Chapter 35
Nightwing watched Starfire speaking quietly to Galfore, Fyria and Blackfire.
" 'Wing, you should change your name to Hawk," Cyborg muttered.
"Huh?" he replied, glancing over at his friend.
"I mean, BB can turn into them and all, but you're watching Starfire like one. You're supposed to be helping me prep the T-Ship, remember?"
"Oh, right," he said, turning his attention back to the task at hand. "It's just-"
"Dude," Beast Boy said from his seat, sitting on his hands. "Stop worrying. She's gonna be fine. She's not zoning out any more, right?"
"Not so much. And she's not having so many nightmares either. It's just… It's been three weeks and she hasn't flown. She's not herself." How could he explain to them this pretend Starfire he was seeing? How could he make them understand she was only hurting herself by remaining cut off like she had been? But they couldn't understand, they'd been conned by the persona she'd offered them, lulled into believing that everything was okay simply because they wanted the old Starfire back. At least he knew he wasn't being paranoid as Fyria was also seeing it.
"Nightwing, your constant worrying about her is not helping her," Raven said from her seat. "Of course she's not herself. You can't expect her to get over something like this with a snap of your fingers. She'll fly when she's ready."
Starfire wrapped her arms around Fyria and Blackfire in goodbye before Galfore escorted her to the T-Ship and helped her into her seat.
"We shall see you in a few months, my little bungorf," he boomed quietly.
"Goodbye, Galfore," she replied, placing the headphones over her ears. "I shall miss you. And please be careful, Tamaran cannot afford to lose you in this war."
He touched her lightly on the head. "I will do what I must, little one. For the safety of Tamaran. Travel well." Galfore nodded toward Nightwing before retreating to a safe distance.
"Got everything?" Nightwing asked quietly, closing the hatches on the T-Ship and encasing each Titan in their own bubble.
Starfire held up Silkie to the window so the worm could see. "I am prepared."
"Okay then," he replied, launching the ship into the air. "Off to Wayne Manor."
"Dude," Beast Boy said, playing with a small ring with his hands. "Do I really have to wear this thing? I think I'll hate not being green."
"Yes," Nightwing replied shortly as they rocked through the atmosphere. "I told you before, Bruce has a lot of charity balls over the Christmas period. There will be a lot of temporary staff at the Manor. We have to appear normal and please remember to use each others real names and no powers."
"Gar," Raven said dryly, slipping on a small metal hologram ring on her little finger. The colour of her hair changed to black, although purple highlights remained, while her eyes changed to blue and her skin took on a pink glow. The jewel on her forehead became hidden by the holographic image surrounding her. "It's not really that bad. I'm sure you look fine."
"But, chicks dig the ears!" he whined.
Raven raised an eyebrow at him.
"All right, fine," he said, slipping on the ring. "I don't remember what I looked like before. This is gonna be interesting." His hair slipped to blonde, while his eyes stayed green and his skin tanned. His ears no longer pointed and his canines didn't stand out as much. "Okay, this is gonna take some getting used to. Are you sure I don't look like a cardboard cut out?"
"I think you look better that way, grass stain," Cyborg said, slipping his ring on, his cybernetic implants vanishing and he became dressed in regular clothes. "These things are pretty damn good; I'll have you know. They react to you, moving your holo mouth when you talk, turning you green when you're sick, making you blush and whatnot. You girls can even do your hair up and wear makeup and the image will reflect it. It just hides the traits that make us so obvious."
"It will be strange appearing to be a regular Earthling," Starfire commented as she placed the ring on her finger. The vivid colour of her hair dimmed a few shades and she appeared to have normal eyebrows and green eyes. Her skin no longer held its orange hue and her e'ara became hidden.
"Sorry guys," Nightwing said, running his fingers through his hair and changing the style so that his hair no longer spiked upward, but instead hung loosely around his shoulders and flopped around his eyes. "I wish I could make this easier, but we simply can't appear as normal in Bruce's house, not at this time of year. If you want to have a holiday, this is what we have to do."
"And how exactly do we get into Wayne Manor? The T-Ship is a dead giveaway," Cyborg said.
Nightwing smiled secretly. "We park it in the Batcave."
"Really?" Beast Boy yelped , his eyes shining and he pressed himself against the window of the T-Ship to look at Nightwing. "We get to see the real Batcave?"
"Yeah, Alfred will meet us there. He'll have some civilian clothes ready for us, and we can basically do what we like although we will need to make time to get fitted for a few balls we have to attend. And Garfield, no touching things! Bruce is trusting us, lets not break his trust."
"Yes boss," he mumbled and Nightwing cast a glare at him. "I mean, yes Dick."
"What's our cover story, Dick?" Raven asked.
"We're students at an exclusive boarding school, don't worry about a location, it's supposed to be secret anyway. We're all friends and it's my turn to host the Christmas bash this year. The only people who will know the truth will be Alfred and Bruce… and Babs if she's there this year."
"Babs?" Beast Boy said curiously exchanging a glance with Cyborg.
"Barbara Gordon, or Batgirl," Nightwing said absently. "She's pretty cool, you'll like her."
Starfire twisted her head around to Nightwing and considered him.
"What?" he asked, surprised by her reaction to the name.
Starfire blinked and shook her head, turning her attention back to Silkie who was warbling at her on her lap.
"Oh and guys," Nightwing said quietly. "There's probably going to be a media frenzy when they find out I'm back in town and all. Just keep a look out and watch what you say."
"Pretty sure of yourself aren't you, Dick," Cyborg said with a grin.
Nightwing shook his head. "Vic, you have absolutely no idea."
TTTTT
"This is the Batcave?" Beast Boy asked, sounding disappointed. "It seems rather… dark."
"It is a cave Gar," Nightwing said with a chuckle. "And the lights are off."
"I love it," Raven announced. "It's so morbid. And gloomy. I fit right in."
Nightwing grinned as he set the T-Ship down on the small, lit circle of concrete in the middle of the cave. He pressed a button and the bubbles surrounding the Titans hissed and retracted. "Stay put a sec, the wrong move and you'll fall to your deaths." He leaped nimbly out of the T-Ship and vanished into the darkness.
There were several echoing clicks in the gloom before the lights came on. Bats dropped from the ceiling, squeaking loudly as they fled the light.
The T-Ship was parked in the middle of a huge cavern. Four small pathways led from the circle of concrete where they sat, either side of the path dropping away into a huge fissure in the ground. The path ahead of them led to a huge computer console that put the Titan computer to shame, while the other pathways drifted off into the gloom. A small chair sat before the console. Huge glistening stalactites hung from the ceiling and various rock formations protruded from the darkness.
"Welcome," Nightwing said dramatically, turning from the computer console. "To the Batcave."
"Woah," Cyborg said appreciatively.
"Awesome!" Beast Boy cried, leaping from the T-Ship in excitement.
"I liked it better with the lights off," Raven murmured, floating out from her capsule.
Nightwing snorted, before gesturing an empty circle of concrete to their right. "Batmobile's gone. Bruce must be out."
"Indeed, Master Dick," a voice called and the Titans turned toward a small staircase behind the computer console. Alfred stood on the staircase looking regally down at them. He gave a small bow. "Master Bruce sends his regrets that he was unable to be here to greet you, but will do so upon his return."
Nightwing nodded, going up and shaking the man's hand. "Al, its good to see you again.
"Likewise, Master Dick. I am pleased to see you are well. You have grown."
A grin erupted on Nightwing's face. "Yeah, finally. Did he leave any instructions for us?"
"He requests that you remember not to use your powers in view of the staff. There are five parcels on the bench containing civilian clothes for you to use. Please leave your uniforms down here, where they will not be discovered. If you could please change before entering the Manor, that would be appreciated."
Nightwing returned to the parcels. "Thanks Alfred." He picked up the closest one and looked at the name on the label. "Vic, this is yours." He tossed the package to Cyborg. "Rachel, Gar." He tossed two more packets. "And Koriand'r, or would you prefer Kori?"
"Kori," she said softly, taking her parcel from Nightwing, still carrying Silkie across her shoulder.
"Why Kori?" Beast Boy asked. "Isn't it Koriand'r?
"And'r is a title like Grayson."
"It is?" asked Beast Boy in surprise.
"Grayson is a surname, Star," Nightwing said.
"Oh," she replied, before looking at Beast Boy. "And'r is the royal name. That is why my family shares it. Koriand'r, Komand'r, Ryand'r, did you never notice?"
"Does the And'r mean 'fire' then?" Cyborg asked.
"Yes," she replied. "Starfire, Blackfire and Darkfire would be the direct translations."
"Ok, Kori it is then," Nightwing said, touching her shoulder lightly. He turned and pointed to an enclosed room on the other end of the computer console. "You guys can get changed in there."
The five of them quickly changed into civilian clothes. The guys were given white shirts, black tailored pants, shoes and sweaters, gray for Victor, sky blue for Dick and purple for Garfield. Kori and Rachel were also given sweaters, green and navy blue respectively and wore black stockings and shoes and a knee length pleated skirt.
Rachel eyed herself up and down critically. "A skirt. Somehow they've managed to get me in a skirt. The last time I wore something this girly, it was a yellow dress and I hated it."
"I think you look very nice, Rachel," Garfield said with a smile. "And at least your hair isn't in pigtails this time."
"Woohoo for small blessings," Rachel deadpanned.
"What shall we do with all our gear? I'm gonna need my generators at some stage and I can't see lugging it around in the Manor will be very secretive."
"I'll come down and shift them to you room when we find out where we are staying," Rachel said, picking up her suitcase.
"If you will all follow me," Alfred said from the stairs where he had stayed while waiting for the Titans to change. "I will escort you to your rooms, where you can rest and refresh yourselves until Master Bruce returns."
Alfred led the Titans up the stone stairs until they reached a door at the top. He pressed a small button on the wall beside the door and a screen blinked into life, displaying an image of a large staircase. He flicked through various images before pressing the button once again. There was a hissing sound as the door slid away, revealing the large staircase seen on the screen. Alfred then ushered the Titans though hastily.
They loitered in the huge foyer of Wayne Manor while they waited for Alfred to seal the secret door closed. He led them up the large staircase that began in the center of the room before heading up onto the second floor. They followed him down the familiar hallways to the section of the Manor that they had stayed in during their previous visit.
"I believe you will find that you will be staying in the same rooms you were in during your previous visit," Alfred said with a small bow as he opened Rachel's room door. "Miss Rachel, it is good to see you again."
"Thank you, Alfred," she said with a nod of her head, before carrying her suitcase into her room.
"Master Garfield, I trust you will find everything to your liking," Alfred said , opening the door to the room beside Raven's. "Please try and keep the room in reasonable shape this time."
"Thanks dude," he replied, dragging his suitcase in. "I'll do my best."
"Master Victor, I've taken the liberty of setting up a generator similar in design to the one you currently use. Please inform me if it is incorrect."
"Alfred, you're a life saver."
Alfred crossed the hallway and opened a door. "Miss Koriand'r, this will be your room for the duration of your stay. Master Dick, your old bedroom remains exactly the way you left it, including the dirty towels on the floor."
Kori sucked in a breath. Richard, I cannot be alone at night!
"Hey! They weren't dirty." Shh, I know Star. I'll show you a secret. Go in there and wait for me.
Alfred raised an eyebrow at Dick who reddened and dropped his eyes.
"Miss Koriand'r, I must ask you to keep your pet inside your room at all times. It may disturb the staff."
Kori nodded and entered her room, the door closing quietly behind her. She glanced around the room, remember her last trip here. It still looked exactly the same, the four poster bed, the armchairs by the fireplace, the desk against the wall, the bookcase at the end of the room; the window nestled between the bookcase and the desk. The small bathroom at the end of the room. She sighed and lifted her suitcase on the huge chest at the end of the bed and sat down in the middle of the bed, placing Silkie on her lap.
Silkie warbled at her in its own private language as she tickled its stomach, before it crawled of her lap and curled up at the corner of the bed and began to snore. Kori sighed and swung her legs of the bed and walked over to the window.
Pulling back the curtains she gazed sadly out onto the world beyond. It had snowed and she was always amazed at snow. Frozen water that fell from the sky was something that did not occur on her planet. She had been surprised the first time it had fallen around the Tower and then eagerly learned the many games that the people of this planet had invented to play in the snow. But it didn't hold the same allure for her at the moment.
There was a slick sound behind her and she turned around, startled to discover the long wall paneling to the right of the bed sliding away. Dick poked his head through, grinning widely and she sighed with relief.
"Secret passageway," he said with a smile. "Strictly speaking, since we're playing Dick and Kori, we're not supposed to share a room. When we head to bed at night, you'll have to sneak through this and then sneak back in the morning."
"Why?" she asked quietly.
"Cause my bed's bigger," he said cheekily.
She simply looked at him.
Dick sighed and crossed the room to her, putting his arms around her neck. "There are too many staff here right now doing preparations for the Christmas celebrations. If we blatantly shared a room, it would leak to the media. I really don't want to put you through that right now. Star, it doesn't mean that we have to pretend we're just friends, it just means we have to pretend we're just girlfriend and boyfriend, rather than lovers."
She glanced down at the engagement ring on her finger. Should I remove this then?
He followed her gaze. No. That stays right where it is. I don't ever want you to take that off again. We just won't advertise it.
He gave her a long closed mouth kiss; something that he'd been doing a lot lately and she found it strange that he never opened his mouth for her anymore. In fact, they had not coupled since the girl's night and she was beginning to think that he no longer desired her in the same way. He still loved her and told her so often. He still snuggled up to her at night. He still invited her into his dreams and entered hers. Perhaps he was simply drained or tired. After all, everything that had happened was hard on him as well. But she missed his fire, his passion.
He broke the kiss and pulled her toward the secret passageway. "Come on, I don't think you've seen my room yet."
Dick showed her where the button was that opened the passageway, a tiny notch that was part of the decoration on the wall, before pulling her into the tight, dimly lit corridor. It was so small she had to inch through sideways and he held her hand tightly as they traveled. They rounded a corner and then another one, before coming to an intersection. These go all through the house; it makes a good escape route, we can get all the way down to the Batcave from these if we need to, although there are a few security checks first. We go left here and then left at the next one. If you ever get lost, just call me, okay?
Yes.
He smiled at her over his shoulder before continuing on. They reached a small red button blinking on the wall. Dick pressed the button and much in the same way as Kori had seen before, a small screen blinked into life, displaying the room beyond. He pressed the button once more, slipped his fingers into the gap that appeared and slid the door open.
To get in, press the button once and if the room is clear, press the button again. If the room isn't clear, wait until it is and then press the button. The screen will go off by its own after two minutes if you haven't entered the room. Don't worry about people spying on us, there is a lock in my room that I will activate and the screen won't work and the door won't open. You have one in yours too; I'll show it to you later.
She nodded and he pulled her into his room.
Kori's jaw dropped. It was twice the size of the one she had been given. There was a door to the right of the secret door and Kori assumed that was the main door. An absolutely huge four poster bed stood against the opposite wall from the secret door, an open door beside it leading to a bathroom. On the other side of the bed, was a huge walk in wardrobe. A large, mahogany desk complete with computer towered in the corner, a large bookcase by its side. A fireplace stood against one wall of the room, a huge portrait of a man and a woman towering above it, with two huge windows on either side. A large stereo system stood a small distance from the fireplace, an electric guitar sitting on a stand beside it. The other wall was blank, but several sofas faced the wall.
Catching her glance Dick reached into his pocket and fished out a small control, pointing it at the wall. It hissed, retracting to reveal a large television screen.
"With such luxury, how do you stand living at the Tower?"
He shrugged. "I like the simple life. I don't really need all this stuff. Bed's nice though."
She glanced at him. "Why did you never show me your room before?"
"Um… well…To be honest, I didn't really want Gar or Vic in here. The others were sticking like glue to you and it was easier to have alone time with you in your room. If they had seen this, they never would have left."
"Master Dick," Alfred's voice said and Kori glanced over at the main door at a small white speaker attached to the wall beside it.
Dick sighed and crossed the room to the speaker. "Yes Al?"
"Master Bruce is returning. Perhaps you would like to greet him before your friends?"
Kori turned to gaze up at the huge portrait above the fireplace. She had seen them before, they were his parents. She found it comforting that he still thought of them, kept them close.
"Yeah, thanks Al." He sighed again and turned to face Kori running his fingers through his hair. I gotta go, Star. Think you can find your way back to your room?
She nodded. If you will show me the button to leave this one.
He crossed the room and pressed a small ornamental knob. I'll come and get you and the others in a little while, okay? He leaned in for a quick kiss and slid the door shut behind her.
Author's Note:
Ryand'r's translation of his name - it was Darkfire in the original comics and Wildfire in the new Teen Titans Go. This was written before that comic came out, so I kept it Darkfire.
Dec 07: Several people have tried to call me on this, and I'm getting tired of explaining it. I know comic book Starfire's identity on earth was Kory Anders. However, you'll notice that Fyria called her Kori, simply because I've pointed out, several times in fact, in my fic, And'r is a title. Fyria uses shortened names, Kom, Ry, Kori, because it takes off the title. Starfire wanted to keep that connection with Fyria, hence the Kori, with an i. I thought it was pretty obvious where this nickname came from... but there you go, spelt out for you. Please don't PM me anymore and point out this as an error. It was deliberate.