Chapter 13: Dealing with Val-Yor

"W-What?"

"You heard me." Val-Yor smugly replies. "I don't know what you are, but I know you're not what Troqie thinks."

Danny was worried now. This man knew he's not what Starfire thinks of him. He does not want her to know, not just because her heartbreak mixed with the effect his power causes her.

"But… how?"

"You may have some similar features, but there's a new key differences. For starters, you don't have the right physical features. Tamaraneans are closer to cats, you clearly look closer to an ape. Your face doesn't have the same structure. More importantly, you were clearly grossed out by her troq eating habits." Danny glares at him for that last part. "That's gotta be pretty awful for you, using that girl's affection for you." He says in a tone that shows he's not sympathetic to her at all.

"You're one to talk about being awful to Starfire." Danny snaps. "Why didn't you say anything? And why not expose me?"

Val-Yor chuckles. "Mostly because it's kind of hilarious to think she's obsessed with someone who isn't like her at all." Danny's glare intensifies. "Plus, I'm hoping you'll crack and I see you break her heart." He bends over to look Danny in the eye, with his smug smile. "Showing how much love a troq gets."

PUNCH!

Danny throws his fist right into Val-Yor's stomach.

The force of the punch causes Val-Yor to grunt in pain. Once Danny pulls his fist back in, Val-Yor falls to the floor, clutching to his stomach as he continues groaning.

"I get the feeling Starfire doesn't clobber you for talking like that is because it'd prove you right… but since I'm not a Tamaranean, I don't have to worry about that." Danny remarks.

Val-Yor manages to get on his feet, glaring at Danny.

"Troq lover." He says scathingly.

"Considering how you are… I take that as a compliment. So, thanks." Danny says with a condescending smile.

Val-Yor's scowl shows more bitterness, his insult not angering Danny.

"How did you even hurt me?" Val-Yor says.

"This thing only dampens my power, not take them away." Danny corrects him. "Now, stop calling Starfire that or the next one goes in the face."

Starfire leaves the room filled with meats. She gives a brief belch before wiping her mouth with her arm. She sees Val-Yor looking uncomfortable as Danny is walking behind him. She doesn't care for him, only for her Phantom.

"I see you are successful in locating the weapons."

"We did indeed." Danny says. His right fist on his waist, his left arm concealed by Val-Yor. "Had enough?" He asks.

"I am the full!" Starfire says cheerfully.

"I see you've been eating like a tr-" Val-Yor doesn't finish his sentence. A sudden shudder goes through his body as Danny gives a slight glare in his direction. "True lady! A nice lady!" Whatever caused his sudden change ends as his face relaxes.

"Are you… feeling the alright?" Starfire asks.

"He's fine, just realizing he shouldn't be a total pain." Danny says.

"I would hope so, for I rescued him the last we encountered one another."

"Really?" Danny asks before the discomfort returns to Val-Yor, who Danny glares at with his smile not leaving him. "She saved your life and yet you still call her slurs?"

The reason Val-Yor is visibly uncomfortable is because Danny pinches his back and twists it painfully whenever he does something wrong.

"Well…" He says, struggling with the pain. "I recognize that was not a good thing, so… I'm sorry…" Danny loosens his grip.

"Good for you!" Danny says, hiding his growing anger with a smile. He looks to Starfire. "So, how do we get off this thing?"

"Perhaps we could find an escape pod?" She suggests.

"I think I saw some earlier." Val-Yor says. "They're on the other side of the ship."

Danny lets go.

"Then we'll go that way." Danny says.

The three walk down the hallways, looking around to see if there are any Gordanians about. There are none.

"This isn't right…" Val-Yor says as he looks up and down a hall. "Where is everyone?"

"Indeed." Starfire says. "Gordanians are warriors, there should be more of them."

"Then they must be up to something." Danny says. "Should we keep going? It might be a trap."

"Perhaps we should find a different route to the pods?" Starfire suggests.

"You two can find whatever route you can, I'm getting off this thing!" Val-Yor declares before he keeps going.

Danny and Starfire exchange looks before following him.

Danny runs up to Val-Yor's left, glaring at him.

"Perhaps we will be able to repel whatever sinister plans they have." Starfire says. "You have not seen my Phantom in action. He will surprise you!"

Val-Yor scoffs. "I bet there's plenty about him that'll surprise you too."

Danny realizes what he's suggesting and takes action.

"Val-Yor! Look out!"

Danny immediately slams his hand into Val-Yor, shoving the large man into the wall and hitting his face into the metal. Danny's hand is painfully digging into his side.

"What are you doing?!" He says with his face in the wall and his anger showing in one eye looking at Danny.

"Sorry!" Danny lies with a smile. "Thought I saw a sneak attack. False alarm!" He steps away, letting Val-Yor go. Danny looks to Starfire with a smile. "Since you've got your powers and you're clearly the strongest on this ship, ladies first!"

"I thank you, darling!" Starfire says as she takes the lead.

Once she passes, Danny and Val-Yor glare at each other before continuing their walk.

"So…" Val-Yor says. "Where did you two lovely kids meet?"

"On Earth!" Starfire says. "As I felt the heart that is broken, I saw a male of my race arrive and we have grown close since!" Starfire says, reminiscing of that night with a loving smile.

She quickly looks over her shoulder and sends Danny a flirtations smile. Danny blushes and waves before she looks forward. He remembers that night, it was mostly stressful getting away from an overly affectionate girl. Looking back, he realizes Starfire wasn't as terrifying as he thought, just very lacking in personal space. Sure, it was more affection than he could handle, but he's lost much of his fear of her since then.

"Huh… who woulda thunk it?" Val-Yor says in a suggestive tone. "What are the odds another of your kind came to Earth?" He says while glancing at Danny.

In response, Danny stomps his foot on Val-Yor's, causing the silver man to grunt as he lifts his foot and holds onto it quickly.

"Whoa! Careful there, Val-Pal. You should watch where you step!" Danny says with a smile, but a glare in his eyes. "You never know where I'll stomp my feet!" He says this through his teeth, which are in a fake grin.

Val-Yor gives Danny a dirty look before he continues walking.

"So, what had become of you since we last saw each other, Val-Yor?" Starfire asks.

"Well… after we dealt with the Locrix, the people of my world stopped hiring me to deal with threats. When word got out that I had disrespected Earth's Teen Titans… they started to turn on me."

"Really? People have heard of us?"

"Apparently, even the Centauri police have grown to respect you. So, people started turning on me." He then speaks under his breath. "All because of some troq…"

Danny makes a fake yawn as he stretches his arms out, punching Val-Yor in the shoulder.

"Oops!" Danny lies. "Sorry!"

Val-Yor glares at Danny before he whispers.

"You're lucky I got one of these diminishing gadgets on my arm, otherwise you'd be sorry for real." He makes sure to sound threatening.

"Dude, you're lucky my powers are diminished." Danny responds.

Both continue to glare hatefully before looking away.

"Anyway, now I'm just wandering by and doing what I can, when I can." Val-Yor says.

Starfire, who is oblivious to what has been happening behind her, looks back and nods.

She then sees something ahead that she shows interest in.

"We have found the bay of docking!" She shouts. "We can escape!"

The three of them run ahead.

"Stop!" A man's voice calls out.

To their sides, Gordanians are aiming their weapons at them.

"Told you it'd be a trap." Val-Yor says in a condescending tone.

"You're the only one who didn't think that, you silver turd!" Danny shouts.

Val-Yor only stares. "What is a… turd?"

"I believe…" Starfire speaks. "that it is another word for excrement."

Val-Yor then shouts at Danny. "You dare compare me to feces?!"

"You're right…" Danny says before giving a cocky smile. "Totally unfair to poop."

Before the angry Val-Yor can answer, another voice calls out.

"What a naughty boy!" This time a female voice calls out.

All to where the ships are, seeing a familiar face. A familiar face with black hair and purple eyes, along with a cocky smile as she stands confidently at them.

"Blackfire!" Starfire shouts.

"Lucky for you, Phantom… I like 'em naughty!" She says in a flirtatious tone.

"What are you doing here?" Danny says, ignoring her sultry tone.

"Oh… I made a deal with the Gordanians." She says sounding like she's just been chatting with some old friends. "Promised them they'd get their prize and I'd also get mine. Guess which you are, pretty boy?"

"And what about the shiny turd over here?" Danny says as he gestures his thumb to Val-Yor.

"STOP CALLING ME THAT!" Val-Yor shouts at Danny.

"Oh, well, I didn't like how he calls us "troq". I may be willing to snuff out my sister, but I'm not a racist." Blackfire says, sounding annoyed by his presence.

"Oh, look who has a moral compass after all!" Danny says sarcastically.

"Deal with my sister and the shiny one!" Blackfire shouts. She gives Danny a smile. "The cute one is all mine!"

Blackfire quickly flies into Danny, knocking him back into the hallway.

Starfire manages to use her flight to avoid being shot at. Val-Yor manages evade and fire at Gordanians all while Starfire shoots her bolts to knock some of their weapons out of their hands.

Danny contends with Blackfire, who lifts him off the floor.

"Look at what I caught!" She says.

"Put me down!" Danny says. "Why not get this thing off?" He looks to the dampening device on his arm. "Wouldn't you rather take me down at full power?"

Scoffs. "No! I like my men where they belong… beneath me." She then acts playfully. "Well, right now you're above me, but you get the idea."

She throws him onto the floor.

"Look, I thought I made it clear before… I'm not into being your Tamaranean baby-daddy or whatever you want me to be." Danny says.

"Oh, I know." Blackfire says. "Because I know you're not a Tamaranean…"

Danny's eyes widen as he stands up.

"Wait, what?"

"It took me a while, but it was the blasts you hit me with that got me suspicious. Starbolts are extremely rare for my people, and even then, it's usually the women who develop it." Blackfire casually strolls up to Danny. "Plus, you're too scrawny to be one of us." She now stands in front of him. "But you're still too cute to let go and plenty of potential for me." She smiles.

"I would say I'm flattered… but I'm not. And I'm still not interested." Danny says.

"And I'm still not asking for permission." Blackfire says. "But I'll give you a chance to join me willingly." Blackfire opens her arms up as though showing something to him. "Join me, and the universe is ours. We will conquer it and no world is beyond our reach. Our children will be the leaders of the universe, raised to bend it to our will!" She says with a wicked smile.

"Hmm…" Danny says, thinking. "Any world?"

"You heard me."

"That is very tempting… Let's see, the whole universe as my playground, an admittedly attractive wife and living in luxury… there's like more pros than cons here." Blackfire smiles and comes in to kiss Danny. "There's just one con I can't live with." She stops before reaching his mouth and opens her eyes, no longer puckering up. "I do not want to father your kids."

Blackfire only smiles, one that is clearly not good for Danny.

"Well, I gave you a chance… don't say I didn't warn you."

I never did like how Val-Yor was never actually dealt with for his actions. So here, Danny is giving him some physical punishment whenever he gets a chance.

But now two people know that Danny isn't what Starfire thinks he is. Will Starfire find out? Will it break her heart?

And don't worry, there's more of Val-Yor getting some much needed karma for his actions soon.