Well this is it, the twentieth and final chapter of Nightfire's Origins. Finally, after over a year of writing and delays, I can now end this Nightfire saga for a while and get on with other stories I have in mind. But right now, let's get this over with. I got two reviews and twenty-six hits on the last one. I hope this chapter will make people want to stay in their computers and read till they're finished. On this chapter, decisions have been made, the path has been chosen, and the fate of both the past and the future now rests on the hands of Kori Anders. What will her answer be?
Chapter Notes
Since this is a prequel, it will all lead up to the last story I did, "Nightfire". For those of you who read the first story, that's good. And for those of you that didn't read the story, which would mean… most of you, you better read Nightfire after this or you won't know how all this is going to end.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans
Chapter Twenty: The End of the Beginning
Back in Nightfire's room, Tori was on the bed the whole time, crying softly with her face on the pillow. Ever since her fight with her mother and the slap in the face, Night went into her room, locked it up, and cried her heart out. No matter how hard everyone tried to get her out, Nightfire wouldn't listen. Even Silkie, her pet worm, was a little worried about her since it's in the room with her but don't know what to do. The only thing that's keeping her comfortable was the locket her mom gave her. Sure it's a grim reminder now, but it's the only thing that will keep her mind off of what happened. The chiming music to the Tamaranean lullaby calmed her, but it wouldn't be enough to stop her from crying. As she kept crying, there was a knock at the door. Tori got startled by the knock since she hadn't heard it in a while. Still sobbing, she got up and looked at the door, wanting to know who is it this time.
Nightfire: "Who's there?"
Kori Anders: "It's me honey, your mother."
Night's face had a little anger left in her as she still remember the slap she got from her mom. In fact, didn't want to see her mother again, especially close to her room.
Nightfire: "What do you want, mom? Haven't you done enough damage for one day?"
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Outside, both Kori and Victor were at Nightfire's door, hoping to calm her and make her feel better. Unfortunately, that's not getting them anywhere.
Kori Anders: "It's not that Tori. I just want to apologize about what happen back on the roof. I guess I didn't had control over my emotions after your outburst."
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Back in the room, Tori didn't believe what her mother is saying, so she decides to change it all around.
Nightfire: "Is there something else you need to talk about?"
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Back Outside…
Kori Anders: "There is. It was in my mind for sometime and I thought I should let it out so you should know."
Nightfire: "And what's that?"
Kori hung her head down and let it out.
Kori Anders: "Your father."
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Back in Nightfire's Room, Tori had her back laid against the door, listening to her mother for once.
Kori Anders: "Look, I can understand that you never knew your father ever since you were born and you want to see him again for once. But you know the responsibility it takes to go risking your entire life to save him is completely ridiculous. Now I know that you're still mad about it."
Nightfire: "phfft… Thanks for noticing that."
Kori Anders: "But I should let you know about one thing."
Nightfire: "And that is…"
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Outside…
Kori Anders: "You're not the only one that misses him."
There was a harsh silence both inside and outside the room when Kori explained to her daughter why.
Kori Anders: "I knew your father ever since I met him and I know how it feels loosing him from something as unforgivable. I once knew him as a friend, then a secret crush, and when we proved that we loved each other, I always knew that we would be together, no matter what. But when Johnny killed him, I felt heart broken and I would never continue life without him. But when you came to my life I thought that it would make me happy. But in that happiness was sadness as well because I would be taking care of you without the help of Tim. I did everything I could to make you what you are and gave you everything you need. But I never gave you a father and I was irresponsible for that. I know that it's a bit much for you to understand, but I would wish to say that I'm sorry for making you suffer this badly."
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In her room, Night listened in to every word her mom said and for once, she was right. To her surprise, her mom went from being an angry woman to a depressed girl. She wants to forgive her for what happened, but she knows her mother still won't let her go to the past and save him. So she decided to change the whole thing around again.
Nightfire: "Even if I accept your apologies, that still wouldn't mean that you would agree of me saving dad."
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Outside…
Kori Anders: "Nightfire…"
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Back in the room, Night turned around to look at the door and yelled with tears starting to come down her eyes for the umpteenth time.
Nightfire: "Don't even try to make me feel better! What makes you think you can go around and order me around! Better yet, why won't you let me rescue dad! Is it because you're afraid or just plain heartless! No matter how hard I would try, you will never let me do what I want to do so badly! You don't care about dad, all you cared about is yourself! And if you don't care about him, then you don't care about me."
Tori stopped there and started crying silently to herself, hoping not to let her mother hear her.
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But outside, Kori listened to her sorrows and couldn't help but to let out a few tears in her eyes too. She realized that her daughter wouldn't listen to her, even after the fight. Victor placed his metal hand on her shoulder and reminded her not to give up. Kori looked at him and nodded, then looked straight to the door to say something she had never said to her daughter before in a long time.
Kori Anders: "Tori, remember that little bedtime story I told you about when you were five? About the Princess from Space and the Knight on Earth?"
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Nightfire's room…
Nightfire: "Yeah, I remembered it. It's about the princess that left her home planet and came to Earth to learn about some customs, got attacked, saved by the knight, they fall in love, the knight dies, princess was depressed, and she gave birth to a baby girl. I remember all that pretty well. Why did you ask?"
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Outside…
Kori Anders: "Because there's more to the story then you think. After giving birth to her daughter, the princess thought she would be happy again. But she was wrong for saying so. As time passed, her little baby girl grew and became the very knight the princess once loved. But every time she takes good care of her, she slowly forgets about how she was created and knight was nothing more then a mere memory. Then the princess was ordered to leave Earth to become a grand ruler on her home planet. But what makes it bad is when she has to take her daughter to that planet to be wed by a prince. The daughter was furious at the news and left without saying bye. But after she leaves, she discovered a way to head back in time and save her father from inedible death. But when she talked to her mother about this and asked if she can go. But the princess refused the idea. Once again, the daughter was angry and said that her mother had forgotten about the knight that saved her. So the princess went to an important place and looked at the memories of both she and the knight. When she went through all the memories they had, she realized her mistakes and tries to make amends with her daughter."
Kori took a deep sigh and concluded what she said.
Kori Anders: "This bedtime story, is about you as well as me. The princess from another planet was I, Kori "Starfire" Anders, and the knight on Earth was your father, Timothy "Robin" Drake. I wanted to say this story to you to ease your young mind. But now that you've become a young adult I cannot treat the way I did back when you were little. For you see, you were right for once. I had forgotten about Tim because all I cared about in the world was you. But I knew Robin since the first day we met, the very day he saved my life and changed it for the greater good. I cared about him as much as I cared about you. But the loss of him struck a dagger to my heart, as I could not take this grief of his loss. All I wanted was to see him again one last time before I leave but I knew that it will never happen. And when you found the regulator in the evidence room, I knew you would want his life spared. Of course my heart was in the wrong place and I wasn't thinking straight. But now I can see things clearly and made my decision on your future. But all I need from you is your approval. So Tori "Nightfire" Anders, will you forgive me for everything I've done all these years? Will you?"
She waited for a response only to hear her daughter stopping her cries. She then heard nothing in the other side until Night asked her mom one more question.
Nightfire: "If I say yes, will you let me save dad?"
She then looked at Cyborg for some help when he nodded for her to go on. She turned her head back at the door and responded.
Kori Anders: "If that's what you wanted so badly, then yes I'll allow it."
Then, for the first time of the night, Nightfire's door slowly opened and Tori came out of it. She had a little redness in her eyes because she was crying the entire night and still have tears flowing down her cheeks like a river. She walked closer to her mother and looked a little bewildered at what her mother just said.
Nightfire: "Re- Really?"
Kori Anders: "That my dear daughter is a promise."
Night's eyes light up with glee and a smile appeared on her face. Without warning, she rushed to Kori and gave her an embracing hug and had tears of pure joy. To Kori, Nightfire forgave her for everything that happened.
Nightfire: "Oh mommy, thank you thank you thank you! You will never forget about this!"
Kori Anders: "Okay Tori! I know your happy about this but please let me go!"
Tori let go of the hug and turned her head left to see one of her uncles starring down at her.
Nightfire: "Uncle Stone? What are you doing here?"
Kori Anders: "There's a reason why he's here. Since you're want to go in the past and bring your father back, you have to follow a few rules."
Night looked back at her mother, never expecting that this offer would have some rules.
Nightfire: "What type of rules are we talking about?"
Ms. Anders took a deep breath and lay down the rules to her daughter.
Kori Anders: "Well first, you can't take on Johnny Rancid alone. Knowing how dangerous he is, you can't face him by yourself. So you will need help."
Nightfire: "Uh… That's nice and all, but I don't know if my team is ready to take on Johnny yet."
Kori Anders: "You won't need any help for them my dear, because we are going to help you."
Nightfire: "I see… Well no disrespect, but you've retired from being a Titan."
Cyborg: "She's talking about our past selves Tori. The original Teen Titans from the past are your only options to fight Johnny and his gang. And the best part of it is that you'll get a chance to see your father in action."
Nightfire looked back at her Uncle and was surprised at the fact that she's going to see her father for the first time.
Kori Anders: "Second, I want you to keep your future a secret. Just tell them the story about what happened to your father and leave the rest to yourself. I don't want my past self to know about the truth."
Night directed her attention back to her mom.
Nightfire: "But, what happens if they know the truth?"
Kori sighed.
Kori Anders: "Well, I guess you have to tell them everything if that happens. I'm sure they're ready to handle something like that. Finally, I want you to be careful out there. You are the only family I had left and I don't want you to get killed in saving Tim. So please be safe and don't get hurt."
Night smiled and nodded her head.
Nightfire: "Don't worry about it mom, with the past Titans on my side I will be all right."
Kori smiled back knowing that her daughter will be fine. Then Cyborg came in decided to start what he does best.
Cyborg: "All right y'all. Now that everything's back to the way it suppose to be, it's time we get this started. Nightfire, I'm going to need to borrow your utility belt for tonight."
Nightfire looked down at her silver utility belt then looked up at Victor.
Nightfire: "Why do you need my belt?"
Victor smirked.
Cyborg: "Oh you'll see."
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Later in the morning, everyone, young and old were standing on top of Titans Tower with the sun slowly going up over the cities horizon. On the left side, the adult Titans were standing on the left side watching their kids looking at the vortex regulator modified and attached to the belt buckle of Nightfire's belt.
Beast Girl: "Wow Tori! That looks so cool on you!"
Souichiro Jr.: "Indeed, and the marksmanship and design of combining the device with the belt. Victor-san has certainly outdone himself again"
Nightfire: "heh… Well you know my uncle; he has a hobby on inventing things. He never gets tired of it."
Angel: "You know, it's a shame that we can't go with you to the past and help you out. You should need all the help you get."
Nightfire: "That's true, but this is something I have to do alone. But don't worry about it; I got our families past selves backing me up. I have all the help I would need from them. What I want you to do is to take my place as leader and protect this city from any hostile activity."
Angel: "Hey, anything for a best friend of mine."
Kori Anders: "Nightfire, time to go!"
Night looked at her mother that was standing with her friends wanting to say goodbye to her.
Nightfire: "Coming!"
She looked back at her friends and says her final farewell to them.
Nightfire: "Bye guys, hold down the fort for me."
Terri: "Will do Night, good luck."
After their goodbyes and a group hug, she left her team and approached the older Titans.
Kori Anders: "So dear, are you ready to leave?"
Nightfire: "Yes mom, I'm all packed up and ready to go. Man, I can't believe it. I'm going to meet my father for the very first time and fight side by side with him. This is unbelievable!"
Kori Anders: "Now Nightfire, remember that this isn't a peaceful visit."
Nightfire: "I know, I know. This is all about rescuing dad and all. C'mon mom I haven't forgotten."
Cyborg then came in holding what appeared to be a small case.
Cyborg: "All right Night, let me fill you in on a few details. Now I've modified the vortex regulator and set it to a few weeks before your father's demise. That will give you plenty of time to find Johnny and put him behind bars. When you're done with the mission, just press your hand on the regulator and it will take you back here. Do you understand?"
Nightfire nodded on saving her father, but that doesn't mean she will do more then put a dangerous criminal behind bars.
Cyborg: "I got one more thing to give you."
He raised his hand and offers the case.
Cyborg: "Here, take this."
Night took the case and inspected it. She then opened the case and saw seven blue light crystals all shining brightly. She looked up at her Uncle and wasn't sure what's in the case.
Nightfire: "What is this?"
Cyborg: "Oh… Just something a friend from the League gave me on his trip to the planet of Crystania. These are memory erasing crystals use to erase memories of recent weeks. Once placed on the forehead, the crystals will start in a few minutes and all they remember will be vanished without a trace. I thought this will come in handy incase they know everything about you. We can't let them ruin the time stream now can we?"
Night looked back at the contents inside the case then closed it and places it in one of her compartments around her belt.
Nightfire: "Don't worry, I think I'll put this all to good use."
Cy smiled as Tori looked at his aunts and uncles and say her farewell to them.
Nightfire: "Good bye everyone, wish me luck."
LM: "You don't need luck to do this Night, only courage. And the past us will help you out on it."
Changeling: "Yeah. And when you get to the past, be sure to listen to all of my jokes. I was and still am of course a great comedian."
Raven: "Yeah, if you can define the term "great"."
Garfield glared and Raven and was a little pissed off. Meanwhile, Night was giving a small hug to Terra.
Nightfire: "Bye Aunt Terra, I will miss you the most."
Terra let go of the hug and was about to say something until she realized what her niece just said.
Terra: "Did… Did you just say Terra, my real name?"
Nightfire nodded.
Terra: "Why didn't you say my name before?"
Nightfire: "I knew your name for a long time when I was little. Thought saying Ter Ter could make a good laugh now and then."
Terra gave a fake nervous laugh and had a drop of anime sweat coming down her head. Night then turned to look at her mother that kept on smiling for a long time. She walked directly towards her and they both shared a nice loving hug. After they did that, Kori looked at her daughter and kiss her on the forehead.
Kori Anders: "My baby girl all grown up. My how time flies."
Nightfire: "No matter how much I've change, I will always be your sweet little daughter."
The two laughed a little, but Kori's looked changed to serious in an instant. She sighed.
Kori Anders: "You know that even if you save your father and change the future, it won't still change the fact that you and me will still go to Tamaran."
Tori expression changed as well and she realized that she has to marry Prince Blashorg of Nockibashe.
Nightfire: "Yes I know, but once I bring dad back, I promise we will be happy again. Besides, I'm not going to alter too much of the future. I mean it's not like I'm going to have a little brother or anything."
Night chuckled as she thought about having a little brother. Like that will ever happen. Night took one last look at her mother, turned around, and walked towards the edge of the tower.
Kori Anders: "Wait!"
Night stopped as she looked at her mother again.
Kori Anders: "You almost look like your father when he was your age."
Night snickered a little, realizing that she was talking, acting, and becoming the father she never had.
Nightfire: "I guess the more things changed, the more they stay the same."
She looked back at the sea view and walked directly to the edge of the Tower's roof. Once she did, she pressed the vortex regulator and a beam of light came out of it and created a white circle. Within seconds, the bright white circle turned into a black wormhole and opened a passageway to the past. But before she could go in it, she took one last look at everyone behind her. The original Teen Titans and the second generation was watching her with bright smiles on their faces, wishing her the best of luck. Night saluted them back and looked back at the wormhole. She then whispered something within her breath so that the entire team wouldn't listen.
Nightfire: "Dad, if you're watching me up there in Heaven I want you to listen to me well. I know what happened to you is wrong and you didn't deserve to die the way you did. But I'm going to change all that. Once I save your past self, you and mom will be reunited and I will get the chance to hug you for the first time. We're going to be happy again and that, father, is a promise."
Without a second thought on it, she walked off the edge of the Tower and placed her first foot forward in to the hole. Then just like that, her entire body went into the portal and disappeared without a trace. The white light then engulfed the entire city and left it in its bright brilliance. And so begins the journey and the adventures of Tori "Nightfire" Anders.
The End of the Beginning
And we're all done. Took me a while and a few delays here and there, but I managed to finish the story and take it out of my head and into the computer. As of right now, I will be taking a little break for writing these stories. Well except for Doomed Titans, which is pretty popular on the site. But for my next story, I think I'll make a short one. A remake of a Teen Titans episode I watch and add my OC in there. Till then, I'm out of here! Peace out! Please Review.