Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Tians or any of the characters. Original characters are mine.
"Marrin'r, what is wrong? Have I done something to upset you? If I have I apolo-EEK!" The Tamaranian managed to duck just in time as another star bolt was aimed at her head. But when the stranger went to strike again, a large orange hand caught her arm.
"That's enough. You are here to challenge her, not kill her," a man said. The girl said nothing but lowered her arm. "Princess Koriand'r, it is good to see you," he said, bowing.
"General Talka, what is going on? I have not seen my friend Marrin'r in so long and when I meet her again, she attacks me. You are here as well. Has something happened on Tamaran?" Star questioned as she dropped rejoin her friends. The other two visitors stopped hovering to join the Titans as well but then more Tamaranians began to show up.
"What is going on?" Beast Boy whispered.
"I don't know, but I don't like the looks of this. Keep your eyes open," Robin muttered.
"No Princess. Nothing has happened to Tamaran. But it is time to find a new Gemgar," the general said. Starfire suddenly went from distraught to shocked and amazed, which just confused the Titans all the more.
"Uh, what's a Jemjar?" Beast Boy asked.
"The Gemgar is a highly respected position on Tamaran. Whoever holds the title will be the most intelligent and knowledgeable person in this or any galaxy. They will have the knowledge of anything and everything known and unknown. Truly this is an honor. But that does not explain why Marrin'r is here," Starfire said.
"She is here because she wishes to challenge you to the title of Gemgar."
"That is most impressive, but I thought only members of the royal family could hold the position."
"We have recently found out that she is a distant relation to the royal family so it is entirely possible for here to be given the title." The Tamaranian princess looked torn, as she wanted to hug her newest family member but restraining herself as she remembered how said family had also attacked her. She settled on a very awkward smile and a very awkward bow. The Titans visibly winced.
"I welcome you, my sister," she said.
"I am not your sister," the stranger said. Starfire's head jerked up and her face fell.
"Very well. I accept your challenge."
"Good. But remember Princess, if you win this challenge and become Gemgar, you will have to give up all rights to the throne in the future," General Talka said.
"Star, are you sure you want to do that?" Robin asked. They knew how much Tamaran meant to the younger princess and giving up the position would deeply upset her. The girl just stood there for a moment, silent and meditative.
"Yes. This is truly an honorable position, one I would be most happy to hold. I would still be able to help Tamaran, so all is not lost," she told her friends. The girl turned back to the general. "Where will this challenge take place?"
"Here. Courses will be set up at random points at random times all over the city. We will monitor you with these," he said, taking a gun and shooting something into her bicep. Starfire squeaked and rubbed the spot, noticing it emitted a faded green glow. "They are tracking chips. They will follow you through the courses, keeping score, your position and how much time you have left. It will also let you know where the start of the matches will be, how to get there and the route the test takes. You will have five minutes to get there and both of you must show up. If one or both of you do not, you will be disqualified and no one will receive points. You must earn as many points as possible."
Starfire looked over at Marrin'r and noticed a similar glow in her bicep as well. But the girl's face was a blank slate, which worried the Tamaranian. "This does not seem…honorable for such an esteemed title."
"It's what was done before when we had challengers. This does not happen often but when it does, we are prepared. Now, we will begin the official challenge in thirty seconds. Get ready," the general said.
"What?! But that's not fair! We just learned about this!" the Titans cried.
"Oh, and you cannot have help from your friends. Fifteen seconds." The Titans were stunned but Starfire was hopeful.
"Do not worry my friends. This challenge seems like fun and I'm sure-"
"GO!" Both girls received a small shock to the arm before Marrin'r took off like a shot. Star was a bit startled but quickly followed.
"And what are we supposed to do?" Cyborg asked.
"If you'd like, you can follow us," the general offered.
"Marrin'r, please wait! I would like to talk with you!" Starfire shouted. But the girl just ignored her, instead speeding up. Star sighed. She did not like this, not at all.
The chip in her arm had projected a holographic map on the back of her eyes, showing her where to go. There was also a small clock that kept track of how much time she had before the beginning of her match.
They twisted around buildings and under freeways before ending up at the very beginning of Shell Street, which ran along the stretch of the beach. They arrived with only a minute remaining.
"I'm glad to see you girls made it alright. At your next test, a holographic image will pop up and give you instructions about your match. Today, you will be flying through rings all along this stretch. You have another five minutes to get to the end of the strip, passing through as many rings as possible in the allotted time. Remember, you have to finish before the buzzer sounds otherwise you lose the test. You only earn points if you finish the challenge. But you'll also be fighting off droids who will try to stop you. Now get ready," General Talka said.
Star looked down to find her friends waving up at her, with Cyborg pointing to his arm. They would be watching her match, which gave her some much needed strength. She glanced over at Marrin'r, who seemed to be staring at her. But when she looked, the girl was watching the stretch ahead.
"GO!" A buzzer sounded and both girls took off.
Immediately, a droid flew to attack Star, which she promptly destroyed. The first ring was just up ahead but Marrin'r was already a little in front of her. The Tamaranian princess blew up three more droids as she went through the first ring.
"This is not fun!" Starfire shouted as she aimed for a group of five. The clock let her know she had four minutes and fifteen seconds remaining. She continued to blow up droids and flew through the second ring. Explosions ahead alerted her to the fact that Marrin'r was still in the lead. Getting frustrated, she punched through the next four but had to swerve down to go through the ring. She wished her friends were right there with her.
This went on for another three minutes, until they only had fourty-five seconds remaining and two more rings which were spaced very far apart. Star didn't want to admit it but she was getting tired, due mostly to the fact that she was losing heart.
Something grabbed her arm and attempted to drag her to the street. She struggled but the droid wouldn't let go. A red flash passed her eyes and the kidnapper exploded. Star looked up to find Marrin'r aimed at her.
"I want to win, but these matches will be fair," she said and grabbed Star's arm as she flew through the next hoop. The princess was stunned but followed her opponent when the girl let go. Now it was just a matter of beating the clock.
Ten seconds, Star thought and the last ring was nowhere in sight. She watched as the numbers counted down. Suddenly, it appeared and she pushed with her last bit of effort to make it.
Four passed as Marrin'r went through. Three, two and Star flew through just as the clock finished. The buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the challenge. The princess went to meet her friends, followed closely by her challenger and the other Tamaranians.
"That was amazing! A real heartstopper!" Beast Boy cried.
"Yeah, we weren't sure you would make it but then BAM! You pulled an amazing finish!" Cyborg said. The boys were chattering wildly but Raven and Robin noticed the dejected look on Starfire's face.
"Starfire?" Raven asked.
"I do not feel like a winner," she said.
"Nonsense! You have done Tamaran proud! Just remember the rules and that we'll be keeping track of you back home," the general said.
"Yes sir," Starfire said, bowing. He turned to Marrin'r who also bowed. He went to leave when Robin stopped him.
"Wait! Where is the new girl supposed to be staying?" he asked.
"With you." The Titans mouths dropped as one of the Tamaranians dropped a bag by Marrin'r's feet. "There is a saying you Earthlings have: Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. This will be good for everyone. Take care!" With that, the Tamaranians took off, leaving a stunned group of Titans staring after them.
A while passed before they regained their senses, but even then they didn't know what to do about their new surprise bunk mate. Robin finally went over and offered his hand.
"I suppose we should make the best of this situation. I'm Robin, the green one is Beast Boy, that's Raven over there and last but not least that's Cyborg," he told her, pointing to each one in turn. The girl shook his hand but quietly looked over each one as if assessing them.
"Tell me, why do you not call Koriand'r by her name?" she asked.
"Well, here, it's easier and safer to go by a code name. Like Robin isn't my real name, but I use it to keep my identity a secret. If you're going to be living with us, you'll need a codename as well," he said.
"Oh, what about The Flame?" Beast Boy chimed.
"No," Raven said. The boy glared at her from the corner of his eyes.
"Kor-I mean, Starfire, what is your sister's name here?" Marrin'r asked. Star looked startled for a moment when she realized her 'old friend' was speaking to her.
"She is called Blackfire," she said. Their visitor looked thoughtful for a moment before a small smile crossed her lips, making the rest of them very suspicious.
"Then I will be Hellfire."
Author's Note: Hence the name of the tale! I think it's fitting considering all the red she wears. I apologize for the shortness of the race but I really did not feel like writing out all the minute details. So please review! And thanks for the reviews I have received already. To answer your question Lita, I am seriously considering adding Blackfire in a later chapter. I've always liked her as a villainous character. Oh, and I watched the episode "Real" last night, nearly knocked me on my butt when Aqualad was like "Sounds like you're a fanboy," to Control Freak. Loved it. So yeah, please review and thanks again!