Chapter Ten

"What's wrong with you? Why won't you trust my judgment!"

"Because you've shown poor judgment in blindly letting that girl on your team!"

Sitting on the couch in the living room, Geo-Force could hear Batman and Robin's argument coming out of the kitchen. The Prince could only shake his head as each yell seemed to get louder and louder.

When Bryon had agreed to spy on the Titans for Batman, he had never intended for the situation to get this out of control. But then again, he had never intended to fall so hard for the beautiful angel of Darkness named Raven.

As he sat there, a red haired girl approached him from behind. "Friend Geo?"

Bryon turned around. "Oh, hello Starfire." He said, looking up at her.

The alien princess was wearing her purple top and miniskirt, and carried an air of exotic beauty around her.

Star looked at he door to the kitchen. "Are they still..."

Geo nodded. "Yep, they're still at it."

Star looked down sadly. "I see..." She looked back up at him again. "Prince Bryon, I was wondering if I may speak with you for awhile?"

Nodding, the prince gestured to the seat across from him, and Star sat down. "Of course, princess, what is it you wish to discuss?"

She hesitated for a moment, before replying. "I was just thinking... how much alike we are. "

Bryon looked at her in surprise. "Alike... what do you mean, Star?"

Starfire looked at him. "We are both young Royalty, with all the pressures and hassles that come with it."

Geo thought for a moment. "Yes... yes, It's very hard, isn't it? Having to put aside the things you want to do, and the person you want to be, for the Sake of your people... Having the responsibilities of leadership thrust upon you're shoulders when you're not ready for it"

He sighed. " So much is expected of you... Keeping a stiff face when you want to laugh or cry, being forced to marry when you don't want to." Starfire winced at that. "Oh, I'm sorry, Princess. I forgot about your experience with that hideous creature."

Star waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, it is nothing! That little incident is behind me now!" She tried to change the subject. "But tell me... how did you come to meet the Batman?"

Geo closed his eyes and smiled. "It was about a year after Terra was exiled, actually... Lucius Fox, a Waynetech executive, had come to Markovia to open a Corporate Branch in my homeland. But a few radicals, under the leadership of a rouge noble called Baron Bedlam, kidnapped Fox, to convince my father not to allow modernization."

Star leaned in as he spoke, intrigued by the tale. "Naturally, with a Waynetech Employee in danger, Batman came to the rescue. He and several other heroes came to Markovia, to rescue Mr. Fox. My father sent me with them, and together we defeated Bedlam."

Geo looked back at the door. "For several weeks after that, Batman and these...'Outsiders' stayed in Markovia, cleaning out all of the Barron's corrupt organization. During that time, Batman trained me, just as he had Robin."

The prince shook his head. "Unfortunately, it wasn't enough. My father decided that our kingdom was not ready for the modern world, and broke the deal with waynetech."

Star smiled as he finished his tale. "Wow, no wonder you're such a good fighter, you were trained by the best." Star frowned. "I wish I had such happy memories..."

Geo saw her Troubled look. "Star, what's wrong?" He asked, gently urging her to tell him. "Please, tell me..."

After a few more minutes, Star began. "For centuries, my People have been at war with the Gordadians, a brutal warrior race bent on Conquest and destruction. My parents gave their lives defending Tameran against these monsters. Under the care of my Nanny Gelfore, my sister Blackfire and I were left to watch over Tameran."

Starfire's eyes began to Tear up as she went on. "One day, the Gordaidians attacked Tameran directly. I was grabbed from my bed as I slept, and was taken away, to be sold into slavery."

The princess began to cry. "It was only much later that I learned it was Blackfire who had sold me out, trading my freedom for Tameran's Safety. My own Sister, who I had grown up with and loved, turned against me..."

Star was no longer able to speak, as her words melted into sobs.

Geo was left speechless, as he watched the crying Tamerainian girl. Finally, he put a hand on her shoulder. "It is okay, Princess, do not be sad." He said reassuringly. "I too had a sister who broke my heart, with her selfish actions."

Geo looked away. "But as you saw at the end, Terra had a good heart, and you must believe, beneath all that anger and Rage, Blackfire has a good heart too."

He looked back out the window. "And until she comes to her senses, you always have your friends by your side." He looked back at her. "...including a certain Boy wonder who can't stop talking about you!"

Star blushed a deep red, before smiling back. "And you have your own 'Angel of Darkness' as you call Raven, to keep you happy."

Geo frowned at that. Star spoke quickly. "Do not fear, friend Bryon. She still cares about you, but she will need time to get over this...incident."

Star curtsied to Geo, even though it was hard to do in a miniskirt. "Thank you for taking the time top talk to me, my lord prince, may the Goddess X'hal guide your footsteps!"

Geo bowed in Return. "It was a pleasure, my lady princess. May Saint Markovis light your way through the darkness!"

Just then, Robin came back from the Kitchen. "Geo...nothing personal, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

The prince heart sank. "I'm sorry, but there are too many strong emotions for you to stay on the team right now. You can return whenever you want to visit, but for now..."

Geo held his hand up. "Do not worry Robin...I understand...I shall begin preperatins to leave at once."

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A few hours later, Geo knocked on Raven's door. "My angel...may I come in?" The door slowly opened, and Geo found Raven floating above her bed meditating. He could see the dried tear stains on her face, and had to keep from crying himself.

He stepped into the room. "Lady Raven... I am so sorry I didn't tell you... it was wrong to deceive you, can you ever find it in your heart to forgive me."

She landed on the floor, in her usual elegant manner, and walked up to him. "You didn't betray me Bryon, and for that I am relieved... but you still lied to me."

She placed a hand on his cheek. " I know you are leaving." She replied. "I... need some time, Bryon, time to sort things out." She turned away from him, staring out the window in silence.

The next morning, Geo flew out the tower window, and out into the open sky. Now that the Titans no longer needed him, Bryon had decided would search this land, until a could find a cure for his sister.

Looking back, He swore he would return here one day, and hoped he would find a dark angel waiting for him...