Titans and Gods: Awakening
A Teen Titans Fanfic by Lavender Gaia
Editing and Assistance by Laine
Chapter 4: Winds of Change
Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans or any of the recognizable characters appearing in this chapter. They are all property of DC Comics.
Note: I'm warning you ahead of time that this chapter is somewhat gory. It's not Saw 2, but it's more than people who read my stuff are used to seeing.
As Robin's group of Titans flew eastward, he, Starfire and Wonder Girl all agreed on one thing: the portable Gamestation was a godsend. While the trio knew that Mas and Menos were useful and the girls felt they were adorable, the videogames kept them from having to listen to endless Spanish for hours straight.
Dick considered calling up the makers and thanking them for their product, maybe sending them some of Bruce's money as a "Hey, that's for helping to stop the apocalypse!" type of gesture.
Of course, with the utter silence coming from the other males on the team that meant that he was forced to listen to Starfire and Donna's girl talk. At the moment Starfire was explaining about the shampoo she was using to get her hair to smell like honeysuckle. He twisted nervously in his seat, trying not to think about smelling her hair.
"So, Donna," he interrupted, "Why did you get suspended anyway?"
The girls blinked at him, surprised at his sudden interest in conversation. She blushed at the realization that she'd have to tell him. "Actually…I hit somebody."
He winced. "Ouch. I know that hurts."
Starfire blinked. "How would you know that?"
"Because she hit me before," he replied simply.
The redhead stared at Donna in shock. Wonder Girl shrugged. "Hey, he deserved it!"
"What did he do?"
"I don't know, but if I hit him I'm sure he deserved it."
Robin chuckled. "It's the Amazon temper," he assured Starfire. "Very dangerous. There's a reason no men live on Paradise Island. You know, Bruce made me pay for that glass window with my allowance. Do you know how much a one-of-a-kind stained glass window costs?"
She winced. "Sorry."
"It's ok," he promised. "Not a big deal."
Starfire took Donna's hand. "Oh, please, tell me all about yourself! I want to know everything about my new friend!"
Donna ran her free hand through her hair. "I'm really not all that interesting." At Starfire's eager look, she continued, "Um, well, Wonder Woman is my sister. I'm an Amazon."
"She's a princess, but you can't call her that as it's Diana's nickname and Bruce will be angry if you stole his amazing wit," Robins smirked.
Wonder Girl glared at him playfully. "Ignoring the Short Pants…I do photography in my spare time, but I'm not really special other than that. I'd love to hear about you. Where are you from again?"
As Starfire launched into a story about the glory of Tamaran, Robin tuned them out. He was glad that they were becoming friends; it would have been awful if his old best friend and new best friend didn't get along. Choosing between them would have been hell, especially if there were only a few more days of generally living left.
After many hours of flying, they ended up in Europe. None of the other passengers realized how he Robin managed to find a perfectly sized field to land in, but decided not to question him and his infinite wisdom. He pointed to a nearby peak, where a partially hidden doorway stood. "I believe that's what we're looking for."
"We could get there faster if we fly," Starfire suggested.
Robin nodded in agreement. Mas and Menos knew that they could go faster running, and did just that as Wonder Girl and Starfire each took one of their leader's arm and flew them up to the top of the mesa.
Two very large guards were standing, each brandishing a long sword. "What do you want?" The male asked, standing in an offensive position.
Resting a hand on the small of her back, Robin gently pushed Donna forward. "Go talk to them."
She spun and glared at him in distress. "Me? You're the leader, you talk to them!"
"But you're the Amazon. They'll listen to you." It wasn't to get out of lovely conversation with the impossibly big people with sharp objects; as usual, Robin was thinking objectively and she knew it made sense.
Carefully approaching them, Donna introduced herself, "Hello, I'm Princess Donna of Themyscria, daughter of Hippolyta of Paradise Island." The two exchanged a look, as if meeting eyes would verify her statement. Donna held out her arms, the metal bracelets of her homeland glinting in the setting sun.
The female one eyed her. "What is it that you need, Amazon?"
Donna sighed in relief. As Robin had suspected, anyone guarding temples of Greek gods knew of the Amazons. "Sister, we suspect that someone will be coming to try and steal the Elixir."
"You don't believe we can do our jobs?" the male guard growled furiously at her.
"Oh, no, please, we only wish to be of assistance!" Starfire insisted, earning herself a fierce look.
Robin glared at them. "Look, someone already has the fire Elixir. We know they're coming after this one!"
The guards paled lightly at the idea of their fellow sentries being defeated. "There has been no attempt thus far," the woman told them, choosing her words carefully. "Though if you believe there will be a fight and your assistance will be required, we shall not turn you away. When the time comes, you may fight with us."
"You can not stay here, though," her partner insisted. "There is in inn down the mountain if you wish to remain here."
"What if we send one of our people for lookout every few hours?" Robin suggested, not letting the large man intimidate him. "We'll stay out of sight, but they can contact us when the trouble begins."
The guards exchanged a look before the man nodded. "That would be acceptable."
"Oh, thank you," Donna sighed in relief as the twins agreed with her in rapid Spanish. "We really do appreciate it." With one last nod of consent, the Titans turned to leave.
As Starfire lifted him in the air, Robin looked at the guards. "One of us will return soon," he promised, and the alien didn't wait for a response before flying away.
Indeed, there was an inn at the bottom of the mountain, with luckily only a few guests. Between Mas and Menos explaining as much as they could without giving away the mission and Robin's garbled Spanglish, he managed to book a room for them. "Charge it to Batman of the Justice League," he told the only clerk who spoke any English, not hiding his smirk.
The sun had already set by the time the five heroes had settled in and eaten something. Robin volunteered to take the first watch, letting the rest of his friends get some sleep in the room they had rented. It was an uneventful two hours and after getting thoroughly annoyed at the male guard for glaring at him the entire time, he wasn't at all unhappy to go back down the mountain and inform Starfire it was her turn.
Robin took the Tamaranean's place on the queen-sized bed next to Donna while the twins slept in the identical one on the other side of the room. He closed his eyes behind the mask, but continued to shift uncomfortably on the new mattress. Rolling over, he was met by a pair of bright blue eyes as Donna smiled weakly at him. "Couldn't sleep either?"
He sat up with a sigh. "It's a tad difficult when you know that someone with no regard for human life can attack at any minute."
"I know," she whispered, seeking his hand and squeezing it helplessly. "We're not ready for this, Dick."
"It's going to be ok." Robin wondered if he was lying to her and swallowed hard.
Wonder Girl leaned closer to him, blue eyes dark and worried. "Why don't I believe you?"
"Because I don't believe myself." His voice cracked as he squeezed his eyes shut in pain. The two old friends rested together, their linked hands serving as their connection to reality.
For more time than either of them realized, they lay next to each other, finding comfort in the single touch. He turned his head to look at her. With the moonlight shining down on her body, she almost seemed to glow, basking in the serenity of the pale light. "Can I ask you a favor?" he questioned, almost sorry to ruin the silence.
"Of course," she cocked her head to the side, listening intently.
"I think, no matter what happens tonight, that when we return to the tower you should spend some time in Roy." Wonder Girl blinked rapidly in response, and he continued quickly, "I understand the fact that you're an Amazon, but he really cares about you. And with the hypothesis that we might not be here much longer, I think that we all need to spend that time with those we love."
Donna's thoughtful face broke into a smile as she leaned over and hugged him. "I'm sure we all have that in mind. But what about you?"
He raised an unsure eyebrow. "You're not talking about Bruce, are you?"
She smirked. "I'm talking about the fact that you've always had a thing for redheads."
A large blush spread over his cheeks as he adjusted the neck of his uniform. "Yeah, well, you see…"
"You should talk to her," Donna urged carefully.
He rolled his eyes. "Of course, because lessons on talking about your feelings were essential in training with the Batman."
She hit his arm lightly. "That's no excuse, Dick! You're not your mentor."
Before he could answer, the door swung open revealing a lovely alien princess. "I believe that my shift is over. Am I incorrect?"
Donna turned her head to look at the clock. "Oh, no, you're right. Guess I'm up." Leaning over to pull on her boots, she whispered to Robin, "Remember, actions speak louder than words." She kissed his cheek and placed a friendly hand on Starfire's shoulder before continuing out of their room.
Robin moved over, giving her ample space on the bed. Starfire settled next to him, looking exhausted. Her breathing slowed and deepened as he reached over, brushing hair off her face. As the aerialist decided to get some sleep himself, her head rested against his shoulder.
Suddenly, there was a damp spot in his spandex and he realized that she was crying. "Star…?"
"I…Oh, forgive me, Robin. This brings back sad memories for me and I find myself growing in worry," she whispered, not daring to meet his gaze.
"You know," he told her, rubbing her back, "You don't have to be here."
This time she pulled away, staring at him with shocked green eyes. "What?"
Running a hand through his hair unconsciously, he said, "I don't want you to get hurt. This isn't your planet; it isn't your fight. You could go back to Tamaran."
"Oh, no!" She shrieked in distress. "Robin, this is my home as much as it is yours. Home is where the heart is, is it not? I will not leave you."
His gloved hand reached up, cupping her chin before he leaned forward and kissed her tenderly, other arm wrapping around her waist to pull her closer. "Thank you."
Alien lips eagerly sought human, her curvaceous body folding itself against his agile form. They kissed until lack of air became a health hazard, at which time Robin just held his princess close, silently grateful that their height meant no difference in a horizontal position.
He continued to place light kisses on the top of her head, murmuring sweet nothings that he doubted counted as English or anything other than incoherent babble. A flood of emotions had been opened and in their embrace part of the insecurity and fear that had accumulated melted away.
Starfire felt the need to say something. "Robin—"
"Dick," he interrupted. "My name is Dick. I'd like it if you called me that. Though not in battle."
She nodded. "Very well then. On my planet, the people called me Koriand'r. You may do as such, or Kory, should you find it easier."
It amused him that she could sound so innocent while sharing such intimacies with him, more than he could ever have hoped. "Kory. It's perfect. Just like you."
Koriand'r blushed, then decided to try again. "Dick, I—"
This time he decided to interrupt her physically, placing his lips on hers. "I know. You don't have to say it. I know and I feel the same way."
She curled in his arms, basking in the sensation of understanding without speech. Their passion for each other was dictated only through touch and a knowing that could never be explained. Koriand'r lay safely and happily in his arms, their love conveyed through a manner not comprehensible by the mortal mind, though encompassed completely by the soul.
The Tamaranean realized that she must have fallen asleep, when she heard the frantic call through her communicator. "¡Seniorita Starfire¡Senorita Starfire¡Venido rápidamente¡Están aquí!"
It shook her awake and though she didn't understand the Spanish, Starfire knew that it had to be something important. "Dick, it's time!"
He rolled over, springing to life immediately and pulling on his boots. Then, as an afterthought, he picked up his pillow and chucked it at the Amazon across the room. "Get up, Donna, we have to go."
She groaned and threw it back at him, bowling him over from her strength. "I'm up!" Pulling on her boots as well, she took off after the two, flying towards the mesa.
Mas and Menos were hiding in crevices several yards away from where people were dropping from a helicopter. "Four," Robin counted after the copter had flown off. "That's more than we expected."
"We travel in packs; why shouldn't they?" Donna noted.
"Good point." After scanning the area again, he ducked down to address his team. "The guards should keep them busy. What we have to do is—" The instructions were interrupted by a round of loud shots. Robin didn't have to look up to know what they were. "Guns."
Wonder Girl, knowing the Bat Clan's stance on guns, was the first to look. "Great merciful Hera!" The guards that they had known were lying on the ground, blood spilling everywhere, a dark red river reflecting the white of the fading moon. She buried her head, saying a quick prayer for Chronos to guide their spirits to the Elysian Fields.
The others checked, as their opponents seemed to regroup and decide on their plan of action. "Mas, Menos, keep them distracted. Donna, make them shoot at you; try to waste their bullets. Star, you and I will make sure they don't get in that cave. Titans, GO!"
Robin jumped into action, preceded by one of his smoke discs to cover his attack. Their enemies hadn't expected them giving them an advantage. He maintained a stance in front of the entrance to the temple, careful not to slip in the blood of his allies. Starfire was next to him, hands glowing in preparation for any starbolts they needed.
Mas and Menos ran circles around three of their adversaries, all men. They shot frantically at the speedsters, none of their bullets hitting. Wonder Girl hung off to the side when she sensed Robin looking at her. She met his eyes and catch what he had thrown: a popper. Nothing dangerous, just any of the many you could buy during the fourth of July. It wasn't to harm them, simply to attract attention.
She threw it on the stone beneath her feet, creating a loud noise. The men stopped focusing on the Hispanic speedsters and looked her way. "I think I'm the one you have to worry about." They seemed hesitant to shoot at a woman at first, but when she flew towards them all three opened fire. Using her Amazonian bracelets, Wonder Girl easily deflected all their shots, getting close enough to punch two in the head. They flew backwards, moaning at the pain as they fought to hold on to their consciousness.
The last man ran towards the cave in a chance to get away, but was met by starbolts to the stomach. This pushed him back to where Mas and Menos was gathering them together. Wonder Girl lassoed them together triumphantly. "We did it!"
"Wait," Robin held a hand up to silence them. "That's only three. Where's the--?"
He was cut off by Starfire's cry of pain, immediately reaching out for the alien. She let herself fall into his arms and Robin caught a flash of white hair as their final enemy sprinted into the cave. "Starfire? Star, are you ok?"
She held a hand to her head, but nodded. "I am fine. Go after them."
Robin nodded without hesitation, handing her over to the other men on his team, who seemed concerned with the Tamaranean's safety. He ran after whoever had hurt Starfire, anger building in his chest. As he continued, Robin began to notice that the ground was sloping downwards. The temple must be build in the middle of the mesa, he realized. He also could admit that he was a little creeped out by the lights that came from nowhere.
Eventually, the floor leveled out into a circular floor and he stepped in something wet. "Water?" he wondered, and when he looked down at his feet the Teen Wonder's stomach turned. "Blood…" There were three entranceways leading off from where he was, a dead guardsman littering the doorway of each.
Robin turned and headed to the surface. "It's a maze," he told the troops. "I'm gonna need help finding them."
Mas, Menos and Starfire decided to join him while Wonder Girl offered to stay back and watch the prisoners. "Robin?" she stopped him. "Do you have any rope? I'm a tad more useful when I can actually use my lasso."
He tossed a length to her from his utility belt with a small smile before leading the rest of the group into the cavernous area. It was silent as they went down, but his spirits lifted a tad when Starfire sought his hand and squeezed in reassurance.
"What your step," he warned as they neared the brighter entranceway where the dark red liquid of the blood still soaked the dirt floor. Robin felt Starfire shudder and lift several inches off the ground. "There are three passageways. Starfire, you take the left. Mas, Menos, the right. I'll be in the center. If anyone finds anything, contact the others via comm. link. Got it?"
"Si, Senor!" The twins saluted before taking off.
Starfire leaned down and kissed his cheek. "Good luck."
He met her concerned green eyes. "Be careful." When she flew off, Robin carefully picked his way around the body and the blood, feeling his skin crawl. Quickly and silently he moved down the passageway, exactly as he'd been trained. There were several optional turns along his journey, but gut instinct told him to continue straight.
It seemed he had reached the end when a large stonewall appeared in his path. He cursed when the floor fell from under him. Reaching for this grappling hook, he caught the edge of the floor he had been on just a few seconds earlier and flipped himself back up. Detective mind ever curious, Robin chose a decent sized rock and threw it downwards. It didn't hit anything; there seemed to be no end. He said a small prayer in thanks for Lucius Fox and his utility belt.
He got to his feet and was about to try one of the other forks in his original path when a feminine scream reached his ears, vibrating off the walls. "Kory," he choked in fear. Robin ran back the way he had came, not worrying about stealth. He jumped over the bodies and slipped slightly in the blood as he came to the main floor, making a sharp right towards his love.
Mas and Menos were behind him, but Robin held up a hand. "Stay here," he ordered before continuing.
There were large fissures in the floor every few feet, but Robin leapt over them as he would the space between buildings back in Jump City. The further in he went, wind began to whip around him. Soon it was so bad that he was clinging to crevices in the wall to help him forward.
Starfire was barely in the air as she faced off against another woman. Her enemy was dark skinned with white hair and her eyes were completely white as she tried to push the alien back.
Finally, she couldn't hold out anymore and the redhead fell down, forced back by the wind. Robin held out an arm, pulling her to his body. "I've got you," he whispered.
She held on to his cape in relief. "I knew you would."
Robin took a bird-a-rang, and aiming it correctly, threw it threw the path of the wind to his the woman. Her eyes turned from completely white to reveal blue pupils. "Who dares to interrupt the goddess?" she roared, sending another tornado of wind their way.
The rock under Robin's fist crumbled, and as he grasped for anything to hold them, the gusts pushed the pair towards the endless fissures that he'd come in contact with earlier. In a last effort, Robin reached for another bird-a-rang, shooting it upwards and around a stalactite, pulling both himself and Starfire up. He signaled for her to remain quiet, hiding their forms in the shadows of the top of the cave.
He pulled out his communicator, whispering, "Mas, Menos, she's heading your way. Do not respond."
Down the hall, two small twisters ripped the twins apart, flinging them in separate directions. They screamed at the indignation as the woman stalked past them up to the surface of the mesa. Wonder Girl was waiting and attacked, only landing one punch before the white-haired woman grabbed her by the throat, throwing her back against the stone leading to the cave.
She shook off the pain, struggling to her feet. The new goddess approached her teammates, looking down on the men in contempt. "Well," she spoke slowly, her voice coated in an accent. "We knew when we came that we all wouldn't leave alive."
The Amazon watched in horror as a strong wind blew the three men off the cliff. "NO!" She ran after them, taking a leaping dive off the cliff to try and catch them. Wonder Girl wasn't fast enough as the bodies hit the side of the mountain over and over, till they ended up as a mangled mass at the bottom, coating her with a spray of blood.
For a minute she stared in horror before going back up. The woman was gone, but her teammates had returned. She threw herself at Robin, tears flowing down her cheeks, mixing with the spots of blood. Eyes wide behind his mask, he used his cape to wipe the red liquid off her face and the rest of her bare skin.
"We have to do something," she cried. "They deserve a proper burial."
As he stroked her hair, Robin was reminded of how different Donna was from her battle-hardened sister. He nodded to Starfire, who sent several rounds of starbolts high into the sky. "That should get someone up here." He looked at the rest of the team. "I think it's time we go."
The quintet made their way back to the ship. Starfire put Robin down as they entered the field, knowing her love would need time alone. The Tamaranean glanced over where the Amazon's arms were wrapped around herself. Koriand'r reached over, extracting Donna's hand from its cocoon by her body, holding it.
She looked over at the alien, managing a small smile and squeezing back. There had been a bond forged, an unbreakable one that is only formed in life or death situations; especially when the result leans towards death.
A/N: I know parts of this were kind of dark and gory but the Robin/Starfire fluff made up for it…right? I'm sorry for the long wait. I've been really sick lately. I get at least one migraine a day and my neurologist is making me have a scan of my brain next week to check for anything serious like a tumor or an aneurysm. I also seemed to have caught the cold that's been going around. Plus, this chapter is really long and I'm still not sure how good I am with the action scenes.
Recently, I've also been into making Teen Titans music videos lately. You can find them at http/ www. putfile. com/ lavendergaia/ media or by using the homepage link in my profile. I have six videos done so far and you don't have to download to watch.
Next chapter: A guest appearance by Gotham's favorite batty redhead and Raven wears a toga! You can't miss this.
Questions, comments, reactions and reviews are greatly appreciated.
