Author's Note: I know there hasn't been a lot of romance yet, and for those of you reading for romance, this next chapter is going to be filled with mainly action and battle, but I PROMISE there will be romance and drama as well. :)
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The Titans in the arena stood as still as stone, mesmerized by the humungous creature gliding dangerously above them, its claws flexing threateningly.
"Wow, and I thought Plasmus was ugly," Beast Boy breathed, blinking rapidly.
A wall of weapons suddenly sprung out, brandishing several different weapons that they had never seen before. However there were also weapons that they were familiar with. Robin noticed that they had taken the gadgets from his belt and had laid them out, while Speedy silently looked over the varieties of arrows that had been confiscated by the Gordanians.
Robin narrowed his eyes, making note of the creature's movements and it swerved and dipped. It could certainly change direction rather well for something that was slightly larger than a bus.
Glancing around at his teammates he could tell they clearly weren't in the same state of mind that he was in. Most of them didn't even seem to have registered that they were going to actually fight this thing. So, being the leader he usually is, Robin shouted the only thing that could signal to everyone to give it their all.
"Titans, Go!"
His sudden call seemed to alert the focknar, for it paused midflight, screeched out a warning call, and then dipped suddenly toward the ground, swooping upwards at the last moment.
The new warriors dispersed, finding their own space in the arena, some of them snatching weapons on their way. Beast Boy was the first to make his move by transforming into a T-Rex, and charging the flying monster. He snapped his jaws ferociously, lunging every now and then when he was sure he would chomp down on rough flesh, however the Tamaranian bird-like creature was much quicker than he had expected. It jumped out of the way, and then took to the air once more, Beast Boy copying its form as a pterodactyl.
This however turned out to be a huge mistake, for the focknar had the advantage of size, soon the chase reversed in its direction, Beast Boy screeching out a warning of help to his teammates.
One of Speedy's arrows sailed right through the thin flesh of the focknar's thin skin that made up its wing. It cried out in pain, immediately slowing, and crashing not so gracefully to the ground.
"Oh yeah," Speedy gloated, smirking at the alien creature. "Did you see that you overgrown ostrich? How'd you like that?" he wriggled his butt, giving it a hearty slap before rearing back in terror as it charge straight for him.
It was distracted however by a giant wave sweeping it of its talons and knocking it over. It shook its head vigorously once it recovered, screeching in fury at Aqualad, who had used his powers to break open some of the ship's pipes.
Almost immediately after, Kid Flash zoomed around the beast, creating a swirling tornado of dust. As the dust cleared, the focknar was zapped by Cyborg's arm cannon. It reared back in fear for a moment before charging once more.
Cyborg raised his cannon again, but a beeping in his arm stopped him from his next attack. "Damn," he muttered. "Not enough battery."
Thinking quickly, he shined his lights in the monster's face, blinding him temporarily. "He's all yours, Rob," Cy called over to him.
Robin released a barrage of explosive disks, burning through the focknar's skin and causing it to release a call of warning. Its beak swooped down, stabbing the ground where Robin was just a second ago. The Boy Wonder danced around the creature looking for weak spots. He noticed how the focknar had a tendency to rely on it back claw, where its heel should be for balance.
"Speedy," he yelled, "take out its talons!"
Speedy immediately drew out a series of explosive arrows, launching several before they met their target. The focknar wobbled rather comically for a few moments before crashing down. Robin, not hesitating for a second lashed out with his feet, finding all of its pressure points. The other Titans crowded around, finding their own way to help.
The focknar eventually called out a final shriek of defeat before collapsing; its body dissipating as it was taken back into custody.
Speedy glanced up toward the balcony where Trogaar and the girls were, sweat dripping down his brow. "That was it?" he asked, breathing heavily.
"I hope so," Kid Flash commented dryly, "that was a major kill joy on the whole welcoming mood of this place."
"Let's not celebrate just yet," Robin told them, looking around for a particular Gordanian.
"Something botherin' you, man?" Cyborg questioned, noticing his leader's tense behavior.
"Glorthar's missing," he answered, his eyes still searching.
"Yeah, well, who need him?" Beast Boy panted, wiping the blood of a minor scratch off his forehead. "He wasn't too pretty to look at anyway."
"Earthlings," Trogaar called down, surveying them all. "That battle was a farce. It was a mere simulation to determine each of your abilities. Glorthar will rank you as he sees fit. For now, you will be escorted to the warrior chamber."
Guards were suddenly everywhere, prodding them with their weapons and muttering obscurities at them. Personally Robin was glad to be out of the arena. Perhaps they could shower and rest.
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"What the hell?" Speedy complained.
"It is your source of bathing. Hurry. You Earth scum will be expected to dine with Lord Trogaar tonight for the Feast of Ranking. You will be assigned your class as warriors."
Beast Boy chuckled. "Heh-heh. Feast of Ranking."
"You find that amusing?!" one guard snapped, spit flying out of his mouth.
Beast Boy's expression dropped and he let out an "eep" before dashing behind Cyborg.
"Bathe," the same guard barked at all of them. "You will be summoned when the Lord Trogaar of attendance." They then left without another word.
Silence hung in the air like the smell of fish tacos.
"So…" Beast Boy broke in eventually, glancing to the side, "What are we gonna do…?"
"I'm working on it," Robin answered abruptly, his voice coming out harsher than he intended.
"Hey chill bro," Kid Flash started, causing Robin to whip around.
"Chill?! How can we chill when we're trapped inside an alien spacecraft preparing to be trained in an army of a place I've never even been to!" Maybe it was the adrenaline talking, or maybe it was because he was so damn fed up of being podded with weapons, or waiting to see if the rest of his friends were even alive or-
"Robin," Cyborg said sternly. "Calm. Down. I know how you feel. We all do. But-"
"-But acting like a pussy isn't going to help the girls," Speedy finished for him.
Cyborg shook his head at the ginger and then looked at the ground. "Yeah."
Robin's shoulders slumped. He didn't feel like arguing with them. He had more important things to worry about. Like this Feast of Ranking thing, or the girls…or Starfire.
Aqualad filled the silence that came next with his powers. He lifted the water from the bucket in front of him and let it drift over the air, before releasing it and drenching them all.
"Uh…thanks," Beast Boy said, changing into a dog and shaking his coat.
"Well first thing's first," Cyborg spoke up, rubbing a hand over his face. "We get some rest before this festival thing. Then we can actually have the brain cells to think of a plan to get outta this place."
No one objected.
It seemed as though only seconds had passed before Robin was forcefully jerked away awake by the guards. "It is time," they said sternly. Robing rubbed the sleep from his eyes, glancing around at his friends who were also beginning to rise. A uniform was shoved into his hands. It was made in a similar style as his battle costume, except there was a shirt this time.
The Titans dressed and followed the soldiers out with expressionless faces, unsure of what exactly they would find.
The dining hall was enormous. It was just as large as the Tamaranian banquet hall if not larger. "Wow," Speedy muttered glancing around.
Trogaar sat at the head of the table, which wasn't surprising. He gestured to the six empty chairs, a failed attempt at a semi-warm greeting. Robin, Cyborg, and Beast Boy sat on one side, while Speedy, Aqualad, and Kid Flash sat on the other. Various foods were slammed onto the table in front of them. Some were oozing pink pus, some made funny noises.
They were all moving.
"EWWW!" Beast Boy squealed, holding up a lima bean shaped creature that had the consistency of jelly. "You know Starfire's homemade spootflunks sound really good right about now."
"They're called sputflinks," Robin said quietly, more to himself than to anyone.
"EAT," Trogaar rasped, clearly not in the mood for casual conversation. Everyone dug in pretty fast after that.
Beast Boy turned a sicker looking green as he caught Cyborg shoveling in a squid-like animal into his mouth, taking the extra step of squirting in the guts first.
"Bring my harem in."
Aqualad turned to Speedy. "His what?"
The facing Trogaar opened revealing the girls sans Starfire, in their traditional garments, which happened to not leave much to the imagination. Six faces immediately went red.
Beast Boy glanced up and locked eyes with Raven for a moment. Her eyes flashed a demon red for only a second as a warning, and the changeling was suddenly very interested in his food.
The girls lined up on Trogaar's left, all glancing at the floor in anger and humiliation.
"Where's Starfire?" Robin asked, rather angrily, but his only response was a slam on the table.
"The ranking shall begin," Trogaar said loudly, and slammed his fist on the table again for emphasis.
Glorthar entered holding a small portable screen and started to list of the categories form lowest position to highest position. "Troq, Rutha, Gortorg, Haj'r, Qitecc. Who shall be first to receive their rank my Lord?"
"Light of Speed," Trogaar responded, looking rather bored.
"Who me?" Kid Flash made the mistake of piping in.
"SILENCE!" Trogaar roared, froth bubbling along his lips.
"Shutting up."
"Light of Speed is ranked as…Gortorg, my lord."
"Good. He will do well there….I am sure of it," he responded. "Tell me Swift of Change."
Cyborg nudged Beast Boy to let him know that he was referring to him.
"Swift of Change has been placed as Troq."
Cyborg snorted, while Beast Boy made a slight noise of disbelief. Luckily the cybernetic teen kicked his leg as a warning before he said something against his placement.
"Point of Arrow."
"His fate will be decided as Haj'r."
"Tell me Foam of Wave."
"He has been placed as Haj'r as well, my lord."
"Power of Sonic?"
"As Rutha."
"Ha," BB muttered.
Trogaar paused, and for a moment Robin feared that he had heard Beast Boy's stupid comment and was bent on punishing him. He then realized that the commander's eyes were on him. The narrowed slightly, as if he were deep in thought. Robin gazed back, not intimidated in the slightest.
"Tell me…Wing of Bird."
It was Glorthar's turn to pause as he glanced up from the scanner. "My Lord, I am uncertain if-"
"That was an order."
Glorthar's breath hitched slightly before he glanced down at the list again. "He has been ranked as Qitecc."
There was a second of silence. Then it was as if a volcano erupted.
"WHAT?! You ranked an Earthling as-"
"My Lord, please, he has done exceptionally well in battle-"
"Only our most valuable warriors have gone-"
"He is worthless as his species, but as a warrior he could be-"
"You said it yourself! HE. IS. WORTH-"
"But my Lord, the Gem of Okaara has informed me of his value."
All anger vanished from Trogaar's face immediately. "What did you say?"
All of the blood quickly seeped out of Glorthar's face. He had clearly made the worst mistake of his existence. "Forgive me, Lord Trogaar. I did not mean to-"
"You have had access to the Gem? Access is FORBIDDEN!" he screamed.
Glorthar was on his knees now, begging for mercy. "I did not think it harm to-"
"Ze helu gorta Glorthar thra zentu MORG!"
"NO!" Glorthar cried.
Guards were everywhere again, except this time; they did not touch the captives. They surrounded Glorthar. One forced him further on the ground, another held his shoulders, a third raised a glaive to his throat and-
His head came clean off. Bumblebee let out a scream by mistake and was shocked brutally as punishment. Green, bubbling blood was everywhere, staining the carpet and splattering the table in various places. The guards vanished then, leaving the bloodied body.
Trogaar stood calmly, as if he hadn't just executed one of his warriors. He surveyed the male Titans judging each of their horrified faces. Then his eyes landed on Robin.
The Boy Wonder stared back at him, with as much hatred and loathing as one look can possible give. Robin knew that Trogaar had made a note of him, and this theory was confirmed as his eyes narrowed once more.
"The Feast of Ranking is over. Retire to your chambers. Except you, Wing of Bird. You will come with me."
Author's Note: Oh, cliffy! She strikes again! Please Review!