My friends I present to you part two of our season finale. I hope you all enjoy reading it fully as I fully enjoyed writing it. I kinda had the feeling some parts may have seem a bit rushed but in reality TT episodes only lasted thirty minuets anyway right? It would've been cool went an hour. Anyway, Enjoy!
Thanks very much for reviewing; Teen Freak, The Seed of Chucky, Rose Red2.0, I Collect Bananas, Samanthe2121, Guardian of Azarath, Realfanficts, Linzheart92, TTHPFan, Lyoko's Princess. Sorry for any errors along the way (Spelling, mixed up words). This was so worth doing at one in the morning. XD
Day of Reckoning pt.2
The air was filled with a cold chill, the only structures that could be seen where the tall office buildings. The rest of the houses and streets were submerged beneath a sea of snow and ice. There was not a sign of life anywhere. A mound of snow near the base of Titan's Tower moved about until it was Beast Boy that sat up. He brushed himself off shivering. He staggered to his feet and was about to topple over but was caught by Cyborg.
"Careful man."
"Whoa...talk about a brain freeze-" His speech was cut short by a sight by the beach. He slowly walked toward it; the others saw it also and began to follow him. Robin stumbled as his attention was drawn away from his steps. All the remaining Titans gazed upon Raven. Raven was still…far too still. Robin, Cyborg, and Beast Boy walked around to her front. Raven was frozen solid. She remained stationary in her last moment of terror. Her hair stiff and her eyes shut tight. A cold wind blew by sending even more shivers down their backs. Beast Boy reached forward to touch her but she was so cold, so cold that it burned. Robin looked out over the water, covered by mist and patches of ice. This was but the first of two more winters….and they were fresh out of Ravens.
"The city's covered," said Cyborg staring in the opposite direction of Robin. "If anyone did make it through that they won't last for long."
"It'll only get colder," said Robin. "They'll march in their militia to finish off any survivors then hit us with another winter….and then one more." As he spoke Robin began to notice the sound of despair in his voice. He looked back toward the large team he'd assembled. Red Star gave his coat over to Wonder Girl who positively shivered to the bone being without sleeves or pants. "Come on, let's get back inside and fit everyone who needs something warmer, we're gonna need it." Cyborg, Beast Boy, Titans East, and the rest of the honorary Titans followed him back inside.
Out over the water the number of Gordanian ships increased by two more. On the flagship Trogar sat in his chair on the bridge. Beside him stood the presiding members of the Brotherhood of Evil. They observed the chilled landscape on the view screen. Trogar then rotated his chair toward the gathering behind him.
"The air has been cleared Brain, we will launch our forces immediately." His raspy voice echoed throughout the bridge.
"Very-Well," said the Brain's computerized voice. "General Immortus." The old man's face took up the view screen. "You-May-Begin-Deploying-Our-Forces-Upon-The-City, All-Survivors-must-Be-Destroyed." General Immortus nodded with a look of malice. "So-It-Has-Been-Decreed-By-Our-Gods."
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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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Starfire knew she was trapped, taken to another plain of existence she would need either Tomas or the Eese to send her back. And since the Eese were now pacifists it wasn't likely she was going to be leaving anytime soon. She edged her way around the wall of the spacious temple. Tomas stepped toward her and she raised a glowing fist in his direction.
"What are you going to do? You don't have the power."
"I have the will," she responded resolutely.
"The will," he repeated with a scoffing voice. "Just what do you think is going to happen? Do you expect the Eese to come to your aid? Our name alone is enough to make them avoid a battle at all costs." But he could see she knew very well they wouldn't be helping. "It is something else then."
"You will maintain your distance," warned Starfire as he began walking toward her.
"It is your friends you have hope for." Her confident expression sank somewhat. "The city you once protected is now nothing more than a frozen waist land, inhabited only by the silent and stiff statues that once strayed from the path. And no distinctions are made between human or metahuman." He swept his hand across the large wall allowing them to see an aerial view of Titans Tower. He zoomed in the view upon Raven where she stood frozen solid on the shores of the island. Starfire's hands flew to her mouth.
"Raven…no."
"A foolish last attempt to negate the power of the Etens, you were not even victorious over the sea. Soon our warriors will parade through streets all over the world, cleansing it of the evil that before now was allowed to rampant."
"NO!" She spun around and hit him with her eyebeams. The smoke from the impact cleared showing her she'd hit only a barrier around him. He smirked and turned back to the viewing wall.
"Now, let's see how those friends of yours are fairing." With another wave of his hand the view changed showing Starfire Robin, Cyborg, Beast Boy, and everyone else now leaving Titans Tower.
Aside from a few exceptions; Red Star, Killowat, Hot Spot, and Lighting, just about all the Titans were now bundled up from head to toe. Most of the mist had cleared over the ocean as well as much of the cloud cover above. Cyborg coordinated a few well rounded defense strategies with each of them while Robin kept a close watch of their far off enemies. Bumble Bee landed next to him rubbing her hands together.
"It never got this cold in the North East." Robin grinned with a nod. "How long do you think they'll wait before swamping us with ground troops?"
"It's hard to say," replied Robin. "I'm beginning to agree with Cyborg, I think I did make a mistake asking for Blood's help."
"You had to do something, and now he's hurting himself just as much as he's hurting us. It wasn't your fault." Robin glanced at her despondently.
"Tell that to Starfire."
"HEY GUYS! OVER HERE!" They followed Beast boy's voice to a spot along the beach near Raven. He turned around once they all circled around him. "Check this out." He took a step off the beach and stepped onto the ocean. Wait, he stepped onto the ocean? It was then that they noticed that the water's surface was frozen solid as far as the eye could see. They watched Beast Boy apprehensively as he walked out onto the ice. Pantha took the initiative and joined Beast Boy. All heads snapped in her direction as though she were crazy. After looking around at each other the rest of them decided they had nothing to lose and stepped off the island.
BACK IN JUMP CITY……………
Tessa helped the last of her friends off the ladder coming down the manhole into the subway system.
"Thanks, that was a close one."
"Yeah no kidding, is everyone okay?" They either nodded or replied in the affirmative. One of her friends that had been scouting the tunnel for a good place to rest came running back around the corner.
"Tessa!"
"Bree, what is it?" She took a few seconds to catch her breath then pointed behind her with her thumb.
"You should see this." Bree led Tessa and the others down the area she explored all the way to a loading platform. They walked up onto the platform to find it crowded by people. Those who had been fortunate enough to be in the subway at the time of the first winter were now huddled together for warmth. As the small group drew closer, all eyes turned to them. Their faces shown both despair, but also a disdain for the cause of their situation. Tessa nodded as she looked around at each of them. This just may be what they need.
BACK WITH THE TITANS……………
Slowly and carefully they treaded on the layer of ice over the ocean. With each step they took a low and short cracking sound could be heard. It was as if the ice was weakening then restoring itself. Cyborg paused as his robotic vision zoomed in on something in the distance.
"Cyborg?"
"They're coming."
"How many?"
"Can't give you a solid number, but it looks like a couple thousand give or take. They're merging the Gordanians with Immortus' guys.
"I say let them come!" proclaimed Pantha courageously. Robin stared off in the direction the large mass was coming and at the surrounding area.
"Cyborg there's still moving water under this ice isn't there?"
"Yeah, I mean they couldn't totally freeze up the entire ocean." Robin nodded with a toothy grin and turned to two of their Titan colleagues.
"Argent, Hot Spot, we need a fog machine." They looked at each other peculiarly then gave Robin a smiling nod.
"Can do," responded the British girl.
Starfire nearly forgot about Tomas' presence. All her attention was drawn to the display of her friends and the battle soon to unfold. He watched her slightly amused by the amount of conviction she apparently placed in them.
"Your friends are lost; they fight for a lost cause. And there is nothing you can do to save them. They like yourself are nothing but mere mortals."
"The cause is just," said Starfire definitely.
"A just cause that is more than likely on the verge of collapsing. They are doomed and as I said there is little you can do to stop it." Starfire drew closer to the wall as the latest of their exploits were shown to her. She smiled down at them then turned to Tomas with a smug grin.
"Perhaps I will not have to." Curious Tomas approached the wall and narrowed his eyes. Argent could be seen cutting a sizable hole in the ice. Hot Spot then took her place and began shooting controlled bursts of flame into the water. The result produced a dense fog that began to cover the whole area.
"Rash actions, that's all they are and based solely on desperation. You overestimate their chances." While he talked Starfire surreptitiously formed a starbolt in the hand facing away from him. He shifted his eyes in her direction. Knowing she must strike now for the element of surprise Starfire wheeled around and let out a loud cry.
"YEAAAA!" She hurled the starbolt but he was ready. With a simple thought his personal shield came up. The green blast of energy hit the barrier and rebounded upon its thrower. Starfire tossed about in the air then rolled along the floor. She stood up just as Tomas began walking towards her.
"And so begins the battle on two fronts." Starfire's anger welled up from within bringing with it a furious glow to her eyes. She took the air once more and resumed her energy barrage.
General Immortus and his metallic soldiers marched on the ice with the Gordanian military hovering above. Leading the army into Jump City was a lower echelon Eten. A Gordanian commander landed beside him as they walked into the dense fog.
"My Lord Syrdon my men are becoming uneasy."
"You needn't fear your gods shall see that you are protected." The air was still and quiet. The only sounds came from the tread of the General Immortus' troops. One Gordanian taking up the rear suddenly found a yellow rope loop around him and carry him into the fog. He didn't have time to yell but another looked behind and saw that he was gone. He barely registered the reason for his comrade's absence then his eyes came in contact with Jericho's and he lost control of his body. Jericho sailed away into the clouds. By this time even the Eten realized something was wrong. He brought them to a halt in the midst of the fog. This was obviously not an act they predicted the Titans would make.
"Insolent fools," muttered Syrdon. He waved his hand to begin blowing the steamy fog away. As soon as they could see clearly again they found themselves surrounded from every angle.
"NOW!" Shouted Robin. Immediately they bombarded their foes with all the firepower they possessed. Syrdon promptly threw a shield up around himself and anyone near him. The Gordanians scattered about in the air circling above and firing down on the Titans. General Immortus wasted no time in ordering his soldiers to attack when ready. It was hard to fight on the ice; those who could fly did so rather than risk sliding around. Killowat and Lighting stood back to back defending each other as well as sending powerful jolts at any who was unfortunate enough to linger to close. Robin ducked to avoid a swing from a Gordanian staff. He flipped backward throwing a freeze disk in the process. After leaving the alien stuck to the frozen water he ran up to Speedy.
"Speedy!" Speedy held off firing his shot upon hearing his name called. Robin motioned toward Syrdon. Speedy returned a nod and they ran towards him. Syrdon was too busy just being a figurehead in the midst of the battle to notice Robin and Speedy advancing. Robin threw a number of explosive disks as Speedy launched three charged arrows from his bow. Caught off guard The Eten was struck in the back and flew a great distance away from the fighting. Pantha and Wildebeest saw him and left the battle as well.
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Far off from where Kitten began the first winter she walked with her entourage toward the next target area. As she walked she suddenly stopped as a voice began speaking to her. Her eyes grew wide as the voice penetrated her mind. Once she finished receiving her latest instructions she did a complete about-face.
"Come, we're needed elsewhere."
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Bushido slashed a staff in half before its owner could fire the blue blast from the tip. He then kicked him away into a portal made by Herald. The Spanish twins of the group zipped about unleashing attacks far too fast for anyone to see.
"Mas y Menos sus en Treunos!" Joined by Kid Flash the three of them encircled an entire group and began running in a complete circle. After a few seconds Kid Flash and the twins stepped aside. The group of robotic soldiers took one step then fell in the ocean along with the piece of ice the heroes had warn down. More Gordanian's flew down from the sky, obviously reinforcements from the couple of mother ships now approaching the city. Aqualad took advantage of the open water and pulled it up in a spiraling column.
"Destroy the-" General Immortus' order was cut short by the rushing water flowing past them. Aqualad smirked form the small victory then screamed out loud. Cyborg looked back at him. He fell to the ground after being struck in the back by Kitten. He swiftly turned his cannon on her but she was well shielded. More and more Gordanians joined the fight. Red Star fired upon the reinforcements as they flew through the air. Amidst having shots impact her shield Kitten looked up at Red Star with a tilted head. She then charged up her pendant and hit him with a solid red beam. He began to the icy ground but was caught in midair by Beast Boy. Kitten saw Kole return to her flesh and blood form and promptly struck her with a similar beam. She then heard Robin's yells not far away and spotted. Robin and Kitten's eyes met each other. He began to ready his staff when she looked up. He followed her gaze to see the Gordanian ships bearing down on them.
F-Fall Back! Fall Back!" The nearest ship fired a shot from its main battery. They scattered about as the powerful shot blasted the ice and broke it apart in several areas.
"Heeellllleeeppppp!" Kole was stuck on the top end of a piece of ice that had begun to sink. She tried with her all her might to change but her powers failed to respond. Her freezing hands slipped and she slid down into the frigid water. Gnarrk saw that she wasn't behind him, saw the ice and gap between them and put two and two together. Without a second thought he dashed back over to the hole and dove into the water. Robin, Cyborg, Beast Boy, and anyone who could run did so. They dodged about either on the ice or in air, the beams from ships above crumbled patches of ice everywhere. The ice shook so suddenly Robin was thrown off his feet. He fell stomach forward and slid to a halt. A hard piece of ice hit off the head turning his world into a blur. He looked back at his fellow Titans. Cyborg, Speedy, and Bumble Bee shot as many as they could to give their own a fighting chance of escaping. He turned back to see his staff lying not far ahead of him. As he slowly reached for it a large foot stamped down upon it. He looked up to seethe yellow Hive version of Cyborg. It readied its sonic cannon but instead of firing upon him raised it past Robin and engaged the Eten's army. Robin stood up and saw dozens more approaching. Brother Blood stepped off a hovering transport.
"Attack," he said simply. Robin gritted his teeth hand ran up to him.
"You call this an army!"
"Your graciousness is shining," returned Blood with a smile. Robin shook his head.
"By the way thanks for taking your sweet time in getting here!" Blood's forces helped but as Robin observed they were little match for the ever growing Gordanian forces. Every two they took down another four arrived in their stead. They came to a screeching halt when they realized the Gordanians had flown around and surrounded them. There was no escape.
Starfire ducked behind a pillar avoiding the blasts being sent her way. His shots were few but they made up for it in accuracy. Taking several deep breaths Starfire flew up to the top of the pillar and tightly flew around to the front. She hit him with her eyes beam making his slid across the room. Tomas steadied himself quickly to make his pendant glow once more. He brought his hands up around the amulet and puffed out his chest to start the momentum.
"HA!" He released it with great speed. Starfire zipped to she side easily dodging it. A sound off to her right drew her attention and she saw the shot had bounced off the wall and was returning for her.
"EEK!" She hit it several times but that only slowed it down. Tomas watched her from below with a straight face.
"There is no future in this!" He shouted up at her. She ignored him; she had to in order to stay ahead of the large ball of energy. She waved between several pillars the ball simply bursting through each one. She caught a quick glimpse of Tomas watching her and got an idea. He was not moving. With the rebounding ball still in hot pursuit Starfire disappeared behind the pillars to limit Tomas' view of her as much as possible. With her balled fists straight ahead of her she accelerated to full speed and dove beneath the floor. Tomas unfolded his arms and walked up to the hole she left behind. He scanned the dark abyss within and saw nothing. Suddenly Starfire burst forth from where he was previously standing and flew directly towards him. He readied himself for a head on collision but she merely turned to her side and flew past him. His head followed her then turned back to see the energy ball that had been following her hit him instead. Starfire shielded her eyes from the raised dust and landed some distance away. She brushed her arms off.
"There is your lowly mortal." Just as she had expected however she saw him climbing out of the imprint he'd made in the wall after being knocked into it. He waved a hand over his injured shoulder healing it before her eyes.
"I confessed myself impressed; your power is indeed bountiful." Starfire lit her fists once more.
"If I am to fall here today I shall take you with me!"
"But you must see," began Tomas as he regained his calm composure. "Neither you nor your friends need perish at all." Starfire's arms eased.
"What do you mean?"
"Their souls can still be saved but you have little time." He waved his hand over the wall to view the battle again. Starfire turned her head to the viewer. There was now sound coming from it but it wouldn't have mattered. Everything was being blocked out by what she was seeing. Blood's drones were quickly dealt with and the Titans were fighting while continuously being surrounded. Starfire gasped when Beast Boy took a Gordanian staff blast in the chest. The blasts were much like her starbolts and though not lethal at first were just as incapacitating. Lighting abandoned his offensive after seeing his brother go down. He no sooner knelt down beside him then he took multiple hits form several angles. Starfire fell to her knees with her hands pressed against the wall.
"Friends….no." Wonder Girl lassoed the end of one staff and pulled its shot onto another Gordanian. Her bout of cunning was ended when the promptly rounded on her and she fell to the ground on her side. Aqualad was one of the few without his powers and had to fight hand to hand. He, along with the rest of Titans East, was soon overwhelmed. Within seconds only Cyborg and Robin remained. They leant against each other backs turning and fighting to attack and defend each other. They both fought with their teeth barred, determined to match their fury. Both his sonic cannons deployed and his shoulder rockets Cyborg contributed much to their last stand. A stray blast hit his arm however and the hesitation it caused from him was all they needed to get the necessary number of blasts in. Robin felt Cyborg fall be side him.
"Cyborg!" Robin twirled his staff about in all directions deflecting and rebounding as he went. They kept coming closer and closer, the circle they were in now only able to contain Robin. His fatigue finally caught up with him and he was struck by two staff blasts.
"Omph!" A pained gasp escaped him. His staff clattered to the ice. Starfire watched him with a single watery steam running down her face. He collapsed on his back with a long breath leaving him. The last thing Robin saw before blacking out was a jumble of aliens hovering over him.
Starfire turned her head away from the wall. She couldn't bear to look anymore. Tomas adopted sympathetic look and strode up to her. He laid a hand on her shoulder sending a burning desire to yank herself away from him through her. But she didn't move, perhaps he was using the same paralytic move Kitten used on her.
"You are in such terrible pain aren't you? And yet there is still hope for them." Starfire let her eyes flutter to a close.
"What must I do?" Tomas arched a brow. If he'd known this would be her reaction to her friend's defeat he would have initiated Armageddon weeks ago. As she still gave the floor her attention Tomas smiled down at her.
The Titans had been rounded up and taken back to the Tower. They now sat in a huddle on the snowy grounds surrounded by guards. Robin flicked a bit of snow off his knee grumpily.
"I hate this."
"What do you mean?" asked Cyborg.
"I hate sitting here waiting for them finish us off. I'd much rather they've done it an hour ago."
"They want to make an example of us," said Beast Boy. "Just like they did Raven." He said looking up at her. Gnarrk sacrificed his coat for Kole as hers was now soaking wet. Robin was about to discuss a last possible surprise attack with Cyborg when he saw Kitten approaching them. Within moments all eyes were on her. She moved past the circle of guards and stopped before them. She was met by tired glares or looks scorn. Kitten smirked while lowering her hood.
"What was this?" she asked gesturing around the ground. "What are you...one, two, three, four…" She counted each of them. "…Twenty three and twenty four." She finished with an almost admiring look. "You didn't seriously think you could stop the cleansing with twenty four people?"
"Yeah I guess we're kinda stupid that way," said Speedy.
"I've been told by Tomas himself not to destroy you, Starfire is in the process of saving your lives." Robin shot up from the ground.
"What've you done to her!"
"Nothing, but is it so terrible that she has finally seen the error of her ways, more than that…the light?" Argent rolled her eyes. "She who was not long before called the greatest enemy of the gods."
"Our girl wouldn't submit to them," proclaimed Cyborg. "You just wait; she's just bidding her time."
"To do what!" spat Kitten. "It is nothing but a futile gesture to fight the supreme beings of the universe. They who after formed the heavens and the planets breathed life into all of us including yourselves."
"Kitten the Etens aren't gods they're just using you," said Robin. Kitten appeared mildly entertained by his efforts. "Once you've helped them dominate Earth and many other worlds they won't need you anymore." Kitten's smile faded somewhat. Her eyes darted to a few of them, all shaking their heads.
"Or any of the other clerics for that matter," added Argent.
"Y-Your words mean nothing to me. There is nothing in this world nor any other that could stop the power of our forces." She couldn't have picked a better time to say that. At that moment they heard a series of explosions overhead. They craned their necks skyward and saw two of the Gordanian ships firing on the others. Kitten stared up at them in complete shock.
"Then what's that?" asked Wonder Girl. Just as Kitten was currently doing Robin began to wonder why the Gordanians would attack their own. They wouldn't. He then remembered the last transmission Galfore broadcasted before his ship was destroyed along with the others. He said they would try to transport to somewhere, the signal became garbled after that. It became clear to all of them now that Galfore and a good number of his crew beamed onto the Gordanian ship. Its shields were probably weak enough for the matter stream to penetrate so why not? Incidentally the shields were already down to eighty percent efficiency within the atmosphere of a planet and the battle was soon taken into orbit. The Gordanian troops surrounding the Titans were suddenly called back to the ship. Kitten was completely at a loss for words. Robin walked up beside her pointing upwards.
"Just out of curiosity, weren't they supposed to be protected or something?" Kitten grabbed her temples and shook her head.
"You speak only lies; I am deaf to all but the word of the Etens!"
"And since when do you talk like that!" The others had stood up now that their guard was no longer as large as it was. "Now maybe you could take a break from doom'n everyone for a second and start listening?" Kitten spun around and faced him.
"You forget your place Robbie-Poo! You're still few against many." Bumble Bee rubbed her eyes as the verbal fight went on between Kitten and Robin. She glanced to her side then did a double take. She whacked Speedy off the arm and pointed off toward the city.
"And the next time you call me that freaking stupid-" His voice trailed off as now they too saw what was coming. A large crowd was now walking across the ice toward the tower. It was a furious mob made up entirely of civilians. Robin narrowed his gaze oddly to see who it was in the lead. Lo and behold it was Tessa and her friends leading the pack. They were growing rowdier by the second. Finally she decided they were angry enough.
"LETS GET EM'!" The crowd roared loudly and charged forward. Cyborg and Beast Boy's eyes widened at the sight. The first that reached the Gordanians literally launched themselves upon them. The flabbergasted aliens were tackled to the ground mercilessly or dragged off farther onto the ice. The whole scene was pivotal but ultimately entertaining to say the least. Cyborg sputtered out a chuckle at the sight. The area around Titans Tower quieted now leaving only the Titans and Kitten. Kitten only stood with her mouth ajar.
"Wow, guess it's just us now," said Robin.
"D-Don't think that you have won simply because we're alone. The winters have only begun. Soon the entire earth shall be covered in frost and in the vast expanse all will see their mortality transfigure into the destination of your immortal soul."
"And you don't think they're just gonna toss you aside once you've done all this?"
"To the shepards of the flock go an eternity of happiness and salvation, we as guides are promised-"
"Hey! I've got new for ya, its not gonna happen." Said Cyborg.
"But…But they promised."
"They lied," said Beast Boy quietly. Kitten looked around at them completely disbelieving.
"And I suppose you have proof for these ludicrous claims."
"Right here!" All heads suddenly turned to Pantha and Wildebeest. They walked up dragging something behind them. They stopped and threw a battered human form Eten at their feet. Kitten's blanked out eyes stared down at him. Syrdon coughed and looked up at her.
"What are you waiting for? Destroy them!"
"Why don't you?" asked Bumble Bee. "You're a god right? Shouldn't you be able to flatten us with a simple wave of your hand?" Syrdon mouthed wordlessly. Kitten's expression grew, if possible, even blanker. Beast Boy looked between them then glanced down at Syrdon with raised eyebrows.
"Lucy, you've got some esplaning to do." The Eten gazed desperately up at Kitten.
"You have….a sacred duty…you know the penalty-"
"No," muttered Kitten. A red burst from her pendant shot forth trapping the Eten within the confines of her pendant. She then fell to the ground. Robin bent down to pick back up to her feet but she sent a startled look at him and crawled away. "S-Stay away from me! All of you stay away!" Robin had had enough. He took her arm, pulled her to her feet, and slapped her lightly across the face.
"You know the truth now pull yourself together. Now help us, take us where they took Starfire."
"Fine they're not gods and Syrdon wasn't much a higher being to start with. But Tomas, Jormangand, and the few that send us out….they're more powerful then anything you could ever imagine. If I help you-"
"What? What will they do?" She edged closer.
"I don't know." Her hushed whisper told them her fear was completely genuine. "Come on what do you want me to do." She suddenly felt Beast Boy grip her arm. She was tugged up next to Raven.
"You can start by helping a friend of ours." Kitten looked at Raven then back at Beast Boy.
OSYARD……….
Tomas picked up an Eten pendant and looked at it with esteem. "You should feel honored, only the most pious of followers are given the ability to wield the power of the gods." He stepped up behind Starfire and wound it around her neck. "And if I must say…" He walked around in front of her. "It makes you look positively stunning." Starfire felt a bad taste in her mouth. "Now speak the words." She looked at him as if pleading with him to reconsider. "Speak the words now. And take heed, eternal damnation awaits any who speak them blasphemously." She looked away from him.
"blessedbetotheetens."
"Apologies, but I didn't quite hear you." Starfire closed her eyes.
"Ble-Blessed be…to-" She jumped as giant black energy claw grabbed Tomas and threw high clear across the room. Starfire turned and saw Robin, Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Raven. She lowered her glowing fist.
"Leave our friend alone!" Tomas stood up raising his head toward the ceiling. He strode past Starfire up to the four Titans.
"You've made a miraculous return indeed." Raven narrowed her eyes. "So miraculous that you couldn't have done so without a lending hand." They were decided on remaining silent but Kitten stepped out form behind them nonetheless. She stepped before Tomas trembling from head to toe. Tomas narrowed his eyes.
"And those who would call themselves shepards of the flock will be bound to a calling as a beacon of light. Should they instead lead others astray so shall they be met with a fate befitting the nonbelievers."
"No…p-p-please.." Her face positively leaked with tears. Tomas tore her pendant from her neck and Kitten's eyes returned to normal. "I'm begging you…"
"You have known of the repercussions. We just thought you would at least be intelligent enough to heed them." Without a second thought he swept a hand across her and with an echoing cry she vanished into thin air. Their mouths fell and they moved forward slightly. Her clothes fell to the floor. Tomas shrugged throwing the pendant down with them. "I just can't stand part time believers." Robin shot a look past Tomas at Starfire.
"Starfire!" She stared back at them. She knew the Etens couldn't make her see things anymore but…she couldn't be sure. Were they real? She Raven as a lifeless frozen statue, how could she be here? "Starfire what's the matter with you?" Tomas lowered his head with a malicious grin.
"She has seen the light."
"NO!" Robin darted forward with his staff and swung at Tomas from every angle. Each time his attacks landed only upon his barrier. He finally caught it in mid air and pushed him back with the others. Raven levitated a few feet into the air.
"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" A giant black bird formed high above them and dove down on Tomas. It shook somewhat only. His next attackers were Cyborg and Beast Boy. Cyborg bombarding him with missiles and sonic blasts while Beast Boy clawed at his shield as a tiger. Four streams of red energy suddenly sprouted from his pendant holding each of them on the spot. He moved them all beside one another.
"And in the battle that followed the great winters those who marched in the name of evil were cast down and all those who followed behind were cast down with them. HAAAA!" He raised his hand upward and four large red orbs fell upon them. As soon as they were encased with the spheres they felt as though they were being electrocuted terribly.
"Starfire please!" Shouted Robin. He was real, they were all real. She mentally beat herself silly for thinking such things and ripped the amulet from her neck and clenched her fist for a powerful charge. Tomas vaguely heard something clang against the floor. No sooner had he turned around then he saw her gliding straight for him at full speed. He completely abandoned his torturing of the others and threw his hands forward. She shot her charged fist down upon him and collided with his shield. The Titans were dropped form their enclosures. They helped each other and gazed stupidly at Starfire and Tomas. His shield flowed around him like a viscous liquid from the force being pressed down on it. They saw his face grow with panic as Starfire poured all she had into this final struggle. While Starfire continually bore down on Tomas she noticed something strange. The Tamaranian was spilling every once of will and strength into her attack and yet she didn't feel a thing, she didn't even feel tired. Tomas scrunched his eyes tight shut with a final wish that she not break through his shield. She did. Starfire's fist didn't just break the shield, she shattered it. In his surprise Tomas threw his hands up leaving his most vulnerable position exposed. She reached forward with her solar charged hands and gripped his pendant tightly. Robin, Cyborg, Raven, and Beast Boy looked away as a blinding light erupted from the two. They couldn't see a thing but they could hear the fleeting calls of voices. Voices of the many Etens scattered about the galaxy being sucked back into their imprisonment. Then quite suddenly the light vanished. They took their hands from their eyes and saw Starfire standing alone holding Tomas' pendant.
"Starfire?" Robin called to her. She turned her head to him.
"R-Robin…" She legs gave out. Raven's powers caught her and gently lowered her to the floor. Her hand fell to one side letting the pendant skip away. Robin quickly unclasped his cape, rolled it up and stuck it under her head. Raven bent down beside Starfire's mouth.
"She's not breathing, give me some room." They moved back slightly and Raven placed her hands over the alien red head. Raven closed her eyes to begin healing Starfire and wasn't two seconds into it before she stopped abruptly.
"Ah!" She gasped but didn't pull her hands away. Raven then craned her neck all the way up in a pained scream. Cyborg and Beast Boy pulled her away and her calmed.
"Raven are you okay?"
"Yes…but Starfire….its like there's some kind of poison. If I try to heal her I'll only absorb it." Robin brushed some sweat off his forehead and dove beside Starfire.
"Then we'll do it the old-fashioned way." He began pushing up and down on her chest and breathing into her mouth. The other walked around them closely in dread as Robin performed CPR. "Come on Star!"
Starfire casually walked into the temple and saw her friends crouching over someone. "Friends? Is someone hurt?" As she drew nearer she could she the outline of a body. "Oh dear someone is hurt, friends who is it?" But as she walked around Robin she threw her hands over her mouth as she saw herself lying on the floor. "I..it is me…am I-am I?"
"No," said a quiet voice behind her. She turned and was surprised to see Odin standing behind her. The panicking voices of her friends faded away. "Not yet." Starfire folded her hands together and held them to her chest.
Raven laid a hand on Robin's shoulder as he just finished the entire procedure a fourteenth time. He slowly came to a stop but refused to stand up. 'No, this can't be happening. Starfire can't be gone.' A soft wind then blew through the hall. They cast curious glances about the room. Then a haze took up their vision and when it cleared the room was darkened. Robin, Cyborg, Raven, and Beast Boy looked about perplexed until they saw her. Starfire was standing before them smiling.
"Hello friends." Robin looked from left to right.
"What's going on here Star?" She swallowed and lowered her head. Robin began walking forward. "Starfire? What is it?"
"Raven...do not attempt to heal me further."
"I know that part Starfire," said Raven rubbing her hands. Robin folded his hands patiently.
"Okay, I ask again...what's going on here?"
We did it," she said simply. "All of us defeated the Etens. They are sealed away just as before. The winter that has covered Earth will melt away and all who were encompassed in it will return to normal. Those of us who have lost their power will find them returning as well." Robin was confused.
"Then why long face?" She paused.
"The effort needed to penetrate Tomas' shield, it gathered a toll on my body. I am so sorry but I will not survive for long." They were silent. Starfire didn't know what she'd expected. Was it really possible for anyone to grasp something like that? Robin let out a chuckle of ironic disbelief.
"You-You've got to be kidding me." She lowered her gaze shaking her head. She then raised it back up.
"But…"
"But," said Beast Boy. "But is good, most of the time." Starfire approached them with another smile.
"Odin, you remember him yes?" They all nodded. "He says the Eese can heal me." They looked around at each other as good news came. "But…" Robin looked back at her. Here is where 'but' was not always good. "I must go with him, into Valhalla." She looked behind her and they saw Odin standing against the wall. His person vanished however and was replaced by an opening made entirely of light. They all returned their eyes to Starfire.
"You're…going away?" asked Raven.
"It is only temporary," she said reassuring. But she was going away; their faces fell on the spot. Robin took her shoulders.
"But Starfire….we've won."
"I know Robin, and no matter what I may have said or done……I knew always that we would."
"Well do you-you know when you'll be back?" asked Cyborg. Starfire shook her head.
"I am sorry but I do not. But Odin has a assured me that it is temporary and that I will come back to you." She moved past Robin to stand before Cyborg, Raven, and Beast Boy. "Please friends, do not look at me this way. I promise I will return. No words could ever describe how grateful and blessed I feel to have friends such as you." Beast Boy smirked holding back his watering eyes.
"Thanks, I like you too." She smiled hugging each of them in turn.
"Now, I beg your forgiveness but I wish to speak with Robin alone." She waved her hand and the three of them returned to their positions over Starfire's physical body. They appeared to be frozen in the moment. Robin looked back at them.
"You're already quite the Eese. So how are we supposed to get back?"
"There is a door at the end of the hall; it will take you back to Titans Tower. And would not call myself 'Eese', I am merely staying with them until my wounds are healed. And then I shall return to Titans Tower and my place among the Titans."
"Your place among family you mean." Starfire and Robin stared at one another. All the times they were alone with one another and didn't have the guts to confess the most natural thing in the world to them. "Can you really promise that though?"
"Hmm?" Asked Starfire coming out of her daze.
"You don't know how long this could take. Can you really make a promise on something you don't even know about?" She took his hand and placed something inside it.
"Please Robin…take care of this, until the day I come to reclaim it from you." Robin looked down at the object and smiled. He then sniffled and nodded a few times.
"Sure, I'll do that." She steadily moved closer. "Of course…" His voice was broken as Starfire drew nearer and nearer. "Saving the city…" She was so close he could see himself in her eyes. "Wont be the same without you."
"Have hope Robin." She closed the distance between them stealing a kiss from the boy wonder. She wound a hand around his neck to keep him from escaping though she needn't have bothered. Getting away was the last thing on Robin's mind. Their faces mingled for another full minuet. Robin reluctantly parted but stayed intimately close.
"You'd better uhh…you'd better go. The sooner you go the sooner you can come back." His words were quiet whispers. Starfire hugged him tightly. He hugged her back gently holding the back of her head. She then began to walk away towards the door. She walked backwards so she could see him for as long as possible then turned away. "Hey…" She looked back at him. "Don't forget," he waved a finger up at her. "You promised." A wide smile spread across Starfire's face, and then she walked through the door. The haze in the room faded away. Raven, Cyborg, and Beast Boy found Starfire's body was gone. Robin stared at the wall through which she'd walked through; the door to Valhalla was gone. Starfire was gone. He glanced down at his hand and closed it over her Titans communicator. He then turned to the ones standing behind him. "Let's go home."
LATER AT TITANS TOWER……………….
Robin sat on the roof with his legs hanging off the edge. This was Starfire's favorite place to think. It was a place where she could come and her thoughts would be uninterrupted by the world. Cyborg, Raven, and Beast Boy came and sat down on either side of him.
"Hey," said Cyborg. Robin sighed.
"Hey." Cyborg drummed his fingers against the concrete.
"City looks a lot better now that it's not buried under ten stories of snow."
"I only wish I could've done more," said Raven regrettably.
"Ahh don't be like that Raven," said Beast Boy. "I'm not afraid to say the whole idea was absolutely crazy to begin with." She sent him a sideways glance. "I'm just glad you're okay." She smiled at him with a nod of thanks.
"Well," she began. "Just as Starfire said it is pretty much over. Titans East, along with the honorary Titans, have all returned home. The Doom Patrol managed to salvage their ship from the water, and Galfore ended up with two Gordanian ships."
"And Kitten?" asked Cyborg. "I know she's a whiny brat but she did give us hand in the end." Raven could only guess.
"There's a number of things that could have happened to her. She could be in Nivleham, another dimension, or…worse." She trailed not wanting to give it a second thought. "Tessa's town owes her and her friends a gigantic apology. I imagine they'll get a statue or two."
"Or at least some kind of coupon to a restaurant or something," said Cyborg. "All in all, I guess everything worked out okay." Robin twisted his face into something which was both a grin and a frown.
"Yeah, everything turned out just fine." He threw a few loose rocks off the edge. He could tell they were looking at him worriedly. "Still, this is a nice place. I've never actually come up here as the sun's going down. Starfire's said that it's beautiful but….I never came up with her. I was too busy," he said with self indignation. Cyborg rested his arm on one of his knees and heard a beeping sound from his other arm. He tapped the small screen and read a detailed alert.
"We've got trouble," he said getting up. Raven and Beast Boy followed suit but Robin didn't budge. He sat there while they went back inside. Raven took one last look at him then closed the door behind her.
"He's not coming."
"And I'm not surprised I mean look at him the guy's a wreck," said Cyborg rubbing the top of his head.
"Well what can we do?" asked Beast Boy.
"There may not be anything we can do," answered Raven. At that moment however the door opened and in walked Robin. They stared at him nervously while he stared at them. He then shrugged letting out another sigh.
"Well….she's not coming back tonight." And though it was somewhat depressing they all smiled lightly as Robin took Starfire's advice. Have hope, with it anything is possible.
The End
Thank you, thank you everyone for reading this. I hope I've given you a season worthy of the Titans. Can it end like this though? Of course not! I think this calls for another season, since we've had so much fun with this one I mean. What do you guys think?" ;)