well you already said that 'Kid Flash' said next to nothing important." She nodded.
"Nothing beyond the usual."
"What did he say?" Starfire attempted to recall his words, though honestly her rage at the time blocked out most of it.
"He said it was a place where all who doubt the gods must go." Jinx listened while looking down at the varying pages. It was then that a thought occurred to Starfire. "While on Tamaran Kitten was about to send me where Robin is now, a place she said 'all nonbelievers must go'."
"You think they're the same place?"
"It is possible; I never thought to concentrate on what 'Kid Flash' said though." She stood up and began to pace around. "They are obviously speaking of some form of punishment, a place where you are sent for wickedness…"
"Hell?" Jinx threw out the word and Starfire stopped on the spot.
"That place? Yes that is the realm I have been looking for." Jinx joined Starfire in contemplation. "A place of eternal suffering and torment from which there is no escape." Starfire's features grew pensive then she shook her head dismissively. "Raven has said the Etens are of the Norse mythology, never in my search did I arrive at a place of that name or nature."
"Maybe they call it something else; it stands to reason not everyone called it that a long time ago." Starfire held up a finger and dashed back down beside Jinx. She began sweeping through the ocean papers while a bewildered Jinx watched. "Was it something I said?"
"There is one area I have not thought to explore, before now that is. Jinx I thank you, you were an enormous help." She hugged the honorary Titan rather tightly then went straight back to work.
"Uhhh…you're welcome."
Robin stood in the hallway of a house that seemed all too familiar to him. Up ahead was the dining room, he distinctly saw three people sitting at it obviously waiting for him. The only problem was that his family wasn't supposed to be around anymore. He lout a pained and staggered sigh and turned abruptly away from the scene.
"NNNO! ENOUGH! STOP THIS!" As soon as he turned he opened his eyes and found himself with Tomas again. The Eten stood still and unmoving with the tiniest hint of a malicious smile. Robin was conscious only for a moment as the same aura that over took him before returned. His head sagged forward and Tomas closed his eyes to begin again.
Robin walked on the fertile lawn of a home out in the country. He recognized it as the house he once visited with his parents; the house of his grandfather. The sun was shining brightly with a chorus of chirping birds and light gusts of wind. He stopped walking and turned about on the spot, why was he here?
"Robin?" he spun around to see Starfire standing not far from him.
"Star?" exclaimed Robin in the same manner. She cast a surprised yet nervous stare towards him.
"How is it you are here?"
"Yeahhh…I..I was kinda wondering that myself." Starfire tilted her head at him then her face morphed into one of comprehension.
"You must have found a way to will yourself out of that terrible place." Robin put his hands up.
"But that hardly explains how I, personally, was able to do it. I mean, we've since discovered that Tamaranians who have become a chrysalis during their transformation are also immune to the Etens powers but…I never became a chrysalis." Starfire remained silent. "How did you know where I was?" She shrugged.
"It soon became clear to us. Are you not happy to be home?"
"Well I'm defiantly glad to get out of there but this…" He looked around at the trees and the house. "This isn't home for me." For some reason Starfire's face began to fall. "Then again; I suppose it's the people around you." Just as quickly a smile reappeared on her face. She held out her hand.
"I have missed you."
"I haven't been gone that long." She slowly shook her head.
"Can an eternity truly be measured?" Robin and Starfire then spent a number of minuets just walking and talking in the paths of the forest. There were moments when awkward silences fell, and then there were times when they couldn't stop laughing with one another. Robin glanced up at the sky to see the sun beginning to set.
"We should try to get back to the tower, course I haven't a clue how far away we are. You think you could give a lift some of the way?"
"Of course Robin, if you tell me something. Tell me!" A hissed whisper rang throughout the air bit it went unnoticed by the boy wonder. He sent her a sympathetic smile.
"Sure Star I'll tell you anything." He moved past her just a little. "What do you want to know?"
"Tell me the security pass codes to the Titan mainframe." He looked back at her with a bewildered look.
"Why? You have your own, why do you need everyone else's?"
Tell Me!
It was then that Robin felt a chill run down his spine, his face harbored growing suspicion. "Why?"
"Tell me the location of the remaining Titans throughout the world." Said Starfire imperiously.
"You still haven't answered my question," said Robin.
"Please tell me Robin. Tell me!"
"No," replied Robin without a second thought. He snickered and began moving around Starfire in a circle. "I can't believe I almost fell for this." Starfire's eyes followed him as he moved. "You guys must really be desperate to have to go through all this just to get me to talk." Starfire's confused watch easily transformed into a narrowed eyed stare. "By the way you forgot the dog; she's brown with a hint of gold." Tomas stretched out his hand and Robin's neck was pulled into his grasp.
"Make no mistake mortal," said Tomas through her voice. "Soon I shall break your mind and you will tell me all that I want to know." Robin choked under his grip. "Or you will be yet another hopeless soul wandering this place for all eternity." He brought Robin closer to him. "And that is a very long time!" he threw Robin away and upon landing he found himself back in the place where he was first bound. Tomas released his binds and before Robin could make any moves he was pushed into one of flowing red rivers on either side of them.
"STARFIRE!" He didn't bother to wonder how he could shout while submerged in the strange liquid. He felt the waters flowing past him more and more rapidly until he hit hard ground once again. Robin made contact with the ground with such force that he could only raise his head an inch before it fell back down.
TITANS TOWER…………
The two giant doors opened allowing Raven. Cyborg, and Beast Boy entry. Cyborg dusted some loose rubble off his shoulder while Raven rubbed her temples incredulously.
"You did it again…I-I just can't believe it you guys did it again!"
Beast Boy held back the urge to lean an arm around her. "Raven if you check the street light surveillance you'll see the hostages only have a few scratches and bruises and the bad guy's-"
"In traction," interrupted Raven. The changeling looked up at Cyborg and they both shrugged at each other. "Never mind, I just hope Starfire has something by now." They walked into the common room to find Starfire and Jinx talking excitedly to one another.
"So girls," said Cyborg clapping his hands together. "What's for dinner?" Starfire and Jinx regarded him perplexed. "Just a joke…what'dya got?"
"Well after exhausting every bit of research media we could find we believe we have learned what we need," said Starfire. Raven sat down casually and adopted a ready demeanor. Presenting results from a fact finding mission was usually Raven's area and it was not everyday Starfire got to sit in the lime light.
"Wait," said Beast Boy hurrying over to the kitchen. While everyone held off impatiently Beast Boy just as quickly returned with a soda in hand. "Okay go ahead." Starfire paused momentarily to make sure all interruptions had passed.
"For the longest time my search turned up very little as I was bent on searching for any mention of the realm the people of earth refer to as 'Hell', but Jinx suggested that I broaden my search for names of a more ancient nature."
"So you found it?" asked Raven.
"We think so," said Starfire. "She displayed her page on the large screen for all of them to see. "In a passage from the Eten's dogma there is mention of a place called Nivleham or Niflheim, also called 'the House of Mists'. Cyborg scrunched up his face in mocking disbelief.
"Nivleham?" Starfire shifted her eyes about innocently. "Are you kidding me?"
"It is simply the way they named things during the time period." Cyborg nodded halfheartedly. "Uhh anyway Nivleham is described as a place with icy fogs, mists, darkness, and cold."
"Sounds really picturesque," quipped Beast Boy.
"It continues on…" said Starfire in a tone that clearly denoted irritation. Beast Boy excused himself. "It continues on by saying that it is a place where the ill and wicked are cast for all eternity. Now originally Nivleham was established by the Eese as a form of prison-"
"Whoa-whoa-whoa," said Raven. "Who are the Eese?" Starfire opened her mouth and looked up at the large projection, now realizing that she also had not a clue who they were.
"I-I do not know." Raven, Cyborg, and Beast Boy all looked at each other. "The point is we know the place to where Robin and the others have been sent." Raven scratched her forehead.
"Do you know exactly where this place is?" Starfire decided to take a break and handed the floor off to Jinx.
"The text indicates that the realm is situated on the lowest level of the universe." A stiff silence took over. Beast Boy nearly snickered as he stopped sipping his soda.
"We're probably gonna have to ask for directions." They all looked at him.
"Don't even go there man, we don't need directions." Raven rolled her eyes.
"Oh don't even start that nonsense; honestly you boys and your ego. But as it so happens we may not have to look all that far."
"Well I seem to have lost my spiritual universe map," said Jinx folding her arms. Raven stood up and began walking away.
"Be right back." As Raven left the room Starfire switched off the screen and gazed out the window.
"Please hold on Robin, we are coming for you."
REJOINING ROBIN…………….
When Robin finally opened his eyes again he found he was shivering madly. He sat up and blindly felt around for anything to lean against. He found a rocky formation not far and crawled through the cold mist toward it. Yet just as he rested his back against it and tried to warm himself her heard his name being called.
"Robin?" He didn't look around. For all he knew it was just another hallucination trying to gain his trust. "Is that you? What are you doing here?" Kid Flash knelt down in front of him. "Are you going to say anything?"
"Why bother," muttered Robin. "You're not even real."
"Yes I am dude; some weird guy appeared out of nowhere, made himself look just like me then the next thing I knew I was here." Robin trialed his eyes up to Kid Flash's face and chuckled.
"You're not looking too bad." Kid Flash smiled.
"Th'place kinda reminds me of high school." Robin sent him an incredulous gawk.
"Now I know you're just trying to be funny," he said getting up. Kid Flash rose with him while looking around at their surroundings.
"Hmm; cold, evil, depressing, hopeless…..yep screams high school." Robin lost his balance but was caught on the arm by his Titan colleague. "Come on, the rest of us are over here."
"Us?" Without explaining Kid Flash helped Robin passed a mazelike barrier; on the other side where a sea of people. Robin gazed around open mouthed at the thousands of prisoners. Kid Flash helped Robin back to the ground then sat down a few from him.
"How ya doing?" Robin shrugged.
"I've definitely been better." Robin took in steady deep breaths. The frigid air around them seemed to freeze in their lungs. Kid Flash nodded ahead of him.
"She doesn't look so good." Robin turned his head and finally noticed that Blackfire was sitting beside him. She sat leaning back with dirtied matted hair. Another woman was applying a moist rag to her forehead. Blackfire lay almost utterly still but not for her audible breathing and the movement under her eyelids. "She's been like that since I got here."
"How long ago was that?" asked Robin hoarsely.
"I don't know, feels like a hundred years have gone by." Robin then got the horrible possibility that time was indeed moving faster than their world and in reality a hundred years had gone by.
"There are thousands of you here," said Robin. Kid Flash nodded. "Why haven't you tried to fight or anything?"
"Our powers aren't working here, we're helpless."
"Maybe right now, but when help comes we'll need to be ready to act when the time is right." Kid looked down at the ground as despair began to cloud over him.
"What makes you think help even knows where we are?" Robin leant his head back with a smile.
"They're my friends." And that was that.
BACK AT TITANS TOWER…………….
Starfire, Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Jinx watched curiously as Raven poured a strange colored dust onto the floor to form a large circle.
"Should we get behind something?" asked Cyborg. Raven shot him a look. She set aside the empty bottle and stepped inside the ring. She waited then gestured to the remaining space.
"Well? You wanna save Robin or not?" Starfire needed no more and promptly joined Raven. The other three were just a little more apprehensive then headstrong at the moment.
Beast Boy moved about with his hands in his pockets. "It just seems a little…"
"Weird," interjected Jinx. Raven looked at the ring and arched a brow.
"Well…yes, this ancient magic stuff usually is. Look all I have to do is concentrate on Robin's vibes, as cliché as that sounds, and I'll be able to home in on where he's being kept."
"On an alternate plain of existence?" asked Cyborg.
"Yes! Now will you guys just move it already!" The three of them hesitatingly stepped into the circle. Raven crossed her legs and levitated off the floor. "When I do find Robin and get us moving, I'm not sure where will come out." Now Starfire joined the others in apprehension. "So be prepared." They all nodded. Raven closed her eyes to begin. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos…...Azarath Metrion Zinthos…" A shimmering wall rose from the sandy barrier Raven created. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos…" They began to hear her words echo as she spoke them. At once they left their tower and found themselves floating in the vastness of space. They were able to walk about within their small confinement.
"Whoa," whispered Beast Boy. "Hey Raven you got anything for motion sickness? Raven?" Beast Boy walked up to her and poked her a few times. "Are you okay?"
"She's in one of her trances," said Cyborg feeling her pulse. "Until she finds Robin we may be here awhile."
"How long?" asked Starfire anxiously.
"There's no way to tell," said Cyborg. Starfire held her arms and gazed out at the stars. "We've made it this far." She looked back at him. "We're not turning back now." It was hours before Raven uttered so much as a peep, and that was just a clearing of the throat. After another hour of waiting for Raven to locate their leader her eyes finally opened.
"I found him." They all stood up suddenly.
"Truly Raven?" She nodded.
"Yes Star, we'll be there in no time."
"What took you so long?" asked Beast Boy.
"It's the universe," said Raven emphatically. "It's a big place." He and Cyborg looked at each other as Raven geared up for another transport. "We might have some opposition as far as entering Nivleham, but we'll make it."
"I'm confident," said Jinx.
"Me too," said Cyborg.
"Uhh me three," added Beast Boy.
"As am I," said Starfire with a smile to her dark haired friend. Raven absorbed the bouts of confidence then began her mantra again. The space around them warped away into a whirl of dark blue and purple. A strong wind penetrated their shield making the Titans shield themselves. Within moments they touched down on solid ground and the field collapsed. Raven fell to her knees and breathed out a tired gasp.
"Raven." Beast Boy held her arm and helped her up.
"I'm fine…"
"Are you sure?" Raven regarded him curiously.
"Yes, I'm okay." Beast Boy nodded. "You can let go of my arm now." He did rather quickly.
"Sorry I was just…err…Cyborg.." He left Raven's side in a pretend effort to see to Cyborg. Starfire meanwhile stood transfixed by the sights ahead of her. The others soon walked up beside her to look out at the dark misty land before them.
"So..," said Jinx. "This is Nivleham."
"I do not see Robin," said Starfire squinting her eyes to try to see farther. "Are you certain we are in the correct plain Raven?" Raven stared up at Starfire.
"Yes, and let me say it's extremely strange and unsettling to be asked that question." Cyborg then took up his responsibility as second in command of the team. He walked ahead of them with his cannon at the ready.
"Alright yall here's what we'll do; keep your eyes and ears open. Find Robin and anyone else who needs help'n."
"And then?" asked Jinx.
"Annnd that's all I've got right now; BB you're with me, Star, Raven, and Jinx you take that way." He pointed in an arbitrary direction and they parted. As Cyborg walked Beast Boy gruffly caught up with him.
"That's all you've got?"
"I'm making this up as I go alright."
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Starfire, Raven, and Jinx moved swiftly through the fogging mists. Starfire coughed trying to shoo away some of the fog. Raven's hands glowed and with a sweeping motion parted the mist. The three girls drew closer and closer to a flowing river. The liquid was a crystal icy blue. Starfire knelt down at the bank and peered into its depths. Down below she saw what appeared to be someone restrained while being spoken to by an Eten.
"Raven," called Starfire. Raven and Jinx joined her along the shore. Raven observed the odd properties of the water.
"This must be a means of moving around the different levels of Nivleham."
"Could it be Robin to whom the Eten is speaking?" Raven looked closer and after trying to read his thoughts shook her head.
"I can't hear his thoughts; the water must also act as some kind of barrier." Starfire decided that she would go with her instinct that whoever that was wasn't Robin. She gestured forward and they continued on.
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Cyborg and Beast Boy took turns taking point in their search for their leader. Beast Boy allowed himself to indulge in the situation by sneaking around a little too dramatically.
"Would you like me to play you some theme music?" asked Cyborg quietly. Beast Boy sweat dropped and discontinued the act. They both stopped abruptly when they saw a shadow move ahead of them. Beast Boy motioned for Cyborg to creep up along the other side while Beast Boy stayed their original course. Cyborg sent him a nod and veered off towards his path. Beast Boy edged closer with Cyborg moving stealthily along side him. The changeling peeked around the corner and found not their leader nor Kid Flash but a creature of type one would expect to find in a place such as this. His mind made up Beast Boy leap around the corner and morphed into a gorilla; or so he thought he did. Upon reaching the creature he realized he was still in human form.
"Huh? What gives!" He exclaimed staring down at his hands. The creature let out an ear piercing shriek and whacked Beast Boy away with its tail. Cyborg jumped out from his barricade just in time to catch him out of the air. He set him down and sighted in on the creature.
"Man that is one ugly face you've got." The creature issued one more growl and charged forward.
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Starfire came to a small hole in the ground and began to lift into the air. She was so accustomed to it happening upon her willing of it that it took her a full three seconds to realize that she hadn't gone anywhere.
"My powers…"
"Mine too," said Jinx joining her. "Raven's been trying to move this giant boulder but no such luck." Raven then appeared from around the corner looking thoroughly frustrated.
"Guess the water wasn't a barrier after all; our powers just don't work here."
"Then how are we supposed to get back if you can't teleport us out of here?" asked Jinx. Starfire gulped and locked eyes with Raven. The pale Titan only looked darted her eyes about.
"Yeah…about that." They might have dwelled on it further had they not heard movement ahead. Without their powers they would have only their physical strength, and that would have to do. Still, Starfire considered maybe their foe wouldn't know that and held her fist at the ready like normal. As she drew closer she became aware of the outline and realized it was human.
"Who is there?" she called out. The shadow stopped moving and remained still. "Speak."
"N-No one." The voice answered. Starfire's eyes widened; that voice could only belong to one person. Without hearing Raven and Jinx shout at her Starfire ran forward and zipped past the rocky barriers. There was Robin lying amongst the prisoners of the Etens. "ROBIN!" He looked up at her found Starfire scowling down at him.
"Starfire?"
"I have traveled so far to find you Robin and here you sit in the comfort of my sister!"
Robin sent up a scornful look at Starfire. "What are you doing here Starfire? Why would you even bother?" Starfire felt utterly taken aback.
"What are you saying Robin." Robin gaped at her in surprise.
"What are you talking about Star; she's barely hanging in there." She put her hands to her hips.
"That is simply like you Robin; can you do nothing but find excuses?" Raven and Jinx watched utterly mystified as both Titans stared at one another wordlessly. As Raven drew closer she saw that the pupils Starfire's wide eyes were much bigger than normal. She moved down to Robin and saw his were the same.
"They're in some sort of fabricated reality."
"Both of them?"
"Yeah, my guess is the Etens know we're here and they're getting desperate at stopping us anyway they can."
"Can you help them?"
"How? My powers are gone, they're just going to have to work through it." And as Starfire's view continued Raven and Jinx disappeared from her sight. Robin turned away from her.
"Robin why are you so…angry with me, I have come to help you."
"Well you wasted your time." Starfire could do nothing about the tears coming to her eyes. And as the false Robin emotionally destroyed her, the false Starfire continued to bare down on Robin.
"Are you going to simply sit there in your depravity or do you simply feel no remorse?" Robin closed his eyes and shook his head.
"That's not what Starfire would say, you would never jump to conclusions like that. This can't be real." He looked up at her again and for a fleeting second saw her likeness flicker and change. For a moment he saw in tears and not with a hard frown. "This isn't real, it's just another trick!" He stood up and as soon as he was on his feet found himself looking at the real Starfire. He took her shoulders and shook her. "Starfire snap out of it, it's just an illusion!" Raven and jinx ran up on either side of the boy wonder.
"Robin why do you say such things!" She sobbed. He looked at both Raven and Jinx knowing both of them could only think of one solution. With an extreme dissatisfaction Robin raised his hand and lightly slapped Starfire across the face. She recoiled with a hand to her face but upon straightening saw Robin staring at her with epic concern. "R-Robin?"
"I-I'm sorry I had t-" Before he could say another word Starfire threw her arms around him in an embrace that forbade him to ever leave its confines again. Her fingers gripped his clothes so tightly it was a wonder she was able let go. When she finally did they're eyes locked for the longest of moments before Robin broke it. "Blackfire needs help." He bent down and held one of her arms over his shoulder.
"Where's Kid Flash?" asked Jinx.
"Right here," he said walking up with Cyborg and Beast Boy.
"How did you guys meet up?" asked Raven. The three boys only looked at one another.
"You wouldn't believe us if we told you."
"Yeah try me," said Robin. "Alright now that everyone's here we can get going right?" Starfire and Raven exchanged mortified looks. "Right?" persisted Robin definitively.
"None of our powers work here," said Raven. "We don't have a way back." They were all so absorbed in the depth of their situation that they didn't notice that Tomas stood close by.
"Perhaps now you all know the power that is the Etens." All heads turned toward him. "Your impure misgivings disallow you to function in our midst; you will all become one with the Etens."
"You and I have been down this road far too many times!" retorted Robin. He still had Blackfire's limp arm slung over his shoulder. The rest of them all adopted similar looks of defiance. Tomas nodded his head slightly.
"Very well." With that they suddenly found themselves surrounded by a dozen more human form Etens. "Then you shall be smote in the fires of your gods, may all who would stray learn from your lapse of judgment. I lament, Starfire, that our battle could not be more prolonged." She glared back at him. "Good bye, Titans!" Yet just as the Etens charged their pendants a bright light shown around the Titans and they were whisked away. Tomas' hands flew back to his sides. His face held both shock and fury. With one glance upward he curled his lip. "Odin…"
ELSEWHERE………………..
The light that had saved the Titans from sure destruction soon dissipated. One by one they opened their eyes, although much of their surroundings was still blurry. Robin felt himself growing tired and after finding the first available spot leant Blackfire up against it.
"Ooookay….so where are we?" asked Beast Boy.
"Raven?" asked Robin.
"It wasn't me." She said waving her hands. Cyborg glanced over his shoulder then did a bug eyed double take. He blindly tapped Robin on the shoulder and missed. The boy wonder shooed Cyborg's hand away from his face like a mosquito.
"What?" They all turned upon him speaking and gaped in awe ahead of them. Hundreds of people dressed in white and gold robes stood before them in various places. For a while there was nothing but silence, and then Starfire took the initiative.
"Hello?"
"Greetings," said the one closest to them. It was odd but almost everything about this place, the strange people especially, told them they were absolutely safe. What made them even more odd was that fact that they looked quite young. "Allow me to be the first to welcome you to Valhalla. My name is Odin and we are the Eese." He said spreading his arms out. The Titans all gawked at each other open mouthed; the Valhalla?
"You brought us here?" asked Raven.
"We did; it is one of our highest laws that not matter the circumstances we are not to directly interfere with the affairs of the lower plains of existence. However, we have decided your situation against the Etens was unique."
"You know of our enemy," said Starfire. "We are thankful you have helped us…" Starfire drew closer to him. "You are the Eese…the ones that originally created Nivleham."
"It was crafted as means to confine the Etens and their powers, but the inevitable occurred and they escaped by converting it to their own use."
"How long have you known the Etens?" asked Starfire. The Titans decided to hang back as the moment was rightfully Starfire's. Odin grew somewhat despondent.
"Long ago the Etens and Eese lived together in peace as one, then a great schism occurred due to philosophical disagreements. As our understanding of the universe and its vastness grew so did our powers. Unfortunately the Etens allowed the versatility of their powers to warp their minds and grew self-indulgent of their own divine notions." Starfire looked about utterly amazed.
"You are saying that the Etens are so deluded that they actually believe themselves to be gods?" Odin slowly nodded.
"Their will is untamable, and their level of corruption without dept. They will never stop until all who live and die as mortals bow before them with unquestioning faith."
"Well you seem to be just as powerful," said Robin. "Could you possibly give us a hand?"
"No," replied Odin simply. All of them, including Starfire, just blinked out of sheer alarm. "The awakening of the Etens is not the resulting consequence of any direct or indirect action of the Eese." Robin rubbed his temples a few times.
"Let me see if I've translated correctly…" He walked up besides Starfire. "You're not going to help us save a whollllle galaxy of innocent people because…none of this is your fault?"
"Our laws are absolute, we can do nothing."
"Well thanks for bailing us out of bailing us out of there," said Kid Flash with a mock smile. "But I guess that's where your policy of limited benevolence ends right?"
"Kid Flash," scolded Starfire. "Perhaps we should not mock the higher beings."
"No Star," said Robin. "I happen to agree with Kid Flash." Starfire shot a fearful look between Robin and Odin. "If you've fought against the Etens before and won, I think you've all got a responsibility to help us lowly mortals." Odin shifted his gaze. "Look," said Robin adopting a more humble attitude. "We didn't wake up the Etens either, none of this is our fault either….but we're trying to do something about it anyway. We have a duty to do so."
"It is true that we are all moved by your unparalleled heroism," said Odin. "But I must once again regretfully abide by what was written many millennia before your ancestors walked the earth." He looked back at his fellow Eese then returned his attention to the Titans with a smile. "However, we believe that if there is a single ray of hope of stopping them this time it certainly lies with you." He stretched out his hand and touched Robin on the top of his head. Starfire immediately grew defensive. But upon feeling a hand on her head knew instantly there was no reason to be afraid. One by one they all received what anyone could call a blessing.
"Sweet," said Beast Boy. "What did you do?"
"Your minds can no longer be tampered with by either the Etens or the Eese, for all intents and purposes you are free."
"That is all then?" asked Starfire. Odin smiled once again and held her shoulder.
"We have not seen such strength in so long; dare we say it we nearly considered you a spirit such as yours to be extinct," he said to all the Titans. "Higher beings or not, not one of us is perfect in anyway. You should not worry, when the time is right you will prevail." Starfire nodded and stepped backwards to rejoin her friends.
"Okay this is all cool and everything," began Cyborg. "But there's still the tiny matter of getting home, so if you could just give us a lif-" Odin raised his head slightly and in a whiff of light they were gone.
LATER IN TITANS TOWER……………….
Kind Flash and Jinx extended their warmest thanks before departing for the various teams around the world. Robin assigned them the task of making sure they really were all still on the same side. At the end of the day Robin, Starfire, Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Raven all sat around the couch for what became the usual going over of the days events.
"And my sister?" asked Starfire. "She will be okay yes?"
"Yes, thankfully we got her out just in time and the Eese protection seems to be accelerating her healing process," reported Raven. "All in all within a few days Blackfire should make a full recovery."
"I am just glad we are all together once again," said Starfire through a sigh. "Robin you suffered no lasting wounds I hope." He shook his head.
"No, I'll be alright. But honestly guys for a while I really didn't think was ever gonna get out of there. I'm glad you guys came when you did, they might've warped my brain if you hadn't shown up."
"You know the Etens will probably only see this as a minor set back," said Cyborg.
"Well it certainly won't discourage them from their plan of eradicating everyone who doesn't want to believe them as gods," said Raven. "And seeing how they even believe it themselves I don't think there's much chance of us convincing them otherwise." Robin nodded and stood up.
"The next time we see them it'll probably be big, we need to be ready."
--------
Robin paced himself as he walked down the hall toward his room. He moved past Starfire's door then backpedaled until he was standing just outside it. There was much he wanted to say that he felt uncomfortable saying in front of the others. But he figured now was as good a time as any. Yet just as he reached up to knock on her door it swooshed open and Starfire stopped in her tracks. They both spoke with steady awkwardness.
"Robin."
"Starfire."
"I-I was just on my way to find you," she said stepping outside. He moved around to face her.
"May I ask why?" he said with a smile. She smiled back and held out her hand.
"Come." Starfire first made sure there was no one in the common room then led Robin to the stairs that led to the roof. Once out under the setting sun she closed the door behind them. She paused at the door as if unsure that she had made the right decision. Robin waited for her to say something but soon realized she was waiting for him to help her steady herself.
"Starfire? Are you okay?" With a stifled sniffle she shook her head.
"No Robin, I fear that I am far from okay." She turned to him to show him her eyes were shining with tears. "My life is not worth the sacrifice Robin; please do not ever do so again." He couldn't hardly believe what he just heard.
"Your life's not worth it," repeated Robin disbelieving. "Star if I'd do it again in half a second, I don't care what the consequences are." She smiled weakly and slowly drew nearer to him.
"I do." Her eyes still wet she closed the distance and between them and bestowed on the boy wonder her feelings and emotions with a simple gesture. Their lips touched only for a fleeting moment, a moment that both silently wished would never end. She quickly drew away from him for any number of reasons. Robin stared into her eyes trying to find the answer but soon gave up. He saw her staring at him desperatley and he held out his arms.
"C'mere." As finally getting something she had been begging for Starfire flew into his arms and he hugged her tightly. She held onto him just as she did upon seeing him again, although to her that felt like an eternity ago. "It's okay Star…I'm alright." He began to move them inside when Starfire looked at him again.
"No, please there is something else." He frowned somewhat perplexed.
"Something?" She wiped her eyes and somehow became rather giddy. She led Robin around one of the large A/C units to two lawn chairs, an ice chest, and two fishing rods. With a smile Robin picked one up. "I-I could not remember where it is you enjoy this activity along the beach," she said looking down at the shores surrounding the tower. "So I was filled this small containment field water instead. Robin turned around and saw Starfire had filled an eight foot plastic pool with water.
"You did this?" he asked. She nodded.
"As I understand it, it is not the actual catching of fish…..but the fish-ing." Robin's smile broadened and he let out a few chuckles of mirth. With an almost tearful nod he sat down. She joined him and he handed her a rod.
"It's close enough." The two Titans fished together under the setting sun, and it was then that Starfire fully understood the concept of a form recreation that is clearly a chore.
Then End
Well I hope you all liked that. I promise more episodes will come again and again until you all get tired of it. So until then I'll post again soon. Laters!