Okay! I for one am really excited about this one. Though I am already disappointed that this will be the final part in this story line. But! I hope to keep this one going for at least twenty chapters or so. 'I hope' being the operative term. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter One

New lives, New Foes

Prologue

Starfire glanced over at Robin. He was standing by the T-Car and holding the door open. Without a second thought she hovered a few feet off the ground and glided over to her husband. He took her hand and guided her inside the vehicle. He then turned back around and waved at all who had come. Raven, Beast Boy, and the Titans East couldn't have been happier for their friends and colleagues. The boy wonder spotted Bruce and Alfred, the two looking most proud of him. With one last wave goodbye Robin climbed in and Cyborg carried them away.

"So! Where to," he asked the young couple. Starfire giggled joyfully as she and Robin cuddled in the back seat.

"The airport James," stated Robin through his own elated laughter. Starfire then gasped lightly.

"Robin, you still have yet to tell me where we shall be spending our honey of moon." Robin snapped his fingers.

"You're absolutely right Star. And for that I apologize." He then whipped out two plane tickets with a picture of an island resort decorating their envelope. "Have I ever told you about a place called 'the Caribbean'?" She seemed most intrigued.

"No I do not believe so." Robin smiled, relishing how much she was going to enjoy their getaway. Even Cyborg was already picturing her having the time of her life. "Is it a nice place to be?"

"You could say that," said Robin. She smiled and leaned on his shoulder. Cyborg glanced in his mirror and snickered.

"Awww, you two look so cute." Any other time Robin would have made some kind of retort, but today, today nothing and no one could spoil his mood. "You know I would let you borrow the car but…" He made a mock frown.

"…But you just can't let her out of your sight," finished Robin. Starfire smiled over at their friend.

"Please Cyborg; you will inform us of your betrothal yes?" He looked slightly nervous but shrugged.

"I dunno, maybe I like being the 'lone shark'." Robin twisted his face with confused amusement.

"Lone shark?" Cyborg searched for a way to explain it but fell short of just clearing his throat and slowing down as they approached their destination. He pulled up to the curb where upon a man began to assist them with their luggage.

"Alright yall," said Cyborg as Robin and Starfire stood hand in hand. "I guess we'll see you in two weeks or so?"

"Three weeks," corrected Robin. "Will you tell Raven and Beast Boy 'bye' for us?"

"Sure thing man. Yall have a good time now."

"Of that I am certain," said Starfire through a quick giggle. Cyborg gave them both a nod then turned to leave. They waved after him until he was no longer in sight. As the new weds followed their helper into the airport Robin put an arm around her waist.

"So, what do you wanna do first?" Starfire smiled a sly smile.

"What indeed?" Robin caught her infectious smile and they walked side by side.

FOUR YEARS LATER: The Island of Saipan, Japan……………

The small spark of a match suddenly burst to life as it was struck against a stone slab that was but a piece of an entire wall. The striker put the flaming tip to a lantern and began walking along the wall's boundaries. The snow flakes of winter blew throughout the air making an almost solid obstacle of ice. The heavily cloaked figure held out the lantern and lit the way to a monastery high on a hilltop adjacent to the wall. The figure reached the front steps and was greeted by two lightly armed guards who began to detain the oncoming traveler. A calm raised hand signaled them to stand down and to grant free passage. Seeing the face behind the large hood they happily obliged and opened the large oak door before them. The hood lowered to reveal the long dark hair of a girl. She reached behind her neck and spread her locks out from inside her heavy coat.

"Taka?" She looked to the side and saw a monk coming towards her. She quickly faced him and bowed her head (A/N: From here on just picture them speaking Japanese). She picked her head back up and smiled. "How was your journey?"

"I must be truthful, it was very tiring. I have not rested for many hours." He nodded and beckoned her to follow him. A younger walked by and took her coat for her. She happily thanked him and continued on with the monk.

"Brother Himora has been awaiting you," he said quietly. She glanced at him nervously.

"I have not kept him waiting for long have I?"

"Not long, he has just finished preparing your meal. How is the storm outside?"

"It is improving; we should be able to resume our routine within a few days." The stopped before a sliding door. He opened it and she stepped inside. Himora sat cross-legged before a low table, upon her approach he opened his eyes and stood up. They stared at each other for a moment then embraced one another warmly. He let her go but held her shoulders.

"Taka, I'm glad to see you again."

"And I you master," answered Taka. He motioned for her to sit down and they took their seats at the table. He poured her a glass of hot tea and glanced at her curiously.

"I hope your trip up and down the hill wasn't too hard on you I did have my doubts about sending you out in this cold." She sipped her tea and shook her head.

"You needn't concern yourself master, I am quite well. The journey was surprisingly unproblematic."

"That's good to hear," said Himora. He watched Taka hungrily devour her shrimp tempura. "You have learned much over these past years." Taka paused in mid-swallow. She finished her food and set her bowl down.

"Have I done something wrong?" He grinned.

"No, quite the opposite in fact." He reached down and produced an ornately decorated box. "Inside is the reason why I have brought us here to learn for all this time." She gazed down at it curiously.

"What is it?"

"Something which has been watched over for generations by the monks of this monastery." He carefully opened it and Taka laid her eyes on what appeared to be a small gold triangle. The middle was hollowed out making a small space within the triangle's sides.

"Very interesting, what is it again?" He smiled.

"We know not its secrets. We only know that it is very important and cannot be allowed to fall into the wrong hands. Taka…" She turned her attention from the strange object to her mentor. "From the time when you defected from Blackfire's ilk up to now you have bettered yourself; as both a person and your soul. You are now as pure as when I first met your mother." She bowed her head.

"Thank you, but I do not understand what that has to do with this," she said looking back down the three sided object. He picked it up by its chain and let it dangle before them.

"They have declared that only one pure of heart may be permitted to guard this with their lives until the end of their days. The former guardian passed away three months ago, I have been asked to inform you that you have been chosen to be his successor." It took a moment for Taka to register what Himora had just said. Her mouth hung open and she stared at him blankly.

"Oh master…I…I don't believe I am the proper one to receive such an honor." He silenced her.

"The monks would not have may their decision if they were not confident in you Taka. The choice is yours of course, but you must answer promptly, as a it is long past the due date for a new guardian." She considered it carefully. There was little to nothing she wouldn't do for Himora. He was not only her teacher but her Uncle, he was family. Taking a deep breath she slowly nodded her head and he did so also. "You shall formally receive it tomorrow. For now, perhaps you should simply finish your dinner." She smiled and the two ate in silence.

Outside in the blistering cold the guards stood erect, determined to carry out their day to day duty of protecting the way inside. As a new wind blew past their numbed faces a single arrow pierced each pierced them in the heart. While one died before falling to the ground the other sank to his knees clutching the bolt stuck in his chest. A shadow covered him and he looked up at the one standing over him.

"DEMON!" He shouted at the top of his lungs and a bright purple flash silenced him indefinitely. The doors burst open and no more or less then five others filed inside. The one who so precariously first approached the front steps passed into a lighted corridor and Blackfire's face emerged from a wool hood. She darted her gaze about in all directions and on a small pedestal she spotted an ornately decorated box. With a look of satisfaction she strode on up to it and was mere inches from opening the lid when the sharp tip of a sword was suddenly at her throat. Looking only mildly detained she straightened up and saw Himora holding the sword he once carried.

"Not one step further Kormand'r." She smiled.

"You must be the guardian, I have heard so much about you."

"Do you not remember me? I assisted in bringing your crumbling defeat, a very satisfying act indeed." Blackfire thought for a moment then shook her head.

"You will forgive me, but I truly don't know you. However I am sure you're Blackfire does." Himora narrowed his gaze.

"Who are you?" He then felt an object similar to his at his back and he was forced to lower his weapon. As Blackfire's men disarmed Himora he glanced off into a space where he had told Taka to hide. He shook his head when she made a move to come to his aid. Blackfire then grabbed Himora by the throat and held him up off the ground. Gasping for breath he held onto her wrist.

"I've learned so much from Blackfire?" Himora sputtered out another gasp for air.

"If..y-you are not B-Blackfire, then who are you?"

"It is not I whom you should be concerning yourself with; it is whom my host and I serve."

"Then…yo-u are some kind of parasite that has taken over Blackfire's body." She rose up the empty box.

"Where is it?" He glanced at the open air within the box's confines and grinned.

"Where's what?" She growled and her eyes glowed a dark purple.

"I have not the time for this nonsense! I need whatever it was inside this container, I need to retrieve it for my master. And you have to tell me where it is, you're going to tell me or you're going to die." He frowned and shook his head.

"Whoever you are, you can kill me now. It's far out of your reach and whoever it is you're shopping for." She smiled evilly.

"You know perfectly well whom I serve, you believed him to have been dead for many years." Himora looked puzzled.

"Ghul?"

"Ra's Al Ghul? Oh no of course not, he is quite gone. I am referring to someone far older and more powerful then you can imagine, someone who you once swore your own allegiance to." Himora's eyes then widened.

"N-No! It can't be, it's impossible!"

"He sends his regards, and as per your resolution; I would be happy to end your meaningless life." She reached down, gripped his fallen sword and ran it through him until he was pinned up on the wall. Taka's eyes went as wide as saucers.

"MASTER!" Blackfire's head spun in her direction as did Himora's. With blood seeping out of his mouth he drew forth from his own pocket the mysterious item.

"Taka, RUN!" With his last strength Himora pitched it forward and she caught it over head while starting to dart down the hall.

"AFTER HER," bellowed Blackfire. Taka ran as fast as humanly possible through the many halls and corridors. She caught sight a window not far from her and as her enemies closed in on her she ran forward and leapt through the fragile glass. Greeted by the blistering cold Taka began running down the hill toward the nearest mode of transportation. Before she even spotted a dog sled Taka was tackled out of the air by Blackfire and the two began rolling down the snowy hillside. Purple eye beams and starbolts went off in various directions as the two fought on their way down the slope, unknowingly approaching a small ravine. The battling females rolled off the edge and as they fell continued their conflict with one another. Taka and Blackfire began to pick up speed as they fell faster and faster. Until at last both Taka and Blackfire landed in a large patch of snow and ice…

Thousands of miles away……..

In the dead of night a young man suddenly awoke in his bed. He sat up straight letting out a loud gasp. He remained in place taking in slow and steady breaths. The one lying next to him stirred and sleepily looked over her shoulder.

"Robin, are you alright? What is it?" He looked down at her and after a moment of thinking up a response he bent down and kissed her on the cheek.

"I'm fine Star." Her eyes gave off their concern filled sparkle.

"You are certain?" He nodded with a small smile.

"Yeah I am, thank you." She nodded but stopped with a small wince. "Are you okay?" She groaned slightly. "It is the nausea again?"

"It is fading." He rose out of bed.

"I'll go get you some pepcid." He put on some sweat pants and groggily made his way into the bathroom. He flicked on the light and after opening the small cabinet on the wall began looking at the variety of containers. Some were written in Tamaranian; he often avoided those no matter how bad he was feeling. He picked out a tiny red lidded bottle and popped out a few pills. He returned to the darkened bedroom and set the pills and glass of water on Starfire's nightstand. She took them gratefully and saw him walking outside again.

"Robin, are you absolutely certain you are untroubled?" He stopped and looked back at her.

"I'm just fine Star; it was nothing….just a dream."

I'm so glad to have gotten started on this. This is the beginning to the last installment in my trilogy. I hope you like it so far and I will update as soon as possible. Lasters!