I rather happy with the way this chapter came out, but I'd really like to know what you thought about it. If it's confusing in anyway just ask and I'll clear it up. I can see in some parts where might scratch your head and say 'Huh, what is the guy is talking about'. Anyway…ENJOY!

And let us not forget those brave and valiant souls who reviewed in the face of danger; Samanthe2121, Valda, Rose Re2.0, Realfanficts, Stargirl915, Jadedea, TTHPFan, John 23, Itxprincessxlala.

Chapter Twenty

Revelations of the Soul

Starfire followed Robin back to the common room and Raven bravely entered the brig. She stopped midway through the door and looked back at her spouse.

"Uhhh Beast Boy, could you…" Beast Boy seemed clueless for a moment then nodded with a grin.

"Sure no problem." He accompanied her inside making Raven feel a lot more comfortable about her task. Cyborg was about to go offer his help to Robin and Starfire when he noticed one of Blackfire's hands was shaking.

"You okay?"

"What? Oh this," she said as she saw him looking at her hand. "It started a few months ago, comes and goes." He arched a brow at her as she tried to steady her hand. "It's nothing," she said sharply and walked away. Cyborg watched her leave and sighed.

"Whatever." A bit perturbed by Blackfire's response he joined Raven and Beast Boy.

--------

Robin walked Starfire back over to the couch and sat down. She looked about as if waiting to be called in for some appointment. Robin then quickly brought an apple in front of her.

"What's this Star?"

"Mancipe." Starfire then covered her mouth. "I did not mean that, truly."

"What did you mean to say?" asked Robin.

"An apple, but the other word simply uttered itself without my permission." Robin nodded and set the apple down.

"But now you do remember saying it," prompted Robin.

"At that moment I did." Robin thought a little more. Remembering Starfire's strange speech began after receiving the equally strange download from the triangle. He arrived a possible conclusion.

"Star, is it possible the triangle somehow brought your powers back and also imprinted this weird language into you"

"Anything is possible I suppose." At that moment Blackfire walked in rubbing her left temple.

"Where's Raven?"

"Helping Titans East," replied Robin. "Why?" Blackfire shrugged her shoulders sarcastically.

"Well I don't know Robin why would I want to see Raven, my head's killing me." Robin rolled his eyes.

"Well I'm sorry but right now there's a waiting list so just deal with it for now."

"Exxxcuse me! I'm in pain here!"

"Look! Raven is busy trying to help our friends regain their proper personalities, something which sounds both weird and really really hard. So that means your just going to have to sit back and take a chill pill," Said Robin having stood up from the couch. Blackfire looked down at Starfire who had avoided meeting her eyes. She crossed her arms and gave Robin a short "hmp!" and turned to walk away. As she walked she began rubbing her head again and without warning collapsed to the floor. Robin and Starfire glanced at each other dumbfounded.

--------

They brought Blackfire back to her room and lay her down on her bed. Almost instantly she began to shake and her breathing picked up. Starfire picked up her hand and rubbed it gingerly. She frantically turned to her husband.

"Robin what are we to do!"

"I-I don't know." He scanned her up and down only stopping when he noticed that her hand was shaking more than the rest of her body. He picked it up and without warning experienced a sudden flashback.

A beam light came out of Blackfire's hand and seemed to cork screw into his skull. He let out a short gasp and bared his teeth. Blackfire withdrew her hand and Robin's head fell forward.

Robin reopened his eyes and found Starfire gazing at him fearfully. "Robin? Are you okay?" Robin spoke though no words came out. He glanced back down at Blackfire's hand and understood. Blackfire opened her eyes and looked around.

"W-Wh-Where am I?"

"We have brought you to your room sister," said Starfire. "We will do what we can." Blackfire swallowed and paid dearly as her throat felt immensely sore.

"What is…happening to me?"

"You're having withdrawal symptoms, from the hand device." Blackfire closed her eyes in dismay."

"Always…thought-this..might happen." Blackfire winced terribly as a spasm coursed through her. Starfire bit her lower lip agonizing and tugged on her spouses arm.

"Is there nothing we can do her for?"

"Raven's inside someone else's mind right now, the best you and I can do is maybe give her a pain killer or something." Starfire looked back down at her sister, who had closed her eyes and began moving her head about. Robin rubbed Starfire's arm comfortingly. "I'm sorry Star but there's nothing more either of us can do for her right now. We'll just have to wait for Raven."

"But very few have survived withdrawals of this magnitude, I am afraid for her." Robin pulled her close to him and nodded.

"I think she'll pull through. Circumstances aside Blackfire's never been one to just give up." Starfire found a small measure of comfort from his words and smiled at him. Blackfire's eyes began to move about quickly under her closed lids and she unknowingly entered a deep dream state.

> > > > >

Blackfire's stomach rose and fell calmly. She slept quite soundly though began to wake from her peaceful slumber. Her world came into focus and the first thing she noticed was that her surroundings were that of Jump City Hospital. She looked around and saw her clothes had been swapped for a hospital gown. They were normal earthen clothes and not her usual dark attire. A nurse walked in and hung a clipboard on the foot of her bed.

"How're you doing?" she asked looking over some other equipment. Blackfire blinked a couple of times. She knew her name, but it wasn't Blackfire; at least not in this dream it wasn't.

"Fine, I guess." She glanced down at the plastic ID bracelet around her wrist and saw the name Carmen Anders (A/N Please don't ask me how I can up with that. What other normal name would Blackfire have? Kormand'rCarmen. And she's Star's sister, Kori Anders and Carmen Anders. If you don't like it don't worry, this is the only time you'll ever see it).

"Your friends are here to see you," said the nurse. "Would you like me to send them in?" Blackfire raised herself up and nodded in an exhausted way.

"Sure." The nurse left and moments later her sister Kori and her husband Richard entered.

"Well you sure look good for someone who almost killed herself," said Richard. Kori glanced back at him reproachfully.

"What my husband means is it is good to see you are getting on the mend. Are you feeling okay?"

"Yeah fine I suppose, you two really are a sight for sore eyes," said Carmen in a semi-sarcastic way. "Honestly though I really don't remember what happened." Kori nodded while looking away.

"Then perhaps it is better that it remain that way." Richard sat down beside Carmen's bed and scratched his neck.

"Carmen, we asked the hospital's therapist to talk to you for a minuet." Carmen rolled her eyes and sat up even more.

"So you called the shrink on me?"

"Please sister just the one session. If you do not wish to see her again you will not have to." Carmen groaned audibly and considered it for a good three minuets. She finally rubbed her head and answered in the affirmative. "Thank you sister, she'll be in to see you in a moment." Carmen nodded again and her two visitors stood up to leave. Richard sent her an affectionate smile and they left her alone. Of course no sooner had they left than someone else entered and walked up to the counter by the window. Carmen saw only her back.

"Doc?"

"Good afternoon Miss Anders," said the therapist brightly. She read through a couple more papers in a file she'd carried in. "How're you feeling today?"

"You know I've been asked that just a few too many times," said an ornery Carmen. The therapist nodded.

"Well let me begin by saying that I don't like to work with walls between me and my clients. I always like to be on a first name basis." Carmen shifted around uneasily. "Usually I'm first to start so let me introduce myself, I'm Dr. Oyu." She turned around and smiled from behind her sleek prescription glasses. "But you can call me Taka."

> > > > >

Starfire sat by Blackfire's side still, not having moved for several hours. Robin returned with Raven close behind and Starfire brightened at the sight of her. She stood and hugged her friend.

"Oh Raven I am elated you could come."

"To be perfectly honest I needed a break, I managed to free Mas and Menos. The other three are probably going to be a whole different card game." Raven moved past Starfire and leaned over Blackfire. She gently opened one of her eyes and shined a small light into her pupil. She straightened up while stuffing away the small light. "Barely any pupil dilation and rapid eye movement; she's dreaming."

"About what?" asked Robin. Raven shrugged.

"It could be anything, she's in a light coma and as Starfire has said this is one of the worst kinds of withdrawals anyone could ever experience. The best thing I can do is ease the pain and help see her through the stages, beyond that it's entirely up to her whether she wants to keep going or not." Robin and Starfire nodded comprehensively. Raven then guided Starfire over to Blackfire's small desk and set some food in front of her. "Robin says you haven't eaten for hours, that's not really a good idea seeing how you're eating for two now."

"Thank Raven I am feeling slight hunger," said Starfire with a smile. Robin volunteered to keep watch over Blackfire while Starfire ate her small dinner. "Where are Cyborg and Beast Boy?"

"They're both keeping an eye on our guests, but knowing them they're probably watching the backs of their eye lids by now." Starfire giggled and noticed her meal wasn't quite complete. She searched around and found what she was looking for.

"Raven would you please pass me the kensu?" Raven stopped in mid-chew and Robin looked over from Blackfire's side.

"The what?"

"The salt, will you please pass it to me?"

"Suuuure I'll pass you the salt but what's kensu?" Starfire looked confused then met Robin's eyes.

"Have I done it again Robin?"

"Uhhh yeah, you just said kensu." Starfire racked her brains but came up short on an explanation.

"I am sorry I do not know what that means."

"I think I do," said Raven. "What's the Tamaranian word for salt?"

"We have never had that seasoning on our world, but I believe it would be kenmar." Raven nodded. She appeared to be deep in thought when Robin scooted over beside them.

"Kenmar," said Raven to herself. "And you just said kensu," she said pointing at Starfire. "It must be some kind of a route or derivation of Tamaranian." Starfire thought and shook her head.

"We have only one ancestral dialect, the language spoken today evolved from Lanuen. The vowels, contractions, and idioms changed over thousands of years but that is the only form of speech I know of."

"Well then that's what you must be speaking," said Robin. "Just like Blackfire said the triangle is like a memory chip and it gave you the ability to speak their language."

"But that just doesn't add up Robin," said Raven. "If Blackfire is right then why would Starfire just gain a deeper understanding of something Tamaranian school children might know?"

"Those who are still living," said Starfire grimly. While the three of them contemplated Starfire's condition Blackfire continued to see through her alternate dream life.

> > > > >

She paced back and forth while Taka sat by her bed with her hands in her lap. She looked around and smiled up at her.

"We have plenty of time you know."

"Honestly Doc I didn't call you to my room, per say. Dick and Kori are the guilty ones. I mean, I really have no idea why they think I would need to see a shrink." Taka shrugged and turned back around.

"Well actually they just recommended I see you, they didn't officially hire me." Wound up and tight, Carmen sat back down on her bed and reached for her nail file. "I guess I just wanted to see if you'd like to talk."

"Talk about what?"

"Anything you want; it doesn't have to be why either of us is here, we can have a quiet conversation about anything that's on your mind. Maybe we could get to know each other a little more." Carmen glanced at Taka disbelieving. "Alright I'll start off," said Taka excitedly. "Me; I grew up in Japan, I lived with my very best friends for a short while, my favorite dish is prime rib with a side of mashed potatoes, I absolutely adore hot air balloon rides, and on the rare occasion I'll stay up all night eating shrimp tempura." Carmen had gradually begun to look at her through that speech and simply stared at her in a mystified way.

"Is that on a Friday or a Saturday?" Taka began chuckling heartily.

"I knew you'd be funny," she said while taking away her glasses to wipe her eyes. She polished the lenses then put them back on. "So, are you ready to talk?"

"I'm sorry Doc but this psycho babble stuff doesn't really work on me."

"I'm not trying to trick you, I'm trying to help you but I can't or it's annoyingly difficult unless you let me." Carmen shifted in her seat and seemed to lower hr defenses somewhat. "Your friends are worried about you. If you don't mind me saying, you tried to kill yourself didn't you?"

Carmen shook her head. "I honestly don't remember."

"Then you seem to have a mild case of dissociative amnesia. One experiences a traumatic event or they question themselves so greatly that their own memories become a doubt or blur to them. As far as I know you've never gone through anything traumatic have you?"

"Probably…not," replied Carmen hesitantly.

"Then you must've questioned yourself to the point where you decided you no longer deserved to live……am I right?" Carmen swallowed as it began to come back to her.

"Yes." Taka removed her glasses and set them down on her clipboard. She then set those things off to the side and stared her client in the eyes.

"Have you ever felt so incredibly guilty about something you felt emotional as well as physical pain?" Carmen once again replied in the affirmative. "This is not a confession Carmen," said Taka. "I don't want you to say anything you don't want to." She nodded and Taka continued. "Some people reach such a state of despair that they no longer feel like they could ever be forgiven by anyone, least of all themselves. Have you ever done something you deem unforgivable?" Carmen fought back her tears as hard as she possibly could which in turn only pushed them on.

"You have…no idea what I've done."

"And I don't need to, that's not why I'm here. You see it is very sad when someone decides they're beyond hope of redemption, when they believe there's no hope." She inched a little closer to Carmen. "Let me ask you something else, have you ever known someone who has done nothing but wrong their entire life?" Carmen found herself needing to answer her, as if she would feel pain if she didn't.

"Yes…"

"Could you ever picture that person doing something good, however small however big. Could you ever imagine it happening?" The dark haired girl thought about it for a long moment then shook her head.

"No, never." Taka nodded.

"It would take a miracle wouldn't it?"

"Yeah definitely."

"Sometimes we can only picture certain people of having a change of heart and even then it's only a certain type of change." Carmen looked away, unsure if she wanted to continue. "Our time is almost up Carmen," said Taka. She looked back up at her. "So I'll leave you with a final thought. If you were to ever see the person you remember having a change of heart, doing a complete about-face, would it not be absolutely beautiful? It would be…miraculous wouldn't it?"

"I…I.." Carmen stuttered. She covered half of her face and turned away once more.

"You've had a wonderful change of heart Carmen, for whatever you are feeling this immense guilt for everyone has forgiven you." She took a soft hold of her shoulders. "Let it go, that's why you're feeling this way. And it will only get worse until tell yourself that you are a different person now." Carmen finally refaced her, her eyes sparkling with tears.

"I…I can't!" She buried her face in Taka's shoulder and broke into tears. Her sobs were muffled as she kept her face hidden. Taka wound her arms around her and gently stroked her hair.

"It's okay, you're never alone. I'm right here," she whispered. Taka glanced up and saw a fading image of the dark figure her client had been subservient to. She tightened her hold on Blackfire somewhat protectively and sent Anubis a hard look. 'You no longer have any power here. Be gone!' He hesitated then stepped away through the wall.

> > > > >

Robin ran about the halls looking around for someone, anyone. He finally stopped when he saw Cyborg walk out of the brig.

"Cyborg!" He turned with a start.

"What? What's wrong with you?"

"I need someone..anyone!" Cyborg pointed back toward the brig with his thumb.

"Well Rae's back in there trying to sort out the rest of Titans East, what's up?"

"It's Starfire." Cyborg quickly followed Robin back to the common room and Robin pointed to Starfire. She sat before one of the computer terminals in front of the large screen and was typing at break neck speed. She stared straight ahead and seemed unaware of what she was doing.

"What's she doing?" asked the half man half machine.

"I don't know, she said she was feeling a little sick so I brought her in here for something calm her stomach. I turn my back for five seconds and when I look back she's doing just what she's doing right now."

"How long has she been at it?"

"I dunno, maybe few minuets." They walked up behind her and Cyborg waved a hand before her eyes. She made no response but kept her pace on the key board. He observed her then let out a daunted breath.

"I'm surprised the hard drive is able to keep up with her, I mean look how fast she's-"

"Tenadule." She uttered it just as quickly as she was typing. Cyborg stopped talking and they waited to see if she'd saying anything else. Robin sat down beside Starfire as she continued whatever it was she was doing.

"Did you say something Star?"

"Tenadule Locar'e." She said her words and stopped typing. Robin and Cyborg glanced at each other curiously. Starfire swayed in her seat then blinked out of her unawareness. She cast a bewildered look about the room.

"Where-Where am I? Robin what are we doing here?" Robin turned her chair around and he took her hands.

"Star, I think we really need to have a look at you."

> > > > >

Carmen sipped a glass of water and stretched out her arms. She figured she must have fallen asleep for a few minuets from the fatigue in her eyes. She found Taka over by the counter writing down some notes. Taka looked back at her and smiled.

"Oh you're awake; you dozed off for a second." Carmen shook her head deliriously.

"Wow, I don't think I've ever cried like that before."

"It's amazing what a quiet conversation will do. You've made excellent progress today; I don't see why you need to stay here anymore. I'll give the hospital my recommendation that you be released."

"Yes that would be great. I think I've had my fill of runny jello," said Carmen sounding much more like her usual self.

"Listen if you need anything don't ever hesitate to call me and we'll set up an appointment or just talk over the phone." She put her glasses back on and checked her watch. "Oh would you look at that, time flies when you changing your life doesn't it? I have things I need to take care of so I'll see you round."

Carmen quickly stood up. "W-Wait you can't just leave me." Taka turned back.

"I haven't left you for a second Kormand'r." Carmen furrowed her brow. 'Why did she call me that?' "And I'm not going to, that's a promise."

> > > > >

After hours of mental blood, tears, and sweat Raven finally managed to break Anubis' hold over Titans East. She learned from Bumble Bee that a few other honorary Titans were scattered about the globe as spies and that they needed to be helped as well. At present moment however Raven was given yet another task of observing Starfire's strange behavior. Robin and Beast Boy looked through the observation window in sickbay as Raven talked with Starfire about something. The first thing they noticed was Starfire's skin was regaining its orange tint. They periodically saw Starfire become surprised or agitated. Starfire nodded comprehensibly and Raven walked out. She let the door close behind her then pointed to the red haired girl inside.

"It's really very fascinating."

"Pardon me Raven but my wife looks just tad more scared out of her mind then fascinated," said Robin.

"Okay it's fascinating and it's freaky at the same time," replied Raven agreeably. "We've concluded the language she's speaking is in fact Lanuen, I just haven't exactly figured out why yet. Robin you said she just started entering data into the Titan mainframe?"

"This is what she did." Robin handed Raven a hand held computer pad displaying Starfire's work. Raven's mouth gradually slacked open.

"This is the equivalent of five thousand pages of normal text, and she did this in eight minuets flat?" Robin nodded conclusively. Beast Boy shrugged.

"So what Starfire's become super smart or something?"

"In a way yes," said Raven. "The human brain operates at about ten to fifteen percent of its full capacity, a Tamaranian brain about twenty-five to thirty percent." She handed them both a printed copy of a scan of Starfire's brain. "This was Starfire's CAT scan from last year."

"Ah yes CAT scan day one of my favorite days of the year," said Beast Boy. "The day I'm reassured that I'm not going bonzo." Raven paused and sweat dropped. "Please continue."

"As you can see, her brain activity was well within the normal range. Now this is a scan I took ten minuets ago. She brought out another one that showed a clear difference. "Right now Starfire's brain is operating at ninety-one percent."

"Holy buckets….that's a lot," stuttered Robin.

"Starfire's obviously had more than an ancient language uploaded into her mind. She's clearly begun using both sides of her brain. Lots of respectable people have said that if we were capable of using both sides of our brains we would be able to do extraordinary things."

"So can Star use the force yet?" asked Beast Boy.

"Don't make me divorce you into an alternate plane of existence," scolded Raven.

"Just bottom line this for me Raven," said Robin. "What's happening to Starfire and is it going to be good or bad?" Raven shrugged.

"Well I haven't the faintest idea of how it's going to turn out, but whatever it is it's happening incrementally. I've noticed she's begun speaking Lanuen a lot more frequently, in entire sentences even. Within the next few days she might loose the ability to communicate with us all together." Robin hunched forward and leaned on the one way glass. As he looked at her he detected a large feeling of dejavu. He remembered the first time she'd ever come to the tower. He watched her from this very window and she had on the same uncertain and frightened look. Without saying anything to his comrades Robin walked in. Starfire turned and smiled at him.

"Robin."

"Hey Star, Raven's told me everything." He sat down beside her and set and arm around her shoulder. "I just wanted to tell you Star, you don't have to be afraid. You know I'm always here for you." Starfire opened her mouth to reply but stopped. Robin waited for her to speak but she remained silent. "Starfire?" She shook her head as if trying to remember what she was about to say.

"Zak-to'mas, meetio su Robin." Robin cast a downward look and sighed.

BLACKFIRE'S ROOM…………….

Blackfire lay in her bed sleeping soundly and peacefully. For an entire night the Titans watched and worried as Blackfire writhed and screamed from her withdrawal. As this happened Starfire began to change and Titans East found themselves freed from their mental prisons. Then as if something stirred her awake, Blackfire slowly opened her eyes. Her blurry room came back into focus and she made out someone standing beside her bed. Blackfire smiled as she was far too tired to move.

"Doc…" Taka smiled back down at her. A soft golden aura breathed gently on the top of her head. "Thanks for…sticking by me."

"What are friends for?" replied the angelic form of the former Titan. "You've been through an awful lot Blackfire to earn a second chance, don't waste it." Blackfire nodded shortly. She moved her head over to her right and saw Cyborg asleep in a chair off to the side. "He came in a few hours ago, hasn't left since." Blackfire felt herself grow warmer then looked back up at Taka.

"I didn't think I was going to make it."

"I don't think they would have let that happen, even years ago you've meant a lot to Starfire. And I can tell you without question that you've made her very happy by coming here. All of them are glad you're here." Blackfire snickered.

"Even Raven?" Taka chuckled softly.

"Oh especially Raven." They allowed their laughs to subside. "So, what do want to be called now?" Blackfire thought for a moment then gazed over at Cyborg.

"B…" Taka mouth curved into a grin.

"Listen B, I know you may not think so right now but trust me…" Blackfire met Taka's eyes. "You're going to be okay."

"If you say so." Taka nodded. "Hey, do you think you and I could talk again some time? Maybe?" Taka's beam grew into a toothy smile.

"You can talk to me whenever you like." Silence then moved into the room. A snort issued from Cyborg and Taka turned to look at him. Cyborg rubbed his eyes and smiled over at Blackfire.

"Hey look who's awake?" he stepped right into the empty spot Taka was in just seconds before.

"I bet someone is going to be disappointed I am," said Blackfire pulling the covers closer to her.

"Hey no way, we were all hoping you'd pull through. And…I'm really glad you did." Blackfire couldn't help but feel intensely humbled at that moment. "So, you need anything? Continental breakfast, some bunny slippers…"

"Maybe…just some water." Cyborg nodded with an affectionate smirk.

"Comin' right up." He gave her shoulder a few pats and walked out. Blackfire rested back on her pillow. Cyborg would return and find her fast asleep, she was too comfortable in her new home to just jump right out of bed.

Well guys, I'm sorry to say that there's just one more chapter and an epilogue and then this trilogy is done and told. I suppose I could space out the last few updates just to make it stretch just a little more. ;)