Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who has been reviewing! It really means a lot to me, and it gives me encouragement to update faster! Warning: Semi-crass humor ahead!

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The door to the ship opened to reveal a wall of blinding light. Robin immediately shielded his eyes with his arm, waiting for the light to dim enough so he could actually see three feet in front of him. Even when his eyes did adjust he had to rub them to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

To call the Citadel a palace was an understatement.

Everything was paved in a golden material that was smooth to the touch. The buildings were taller than any skyscraper Robin had ever seen, and they all ended in sharp points that seemed to stab the twinkling sky. The horizon glowed an ominous red color and the streets were crowded with creatures he had never seen before. Most of all it was noisy. Very, very noisy. There was a loud hum that would drive any sane person mad within a few hours. And apparently that is what this place intended to do.

"Do you think that's where we half to fight?" Aqualad said quietly from behind him, pointing out a massive octagonal structure.

"Who knows, but I can't wait to find me the kitchen to this place," Cyborg sighed dreamily, his tongue travelling over his lips hungrily.

"We can think about food later," Robin reminded him sternly. "First we need to figure out where the girls are."

"We're right behind you handsome," Jinx said with an edge of sarcasm in her voice. Once she took in the sight before her however, all signs of unpleasantness were replaced with wonder.

"It may be pretty to look at, but who knows what could be lurking within," Raven warned.

"Jeez, Rae, wait to lighten the mood," Beast Boy muttered.

"She's right Beast Boy," Robin added. "We need to keep are eyes peeled for any suspicious behavior."

"That sounds like a great plan. You guys watch out while I kick some serious butt," Speedy remarked, cracking his knuckles, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

"I'm serious Speedy, we need to-"

"Whatever you say Rob," Kid Flash interjected. "But I can see where Speedy is coming from. I mean how are we supposed to focus with three pairs of double D's popping in our faces…no offense Jinxsy-poo," he added hastily.

"I believe you mean four pairs of the doubled D's friend, Flash."

"Starfire!" Robin wined; completely embarrassed that she would mention something so sexual in front of the boys.

"Wow…Star…looking good," Speedy commented, shooting a finger gun her way.

"I wouldn't say that if I were you," Aqualad whispered loudly in his ear, eyeing Robin's murderous expression.

Speedy snorted. "Big deal," he said loud and obnoxiously. "What's he gonna do sock me?"

"I wouldn't sink to your level but if the occasion called for it, then gladly," Robin replied. Not it was his turn to crack his knuckles.

"Can you two stop comparing sizes, and just get on with it already?!" Bumblebee complained exasperated.

"You tell 'em, that's my girl," Cyborg said chuckling.

Bumblebee however seemed troubled by the nickname.

"Starfire, not that we don't like seeing you-" Robin started.

"Cuz believe me, we do," Speedy finished, smirking.

Robin willed his middle finger to stay in line with the others. "Why are you here anyway? I thought you weren't allowed to have any contact with us whatsoever."

Jinx and Bumblebee silently snickered at the poor Boy Wonder. He had no idea how much contact Trogaar assumed him and Star were getting.

"Well, yes, this is true for the most part," Starfire explained, "However today we are to be meeting the new Grand Ruler of the Citadel, and he wished for me to be present."

"So I suggest you Earthlings get in line," a guard growled from behind them, making several jump. They immediately obliged and slowly, led by Trogaar, were taken to the Capitol Building of the Citadel.

The journey there wasn't entirely pleasant either. Aside from the fact that sharp objects were twisted into his back if a guard didn't think he was moving fast enough, Robin heard several aliens muttering about them. Most of the time he couldn't understand what they were saying, however some spoke in English, clearly to make sure he could comprehend the foul things they were saying.

"Gordanians make up most of their population," Starfire whispered in his ear, casting nervous glances at the guard behind them. "However there are hundreds of species that reside here. That one there is a Psion. They are heartless creatures that are obsessed with experimentation. It was in their labs that my sister and I acquired our starbolts."

Robin raised an eyebrow at this. He had always assumed that Tamaraneans were born with the power to produce energy with their hands. He gave a quick glance at the Psion, noting its hideous scaly green eat-your-brain-type appearance then shuddered, remembering a few horror movies where the monsters looked quite similar. Damn Beast Boy and his disturbed movie selections.

"That one there," she continued, gesturing to a creature that resembled a blob, "is an Adaptoid. They…have a particular hatred for human beings."

"So I gather," he mumbled as the creature spit on the ground inches from his feet.

He glanced forward again and nearly stopped as he recognized an alien. He immediately bent his head toward Starfire's again. "That one there. Is that-?"

"A Thanagarian," she responded, nodding. "There are not very many here. Do you know their species?"

"I've faced them before when I've worked with the Justice League," Robin clarified. He paused. "How many species did you say were here again?"

"Hundreds," she replied. "But they all share a common cause."

"Which is?"

"To destroy the royal line of Tamaran and to ensure that its inhabitants fall into chaos."

"Oh."

"Yes, indeed."

They were silent for a while until Robin spoke up again.

"What about your sister then?"

"Hmm?" she asked softly.

"She helped the Gordanians before. If their cause is to destroy her home planet, why would she…?"

"Power. Something she believes that she cannot achieve with her little sister around."

"Is that why she never seemed to like you?"

"That is part of the reason, although Ryand'r would have been a much better Grand Ruler, than I. I do not know why she did not feel as threatened by him."

"You've never told me much about your brother."

"There is not a lot to tell," she admitted. "At least not that I remember."

A sharp pain twisted in Robin's lower back causing him to grunt in pain.

"If you value your life you will behave," the guard rasped, spraying foam that stuck to his neck. He stood up straighter and kept his eyes forward. However out of the corner of his eye he saw Starfire mouth the words, "my apologies."

As the Titans entered the Capital Building, Trogaar halted the group and gave a signal that drew the guards away from the prisoners. As soon as he did so, everyone let out a sigh of relief.

"Wait here," he instructed. "Koriand'r, come with me."

Starfire's shoulders sagged as she gave a half-hearted wave of good-bye. She then followed Trogaar and the remaining Gordanians through a door, leaving the Titans alone with themselves.

"So…" Beast Boy spoke suddenly, breaking the silence. "Now what?"

As if as to answer, a giant screen popped up before them, its screen fuzzy for a second before a video began to play. The televised set was clearly an earthen product, although Robin was not certain how they had acquired it without notice.

A character appeared in the center of the screen, at first speaking in a language that no one could comprehend, then eventually switching to English. Robin realized that this creature was a Psion, because of the revolting puke colored green bulges weaving around its forehead.

"Greeting's Earthlings," it spoke in a surprisingly clear voice, although its tone was much less than friendly. "You have been summoned to the Citadel under the power of the new Grand Ruler. Your stay here will be permanent, and your termination will be inevitable. That is unless some of you prove to be strong enough to stand alongside the bravest of warriors. Those of you that are weaker will perish almost instantly."

Beast Boy gulped loudly.

"The females of your assembly will serve in the Commanding Lord's harem. Their innocence will be untouched until Sanctor'x is complete. If none of them are selected by the time it has finished, they will serve Lord Trogaar as he wishes. The male members of your group will compete in what is known as Sanctor'x, or the Battle of Blood. And we can assure you there will be plenty of that. Those who move up a rank will be granted one of two things, either a priceless fortune, or a member of the Commanding Lord's harem. However the Gem of Okaara will not be an option of choice. Those who lose frequently will be executed. After Sanctor'x has ended the Council of Morta will select a tribute that will compete in the grandest battle of the whole competition. In previous times the chosen tribute has dueled with the Commanding Lord himself, but this time due to a change in the contestants, there will be a slight rule change. After the Council of Morta has elected a contestant, that tribute will then fight the Gem of Okaara to the death. If the tribute succeeds in dispatching the Gem, he will be granted freedom, and be free to return to his home planet if he chooses. We as a nation of the Citadel will only say this once. Disobey, and you will be destroyed."

The screen fizzed a few times than turned blank, sinking back into the ground a few moments later.

Silence. The silence hung in the air like fog. The tension was so visible that anyone who had just walked in could sense it right away.

Robin's mind was a mess. There had been hope. There still was for the others, but not for Starfire. His only real chance was if some other alien was chosen and set to fight against her, and then maybe, maybe if she won…but even if she did what would happen then? They surely wouldn't let her go, she was much too valuable. She had even set it herself. All of these creatures here had a common goal, and that was to terminate her entire existence.

He needed to speak with her again, privately of course, but how? She was always the one that summoned him, which was quite often. He supposed it got rather lonely being imprisoned in a chamber all the time.

"…And I thought this place was gonna be a barrel of laughs," Kid Flash muttered, breaking the silence.

Beast Boy's shoulders sagged. "I thought I might of had a chance but now…"

"What changes your chances?" Raven asked raising an eyebrow. "You knew it was going to be difficult before."

"Yeah…but you heard that broccoli head. If I lose too many times there gonna-" he slit a finger across his throat to indicate what he meant.

Raven's eyes narrowed. "Stop telling yourself that."

Beast Boy looked mildly surprised, as did everyone else in the room. "W-what?"

"You always put yourself down when you don't need to. You're smart enough to figure out a plan, and you're strong enough to carry through with it. Just look at what happened with the Brotherhood of Evil. What was that? A stroke of luck?"

"Uh…yeah."

"Raven's right, Beast Boy," Robin spoke up, but Cyborg elbowed him.

"Uh, man, it might just be the cheap hair-gel that has seeped too far into your spiky head, but if you haven't noticed their kinda having a moment there….So I'd stay out of it."

A moment? Since when did Beast Boy and Raven of all people, have moments?

The door slid open suddenly, causing Jinx to gasp in surprise. Trogaar and Starfire stepped through alone. Robin wouldn't have been surprised except for the fact that Starfire's face was pale white.

"Star, what's going on?" Had she heard of the new rule, or was it something else that was bothering her?

"The new Grand Ruler wishes to speak with the Earthlings now," Trogaar spoke, his face expressionless.

Robin's previous troubles vanished for the moment, and curiosity and dread took over. Who was this new Grand Ruler, whose orders had changed the Titans' lives forever?

As the Titans were led into the throne room, Robin cast a glance back at Starfire, who remained standing still. She was staring at the ground, her eyes clouded over with an emotion he couldn't identify. Whatever it was, he had never seen her look so lost before.

The golden doors slid shut behind them and a blood red carpet lay before them. The throne room was how Robin had imagined it to be. Obnoxiously, and totally unnecessarily huge. Lighted Torches glowed in every corner of the room, and several stone steps lead up to the center of the room, the Grand Ruler's chair which was currently unoccupied. There was a chair on the right which Trogaar took after he had grouped the Titans together, and there was another chair on the right, which was much smaller and had several restraints on it that resembled chains. Robin assumed it was meant to hold Starfire. A little further up from the Titans was a small group of aliens that wore matching uniforms that were crouched on their knees and seemed to be praying. They were murmuring something over and over that he couldn't quite catch.

There was also a back room behind the chairs, probably one that led to a balcony, in the Capitol Building, for he heard someone talking, and he immediately recognized the voice. His blood ran cold, and he knew Raven, Cyborg, and Beast Boy were feeling the same thing. It all made sense. How could he have not known from the very beginning?

"All…"

The Grand Ruler suddenly entered, adorned in a long thick flowing cape of some black material. Red jewelry covered every inch of the cape as well as the uniform in all of the usual places that most would expect, such as the neck, the wrists and the ankles.

"All hail…"

"Titans, it's been far too long. I hope you enjoy your stay here. I know I will."

"All hail, Komand'r."

Blackfire.

Author's Note: I was way too excited to right this chapter, but what can I say? All of your reviews gave me inspiration! I hope the Grand Ruler thing wasn't too obvious. I also hope I didn't mess up anything major in describing the Citadel. It's probably nothing like how they wrote it in the comics, but I'll make it work. I also used all of the aliens from DC comics, which I DO NOT Own, by the way.

Anyway I hope you like this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it! Please review and I'll try not to be awful with my cliffhangers!