When we last saw our heroes, they were getting ready to take off towards Azerath.
PS – this chapter is dedicated to my dear friend Charlie who was just in the hospital from appendicitis.
Thirteen: The Universal Ruler
Robin once again found himself in Raven's small ship, zigzagging through the vacuum of space. Through the journey, Raven had explained her hunch about Trigon to Beastboy and Koriand'r.
"I have heard of this Trigon," said Koriand'r. "His cruelty is legendary; even on my world."
"Yeah," said Beastboy, "and if this dude gets out, we are all in serious trouble."
Off ahead, Robin saw the island planet of Azerath. They zoomed in close and slowly pierced through the dome. When they landed, Robin looked around in confusion.
Instead of the hustle and bustle of the crowds that Robin remembered from his previous visit, the streets were completely empty. Robin doubted if even stray cats wandered the alley ways.
"Well," said Raven, "not that I was expecting a parade, but…"
They all got out and looked around. The silence was piercing.
"Where is everyone?" asked Robin.
"I don't know," said Raven. "But we don't have time to worry about that now." He nodded.
They rushed to the Temple as fast as they could.
"Please be unlocked…" Robin heard Raven plead.
When they got inside, the pounding of their feet against the empty corridors was like a soft storm in the distance.
They reached the end of a hall and found themselves in front of a pair of black doors. On them was a red symbol Robin had never seen before. It slightly resembled an "S".
Raven grabbed the door handles and pulled with all her might. Thankfully, the black doors swung open easily and the four rushed inside.
It was a small room. And, like the Meditation Room, it had no doors or windows. All it had was a table in the middle of the room. And on the table is what looked like a solitary mirror. This had to be the famed Mirror of the Underworld.
The Mirror was fashioned in an almost satanic kind of way. It's grey, stone edges that held the mirror were twisted and turned. On the top was the same red symbol that was on the door.
Raven took the mirror with one hand and placed the other on the glass.
"Azerath Metreone Zinthos…"
Then, a red light began to emanate from the mirror. But other then that, Robin couldn't see it change. But, apparently, it had changed from Raven's point of view. She looked down at the glass and her eyes went wide.
"Impossible…"
"Has he escaped?" asked Robin.
"No… he – hasn't moved since sixteen years ago…"
"But, how can this be?" asked Koriand'r. "If not Trigon, then who has been feeding the Gordanians the information?"
"Who else would know about all that stuff?" said Beastboy, flabbergasted.
Robin thought hard, when something clicked.
"Of course!" he said aloud.
"What Robin?" asked Koriand'r.
"Don't you guys see? The Gordanian attack, Azerath being deserted, Koriand'r's kidnapping? The answer is right in front of us! It has been the whole time! If it wasn't Trigon, then it had to be the next best thing; someone on the inside!"
"Who?" said Beastboy.
"What are you four doing here?" said a sadistic voice behind them.
Robin smiled bitterly.
"I could ask you the same thing – Komand'r…"
They turned to see the Empress of Tamaran standing behind them.
"Better yet," Robin continued, "I'll ask you this instead." He walked up close to her. "What kind of deal did you make with Trogar? Are you two going to rule together or are you just going to kill him once you're done?"
She remained emotionless.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she answered smoothly.
"Oh, I think you do."
"Robin…" said Koriand'r. "You are not suggesting that… my own sister would…"
"Think about it, Koriand'r. Who else would know the information about the alliances between Earth and Azerath? Who else would know the perfect moment to kidnap you? And who else would have the kind of economical power to sway the leaders of other worlds?" Something else came to mind. "But Earth didn't go along with you did they? They figured you out, just like I did. They were going to expose you for who you really were. Is that why you had them destroyed?"
She began to laugh.
"My, my, aren't you the smart one? And cute, too. Pity."
She snapped her fingers and Gordanians by the barrel full came into the scene.
"Because now you'll have to die."
"You will never get away with this!" Robin vowed.
"Oh, on the contrary," she said, "I all ready have. You see, Lord Trogar's particle weapon didn't have enough power to get rid of the entire pesky planet. But I intend to finish the job. Gordania's finest army is arriving on the Earth battlefront as we speak."
Robin's eyes grew wide.
Cyborg…
Meanwhile…
Roy was stuck on guard duty this night. There was nothing much to do, so he entertained himself with his arrows by the flickering torch light. Then, something caught his eye on the horizon. The arrows fell from his hand.
"GORDANIANS!" he yelled as he ran. "THE GORDANIANS ARE ATTACKING!"
Cyborg immediately sprung into action.
"Everyone!" he ordered. "Grab your weapons and get ready!"
The people followed his commands without a moment's hesitation. When they had their weapons, they rushed outside. Cyborg made his way to the front and looked at their oncoming enemy. Hundreds, thousands of Gordanians made their way towards them.
Cyborg looked at the small band of fighters ready to die at his side. He looked back at the alien, ready to fight.
"May God help us all…"
Will Komand'r get away with her plot? Is this the end of the defenders of Earth? And what does the Empress have in store for our heroes? Tune in next chappie to find out!
T.