It's June, the beginning of summer, and I just updated another chapter. I also revamped 11 chapters of Nightfire's Origins to make this story more interesting. Ask for the story itself, I still haven't got a review from the last chapter, but I got 35 hits from it. So if anyone is reading this, please review me for once. I want to know how my story is so far. Let's get onto the second part of this story's chapter. Nightfire gets the shock of her life when she gets two surprises. But while one is good, the other is really bad.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans

Chapter Seventeen: Life Changing

After five minutes of flying, Nightfire has finally made it to her home, Titans Tower. Now the Tower hasn't changed one bit, but it did went through a few upgrades, a highly advance security and defense system, and high tech computer and mainframe systems that can track down trouble faster. She walked up to the entrance to the Tower and placed her hand on the scanner next to the huge metal doors. After a few seconds, there was a beeping noise and then a computerized voice that said, "Access Granted: Welcome Nightfire." Just as soon as that was over, the doors slowly open wide enough to let the half-breed in. Once she entered, she looked around at her surroundings that almost look like a welcoming and waiting center with a red carpet that goes all the way to the elevators or stairs, comfortable chairs lined up neatly and facing each other, and a new addition, paintings of the seven original Titans that protected this city before, including the one at the far end above the elevator showing Robin, looking brave and daring. Once she's done with her sight seeing, she yelled out at the top of her lungs to see if anyone's around.

Nightfire: "I'm home!"

There was an echo of Night's voice booming in the room and then silence. Not hearing any response from anyone, she shook her head and sighed.

Nightfire: "Ah well… Looks like no one's home. Guess they're doing their own thing while I was away."

She kept on walking until she spotted something slimy hiding behind one of the chairs. She continued her walk until she spotted Silkie trying to chew off the upholstery. Night smiled at her pet that her mother gave her and picked it up, cooing it like its her own baby.

Nightfire: "Hey Silkie, how are ya feeling? Did my little mutated worm missed Nightfire while she was away in school? Yes he did, oh yes he did! Say, do you know where the others are?"

Silkie didn't say a word, only funny sounds and gurgles. Nightfire chuckled for a bit and gave a pleasant sigh.

Nightfire: "Guess not. Oh well, let's head upstairs and get ready."

Night headed to the elevator with Silkie in her arms and headed straight to her room.

In her room, Nightfire was putting on her Titan uniform while Silkie was sleeping on her bed next to her school uniform. She was wearing an outfit the same as Starfire but it was all black. On her tank top is a blue bird and on her go-go boots had little blue birds on the top. She then put the finishing touches on her get up; a utility belt that looks like Robin's, except it's was made of silver. Once she buckled it around her waist, she turned to look at the full-length mirror and took a few poses of herself.

Nightfire: "Ah yeah! Looking good Tori, looking good."

She then swivel around and looked at the picture on her nightstand. That picture is a picture of Robin she had when she was a baby. She smiled at it and did a pose to it.

Nightfire: "Well dad, how do I look?"

Silence… She was asking the picture that question like her father was really real, but it wasn't. She then approached the picture and used her finger to skim the smooth glass surface.

Nightfire: "I knew you liked it."

She picked up the picture, kissed it, and places it down. She then looked at another picture of both her and her mother when she was young, always smiling, always happy, without a care in the world. And then she looked at the last picture of her and her team with the T Tower in the background. She looked at each member, Angel, Robo, Beast Girl, Terri, Impulse, Hyper Blaster, and Souichiro Jr., all standing there as their first group picture. That was the day that they have become the new generation of Titans. She starred at the picture, lay down on her bed, and thought about the good and bad times in her life.

Nightfire: "Seems like only yesterday huh mom. One minute I was born in this world, the next I became a leader for this new team. Guess time flies when you're having fun. I wish this fun will never end, that I will be happy about this life. I hope this never ends and nothing isn't going to stop this roller coaster of life."

She slowly closed her eyes and gave off positive vibes. It's like she's on cloud nine. But this little dream world of hers will soon end right about…

"Knock Knock"

Night looked at the door and was glad that someone is in the tower.

Nightfire: "Come in."

She looked back up the ceiling and waited for someone to come in. But no one did enter; in fact, she didn't hear the swooshing sound of the door at all. She looked back at the door and said it again incase someone didn't listen on the other side of the door.

Nightfire: "I said come in."

Still nothing… Night was getting a little aggravated, so she jumped off her bed and walked to her door. Once she opened it, she looked left and right in the hallway and saw no one. She sighed and found out who was knocking.

Nightfire: "Beast Girl, Terri, you know it's not funny. Jeeze for twins you two have shared most of your father's genes then your mother's."

She was about to turn around and close the door when something caught her attention. On the floor in front of her door was a piece of paper with an arrow pointing to the right. She picked it up and examined the paper. Then looked to the right and saw a long hallway. She looked back at the arrow and shook her head.

Nightfire: "O.K., what are those two up to? Oh well, let's see where this will take me."

She left here room, turned right, and walked down the empty, quiet hallway. When she reached the end of it, she spotted another sign attached to the metal wall with the arrow pointing to the left.

Nightfire: "Another one? Whatever trick they planned has to be a good one."

She turned left and walked down another hallway. She kept on walking until she spotted another sign on the floor pointing right. She looked to the right and noticed a doorway with the sign, "Stairs" on top of it. She walked through it and found another sign pointing diagonally up and right. She followed the sign and walked up the steps, thinking that flying would be a waste of energy. As she continued walking, she spotted another sign at the top of the stairs pointing to the left, at the corner wall where the door is. She turned left, went through the door, and entered the hallway, where she spotted a sign that's pointed to the right. She looked to the right and then realized where the sign's pointed to.

Nightfire: "Wait a second. This sign's pointing directly to the main room. What's going on here?"

She turned to the right and walked down the hallway, heading straight to the entrance to the main room. She looked at the entrance noticed arrows posted everywhere, leading her right in.

Nightfire: "If those two made a mess in there and wants me to clean up, I'm so going to kill them."

Night started walking as the two doors opened automatically. Once she entered, she looked around and noticed the place is so dark that the only light around there was the orange glow of the sun setting.

Nightfire: "Don't tell me that what they did is worse then I thought."

She headed to the small panel attached to the wall where it can activate the security grid and the lighting system. She clicked on the "Lights On" button at the bottom of the screen. But once the lights turned on she got something she never expected.

"SURPRISE!"

Nightfire got startled and backed up against the wall. What she saw was truly huge. There was a big banner hung in mid air that says, "Happy Birthday Nightfire!", confetti was falling everywhere, presents were set on top of the table to the left, and on the counter at the kitchen on the right was an assortment of foods, both normal and Tamaranean, including Cyborg's personal five layer chocolate cake. But what she saw was her teammates and their parents in front of her, giving the half-breed the shock of her life. About everyone was there, Cyborg, Bumble Bee, Robo, LM, Raven, Angel, Changeling, Terra, Beast Girl, Terri, Kid Flash, Jinx, Impulse, Hyper Blaster, Souichiro Jr., and her mother, Kori Anders formally known as Starfire. After the shock, Nightfire shook off the surprise and looked at everyone for an explanation.

Nightfire: "O.K., what's going on here?"

Beast Girl was the first to step in and answer Night's question.

Beast Girl: "Oh c'mon Night, don't tell us that you don't know about a birthday party."

Nightfire: "Birthday party? Guys, my birthday isn't until next month."

Angel: "Well you have to ask your mother about this, cause she's the one that organized the whole thing."

Night looked at her mother, wanting to know what's going on.

Nightfire: "Moooom!"

Kori Anders: "Listen Tori, I know this is a little early for a party, but I thought it would be best to celebrate your day of birth in the most earliest of days, the one that you never expect from happening."

Nightfire: "Then why do it early in the first place? Why not do the party on my birthday instead of right now?"

Kori approached her daughter and placed her hands on the half-breed's shoulders, smiling at her like she's special.

Kori Anders: "Oh there's a reason why, but we'll get to that later on. Right now, I want you to be happy and have a great time at your party."

Night looked behind her mother and saw her friends and their families with smiles. Though she is a great leader for them, she couldn't take no for an answer, even for herself. She sighed and looked at her mother, still waiting for an answer.

Nightfire: "Oh well, can't let all that good food go to waste."

Everyone immediately cheered and they get started with Nightfire's early birthday party.

For two hours so far, this celebration was amazing. Everyone had a great time as they talked, ate, and some time play video games against each other. Nightfire felt like she's the queen of this amazing party. Even though she felt as if this is a little earlier then expected, she decided to ignore that thought and enjoy it while it lasted. After singing "Happy Birthday", blowing out the candles, and eating the cake Cyborg made, they immediately went to the presents. Night was joyous to see all the great stuff she got from CDs of her favorite artists, to clothing that's all the range in their time. Night opened the last gift from Souichiro Jr. and it was a limited edition DVD of a classic Japanese flick, "Hero". She looked at Souichiro and smiled.

Nightfire: "Thanks Soui, I always wanted to get this. I mean with deleted scenes and an alternate ending, this will make this movie so damn good."

Souichiro Jr.: "You're welcome Tori-san. Since you and I share different yet same skills and techniques, I thought it would be of best interest to watch the same movie along with our friends."

Nightfire: "Gee, that's nice of you for doing that for me Soui, I appreciate that."

Souichiro Jr. nodded in agreement as he left her side. Then Night looked at her gifts and kept smiling.

Nightfire: "Well that's everyone, except for one person."

She looked at her mother standing on her left side with a questionable look on her face.

Nightfire: "Mom, is there something you're forgetting?"

Kori chuckled a little and kept looking at her dear daughter with a pleasant look.

Kori Anders: "As a matter of fact I haven't. I've been saving this for quite a while and I thought I would give it to you right now. It took a lot a work to bring it here and designing it, but I hope you'll enjoy it."

She approached her daughter and gave her a small wrapped package she had in her hand the whole time.

Kori Anders: "Please, open it."

Nightfire looked at the gift, curious to what's inside it. She carefully ripped the wrapping paper up and saw what made her speechless. Night's gift from her mother was a locket with a picture of Tamaran and a black bird with an N on top of it. Around the picture were diamond blue jewels that match her eyes. She kept staring at the locket until she opened the double compartment doors. In it were three pictures; one was Nightfire smiling with Jump City in the background in the middle, the second one showed her mother on the right, and the third was Robin on the left. But what made her feel warm and comfortable was the music of the Tamranean lullaby chiming within the locket. Night loved the lullaby ever since she was a baby. It's the only thing that can let her fall asleep at night and whenever she has a hard time sleeping, she always hum the music in her head to make her doze off. She looked at her mother with her eyes brightened with joy.

Nightfire: "Thank you mom. This is the best gift I ever had."

Kori Anders: "You're welcome sweetie, I knew you'll like it."

Nightfire stood up and gave her mother a hug the same time Kori hugged back. Everyone couldn't help but to enjoy the mother and daughter embracing moment. Though Night was smiling, Kori was sad as she turned her face away from the team incase they all get suspicious. There's something in her mind that's been bothering her for a few weeks ago, something she has to talk to Nightfire and her friends now. That's the reason why she had to schedule Nightfire's birthday party today. But why scheduling the party early is a mystery she kept to everyone, including her daughter.

Later that night, the new Titans and their families were gathered around the circular table, eating some left over cake and telling their stories and adventures to each other.

Robo: "And so, Atlas was going to pound me to the ground with his big metal foot and said that it was over. But what he didn't know is that I was playing possum. Just as he thought I was done for, I quickly rolled out of the way, set my sonic cannon to high, and blasted him so hard, that he flew to the other end of the coliseum."

Cyborg: "Damn Daniels! That must've been a tough battle for you. Hell, I remember when I fought Atlas the first time and believe me, that guy was too cocky for his own good. But still, you should've known better then to cheat on that fight."

Robo: "Cheat? C'mon dad, the guy put 1,000 volts of electricity from the ground to my chest, almost electrocuting me to death. At least I was lucky I had enough juice to finish him off."

Cyborg: "Yeah, well next time you face him again I want you to give him the test of strength. Show him that you can push yourself to the limit, 110 percent got it?"

Robo: "Heh… All right, I'll give him a fair fight and a strength test next time I see him. Sheesh you're worst then those kids who picked on me when I was in grade school."

Cyborg: "Hey, I didn't adopt you just so you can have a roof over your head and hot fresh meals. I want you to be strong for both the team and me as well."

Bumble Bee: "Now dear, be gentle with him. It is Nightfire's party, you need to lighten up a little."

The hybrid looked at her wife and apologized.

Cyborg: "Sorry hun, but he has to learn a lesson in heroism. He can take on Atlas in a fair fight, even Nightfire can take Atlas on alone and show him how tough she is."

Nightfire: "Whoa, hold on Uncle Stone. Even if I take on Atlas, he would suffer greatly with my unimaginable Tamaranean strength. Don't you think that counts as cheating?"

Cyborg turned his head to see Night and tried to answer her question.

Cyborg: "Well… Uh… At least you can give that bucket of bolts a fight he'll never forget."

Nightfire: "So that mean I can beat him to an oily pulp."

Cyborg: "Exactly!"

Everyone laughed at the small joke Night made about the Atlas fight part. They all calmed when Nightfire looked around and noticed something is missing. She then looked at her mother next to her and had something in her head during the party.

Nightfire: "Hey mom, where's Grandpa Galfore?"

Kori looked at her daughter with confused look on her face, but she's actually faking until it was the right time to tell her.

Kori Anders: "What are you talking about Tori."

Nightfire: "Well, normally on every birthday, Galfore would always come by from his "royal duties" and wish me happy birthday. But he's not here today. Where is he?"

Kori's joyful expression was turned into sorrow and she placed her face down and shook her head. She knows now is the time to tell her.

Nightfire: "Well, what happened? Let me guess, he went postal and destroyed a planet that didn't like his ruling. Didn't he?"

Night snickered a little at the joke she made, but her mother wasn't laughing. She looked at her and realized that she has a sadden look on her face, hell, she's not even smiling.

Nightfire: "Mom, something is wrong. Is it?"

Kori looked at her daughter and gave her the news.

Kori Anders: "Tori, something happened to Galfore, something bad. You're grandfather is very sick."

At that moment, the whole room was completely silent. It was so quiet, that you can hear a needle drop on the floor. It was like this forever until Night started to speak.

Nightfire: "What?"

Kori Anders: "Your grandfather inherited a disease very rare in most solar systems. It's lethal when it's in full strength and there's no cure. Galfore was keeping strong about this but it seems like he losing the battle. The doctors said he has a month to live then after that, he'll die."

Tori shook her head in disbelief as tears started to form in her eyes.

Nightfire: "I… I don't believe this! All this time, Galfore was trying to hide this form me and he didn't say anything about this?"

Her mother nodded.

Nightfire: "So what's going to happen? Are we going to his funeral on Tamaran and head back?"

Kori Anders: "That won't be necessary."

She reverted her head and looked at her teammates, her friends, not knowing if they're ready for this or not.

Kori Anders: "Tori, friends, I'm leaving for Tamaran. But this time, it's for good."

Another wave of silence rushed through the room and everyone was shock to hear the news. Raven was the first to speak.

Raven: "What are you saying?"

Kori Anders: "I'm not going to come back, ever again."

LM: "Now hang on a second Kori, why are you leaving us?"

Kori Anders: "You see, there comes a time when there will be a ruler on Tamaran. It has to be a king and queen, a general, or an offspring of the royal family. And since my mom and dad died, Galfore really sick, and my sister a criminal, I'm the only heir to the throne. So that means that when Galfore dies, I have to be the next grand ruler of Tamaran."

Everyone has let all the information sink in and were quiet, surprised at what she said.

Cyborg: "So that could explain why you wanted to retire from being a superhero full time."

Kori Anders: "Of course Victor, I can't be a hero and a ruler at the same time. I have to leave so that I can lead my people to peace. It has always been the way of my people ever since the beginning. And I don't want to disappoint them."

Nightfire: "Is that the reason why you planned this party a month early?"

Kori looked at her daughter, who was still shocked at what she heard.

Kori Anders: "Yes Night, I have to leave in a week to Tamaran. So in order for me to enjoy my last week on Earth, I have to move your birthday early, so I can spend time with you before it's all over."

Night remained silent for the moment and then speaked again.

Nightfire: "So that's it, that's all? You're going to leave me? I won't be seeing you again?"

Kori Anders: "Quite the opposite exactly. You're coming with me Tori."

Yet another silence filled the room and Nightfire started to stutter something.

Nightfire: "Wha… Wha… What do you mean I'm coming with you?"

Kori Anders: "You see Night, on my planet, those who are in the royal family has to be betrothed to a prince or princess on another planet. And since you're blood is half of the royal line, you have to be the next one to marry. You're going to be betrothed to the prince of Nockibashe who goes by the name of Blashorg. I know it's early and everything but I should let you know that most Tamaranean women were married when they're at a young age and you should be happy about this."

Nightfire looked at her mother with glaring eyes, not looking away from her.

Nightfire: "I'm not doing this."

Upon hearing it, Kori was upset about her daughter's protest.

Kori Anders: "What did you say?"

Nightfire: "I said I'm not doing this. I'm not going to Tamaran with you to be married to some washed up prince I never heard of from a planet I didn't know. There's no way I'm going do this for you!"

Kori Anders: "Please understand Tori that I'm not forcing you to do this. It's a rule we have to obey when were on Tamaran. I know you're upset about this but you have to deal with it.

Nightfire quickly stood up from the wrap around sofa and directed her body to her and letting out her anger on this.

Nightfire: "But look at me mother! I'm a leader of the Titans! I worked hard, sacrificed everything, I kept on fighting to get to where I am! And now that I'm at the peak of heroism, you come out of nowhere and push me off it? This is ridiculous!"

Suddenly, every Titan member stood up and agreed with their leader.

Angel: "Night's right! You can't do this to her. She's our leader, we need someone like her to help us stop evil."

Terri: "Yeah! And incase you haven't notice, no one else on the team doesn't have the skills necessary to be in Nightfire's place."

Hyper Blaster: "And don't forget that without a leader, then this team would disintegrate in an instant."

Impulse: "You can't do this to her, and you're sure as hell can't do this to us!"

All of them were screaming and yelling at Night's mother about this until Kori burst out with rage and her eyes glowed crimson green.

Kori Anders: "ENOUGH! Look, I know this is all bad but trust me; everything will be O.K. after a few days. Besides, I can't prevent this, the rules of Tamaran are not meant to be broken, let alone changed. Even if that happens it will bring the planet into a total mutiny or worse, a war with the Nockibashians. If Nightfire has to marry the prince, then she'll marry the prince. I'm sorry Tori; I didn't mean to make you angry about all this. But there's nothing I can do to stop this."

Nightfire started pacing back and forth then looked at her mother, to tell her something she never thought she would say.

Nightfire: "If dad was alive, he would've said something about this!"

Kori turned her head away, couldn't believe that her daughter would say something like that. She looked back at Night and put her back to reality.

Kori Anders: "Well your father's not here and I'm still alive so I can't do anything to let you stay."

Nightfire turned her head in disgust and muttered something in her breath.

Nightfire: "You don't care about me. YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT ANYTHING!"

Night flew past her mother and exited the main living room after her loud outburst. Star stood up and looked at the doors heading to the hallway close by themselves. Knowing that Night left in a hurry Kori was going to after her when Cyborg placed his metal hand on her shoulder. She looked at the hybrid and noticed the smile on his smile.

Cyborg: "I think it's best we leave her alone for a while until she calm down."

Kori Anders: "All right…"

It was then that Terra decided to take action and followed Nightfire's path to where she trailed. After all this, there was another silence until…

Changeling: "So, anyone want to have the last piece of the cake?"

And that's chapter seventeen. A bit dramatic but it brings a solid depth of the story. I'm not going to update later in the month. I'm going to Miami on the sixth, then off to California for family vacation on the 25th. So please be patient while I'm away. On the next chapter, Night discovers the time vortex, a lot of emotions, and Kori visits a past she's forgotten in a long time. Please Review.