Chapter 10: Hall of Memories and Forgotten Dreams

Starsoffire: Thank you so much for your review. It totally made my day and since you were so eager to get a new chapter, here you go.

Slade2.0: Thanks for the review. Here's the update.

Cold.

Dark.

Empty.

Starfire wandered aimlessly, trying to find something she could grasp, something that would pull her from this dreary place she had found herself in. She vaguely felt a tugging at the back of her mind, a strange sucking sensation.

Then, she spotted a dot of light, slightly to the left. She turned toward it's soothing glow even though some quiet, small voice told her she should go the other way.

As she drew closer, she could make out a large building, a … mansion? It was massive and bright and she could discern both Earthen and Tamaranian elements in its construction.

The door opened and she ventured cautiously inside, immediately overwhelmed by a sense of déjà vu. She knew this place, inside and out, both the good and the bad…but something was… off.

She could have sworn that mantelpiece was on the left side of the library, not the right, and that the painting over the fireplace had not been of a Southern gentleman, but rather a group of childhood friends playing in a garden. She didn't even remember there being a study next to the master bedroom.

…And the master bedroom…it was all wrong. The bed was too large and there had never been any of the scarlet heart shaped cushions that now dotted the crimson sheets and fell precariously on the lush burgundy rug. The curtains were drawn, the vanity was far too conspicuous, and the room's aroma was a musky odor that made her nose itch, not at all like the delicate rose scent she so very well remembered…or at least, used to. It felt distant now, the memory of what this place had once been, like a hazy dream from a different life.

Stifling a sneeze, she floated over to a large cherry wood wardrobe that rested in the far corner of the room. Touching down gently, she slowly unlatched the clasp and opened the door, recoiling in shock at what she saw.

Iridescent clothing hung innocently on auburn hangers: glittering gowns, flowing skirts, and lovely scarves and shawls. But through a gap in these garments, she could see another set of clothes and several small, strange looking objects that almost looked like toys.

There were translucent scraps of silken cloth, barely enough to preserve one's modesty, clothing meant to entice and attract. There were brazen dresses that were certainly not appropriate and, on top of it all, there was a battered and bloody uniform, forever stained in grief and heartache.

"Like it? I picked it out just for you."

Starfire spun around, nearly colliding with the man who had marched with soft, confident strides into the room not too long ago.

For an instant, the master bedroom disappeared, leaving in its place a dark dungeon ringing with screams of agony and cries of pleasure. But, an instant later, the master bedroom appeared again, and Starfire smiled at the man of her dreams as her nightmares were buried unwillingly beneath layers upon layers of brick, rock, and steely resolve.

"Yes dear. I love it, as always. You always did know what to get me."

She turned back toward the wardrobe. She reached down and grasped the object of her fascination of a moment before, bringing it into the light as she turned back toward the man behind her.

"Would you mind helping me with this? It's so lovely I don't want to risk damaging it."

"Of course, darling. You know I'll do anything for you."

Strong fingers closed around the item in her hands, almost reverent in their gentleness. Smiling, he slipped it over her head and stepped back to admire his work.

Clasped around the alien princess' slender neck was a golden locket of extraordinary quality, stunning in its intricacy…and nestled inside was a small snapshot of the joyful couple: Starfire and Robin's arch enemy, Slade.

Slade grinned as Starfire admired his latest gift.

"It's beautiful."

It worked.

Oh…wow. This so puts all of my earlier chapters to shame. I am really gonna have to work on those when I have the time.

Anyway, thank you everyone of you who read all the way here…even if you didn't review (pouts but hugs anyway). And for all of you who did review, you get a PARTY!

…Ok, I don't have a party, but I still really appreciate all the comments and constructive criticism. They've really helped make the story better and because of that, I'd REALLY like some more if you please.