Chapter 4

Kori

"She's gone Robin."

Not turning around, Robin said "Thanks for trying. I'll be in my room and don't bother me." Just as he was about to head out, Robin heard a gasp. His eyes widened at that sound, he had recognized it. Robin turned around and saw Starfire sitting up from the bed.

Her eyes bugged out of her head as she looked around at the group of people around her. Four people. Four strangers.

"Who are you?"

"Starfire, it's us. Remember me, Raven?" Concern flowed through the body of the empath but she couldn't help but feel that this was her fault. Maybe, just maybe if she concentrated and worked a little harder, then Starfire wouldn't act like she didn't remember them. However, a part of her knew that this was going to happen. She didn't fully understand it, but it took her mind a while to puzzle the pieces together.

"I give you an apology however I am most certain we have never communicated before. I will repeat once more, who are you all?" The Tamaranian didn't know who they were. They were all strange-looking. One was covered with blue, mechanical parts with a red half-circle were his eye should have been. Another was covered with green all over: green eyes, green hair, green skin with a purple and black suit and a fang sticking out of his mouth. The only other female there had pale-gray-like-skin, violet eyes and hair that was cut just below her chin, and a long blue cloak, partially covering the black uniform she had underneath. The last one there seemed the most attractive. He had spiky, jet-black hair, a red, yellow, and green suit, green gloves, boots that had seemed to have some type of metal on the bottom, and a white and black mask covering his eyes. Something about that male intrigued her, he made her want to see the mystery behind that mask. If there was one after all.

"We're your friends Star. Come on! How can you forget me, Beastboy?" The changeling yelled which startled the young woman. Whoever he was, she wasn't going to let him talk to her like that. The way he raised his voice, it brought out the fierce warrior side of her. Although she vaguely remembered some parts of her life, the rest was a blank.

She got up from the bed in one swift motion with her fists clenched and eyes narrowed. "You will not speak to me in such a manner. I do not know where I am, what you desire with me, and who you all are because I am most certain I have never seen you before in my life, but if you release me now then I shall leave minimal damage to this forsaken place." She was telling the truth. She didn't know where or who they were but one thing she did know of was that she would tear the place apart. Something had told her to stay but the part that lost its memory advised her that she needed freedom. That she didn't deserve to be a prisoner again. Guess which side she listened to?

Cyborg raised his hands in a peaceful manner but that confused the girl even more. However, she wasn't about to let her guard down. "It's okay. We aren't goin' to hurt you. We just wanna talk."

"Why, for what reason would you want to speak with me? I shall never tell you anything! You have one final opportunity to let me leave or I assure you this shall be the last time you will ever see daylight." The Tamaranian took a battle stance and even though she didn't know if she had any skills in fighting, she knew that she was getting out of there. No matter what it takes.

"Star, can't you just-"

"Let her go." Three pairs of shocked eyes fell on Robin. The alien's widened the slightest bit but she still looked like she was ready to kill.

"Man what are you-"

"Look at her face Cyborg. She wants to get out of here and she looks like she's getting out no matter what." Before it was too late, Robin tried to get through to the empath's emotions and succeeded.

Raven, does Starfire still have her communicator?

Yeah. What's your plan?

"Listen, do you at least have a name?" Robin tried his best to not sound like a hopeless bystander and instead sound like a leader. No matter how hard this was for him, he had a plan and knew it would pay off. Everything had to go according to plan. No mistakes. No miscalculations. Everything had to be perfect if he wanted his Starfire back. And he intended on doing so.

Her fists unclenched a small amount that showed her concentration. Something came to mind and she had a feeling it related to her past. Koriand'r. Kori… And'r. Kori Anders. She decided that the name was sufficient enough since it may or may not be her name. If it was, then that would be one more thing that would be helpful to get her memory back. Besides, the meta-humans wouldn't stop calling her Starfire, Star for short she guessed.

"You may call me Kori, and only Kori." Kori. What a beautiful name. Where did she get that name from? Robin forced himself to not overthink the name too much, not yet.

"Kori. Okay then, do you want me to show you the way out?" What type of trickery is this? I see no other way of leaving. Perhaps I shall let him… But if anything out of the ordinary happens then I will not hesitate to attack.

Kori slowly stood up straight and her eyes returned to their normal size. That didn't mean that she dropped her warrior side so easily though. "Very well. However, if you attempt to do anything that will harm my safety then I will not hesitate to obliterate you." Robin couldn't help but admire the fierceness in her voice. It sounded deadly and he liked it. The Starfire he knew would never threaten her friends or him like that but now that she seemed to have lost her memory, his Starfire may be gone. No. She's in there somewhere; I just have to bring her back out.

"Alright then. Let's go." Robin left the medical bay with a cautious Kori right behind him.

"Are you sure you don't know who we are? Who I am?" Robin and Kori were walking through the empty halls and were descending into the front entrance. Robin knew that if Starfire was in a situation like this, which she technically was but this was different, then she would use her powers and blast out of there. Thing is, she didn't sound like she knew about them. This might work to his advantage.

"I assure you one final time that I know nothing of you or the others. No more questions." Kori knew that he was trying to get something out of her and she said that she wouldn't say anything. But if it helped her regain her memory, then it might help if she gave out a few details. Maybe if she cooperated…

"Sorry, I was just making small talk."

There was silence as only the sound of their shoes hitting the floor was heard. Finally, Kori spoke up.

"What is this talking of smallness?"

"It means having a light conversation. It's kind of a polite thing to do when there's nothing else to do." An idea popped up into his head. "Hey, Kori? If you don't mind me asking, how can you speak our language?" Kori's steps slowed.

"Truthfully, I do not know. I am not able to remember anything except my name." Poor Kori. Some things around her were either unfamiliar or was a serious case of déjà vu. It was obnoxious how she couldn't remember anything. How badly she wanted to know who she was and where she was from, but her mind didn't let her. What made her lose her memory?

Still, she knew she wasn't like the people she just saw in the other room but was she already able to speak their language before? Did she learn or was she born with the ability? Too many questions, not enough answers. She figured that the only way she would get answers was to take a risk and ask the boy in front of her.

"I do not remember you, but you remember me?"

"Mhm. You were the most important person in my life." Not even a budge.

"Were? What changed? Did I do something incorrect? Who are those people? They are certainly not a species I know of."

"Nothing changed, much. But the St-Kori, the Kori I remember was the best person on Earth. You didn't do anything, it was all on me. My fault." Robin muttered the last part so quietly that Kori almost didn't hear it. Almost being the keyword here. But because of his reaction to the other Kori, the original Kori, she knew not to push on the subject.

"The people in the other room are your friends. All of us, including you, are part of a team called the Teen Titans. We fight crime to save the city from people who only want to harm it. We are the protectors of this city. We defend it because we know our powers can be used for good, not evil. Almost every day, we help others and stop the bad guys from taking our city. Our home.

"No, they aren't specifically normal like everyone in the city, but they are all unique. Do you want to know more about them?" Robin stopped his footsteps and turned to Kori. She nodded and he started to walk beside her.

"Let's start with the big guy. We call him Cyborg because he's pretty much a half-human half-robot. I don't know what happened that made him that way but from what I know, he used to be human. He's really good with technology and he loves his car. He may seem like a big, scary guy at first glance, but in reality he's a big guy with a huge heart." Kori looked at him quizzically and was about to ask when Robin knew what she wanted to know. "I don't mean that his heart is literally that big, I just meant that he's a good guy. It's an expression we use."

"I see, please continue. What about the green one?"

"We call 'the green one' Beastboy and his powers are pretty cool. He can turn into any animal that he sets his mind to. He's really useful in battle and we can use the small animals he turns into to our advantage. He's a 'funny' guy, nice, but can turn serious when he wants to, and loves tofu so don't mention meat around him."

"I am guessing that you do not know if he was always green?" Robin shook his head and Kori nodded along.

"The pale one is Raven. She's an empath and is kind of complicated. She meditates to keep her emotions under control and she can get a huge headache if she feels too many emotions around her, or so I've heard. About a year ago, we defeated her father, Trigon, from taking over the earth. As a kid, she was always told that one day she would help bring our planet to its doom. She grew up knowing that and used her powers for good, hoping that it would help stop what she was born to do. It was almost a close call but in the end, Raven finally understood that she can choose her own destiny and no one can stop her. Her powers involve telekinesis-which is her being able to move things around with her mind-teleportation, and sensing things. She's more private but knows when you're feeling a specific way so watch out for that."

"I see. If you do not mind me asking, are you two involved with one another?" Robin stopped in his tracks with his eyes wide open behind his mask.

"Wh-why would you ask that?"

Kori shrugged her head but couldn't fight the feeling of jealousy growing inside of her. "I am merely curious."

"Oh, well no. We aren't together and I'm pretty sure we won't ever be. Yeah, we have this bond but to me, she's like a little sister and nothing more. I'm sure that I'm like a brother to her so we're on the same page."

"Oh, so she is with the green one named Beastboy, I presume?"

"To be honest Star, I'm thinking so." Robin gave out a small chuckle but Kori felt saddened.

"Why do you and your friends call me 'Star' or 'Starfire'? I assure you I am not her." The two came to a stop and Robin turned to Kori. He grabbed her shoulders but Kori didn't flinch. In fact, she felt… safe when he touched her. It was a feeling that she craved and was afraid of. She felt that if he left her, then she would die without him. Nonsense, he is someone I have no recognition of and nothing shall happen. I must find my way home first. That is, if I even have a home to go to.

"You are her Kori. I know you are and if you let me then I can bring her back out again. You will be able to remember everything about your past, who you are, where you come from, and where you belong. I know you don't remember anything and you have no idea how heartbreaking that is to me but I promise that you will know me once again. Just give me a chance Kori. That's all I'm asking."

Kori was surprised by his outburst. One moment he's calm and collected, and the next he practically spills his guts. This is a strange human. Wait a moment, how did I know he was human? How do I know who is human? Perhaps this is the first step to recover my memories. Hopefully, I will know who I am, or what I am.

"What about you? Who are you? If I am to trust someone, I must know them." The way Kori sounded gave Robin hope.

"As for me, I'm a… wow this is hard to do. To be honest, I'm a strict, busy, hard-headed type of guy. I didn't let anyone in besides you. You were the only one I felt I could be myself around but unfortunately, it had its downfalls. I would always get too into the paperwork but you were the only one that could get through to me and help me get out of my room. I like my privacy as much as anyone else and you were the only one who respected that. Raven did too but on occasion she would try to get something out of me. I always blame myself even when I know something isn't my fault and when it is, I sometimes don't. I'm serious and there are times when I wish that I could be as free as you but I can't. I don't know how I got such amazing friends but I'm glad I did. You were my best friend and nothing could ever change that. But before you lost your memory, I said something that I didn't mean at all and that's another thing I hate about myself. I usually don't think before I speak.

"As for my powers, I don't have any. I'm only human but thanks to my past, I use the skills I developed to my advantage. I have these weapons that seem small but are very useful. I was also trained under Batman, but that's another story, which makes me even more capable than other people. I'm not saying I'm the best of the best, but a part of me always thought I was. That is until I found my weakness. But that's pretty much what I think of myself and I think it's the truth. You can ask anyone and they'll most likely give you the same answer."

It was pure silence the rest of the way to the entrance. Kori hadn't said a word but looked deep in thought. Robin was nervous and hoped that she wouldn't leave them. Leave him. Yeah, he had a plan for her to stay but most of it depended on how she reacted with everything. However, he couldn't help but notice that before they were alone, Kori –or Starfire- had her guard up and was threatening them. It wasn't until they were talking that she seemed to have dropped her guard. Hopefully what he told her was enough to convince her to stay.

Once they were at the entrance, Robin opened the door that led to the night sky. It was beautiful with many stars sprinkled in the sky and the moon coming closer to the planet than usual. Robin wanted to soak in the beauty but he preferred to do it with Starfire. She's still in there Robin. Just bring her out.

"Okay." Robin turned to Kori but her gaze was locked on the stars.

"What?"

"I noticed that there was a look on your face that had hope. I may not remember you or the others now, but perhaps I will eventually. Therefore, I have agreed for you to help me recover my memories. I believe that the girl you once knew is in here, somewhere."

Kori turned to Robin and gave him a kind smile which he returned. He missed that smile. Before she could protest, Robin pulled Kori into a hug and let go when he realized that she must have felt awkward hugging someone she just met. He sheepishly pulled away and rubbed the back of his neck.

"We should probably go back inside."

"Agreed." Robin closed the door and walked away with Kori, a huge smile plastered on his face.

He was going to bring her back. She was going to remember everything and everyone. His Starfire was coming back to him and when she did, he was going to say sorry until it hurt. Who knows? Maybe it would turn out better than he expected. Only one way to find out.

Okay, believe me when I say that I know where I'm going with this. It may be really weird that Robin didn't react when Starfire was asking who they were and such, but I'm going to explain that in the next chapter. If you don't know why I said Koriand'r, which soon led to Kori Anders, then know that that's Starfire's Tamaranian name. If you watched the episode Go! from the cartoon series of Teen Titans then you may remember when Robin asked Starfire's name. She said that in her language it was Starfire, hence her Tamaranian name being Koriand'r. Separate the name and it leads to her secret identity: Kori Anders. We'll either go into Robin's point of view or either Starfire's again but we're going to get an insight on how they feel about the situation. Sound good? Good. I'm not completely sure if I should involve a BBRae in this story but if I do, then I want to see how many BBRae shippers there are out there, just to see how much fluff I should add in. If there's not that many, then I'll add in some hints or short POV's about them, and if there's a lot, then I might add in a chapter or two about how they're reacting and how they feel. Expect some mushy stuff if I do that. I believe that is all so please review, fav, follow, and all that good stuff. I don't own anything but Warner Bros. and DC Comics do!

Always yours,

light is in the dark

P.S. I probably won't write the name 'Starfire' for some time, at least until some knots get untied. Maybe in the end of the story or maybe in the next chapter. Thing is, I don't even know myself. I usually have an idea, go with it, and figure out everything else as it comes along. But remember that 'Starfire' and 'Kori' is the same person. And you have no idea how badly I wanted to say 'Starfire' instead of 'Kori.'