Shattered Diamonds

Summary: Five years after leaving, Robin comes home to discover that Starfire has a daughter and is engaged! But worse, with the return of Blackfire and the unexpected death of one of their greatest foes, how can Robin cope? (ROBXSTARXOC)(BBXRAE)(KIDFLASHXJINX)

Author's Note: Thank you for your reviews. And look, I updated quickly! Yay!

Mood Music:

(Couples) Everything – Lifehouse

Chapter Thirteen

OF CRIMSON ROYALTY

Raven and Beastboy sat on the sofa, restless. It was probably around 1:00 in the morning and neither could get a decent ounce of sleep since their previous conversation. Raven was relieved and unmistakably glad –because Beastboy liked her for who she was– and Beastboy was puzzled. Where had that question evolved from? Why would she ask him and not someone she felt closer to, such as Robin?

He groaned.

"What's wrong with you?" she asked in a monotone voice.

He raised his hands. "Nothing…"

This was exactly like their conversation.

Which brings back that question, DAMN IT! Beastboy cursed in his head.

"Why'd you ask me that question?" he tried again.

Raven shrugged, apparently not caring enough about the subject to reply.

Beastboy mumbled under his breath and looked away, too engrossed in his thoughts about her question. Raven merely gazed out the large window, transfixed by the shining silvery moon. However, she caught sight of something peculiar.

-

Jinx and Kid Flash strolled down the empty beach, their boots crunching on the mounds of sand. The moon resided on their left. Jinx, somewhat uncomfortable, wrapped her arms around herself so that they pressed against her fluttering stomach.

"Ya know," Kid Flash mused, "This is much more serene than that the other place you brought us to."

She looked away, a blush painting her pale cheeks. "I thought it'd be good, okay?"

He chuckled.

"Yeah, yeah… Banging heavy metal was your idea of romantic?"

Her face paled. "R-Romantic?" She edged away from him. "Who said this was romantic?"

Kid Flash shrugged. "Me…?"

Before she could retort, a flash of light shot across the moon so fast, that it seemed abnormal.

"A shooting star?" It was supposed to be an excited statement, not a question.

"Yeah, I saw it…" Kid Flash stared up, scanning the black sky.

Jinx shook her head. "Much too fast… And it was purple and green…"

Kid Flash nodded.

"Should we tell the Teen Titans?"

Reluctantly, Jinx nodded, and they headed toward the Titan's Tower, both wondering what the strange light was.

-

Raven's hands trembled as she set the phone down, her skin paler than usual. Beastboy was instantly at her side, concerned and curious. He glanced at the phone, then at her pallid face.

"Who was it?"

She rubbed her temples, stressed. "Jason…"

"Is something wrong?" Beastboy asked.

Raven raked her fingers through her mauve hair. "Starfire, she's… been kidnapped…"

"Kidnapped?" Beastboy's eyes widened. "Are you sure? Maybe she just went out-"

"There was a huge hole in the ceiling," Raven snapped. "And I doubt she just blasted through it." She then pointed to the area where the flash of blinding light had sped by. "And I saw something fly through the air. I think it might be Starfire; it was green… and…." Her voice trailed off.

"What is it?" Beastboy asked, his voice frantic. "And what?"

Raven bit her lower lip, tearing flesh. "Purple."

Immediately, Beastboy straightened, a look of horror on his grim face.

"… Blackfire…"

Without another thought, Raven ran to Robin's room while Beastboy went to Cyborg's. Soon, the four Titans stood in the Main Room with Raven explaining what was happening. Robin's anger grew –as did his need to save Starfire– and Cyborg slammed his fist into his palm, determined to rescue Starfire.

"We need a plan," Robin said through gritted teeth.

"How 'bout we help?"

They turned in the direction of the voice, and were relieved to see Jinx and Kid Flash standing near the sofa.

Robin's eyes narrowed.

"How do you know about what's going on?"

Jinx stepped in. "Because I saw the flash of light and I know it wasn't just a simple shooting star."

"Where would Blackfire take Starfire?" Beastboy chimed in.

Raven's eyes went wide with terror.

"… Servix," she whispered.

Robin walked closer to her. "Did you just say…?"

"Servix?" Cyborg's mouth fell open. "That planet you and Star told us about?"

Kid Flash stepped between them, confused. "Okay, what's this Servix planet? What does it have to do with Starfire?"

"Servix is the Forbidden Planet," Raven explained, her voice breaking, "and it is truly evil; with dark creatures who have terrible 'habits'. They rule under a queen… Xanthe. However, Starfire thinks that Blackfire is their new queen."

Jinx gaped.

"Blackfire is their queen?"

Raven nodded.

"But right now," Cyborg interrupted, "We have to save Starfire."

-

"WHAT?!"

Blackfire's shrill, furious voice rang out through the dark, stone hallway. She was in a palace-like building, with never-ending staircases, narrow halls lit with crackling fire, and a single room where one creature sat, ignoring Blackfire's outburst.

"You understand what I have said, right?"

Blackfire glared. "Yes and why didn't you tell me this before?"

"It seemed painfully obvious…"

Blackfire stepped closer.

"So I went all the way back, finally captured Starfire, and gave her to you…" Malice swam through her veins. "And you're saying she's not the youngest blood line? She my younger sister, and she and I are the only children of-"

The creature raised her hand, silencing Blackfire.

"No… Starfire is not the youngest blood." The creature laughed half-heartedly, amused by Blackfire's frustration. Her –the creature– voice and laugh sounded like sharp nails running down a chalkboard. "The youngest blood is her daughter."

Blackfire's face was now completely shrouded with red.

"CLAIRE IS A HALF-TAMRANIAN! SO THAT'D MEAN SHE-"

"She'd still have the Tamaranian blood residing in her body."

Blackfire rubbed her temples, seemingly calming down. "Well, why can't you just use Starfire as a sacrifice?" she pointed out. "Claire has human blood boiling through her veins – that might make her weak, wouldn't it?"

"No… The youngest Tamaranian blood is strongest… even if that Tamaranian happens to be a Halfling."

With a defeated sigh, Blackfire whirled around and headed to the exit. Servix creatures bowed to her –the guest– but she was oblivious to their gestures. Her mind traveled to more pressing matters.

"Damn, kid…," she murmured, remembering the little girl that had stumbled upon her.

Looks like you'll have to be the sacrifice…

-

"Dudes," Beastboy whispered.

They were outside in the dark night, ready to take off for Servix. Beastboy, trembling, pointed to the sky. A speeding purple light raced toward them. The Titans poised for battle, knowing full well that this light was Blackfire.

We're screwed, Raven thought, a part of her denying the inevitable. After Blackfire's last performance, Raven wasn't exactly prepared for her next move. And not to mention that she held the Black Diamond in the palm of her hand – she is undeniably powerful.

Beastboy glanced at her as if sensing her distress.

"Thank you," Raven breathed as Beastboy curled his fingers around hers. Relief flooded through her heated blood.

Robin and Cyborg marched forward, ready.

"Why, hello there," Blackfire greeted, her voice a mockery of a simple 'warm greeting'.

Kid Flash zoomed forward, a gust of wind slamming into Blackfire. "Back off, lady."

Blackfire cocked an eyebrow.

"What do you want, now?" Robin demanded, "And where's Starfire?"

She rolled her eyes at his display of hostility. "All I want is…" She glances tauntingly at Robin. "Claire. If you tell me where she is, I'll gladly leave you all and be on way, but right now-"

"You're not having her," Raven growled.

Blackfire stared at her. "Apparently you have a capacity to forget…" She sighed, exasperated. "It was what, only a few days ago when I completely broke you and your little pet?" She gestured to Beastboy. "And you still want to take me own? I thought you were the intelligent one, Rae-Rae."

Raven continued to glare murderously at her.

"Oh, wait!" Blackfire looked up thoughtfully, then looked back at Raven. "You were actually the sad, depressed one who didn't fit in? Was that right? You had your own little sob story and all that-"

"Raven is a part of this team," Robin cut in, defending her, "And she fits in perfectly."

Raven forced herself to remain intimidating, but her heart accelerated. Apparently, his early words were lost behind layers of emotions that –even at this moment– she could feel tempting her body.

Beastboy nudged her, waking her from her inner thought.

"Now… Where the hell is Claire?"

Once she realized that they weren't going to nudge, she moaned in impatience.

"Fine," she pouted, "I'll find her myself."

And without warning, she blasted in the sky, her form heading toward the city.

"Cyborg, Kid Flash, Jinx – you go after her," Robin ordered, and they were off (Kid Flash running with Jinx on his back and Cyborg already in his car). "Beastboy, Raven…" His eyes darkened behind his mask. "We're heading to Servix."

Beastboy raised his hand, signaling that he wanted to speak. "Um, dude? How are we-"

"I can get there," Raven interjected, a look of sheer determination on her face. "We need the T-ship."

Robin nodded once.

-

Starfire's eyes fluttered open, her body aching with pain. Shakily, she sat up, her elbows supporting her weight. And – to her horror– she became painfully aware of the fact that she now resided in a dark cell with a heavy, rusted lock on her foot.

She was chained to a wall; captured.

"Hello?" she called, peering out through the bars of the prison cell she lie in.

A snicker echoed through the blurred darkness.

"Who is there? Can you help me?"

Starfire knew how foolish her pleas were – she was in Servix, and the creatures here weren't 'nice'.

"I can't help you, princess." The voice paused. "Nor can I help save your daughter."

Immediately, Starfire's eyes widened.

"What have you done to my daughter?!" she cried, tears slipping down her rosy cheeks. "Tell me now, I command you! Where is my daughter? You bastard." She had picked this "insult" up from Raven. "Tell me where my daughter is!"

The voice sniggered some more.

"She's safe… However, Blackfire has been sent to Earth to retrieve her."

Starfire's body began to tremble. "Why?"

"Well, you see," the voice began, enjoying her panic, "Blackfire thought you were the youngest blood, so she captured you. However, Claire is actually the youngest Tamaranian blood of the royal family. You're still the sacrifice. But Claire will be first.

"And then you, and then Blackfire."

She sat up straighter, confused. "Blackfire…?"

This made the voice laugh boomingly.

"She's so naïve! Once you two are sacrificed, she'll be next – more power to us! But I suppose the Black Diamond's evil force is possessing her," the voice mused. Starfire's mouth fell open.

So her sister was being manipulated by the Black Diamond? And she was going after her daughter…

"Claire…" Starfire whimpered, feeling hopeless. My daughter…

The voice giggled. "Why don't you use your powers?"

Starfire simply sighed.

Because I can't, she thought sadly. Her emotions were too haywire…