Teen Titans Fanfiction

Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans, its Production Company, Affiliates, and/or Sponsors. The plot line and any minor characters belong to me; similarities between major characters and any living person are unintentional.

ALONE

She staggered into the room and collapsed face-first onto the bed. Her muffled shrieks were interrupted by violent sobs that left her shaking. She stayed this way for almost an hour, before standing up. She needed to hit something, anything, because all she could feel was the pain and frustration that had been building up. She'd been taught to remain emotionless, but for God's sake, just seeing them had left her wanting to throw up. Wasn't it enough that at night she couldn't sleep, nightmares of pain and fear bubbling up, reminding her of how they had left her, abandoned her, with no warning or word?

Starfire doubted they had recognized her. For one, the smoke had been very thick, and by the time they realized they were being shot at, they'd hit the floor and the surrounding area. She wouldn't have even recognized them if the cannon blast hadn't been quickly followed by a volley of objects surrounded in black magic. She got close enough for her green eyes to register the electric blue plating, the swishing of a cloak, the green hair, and the hidden eyes before disappearing up through the skylight. She had called the police once she was on top of her apartment roof, pretending she didn't know who they were because in her heart, she didn't. They had once been her friends, her family, but now they meant nothing but anguish.

But the pain she was feeling, was being followed up by anger. How dare they intrude! Five years with no word only to vault into a situation she had under control, acting as though they were the big heroes! The very nerve of them to think they were welcome in a place they had abandoned! Her knees gave away and once more she collapsed into tears, clawing at her bed spread. The phone went off. She reached out and grabbed for it, knocking several items off of the bedside table before she grasped it. Bringing it to her ear she muttered a greeting, her voice muffled by the bed she was pressing her face into.

"Starfire, thank God." The Chief of Police's voice rang through, his relief obvious.

She sat up. "What's the matter?" Her voice was low, no sign of her distress obvious as her mind focused on the imminent problem.

"There's some type of villain down by the Docks. We can't get close enough to get in – he's burning the whole place down-"

She slammed the phone down before he could finish and rushed over to her open window, slipping out and flying off. It was still daylight, but few people liked to visit the rundown area she now lived in, and few expected a superhero to live there. She was well paid, but the place suited her needs, so she mainly donated the money to charities that caught her interest. Mostly it was orphanages, or places who took children in if they were abandoned. It had hit a chord the first time she realized she wasn't the only one who had ever been discarded like an old toy. On Tamaran, this discardal of friends and family did not occur. Some may betray the other – such as Blackfire had done with her, but they never just up and left with no word of explanation. They were a warrior culture. To leave was seen as a sign of cowardice.

She could see the inferno from a couple of blocks away. There was no way she would be able to put it out, not before the whole building collapsed. It was too big and while they were close to the sea, there was nothing that could be used to lift the water. She just had to hope that taking out the bad guy would stop the fire. Starfire shot downwards, crashing through an open window and several floors before locating him. His powers looked to be powered by a backpack, a glass helmet over his head. His laughter was loud, a microphone positioned near his mouth as the fire continued to tumble out of the wires attached to his hands. The protection within his suit looked like it could stand against fire, but she doubted it could stand against her smashing it to pieces. "Well look who we have here folks!" He chuckled eerily. It was only then that she noticed the couple huddled to the back of the room, terrified looks painted on their faces.

"Let them go, Blast." Her voice was soft, but there was steel behind her words.

"Now why would I do that, Starry?"

The words had only just left his mouth when she came rushing through the flames and smashed him against a wall. He felt the metal of the backpack crunch and break, groaning as Starfire's free hand twisted it into a new shape. "Do we have to go over this again, Blast? No more arson. Or the next time that may be your head."

She dropped him, her voice taking on its normal quality, as she rushed to reassure the couple. She kicked through the nearest window and grasped both of them with one hand. The other she used to pick up Blast by the scruff of his neck. Flying out the window, she dropped Blast when it was safe before gently putting down the couple. They were still clinging to each other.

The Chief rushed over. "That was the last of the civilians, but we have no way of putting out the fire. It's going to keep burning and make its way to the city if we aren't careful." The look on his face was desperate. The building began to collapse, sending shockwaves of hot air smashing into the surrounding humans. But what Starfire was focused on was the large water bubble that was floating over to the building, black magic creating swirling patterns. It poured out, the fire hissing before dissipating. She felt like she was frozen, a violent scream wanting to pour out of her throat as a green fly suddenly transformed into Beast Boy. A much taller, older Beast Boy.

"Star!" he exclaimed jovially. "I have really missed you!" He held his arms out for a hug, his face hopeful as she stared blankly at him.

So she did the only thing she could think about – she punched him in the face, sending him flying backwards and landing with a thud next to some policemen. She stepped backwards, before lifting off and shooting upwards. Her body was suddenly incased in black magic that began to pull her down towards Beast Boy. He was now struggling up with the help of Cyborg and someone who looked like the Nightwing she had seen in the future. Raven was standing not that far away, a white cloak flapping around her. The building was now ashes, but the fire was out, smoke spiraling up into the air.

"We just want to talk." Raven's voice invaded her mind as she struggled against the hold.

"Well I don't want to bloody talk!" she screamed at her, her voice hoarse from crying. Her eyes lit up green as she shot down at Raven. She was obviously surprised, because she avoided it by seconds, releasing her grip on Starfire, who shot away.

But it appeared to have angered her, and her powers seemed to have developed, because the next hold was much stronger and much more violent. Starfire felt like she was choking as she was lowered to the ground in front of the others. Beast Boy was holding his jaw tenderly as he stared up at her, but she felt only a twinge of remorse before anger took hold.

"Starfire…" Nightwing muttered at her. This was not the Robin she had fallen in love with – hers had left, breaking her heart in the process, to become this dark being who she felt only hatred for. She glared at them, holding back the tears that threatened to fall down her face. She would not lose her dignity in from of these people. "Star…" He glanced up into her eyes. "I'm sorry." His voice was nothing but a whisper, almost pleading with her to listen.

But it was what caused her to snap.

"You're sorry? You're sorry?" Her voice was hysterical. "You think you can come back here after five years with no word and everything will be alright because you said you were sorry?" They all flinched, Raven relinquishing her hold slightly at the bitter words thrown at them. "I hope you all rot in hell."

"Star…we didn't know it had been so long. The dimension we were in…it felt like five weeks and we didn't know. It's just…" Nightwing shrugged helplessly staring back at his friends.

"Like five weeks is any better," she hissed. "Now. Let. Me. Go."

Raven released her hold and watched as Starfire shot off into the sky.

"Why did you do that?" Beast Boy asked, bewildered.

Cyborg hit him. "BB, she obviously didn't want to talk to us. We need to give her time. She thinks we abandoned her for five years. We were her friends, her family. Could you imagine what Star must be going through?"

Raven continued to stare after her. "I can. And it's hell. Pure and utter hell."