I know I haven't gotten a lot of review, but, I'm writing the story, anyway.

Three: Negotiations

Robin lay on his small, brown bed, looking out onto the pinkish ground of Tamaran. Oh, how his life had changed. Just a few weeks ago, he was sitting in Gotham Park, and now, he was on another planet!

Gotham Park… that place seemed to be from another life time. He remembered the soft flow of the summer breeze against his skin. He could almost smell the flowers against the wind and fresh cotton candy mixed by a clown around the corner. His ears rang with the memory of small children at play and the symphony of the mid-day birds. His face soaked up the sun as he sat on a park bench. A few feet away, he heard giddy laughter.

He turned his head and saw a young couple standing by the pond. They had their arms entangled amongst one another, both with broad smiles on their faces. Then, the man whispered something in the woman's ear. She launched her head back and laughed loudly, letting her long, brown hair flow. Then, an image entered into Robin's mind.

He was standing in the same embrace with Koriand'r, and they were the only ones in the world. His arms were wrapped around her waist and she was clinging to his neck. He could detect the sweet smell of her hair and savored the soft touch of her skin. They stood there, simply smiling as if they owned the world. Then –

There was a soft knock at his door.

Robin shook his head; in his daydreaming, he had almost forgotten where he was.

He walked to the door and opened it. It was Princess Koriand'r.

"Your Highness," he said, embarrassed. He felt himself going hot; in some strange way, he had a feeling that she knew of his privet thoughts.

"Would you mind escorting me to the Hall?" she asked, kindly. "The Queen and Princess of Azerath will be arriving soon."

Robin got his axe weapon, then turned and followed her down the hall.

"Why are they coming?" he asked.

"For the negotiations," she answered, simply. "You see, we fear that Lord Trogar's army is becoming too strong for us to handle. So, we are forming an alliance."

Robin's heart suddenly became cold.

"Like you did with Earth?" he said, roughly.

She recognized the hostility in his voice and turned to him.

"You must understand," she began, "we never meant for such harm to befall your planet. And I feel sorrow every day for the people of Earth. Though I know I cannot feel as much as those who lost loved ones, I try to help as much as I can by sending supplies and support. However, many of your people despise me and send most of it back. Oh, I hope you do not reproach me, also!"

He looked in her emerald eyes and saw genuine sadness and empathy. He smiled; his heart had once again grown warm towards her.

" 'Course not," he said. She smiled as well and continued to lead him towards the Hall.

As they walked, it just then dawned on him that the halls were incredibly empty.

"Where is everyone?" he asked, looking around.

"Oh," she said, "not many are allowed to come into the palace unless it is called for, and the servants have been trained to hide themselves."

"Don't you get lonely?"

"Sometimes… but now I have you to keep me company."

She quickly looked away and Robin could have sworn he saw her blush, furiously. His heart leaped around his stomach like a jittery frog.

They came to the back of the deep, velvet curtain Robin remembered when he first came to Tamaran. Waiting there also, was Empress Komand'r and Xavier.

The two royals began a conversation in their language while Xavier nudged Robin in the shoulder.

"So," he whispered, "are these two hot or what?"

Robin rolled his eyes when the curtain lifted, and the unbearable Tameranian music filled the room.

Robin followed Koriand'r off the stage and into the hall. He noticed that a large table had been set up with silver and gold dishes. He noticed also the two guests that stood next to the table.

One was a lovely woman with long, blue hair. She wore a pure white dress that had sleeves that nearly covered her hands. Around her waist, she wore a belt of white gold with a ruby set in the middle. On each of the ruby's side, were sapphires. The neck of her dress came down in a V shape and at the bottom tip was a white gold broach with another set ruby. On the brim of her head, she wore a crown-like head-dress with a red chakra gem between her eyes. She had slanted blue eyes, and rose red lips.

The girl next to her looked almost like a smaller version of herself, though with some differences. Instead of long hair like that of the woman's, the girl's blue hair didn't even reach her shoulders. She had pale skin and wide eyes (compared to the latter's). Her dress was of faded indigo with black sleeves. And where the woman's jewels were set in white gold, the girl's gems were set in regular gold, and there were only ruby's, instead of ruby's and sapphires.

"Queen Arella," said Empress Komand'r, greeting them. "Princess Raven. It's so nice to see you again."

Queen Arella nodded her head as a form of greeting. "Like wise," she said. Her voice was smooth and articulate. "She we be seated?"

Komand'r nodded and the four ladies sat down (Robin and Xavier stood behind their guardie).

Then, several servants came out of nowhere, bringing with them Tameranian delicacies.

"So," said Arella as they were being served, "I believe we are here to discuss matters of an alliance?"

"We will," said Komand'r, "but first, eat. You and your daughter must be starving."

"I don't have a stomach for food," said Arella. "I just want to hurry and set the alliance so that my daughter and I can get back to Azerath."

A somewhat glazed look came over Komand'r's face.

"You're bordering on the point of rudeness," she said bluntly. "I have never had a houseguest so eager to leave."

"I have just been ill at ease with the Gordanians," she explained. "I haven't left the Temple for days."

"Well, rest assured that they know nothing about this and you are perfectly safe."

"For all of our sakes, I hope you're right."

Komand'r leaned back in her chair and the same glazed look came over her face.

"Well," she said, "if you are in such a rush then perhaps we should get right on it. We believe that the strength of our armies and the wisdom of your monks will have an upper hand over the Gordanians."

"Before we have an upper hand in anything, I want you to guarantee the safety of Azerath. I have seen the damage done to Earth."

"What happened to Earth was regrettable, and non repeatable. You have my word that Azerath will not have the same outcome as Earth."

Arella looked at her, as if she was trying to see inside her mind. She then glanced at her daughter.

"Very well." She stood up and so did Raven. "We shall keep in touch. But now I must be heading back."

Robin saw Komand'r glance at one of the open windows.

"You're sure?" she asked a bit anxiously. "The royal chiefs have been preparing this meal all day. Surely you can stay for a little longer?"

"No, I'm sorry, but I am very eager to get back home. Come, Raven"

They began to walk towards the door when robin saw a shadow in the window seal. An alarm went off in his head and he whipped around to see twenty Gordanians fly threw the window.

Oh, no! suspense!

T.