Teen Titans Fan Fiction

Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans, its Production Company, affiliates, and sponsors. Everything is fictional and any similarities between the characters and any living person are purely coincidental.

A/N: Dragontwin: Once again, thank you for your kind words, I hope you enjoy these next few chapters as they will be a bit darker. Taking into consideration of some of the characters personalities, I thought it best that I take the new actions. Well, enough of my babbling, on with the show!!!

Legend -

Normal Font: Basic read and insight.

Bold: Change of location or time.

Italics: Individual thoughts and recollections.

SACRIFICE

As Robin and Starfire are reunited at last, Joker moves in to finish off Terra. With Beast Boy wounded, and Cyborg and Raven on the way, can the 6 heroes find a way to end this showdown?

Chapter 17 – Three Little Words

Joker continued to walk up to the red sedan where Terra had fallen. Things were definitely not looking up. Beast Boy had fought bravely and alone against the Joker, but was shot while fighting off two of Joker's goons. It was really low of the Joker to pull something like that off. Shooting someone who's not even looking at you. Terra's stomach cringed in pain. That last blow may have bruised some of her ribs, if not broken. She stood up once more and faced the laughing maniac. Joker wasted no time, he was laughing as he fired a grenade through its launcher. These were especially deadly as they exploded upon impact. Terra put up another earth wall up just in the nick of time. The grenade exploded on the rock, causing it to shatter all over the place. Terra had to shield her eyes and brace herself for the impact. Joker laughed as he fired round after round. Terra finally took the advancement and flew high up into the air underneath some rock once more. She didn't get very far, the Joker fired another round that hit the rock Terra was using to escape from and the blast effects threw her against another vehicle, this time a large white truck.

Terra was having trouble standing now. Joker's attacks were never ending and relentless. He hardly stopped to chat when he was firing and when he did, it was only to mock them. His laughter threw off everything anyone was trying to do against him. Unless you had previous experience fighting him, you didn't stand a chance. Beast Boy, and now herself, were learning that the extremely hard way. Terra pushed herself up to look at the Joker as he pulled out several playing cards from inside his purple jacket. "Here ya go kiddo, take a card!!!" Joker threw a single playing card at Terra. She hadn't expected him to throw a playing card, and only tried to move just out of its way. It didn't completely, as it cut Terra's left arm before slicing into the white truck behind her. Insane, he's using playing cards that have the potential to kill somebody. "Take another card, kiddo." Terra tried to get up and merely jump out of its way, but the card sliced through a good chunk of her right leg and she fell and cried out.

Joker's hand showed another card. With the flip of a wrist, 5 more appeared. "End of the line, kiddo, I owed you this earlier." Joker threw the remaining cards at Terra. She looked at them with fear in her eyes, she couldn't avoid them. Closing her eyes, she prepared for what came to her. Several blood droplets hit her face as they hit. Terra opened her eyes, the cards never hit her. Shaking with the realization of what happened, she stared at the boy who took all 6 playing cards in the back. Beast Boy had managed to regain consciousness. Transforming himself into the wild and savage beast that was unleashed in the attack against Adonis, he had shielded Terra from certain death. Terra's eyes couldn't believe it.

Beast Boy coughed a couple times, then finally spoke, "Terra...I'm sorry you had to get involved in this. In truth ... I was afraid of facing this alone. You had started a new beginning for yourself, and I wanted an old ending. Now we're standing here and I'm standing in another beginning. I never expected what you would do as a member of the Titans, or what you you do to my heart. Other people still deserve that opportunity." Beast Boy was struggling to hold his position as he spoke. Joker's swift wrist move popped out another card, the Ace of Spaces.

Beast Boy continued, "The chance to laugh ... the chance... to cry ... the chance to fall in love. Joker... his plans will stop that for a lot of people. Even if I'm not standing with you, I still think we both deserve ... a new beginning as well." Beast Boy smiled and opened his eyes fully. He put his arms down. Joker threw the ace up his sleeve. "I think I can finally admit, that I love..." Beast Boy saw the ace card fly right by his eyes. It exploded right by Beast Boy's face instead of piercing anything and pink gas spewed from it. Both Titans coughed as they got a whiff of it. Terra fell down first, passing out from the gas. Beast Boy followed, the word "you" was the last thing he spoke, but Terra never heard it as darkness was the next thing he saw. Winner: Joker

Joker did a cartwheel over towards his defeated opponents. A good magician always keeps an ace up his sleeve. Joker's two henchmen, Grog and Frog were just starting to regain consciousness. They both ran over towards their boss and then saw the defeated Titans. Grog spoke up, "Do you wanna finish them off, boss?" he held his metal pipe once again, tapping it on his open palm.

Joker laughed openly. Let's find out really if the Bat's successor really is worthy. "No, but bring the girl, they always seem to have more sympathy for those." Grog did not question Joker's orders, he obeyed, picked up Terra as Frog opened up a man hole cover. Both men jumped down into the sewer system as Joker pulled out one last card, the Joker and left it on Beast Boy's unconscious body. Ewww...if he ain't dead already, he will be soon... Joker laughed as he then pulled the man-hole cover behind him.

Several minutes earlier ...

Raven was in a deep meditative state as Cyborg drove as fast as he could towards where the parade was. Dodging several cars, they finally came to a road block. People were trying to get out, and it was causing a big mess up ahead for miles. Raven's eyes opened up suddenly. "Beast Boy, no!" Cyborg's throat dropped into his stomach. That was never a good sign.

Cyborg wasn't keeping quiet, "What is it, Raven? I can take it, tell me!" he was getting antsy now. They had just gotten Robin back from Slade's trap and now Beast Boy was down. He was either hurt or he was ... No! I refuse to believe that B.B. kicked the bucket! Raven's eyes no longer held her usual emptiness. She was scared, and it showed. "Raven!!!"

"Beast Boy, I can see further up ahead, he's hurt, badly. We have to get to him as soon as possible." Raven's voice had a sudden urgency Cyborg never heard before. Without questioning, he pushed a button on the T-car. It lifted up above the other cars and shot forward as rocket fuel was ignited so they could gain speed. Hang on, B. , we'll be there any second...just hang on!!

The T-car reached the destination point within minutes. It wasn't hard telling where the battle took place. They both saw a red sedan with its windshield and hood broken. The entire street was totally obliterated. A large battle definitely went down, then they both saw it. Down on the ground face first by a white truck with a dent in its door, lay Beast Boy. At first glance, you couldn't tell if he was alive or dead. Setting down, they both ran out of the car and bent down to check on their friend. Raven examined him, using her powers, she removed the 6 playing cards in his back and sealed the laser wound that went through his left chest cavity.

"He's alive, but barely. I've managed to seal some of his wounds, but it's going to need a lot of work back at the Tower." Raven had finished her examination. She stood up and Cyborg swore for just a split second, he saw a tear drop. Cyborg stood up and opened the car door. Raven had used her powers to lift him into the car. They both got back in as the T-Car and Cyborg started up the engine. It lifted up into the air, turned around and sped back as fast as it came.

Back at Titan's Tower...

Starfire was sitting in the medical treatment wing of the tower. Robin was laying in the bed, trying to get some rest on her request. She liked to hold his hand as he slept, quietly. She had missed him being around. Soon, he would well enough to lead the Titans once more, he would be well enough so they could be victorious over whatever they came up against. Starfire had managed to treat many of the burns and scars that were all over his body. Tamaran, if nothing else, was advanced in the cosmetics department, so cleaning up scars and burns was a simple matter to them. The largest part remaining was a small gaping hole in his right shoulder, and rest. Robin's eyes blinked several times, he was starting to wake up.

He sat up and noticed that Starfire was sitting in the chair by the bed. She was smiling at him, beaming with happiness that he was finally back. "Star? What's going on?"

"Robin, you have been asleep for several hours now. I was able to treat most of your wounds, the largest one remains in your right shoulder. You'll need to have that treated if you are to do anything. I shall ask friend Raven to help you as soon as she gets back." Starfire finished explaining and she began to stand. Robin grabbed her wrist, then motioned for her to sit.

"Starfire, I have a big favor to ask..." Robin was clenching his sheet. This is probably not going to go over well. Starfire looked a bit surprised then she sat back down and listened intently. "Of course, Robin, you may ask me anything." She smiled back at him.

"I need you to take me to a cave, a cave full of bats and leave me there for a whole day. The sooner, the better, my shoulder isn't as bad as you think it is, but I really do need this." Robin finished speaking, holding the sheets to the bed very tight for what she was probably going to say.

"You want me to take you to a lonely cave of darkness and leave you there?!" Starfire stood up, a bit agitated at his request. I hate being right. "Robin, why do you wish to spend time alone in there? Is it not something that we can find out together?" She put her hands together and looked at him, they grew full of concern.

"No, no, it's nothing like that. It's just that in the battle with Slade, it showed me that I've been rushing things and I need to go back to the most basic thing I know. It's sort of hard to explain, like if you wanted to go back to Tamaran for a day, something like that. " Starfire's eyes still looked at him intently. As she turned her head slightly, the light from the room came across her eyes, showing off much more beautiful shade of green Starfire stood up. She thought for a second before saying, "...and this will help you be Robin again?"

Robin finally saw what she was worried about. "Starfire..." Robin stood up out of the bed, his strength somewhat returned. "You mustn't get up yet Robin! You are not fully..." Starfire had rushed over to him, but he pulled on her purple tank top, pulling her close to him and putting both arms around her. He embraced her as he spoke confidently, "I'm not leaving you, silly. I'm asking for a little bit of trust, do you think you could trust me with this much?" Starfire's eyes watered, but she put her head in his shoulders and nodded. Robin held her in her arms for a minute. I missed this.. "Star..." her head turned so she could see his face. "come with me."

Robin took her by the hand and led her to the outside door of his room. "Please wait here for just a moment." He walked into his room but soon reappeared after only a few seconds. He reached with his hand and grabbed Starfire's wrist. Turning her hand palms up, he set something in it. It was a communicator but it was different from the ones the other Titans carried. It was black and had one button. She felt uncomfortable holding something that seemed so dark. It was sort of creepy to her because it was shaped like a bat. "This will be the only way to communicate with me. If something happens, call me, ok? I'll be back sooner than you think."

Starfire nodded and put it into her pocket. "It's not something to be shared with others, ok?" Starfire again nodded. She didn't like keeping secrets from her friends, but this one seemed too important to Robin for her to keep her word. Robin turned around, "I'll just need another minute to gather some things and we'll go, ok?" Starfire once again silently nodded. Robin turned around as the door to his room slid open, as he walked in, the door closed behind him. We'll still be ok, won't we, Robin? Starfire took several steps back and rested her head against the wall. She didn't like it at all that he was leaving for a day so soon as he had come back to the tower. Yet, Robin still knew something that he wasn't telling her. Whether it was relevant or not, she still wanted to know more about him.

Robin soon returned from his room. He was fully clothed and had his red backpack on. "Let's go, Starfire." She smiled and nodded at him. Doubts soon disappeared from her mind. Robin is doing something to help himself. I'm sure we'll be ok... They both headed to the elevator and took it to the roof. As they both walked up to the edge of Titan's Tower, Starfire turned and asked him, "Do you have any idea of where it is you would like to spend that day?" Robin nodded and answered, "Yes, and pointed to the rocky cliffs to the west." Starfire took his hand and they both flew off towards the cave. As they reached the edge of the line of sight, the T-Car returned to the hangar.

Starfire was flying rather slow, she wanted to spend every second possible with Robin that she could. As they passed by the rocky cliffs by the sea, Robin pointed to a small cave opening. It was damp, dark and murky. Not a place where you'd want to go unless you were into that sort of thing. Starfire set him down at a larger rock that led deep into the caverns of Jump City. It extended for miles both inward and down. It was the perfect place for Robin to go. Starfire also set down right besides him and asked, "Is this the desirable place for you, Robin?" He nodded and she turned around. Her feet were playing with the rocks again.

"Robin..." Starfire's cheeks started to turn pink as she started to express herself, "promise you'll definitely come back...promise me you'll come back to me. I know you are going on a journey, but still..."

Robin put his arm on her shoulder. "Starfire, I don't even know what's going to happen when I come out of that cave, but knowing that there's a home, a person waiting for me, that makes me truly happy to hear. I would always want to come back to a place where you are waiting for me."

Starfire's hair began to blow in the wind, she tried to keep it all at one side, but brushed all through her face. Robin wiped the strands of hair from her face and cupped her chin, so she could look right at him. "I know we'll beat this, after all, as long as we're together..."

Starfire finished his sentence, "we can overcome anything..." Their lips met as the sun rose. Starfire's leg rose and she put her arms around his neck. Robin's hand went through her gorgeous red hair as waves hit the shores all around them. As they separated, they each rested their foreheads against one another. "I love you, Starfire.." Robin's eyes were closed, but Starfire's eyes suddenly were as open as her body would allow. Tears of joy were forming from her eyes. Robin's eyes opened and noticed Starfire's condition. "Uhhh...Star?" Starfire's heart suddenly jumped for joy as thousands of mini-Starfire's within her heart seemed to shout "Hooray!" Starfire hugged him and swung him around. Robin, initially surprised by what his words did to Starfire, was set back down. Starfire's smile could keep the sun shining for centuries on end. Starfire, noticing Robin and realizing her own actions she just took, became embarrassed. With her cheeks bright pink, she answered him, "I love you too, Robin. I have for so long..." They shared another passionate embrace as the sun was almost up. The background scenery couldn't have been better had it been scripted. "I'll be back, Starfire, I'll come back to you. For sure..." Robin turned and ran into the dark abyss of the cave. Starfire waved goodbye until he left her sight.

Starfire waited until he was safely out of earshot range before shouting out "Yes!!!!!!!!!!!" Starfire took off from her spot and flew down towards the sea. As she did, several sea creatures popped up, seemingly to join in Starfire's happiness. "Yes, hello friends from the sea!! Robin has done it! He has finally accepted my feelings!!!" Several sea creatures looked amongst each other. One waved it's tentacle in circular motions by its head. The other nodded in response. Starfire flew high up into the sky. She let herself touch the clouds as she passed through them. A blissful feeling took over her and she let herself fall through the clouds and back into the sight range of Jump City. She flew towards Titan's Tower, wanting to share the good news with her friends.

Meanwhile in the caverns below Jump City...

Robin had moved deep within the cavern. He continued to climb, searching for the right spot. He finally found it, directly above him, bats were returning from their nights out. Many stretched their wings as they settled into the ceiling. Good. This is as good as a spot as I'll find... Robin took out a long dark cape from his bag, several small rations, a canteen of water and a specially designed lamp that didn't disturb the bats. Taking out several birdarangs, he put them into his utility belt, shot out a grappling hook and soared into the darkness of the cavern. He swung for hours, it gave him a feeling...a feeling he had not felt in what seemed like years. He set down and spun several birdarangs at nearby stalactites and stalagmites. Each birdarang went straight through and came back to him as he back flipped and caught them all. Kicking into the air, he practiced his many known martial arts against an invisible opponent, his mentor's voice echoing words of wisdom.

Santayana once said, "Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it." He also said "a fanatic is someone who redoubles his efforts while losing sight of his goals."

Again, Robin! Your opponents won't take pity on you because you're smaller and younger than you are. If you waste too much time analyzing your opponent, they will take action. We will never use guns to kill the innocent. That doesn't mean the opponents you come across won't though!!!

Tony Zucco...he will pay for what he did, I'm going to make sure of it.

I'm your worst nightmare.

I am vengeance...I am the night...I ... am ... Batman!!!

Robin kept fighting an invisible fighter, with the words of his mentor echoing through his mind, pushing him further. Several bats in the cave started to shriek at the sudden change in noise vibrations. Some even took flight. Robin threw two birdarangs into the air and closed his eyes. Concentrating, he caught both of them without opening his eyes. Robin, having drained himself and now thought himself prepared once more, walked over to his bag. He took off his cape and started sewing two pieces together...

Robin returns to his roots and absorbs the shadows into his being once more. Starfire's happiness has reached an all-time high. How will they both fare, when Cyborg and Raven return with Beast Boy though?

Next time: Chapter 18 - The Knight

Robin emerges from the shadows as Beast Boy recovers. A promise is made as Joker finally starts acting like Joker. You won't wanna miss it