"Titans, go!"
The Teen Titans instantly scattered at Robin's firm command, sealing all exits of the abandoned factory. Robin swooped in with his grappling hook, preparing to jam into Red X's side with his steel-toed boots, until the cunning villain disappeared; reappearing several yards to the Boy Wonder's left.
Shaking his head mockingly, Red X drew out a few explosive disks, each one branded with his signature mark.
"Careful kids," he warned drawing his cape around himself. "Don't want anyone getting hurt." He released the discs.
Raven drew a shield around herself and Cyborg as a nearby disc exploded. The debris it scattered harmlessly rebounded against the black energy and fell to the floor with a thud. Beast Boy turned into an armadillo and rolled away from the attack, any pieces of wood or chips of broken metal that touched his shell fell away without his being becoming injured. Robin expertly leapt and wove out of the way; using his Bo staff to knock away any discs that got to close for his liking. He realized a second later that he heard a distinct cracking noise above him, a sure sign that part of the roof was about to cave in.
He could have easily dived out of the way, but Starfire swooped in, wrapping her strong arms around his waist and carrying away from the danger. She placed him down safely and gave him a reassuring smile before soaring back into the heated battle/
With her eyes glowing a fierce green she released a beam of light that would have hit X straight in the chest if he hadn't ducked. He did a back handspring, narrowly avoiding Cyborg's sonic blaster and flicked his wrist to the right, almost slicing Beast Boy right across the face. The green Titan transformed into a rhino and charged the same time Raven summoned her powers to hurl old crates at Red X.
Red X barely broke a sweat though as he flipped over the charging animal and lazily tossed a few bombs over his head, scattering a few pieces of wood. While Raven covered herself to deflect falling debris, X used her distraction to tape her mouth shut, before teleporting elsewhere.
Cyborg charged up his sonic blaster again, a slightly annoyed expression on his face. "Man, when's this guy gonna give up? We still have to slice the cake for Star's birthday party!"
Said Tamaranian landed a few yards away form her friend, her eyes momentarily softening to fit her natural appearance. "Fear not friend, my day of birth will commence soon enough, there is still time." She turned away sharply as X teleported right beside her, his sudden appearance drawing a gasp from her mouth.
"So you're the birthday girl, huh?" he asked coyly, grabbing her shoulder roughly and forcing a red pointed x to press lightly against her throat as a threat. The other Titans paused in their battle stance, even Raven who had been fruitlessly trying to release her lips from their sticky prison.
No one dared move a muscle as the atmosphere suddenly became excruciatingly tense. Starfire bit her lip and her breath hitched as X moved closer to her, placing his hand on her hip and holding the blade just under her chin.
Robin hesitantly took a step forward, his eyes widened behind his mask, and his hands were held up in a peaceful gesture. "Careful X, just step away right now, and nobody gets hurt."
Red X raised his eyebrow behind his mask in a skeptical expression. "Look who's talking, Chuckles. I think you're the one that should be careful."
Robin glanced at Starfire's face, which was strangely calm. He noticed how her left hand-the hand that was farthest from Red X-was twitching against her thigh. The Teen Wonder watched with baited breath as she slowly slid two fingers out against her leg, signally for him on what to do. He gave a half nod in response, and then, giving one final look at X, launched a smoke bomb three feet in front of them.
"Hey!" Red X shouted in surprise as his vision was suddenly clouded. He didn't have another second to react though, as Starfire elbowed him in the stomach with her strength, knocking the blade from his grasp in the same hit. As the smoke cleared, the remaining Titans pounced on him, determined to detain him.
They wrestled around for a moment until they suddenly realized that X was nowhere to be seen. They untangled themselves from the pile of limbs and dusted themselves on, glancing around the shack for any sign of the thief.
"Uh, so anyone wanna tell me where he went in the three seconds we had him?" Beast Boy asked half-jokingly as he glanced every which way.
Cyborg sighed. "He's gone…again. Dang Xenothium." He gave a sideways glance toward Raven and silently ripped the x off her mouth. Beast Boy winced for her while she only muttered a faint "ouch."
The three's mild conversation, if it could even be called that was interrupted by Starfire's hesitant voice in the background. "Robin? Friend Robin, what is the matter? Have I done something wrong? Why do you not answer?"
Indeed Robin had separated himself from the others, staring stone-faced ahead with mixtures of anger and determination on his face. He appeared as though he was thinking extremely hard on something, and was only inches from the answer.
"Robin," Starfire tried again, a little more persistent. She waved a hand in front of his face. "Robin, please."
He gently pushed her hand away. "Not now Star," he murmured half-heartedly. He looked at her worried expression before shaking his head. "Why can't you be more careful?" he asked so only she could hear.
Starfire was completely taken aback by the question. Why could she not be more careful? Why had Robin brought this up? He had never asked her this before. "Pardon me?"
He shot a sideways glance at the others before continuing. "You need to be more aware of your surroundings. Otherwise that thing with X just now wouldn't have even happened."
She blinked in surprise. "Yes, but have we not managed to come out of battle without injury? We have been victorious in that department, yes?"
Robin sighed, his mask narrowing even more. "Sure this time, but what about the next, and the next? I can't keep worrying about you like this Star. You have to be able to take care of yourself more," he paused, looking up suddenly as though he had said the wrong thing. Apparently he had.
Starfire's eyes narrowed and he tone became slightly colder. "It seems to me that you do not find me capable of defending myself, which is a load of zardnarf! Have we not established the simulations such as the one previously displayed in case of such situations? If you believe me to be unfit to be a part of your team, speak now," she challenged.
Robin's eyes widened in alarm. "No! Star, I-I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry. I know you're capable of defending yourself, it's just…I worry you know? Today…today was a close call and I want to avoid situations like that." He drew a hand to her face, cupping her cheek lightly. "If you weren't a part of this team, then I don't know what I'd do."
She thought about this for a moment before looking at him softly. She placed her hand over his own and lowered it from her face. "I understand that you worry, the feeling his mutual where you are concerned." Her cheeks heated up slightly under his gaze. "But there really is not need to do the worrying. We have always prevailed, and always shall. It is in our nature, is it now?"
He smiled at her in answer and she returned it easily. "Then I believe it is time to return to the celebratory events?"
~0~0~0~
"Happy Birthday Star!"
The birthday girl giggled in delight as Cyborg and Beast Boy brought out a precariously balanced cake of all different flavors, the top layer being slathered in a mustard coating. Seventeen candles were placed randomly around the top layer and frosting flew every which way and that as the two Titans struggled to place the cake on the counter in one piece.
"Oh it is simply magnificent!" Starfire cried, her smile widening even more so. "I thank you my friends!"
"Hold up Star," Robin told her bending down to retrieve something on a lower shelf of the counter. He appeared again a moment later with a smelly raw crown of meat which he placed upon her head. Her eyes glowed fondly at him. Only he would have remembered to include something of her culture on a special day such as this one. She even couldn't help giggling when she noticed the slightly disgusted look on Beast Boy's face. Raven cuffed him on the back of the head for good measure.
"Alright birthday girl, make a wish," Cy told her beaming, as he gestured to his masterpiece.
Starfire paused for a moment, an expression of confusion daunting her face. She automatically looked to Robin for guidance.
"You get to make a wish on your birthday, and then you blow out the candles. It's kind of a tradition," he explained, shrugging.
"But don't tell us what it is, or it won't come true!" Beast Boy jumped in helpfully, while Raven muttered something along the lines of "childish."
Starfire nodded before floating up to the top layer so she could just see over the top of it. She had a nice glimpse of the Titan television which didn't even compare in size to the cake before her. She closed her eyes, made a wish and then blew out the candles. She smiled for a moment then finally opened her eyes.
She was startled to realize the image of Trogaar glaring back at her.
Stunned, he flight faltered as she gave a small shriek, landing harshly on her butt. She winced as Cyborg offered her a helping hand, and together they joined the others who had already made their way in front of the giant television screen.
"Oh, come on, him again?" Beast Boy asked, rolling his eyes. He turned to Cyborg a curious expression on his face. "Dude, I thought you totally blasted him last time."
"I did," Cyborg replied then gave a slight wince as the Gordanian glared at him. "Uh, no offense man," he added with less confidence.
"What do you want with us?" Robin demanded, his authoritive leader voice taking over. All signs of previous celebratory behavior gone.
Trogaar answered him in a scratchy voice. "I believed that would be obvious to you…Teen Titans. What we seek is what we sought the first time we encountered your planet. Think of it as vengeance for our lost warriors, and for the ship you stole from us to create you base."
"That doesn't really answer our question," Raven told him. "And none of your warriors were lost. We don't kill. And as far as your ship goes, the Tower needs it more than you do."
Trogaar grip his teeth and he visibly tensed. "The ship can no longer be of use to us," he returned, as if trying to calm his growing anger. "however you do have something of ours that can be returned…and it will."
Starfire glanced down as the other Titans looked at each other warily. Robin's head jerked up and his eyes narrowed. He thought that he already knew the answer but he wanted to be sure. "And what is that?"
"The Gem of Okaara. Being an Earthling I am sure you know nothing about it."
"Oh! Oh! I've got this!" Beast Boy jumped in, scratching his head vigorously. "I know this one! It has to do with something on Tamaran right? Right? Told you I got it," he said leaning over to Raven as she rolled her eyes.
"Not quite friend Beast Boy," Starfire spoke softly. "The moons of Okaara as well as the planet itself are where Tamaranian warriors go to train to become brutal warriors. It is the thirteenth planet in the Vegan System. I have been there before to train with my sister...Komand'r. You know her as Blackfire," she explained. "I had done…exceptionally well during my training, and was named by the Warlords there as the Gem of Okaara, or the Okaara Gem. However that is beside the point. I will not return to the Citadel with you, Trogaar. Earth is my home and I will retaliate against anyone who threatens otherwise!"
"Not to mention she has a few friends herself," Cyborg added smiling smugly, his eyes narrowed. This expression did not seem to intimidate Trogaar in the slightest. He even looked…like he was expecting this.
A slow malicious half-grin spread across his face, his acid lips shining with toxic saliva. "Our new leader has warned us of your stubbornness, Princess, but your capture is inevitable." He moved to the side so he was out of the screens view. The team gasped as they took in what they saw.
Bumblebee, Speedy, Aqualad, Jinx, and Kid Flash were each supported by a Gordanian on either side. If they weren't then they may have slumped to the floor. Their clothes were torn terribly, and their skin was bloody and bruised in some places. A few of them moaned weakly, and small splatters of red pooled almost everywhere.
"What have you done to our friends!" Starfire cried in horror, her eyes wide.
"I believe it is what your new home planet refers to as 'protocol,'" Trogaar reappeared. "It is your choice Princess. You, or your friends."
Starfire lowered her head. "If I go will you promise no further harm will come to them?"
"Those are my orders," he replied seriously. "You have my word."
"Then I will go."
"Starfire!" Robin said harshly, his mouth slightly agape.
"Robin, I do not have a choice," she said calmly, closing her eyes. "I have to go."
"Then we're coming with you," Raven offered, her tone unwavering. She turned to face Trogaar once more, her eyes narrowing into determined as she spoke. "Unless you have a problem with that?"
The Gordanian lord's smirk grew even more so. "Not at all, little Azarathian. Not at all." The screen went blank as the transmission ended.
There was a moment a brief silence before all hell broke loose. There was a tremendous banging, following by an immense explosion. The entire television exploded, showering debris everywhere. Raven created a black energy bubble, protecting her and the other Titans from injury. Only when the smoke cleared did her energy dissipate.
"Wow," Beast Boy muttered as they took in the size of the craft. Although it had broken through the Tower, there was not a scratch on it. The sliding of a door could be heard and suddenly ten Gordanian warriors appeared, each carrying weapons that looked much like glaives except they glowed with a green electricity at the blade.
The Titans were forced inside the alien spacecraft and led down a hallway until they were brought to the commanding room. They were then brought to their knees with painful shocks, their heads forced up by their captors. Their eyes met with Trogaar himself, positioned on a small stone like throne, his hands resting calmly on the arms in a relaxed position.
"Where are the others?!" Robin demanded, fiercely, trying to jerk his head away from the Gordanian that held a firm grip on his neck.
"Where all prisoners go before their fates are decided," Trogaar responded. "The dungeon."
"You have promised to release them!" Starfire yelled in disbelief, her eyes clouded over with desperation.
"You are mistaken Princess. My promise was to not harm them, and I shall keep to that promise. However they will serve a great purpose once at the Citadel. As will your friends." He jerked his head upwards and the ship started to lift off. As it did do, their captors forced the Titans to their feet before dragging them away.
"However you Princess Koriand'r, will stay with me," he whispered, his eyes shining with venom.
"Friends!" she called desperately, praying to X'hal that they would not be harmed.
They called her name with just as much desperation, as they lost sight of her. Robin had the gall to launch himself upward, landing a powerful kick in a Gordanian's face. However he was quickly retrained by two more and Tasered powerfully with a glaive. His scream of pain echoed through the ship reaching a certain young Tamaranian's ears, and sucking the last strand of happiness out of her as she collapsed to the ground.
"Oh, and Princess," Trogaar said softly trailing a slimy hand down her limp body. "Congratulations on the day of your birth."
Author's Note:
Not as exciting as I'd like it to be, but hey, it's the first chapter. Read and Review! Please disregard and grammatical errors. I may have more than usual because I typed this on my kindle this time. Hope you enjoy it, I'll update soon hopefully.