Long Road to Ruin

Decisions, Decisions

"Well … this sucks …" X suddenly chimed within the dark silence of the Tameranian Palace dungeon that I knew was located deep underground since my first not-so-pleasant visit to this very hostile planet landed me here. Yet this time around I was trapped with X and Blackfire (who was now given more to wear beside the scientist cloak she dawned before her capture). I looked down at the thief who had thrown himself to the ground and laid on his back to stare up at the bright light which shone down on us and acted as the holding cell. With his hands clasped over his chest he tilted his head to look up at me, "This would be … what … the third time we've been placed under surveillance? Damn these alien planets don't fuck around do they …"

"You can't count Crisious Prime, that was all a rouse," I sighed and crossed my arms over my chest while I glared at the guards who patrolled the holding-cells, watched every criminal, and listened intently to every conversation. Specifically ours since our cell held the infamous Blackfire, back in black with her light-weight full-body armor on, one hand on her hip while the other inspected her nails to intensify the act of an aloof cat, as if this whole ordeal did not faze her in the least. I suppose it wouldn't, she too like X is a criminal, getting into trouble was like second nature to them, planning ways to get out was the thrill.

From the corner of her eye she caught my gaze and smirked, "Oh, you look upset … did you expect Galfore to come to your rescue?"

I sneered, "No, I'm just surprised he hasn't killed you yet."

"Ooo, someone's touché …"

On the ground X chuckled and nodded his head at Blackfire, "So you've noticed it too huh?"

They both shared a small laugh and I rolled my eyes while I turned my back on them to walk towards the edge of our cell trying to concentrate on being patient. Since our capture at an arena that happened to be one of many the Embarrassments had erected for their sick little sport. The aerial-guards had taken us to Lenphog'Dor, or the Tameranian Palace as I knew it and brought us before the Emperor. The Emperor still being Galfore the gentle-giant that had taken care of both Starfire and Blackfire as children, but upon seeing Blackfire he almost immediately had us thrown out of Tameran. However, upon seeing me and remembering I was one of his favorite little bumgorf's friends he hesitated and instead had us locked down here for some time to think.

That had been three days ago and I was getting tired of standing and sitting on a cold hard floor with this annoying bright light that shone down on us relentlessly. Not to mention the food, bad enough what these Tamerans concerned edible was vomit-worthy, but prison food? Ugh … I don't think I can stomach it for much longer, I know X couldn't, the first day he ate his plate thinking that I was just over exaggerating he ended up hurling all over the floor because the nasty smell and taste overwhelmed his senses. Blackfire had got a kick out of that and couldn't stop laughing for what I assumed was 20 minutes, and I had to admit, even I cracked a smirk of amusement when X turned to glare at me and all I could say was: 'I toldja so.'

That moment had been the highlight of my entire three days of captivity with X and Blackfire … and speaking of Blackfire … I understood why X and I were locked away, but her?

That confused me.

Starfire had already outlawed Blackfire from Tameran and from what I can understand whatever she says goes so … why was the exiled-princess still here?

I figured it was because Galfore still had a soft-spot for little miss 'Queen of the Universe' and so when he heard she had been kidnapped (by X and myself) to be slaughtered as a sacrificial lamb it stirred emotions within him. Cute, but pointless. Blackfire, no matter if it was wrong for someone to sacrifice anyone to anything deserved no mercy. I meant it when I told X she was a conniving, deceiving, backstabbing little bitch that would sooner gouge our eyes out than bend over to help a starving child. Just from reading her aura I knew she was a conceited person at heart … conceited and selfish.

Hmm … wait … isn't X pretty much similar to her at some extent?

Is that what he really meant when we were back on that ship?

When the laughter had died down to silence, I discreetly turned a quarter turn to stare at X through the corner of my eye. He was still on the ground, still staring at the bright light that set his amber eyes alight and gave it a glittery-golden effect. However, it wasn't how pretty his eyes were that caught my attention, it was his aura, I narrowed my eyes and locked in on his signature. I've done it before, I've read his aura in order to determine what type of person he was and I still remember coming to the conclusion that he was a selfish, conceited jerk that had it in his head that he knew everything.

He still had that same aura, he was still a jerk … so what was really his point back on that ship now that I figured everything he said was only to get a raise out of me, and believe me whatever he was planning worked. We made a little agreement I knew he would not forget the moment everything settled down and we were back on Earth and back on our normal routine. I wasn't anticipating it, nor was I anxious about it … I was numb, not that I didn't know what to feel, it was just that I didn't care.

He may go ahead and think it's all such a big deal, but to me, it really wasn't.

Because I knew, I knew for a without-a-doubt fact, that I didn't love him, ergo, anything intimate we shall experience will not mean anything to me. Call me cold, call me heartless, call me a liar, but I know what I know, and I know how I feel. So before X could look to see if I was staring at him I turned away and continued to glare at the guards behind our brightly-lit cage. Blackfire started to pace within the cell, but quietly; I felt her deep concentrate and couldn't help to wonder if she was thinking of a way to escape.

Knowing her, she'd probably had already scoped out which guard was which and pegged the weakest of the bunch. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if the reason why X kept staring at the bright light was because he was trying to figure out if it was the main device which held the entire shield together. Observing them both now gave me the chance to see how the cat and mouse game was played the way the other half saw it and I have to say it was disturbing how casually calm they both were under hostile conditions.

I blinked and again focused on the guards when I sensed a bunch of them headed in our direction, Blackfire saw it too, and so did X despite how distracted they appeared they both suddenly stood at attention when a portion of the shield dropped. One of the guards entered and gestured to Blackfire, he spoke to her in Tameranian and she complied without question, held out her hand and had them strap the same restraining device Starfire was on when Robin discovered her. They then pulled her out of the cell and gestured for me next, I complied, but gritted my teeth when that same neck-strap was looped around my neck and my powers were once again suppressed.

X followed suit, but he merely had his hands cuffed behind his back, lucky.

We were then ushered out of the holding-cells back up to the surface world straight to the throne room. Emperor Galfore apparently made up his mind and was going to dish out his punishment, I merely stood in wait as the larger-than-life doors swung open and we were dragged towards the throne … but Galfore was not the only one standing there.

The Titans were present.

I shot a looked back at X who also noticed, but remained cool-headed if not a little uneasy, especially when Starfire shot into the air and zipped towards us to capture me in a tight, warm, and meaningful embrace, "Oh friend Raven! I am so glad you are safe, well, and undamaged! We, your friends have been stricken with the worries for you since your disappearance!"

She was smothering me, I couldn't breath, "Star … fi … er … can't … breath!"

"Oh!" She exclaimed and released me; I swayed on my feet for a bit as she clasped her hands in front of her and floated a foot off the ground. The same bright and happy-go-lucky smile on her face she always has beaming into my eyes and blinding me with how white her teeth were. I straightened up and fixed myself up while she blushed in embarrassment and quietly apologized, "Terribly sorry Raven, the mere sight of your wellness had made me forget that you do not enjoy physical contact much. Please forgive me."

I rolled my eyes, "Forget about it Starfire, what are you and the others doing here?"

As if the memory of the others suddenly hit her she perked up, "Oh, that's right, well Galfore, after imprisoning you had immediately contact me in hopes that I should help him make a decision based on you having brought my … sister …" she paused to glance warily at the emotionlessly-cold Blackfire who stared her sister down with such a dark look that it froze the room over with her black-ice. Starfire blinked away to smile at me and force her sunny-disposition back on her beautiful face, "back on Tameran."

"So … because I kidnapped her and brought her back I will be held accountable for my actions."

It was getting harder and harder for the sunny princess to hold her bright smile while she said, "Many believe that you and your … companion …" she gave X a questioning look when the memory of where she last saw him struck her. I could see the burning question she wanted to ask about him being with me in her eyes, but for the sake of staying on topic she refrained from asking and continued to fill me in on the technicalities while the other Titans approached, "Have to be punished accordingly for bringing Blackfire back … however, Galfore has taken into consideration that you both have been forced to commit a crime and should therefore be immune to punishment."

I put the pieces together, "But it's not that simple … is it?"

Starfire sighed heavily and floated back to the ground while she looked away from me and began to rub her right arm, "If Galfore does not comply with the people's choice he will be seen as weak and his actions seen as treasonous, more than likely there will be an uproar and many will come to challenge Galfore for the crown."

"Then let me serve my time, what's the punishment for bringing Blackfire back into Tameran?"

"Oh … Raven …" she looked down at me with her bright green eyes and told me the truth, "The punishment is Death."

Blackfire chuckled and Starfire shot her a defeated look while other's on my team, especially Robin and Cyborg, glared at her with such outrage they looked ready to throttle her when she said, "Oh, isn't this hilarious … I guess you should have given me to Strongheart after all," she looked at me with those conceited lavender eyes and condescendingly chuckled again, "You would have fought in the arena for the next twenty-four days, but at least then you would have a chance to live. Why, you could have even won your freedom … heh-heh."

Suddenly, Beast Boy, who was actually no longer a boy per-say snarled and cut in, "That isn't fair! Raven wouldn't do this on purpose! She was forced! Why does she have to die if all that's going to happen is Blackfire is going to be set loose again?!"

Terra placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and tried to sooth his beast within, I knew it was futile. No matter how loving or kind a gesture from her may be, it would take more than that to focus Beast Boy, "BB, come on, shouting isn't helping."

He was too mad for empty words of comfort to calm him down, I could feel it, the animal within him was enraged, he felt like tearing everything apart in anger the longer he stared at me and the guards around me. His breathing was becoming heavy and labored as the frustration built up and his canines sharpened, I frowned, The idiot … without shouting, but laced with warning and command I said, "Beast Boy … don't."

He stared at me with slightly hazed green eyes, but the longer I held his gaze the more he settled down until he huffed and diverted his eyes away from me to stare at the ground with nothing more than a pout. I don't know what it was about Beast Boy and me … we had a very strange relationship, even though he was with Terra and I could feel how much he loved her, he still looked to me for support and comfort. I was like a sister to him I suppose, but that wouldn't be the right word to describe it. It was akin to family, he cared strongly about me, but I just saw him as another close teammate.

I held my glare till I was sure he wouldn't do anything rash, and then blinked as looked up at Starfire. Might as well cut to the chase and rip the bandage off rather than peel at it, "Starfire, there has to be an ultimatum if you were brought here to help in the decisions."

She tightened her grip on her arm and refused to look at me, but instead stared intently at the ground much like Beast Boy was doing. I scowled; As if the ground has answers … I called to her attention, "Starfire!"

She blinked and looked down at me, but not even for a second could she hold my gaze and she look away again to stare helplessly up at Galfore. The gentle-giant sighed heavily and stepped up to make his presence known, "Please understand Earthling that this is a very difficult and delicate decision we must make with extra special precautions."

"Extra special precautions my ass …" I blinked and looked back at X along with everyone else when he finally spoke up to announce his existence. With his hands still cuffed behind his back he shrugged at everyone and nonchalantly said, "You're the government, you can do anything, lock Raven and I in prison for life then sneak us out the back door when no one is looking and zoom back to Earth. Set that chick over there free or whatever is the deal with her and no one gets hurt."

Galfore sneered and marched up to X, his size was nothing to joke about, but X never backed down when the giant emperor got in his face and snarled, "Do you dare impugn my honor by suggesting I lie to my people you little maggot?"

"Hey, it's not your life that's on the line here big-guy, only your title and that's something anyone in my position wouldn't give two shits and fuck about. So blow me."

Whether or not Galfore understood anything of what X had just said as being an insult was nothing compared to the honest shock and disbelief I shared with my friends and Blackfire at X's sheer bravery … or stupidity. Either which had us all waiting anxiously for Galfore's response, Starfire floated off the ground in preparation to stop whatever violent act would take place for she herself knew her 'nanny' wasn't exactly the nicest of guys. That much can already be deduced with the scar on his face and all along the rest of his body. He's seen a lot, been through hell, and sacrificed so much throughout his life. He didn't have to stand here listening to X mouth-off or Beast Boy's plea for my life … he was doing this as a courtesy to his bumgorf, Starfire.

I wouldn't be surprised if she was the only reason why he hadn't slaughtered X on the spot for insulting him. A slow, agonizing, silent minute ticked by without a word from either X or Galfore, Starfire hovered to her caretaker and placed a tiny hand on his massive shoulder, she softly whispered his name, "Galfore … let us not be rash please."

Like magic, Galfore released the tension in his shoulders to sigh heavily once more as he turned to Starfire and cupped her chin in one of his massive hands, "I am terribly sorry for upsetting you my little bumgorf …"

Starfire smiled sweetly and hugged him, "Apologies are unnecessary."

They pulled away and Galfore took a deep breath, straightened up, and looked down at me, then shot an annoyed look at X who tilted his head and waited impatiently for the verdict I knew Galfore was about to give. He addressed the guards, "The human is right … release them."

Starfire gasped softly, "But, Galfore …"

He held up a hand to stop her, "Life is far more precious than a title … if anyone is to challenge me, than so be it, but I will be at peace knowing I have not sentence two innocent lives to Death."

I massaged my neck as the device fell off and my powers were once again free to circulate through out my veins. I stepped away from the guards to stare at X and watched as he massaged his wrists then looked around as if looking for a way out, but then ended up looking right at me … or was it pass me? I arched a brow in question, he ignored me, so I looked back at Blackfire to find her staring at him, I didn't have to look back at X to know they were actually staring at one another, I frowned, What are they thinking …? My eyes then shifted to Robin and because of his mask I did not know if he was looking at me, or at X. The air in the room despite how warm and loving it felt with Starfire and Galfore's bonding-moment had a dark, tense undertone with me trapped in the center of it all.

Something bad was about to happen, and not knowing what was driving me crazy.

I blinked, momentarily distracted when Cyborg placed a large metal yet gentle hand on my shoulder, I looked up at his smiling face as he winked and held a thumbs-up, "Good to have ya back girl."

"No kidding," Beast Boy chuckled with his usual goofy grin, but I could see the genuine relief in his eyes about me being set free, "but the next time you plan to go on an adventure by yourself think you can at least give us a little warning?"

I didn't respond to him or to Cyborg or to any of their show of affection, my attention was elsewhere, through the corner of my eyes I noticed X bravely approach us. He maneuvered around Cyborg and stood before me and held out his hand for a handshake, I stared at him long and hard as he smiled a smile that never reached his eyes, which meant he was acting, "Hey, um, thanks for keeping me alive the entire time we've been on this planet, I'll be the first to say that I truly appreciate what you Titans do for us average-folk."

I knew what he was doing, so as I raised my hand to play along, our stage was interrupted when Blackfire scoffed, "Average-folk is putting it lightly don't you think? I mean the Embarrassments only choose those of exceptional skills to kick off their barbaric tournament, picking a weak Earthling pretty much goes against their rules."

I glared at her while her lavender eyes stared spitefully at me for she knew what we were trying to do, but why she would instigate was another question altogether. I shrugged it off to be just another Blackfire moment, always having to get in the middle of everything and stir things up just because she can. I mean, X does the same thing, and since they were both pretty similar it came as no surprise to me she'd want to make my life a living hell because hers wasn't exactly a piece of cake. Childish, very childish.

However, lucky for us, X and I both knew how to cover our tracks well enough to be considered scary. X rubbed the back of his head and chuckled nervously, "Yeah … well … I know enough martial arts to show-off, but Raven actually knew how to fight and win."

It was then, with an arched brow, Cyborg chimed in, "Tournament? What tournament?"

I sighed heavily and rubbed the bridge of my nose to keep a headache at bay, "Long story short, it's got something to do with the outlaws of this world verses the royal family."

"Yeah," X cut in to fill in the blanks, but he kept it short and simple, "that's why we had to kidnap, um … uh …" he paused to pretend to search for Blackfire's name in his memory bank by snapping his fingers at me for a little help, "What's her name again?"

"Blackfire." I responded drily.

He went on, "Blackfire! Right, well that's why we had to kidnap Blackfire and bring her back here; the outlaw's leader forced us to do it as well as forced us to fight others to the death."

Galfore stepped in, "Did you happen to catch this leader's name?"

X blinked up at him, then glanced at me for help again, I again answered drily, "Strongheart … his name was Strongheart."

Galfore scoffed, "Oh that's not the leader … that's just his pesky little boy."

X again chuckled nervously, "Pesky wouldn't exactly be the word I'd describe that bastard as."

Starfire nodded in agreement, "The Kuriphim'gar are not the most pleasant group of individuals to be around, but they are most certainly not one to be trifled with either. I have lost many a family member to their cruelty."

"Sorry to hear that."

"Please, no apologies are necessary; events of the past do not matter with events of the future." Her bright, beautiful smile returned once again while she clasped her hands in front of her and over her heart, she levitated in the air and hovered near X, "I am most pleased to know that you are undamaged and hope that you do not harbor ill-feelings towards my home planet for I assure you there are much more to see in sites!"

X arched a confused brow, "Uh … I think you mean: sites to see."

She giggled, "Yes! Exactly!"

He returned her smile with a handsome one of his own, but now bored with all the fake fuzzies going around I turned away from the scene to notice Blackfire was being taken away, probably back to her holding-cell. I couldn't help to frown when I saw her glance back and for a moment my heart connected with hers and my empathetic powers helped me feel a twinge of loneliness and sadness hidden deep within her black heart. A heart that quickly closed up when she noticed my staring and she in turn sneered at me with that familiar condescending scowl on her beautiful face.

She jerked her head to the side in order to help flip her dark purple-tinted hair over her shoulder to cascade down her back and that would be the last I would see of Blackfire the exiled-princess with a bad-attitude front.

"You know martial arts?" I swung my head back around to the group when I heard Robin speak up, the question obviously directed at X.

X in turn answered with a small shrug, "Yeah, a little of this, a little of that, just enough to show off like I said, I wouldn't know how to put it to good use, sad to say."

Robin arched a brow, "From what I gather these … um …"

Starfire helped, "Kuriphim'gar."

"Yeah … those guys aren't exactly pushovers; you must have known quite a bit to stay alive."

X chuckled modestly, but I can see his arrogance shining through as bright as a thousand-suns when he looked at me and said, "I knew enough … it was your friend that continuously saved my neck. She even knew how to pilot one of these alien ships! She was amazing!"

I sneered, Laying it on a little thick X … Robin looked to me for confirmation and I twirled my finger in the air while saying monotonously, "Go me."

Robin stared at me for a little bit, before he turned to X and nodded, "Well, whether Raven saved you or not I'd like for you to show us what you got, you might actually have some real talent in you."

"Flattered, but I gotta tell ya man, I'm not exactly looking for a new job, I mean it was fun while it lasted but on a daily basis? No thanks, not for me." X again chuckled modestly as he rubbed the back of his head and again glanced around the palace, "So … when are we leaving?"

The magic words that set everything into motion, Starfire said goodbye to her nanny, and Robin lead the way back to the T-ship and on the way Cyborg, Beast Boy, Terra, and Starfire all began to ask X all kinds of questions, including his name. He told them it was some fake name like Dodger Drayton and he became fast friends with the four of them chatting up a storm as if he hadn't have gone through such a life-changing ordeal. Surviving on alien terrain wasn't exactly an event in one's life – unless they were a certified Titan – that any normal human-being would easily forget. I found it strange that X can take it all in stride without freaking out in the end, after all, he may be the world's slickest thief next to Catwoman (but that's just me being nice to compare to someone as conniving as her), but that was only on Earth.

I finally just chalked it up to be X's cocky personality shielding him from the shell-shock that'll come to him when he finally gets a good nights rest. I, myself felt eerily calm despite how close and friendly my most dangerous secret was being with the rest of my friends. Flirting with the razor's edge had never held a truer and literal meaning than now when X gave equal attention to both the smitten Terra and Starfire who found him oh-so charming. Neither Beast Boy nor Robin (much to my honest surprise) seemed to notice X was flirting with them, giving them that nice-guy routine no good-girl could resist.

It was interesting to watch, but embarrassing to know that Terra and Starfire could be easily swayed by a nice smile and fake modesty. In a way, X just basically proved everything that I've figured these girls to be, idealist and romantic, rejecting if not totally denying all of reality. It made me sigh tiredly and earn me Cyborg's attention; he had been walking beside me on the way to the T-ship and suddenly spoke up, "You look like you haven't slept in weeks."

I scoffed, "You try sleeping at all when you've spent most of your off-world visits in confinement. It's not fun, nor funny."

He smacked a hand to my back with enough force to push me forward, but since I've become accustom to his metallic body and brotherly affection since the beginning of our team. I wasn't complaining, especially when he smiled at me and winked, "Cheer up girl, we'll be back home in no time, then you can sleep all you want."

"I can hardly contain my joy."

He chuckled at my dry sarcasm and walked up ahead of me to be the first to start up the newly revamped T-ship with the same orange and black colors (I'll never in all my years understand why it had to be orange and black while our tower was yellow and black). The revamp was necessary when it had become clear Terra was here to stay and our off-world assignments had become quite frequent since Earth had been venturing further into space. Needless to say the term 'illegal-alien' just earned itself a whole new meaning since intergalactic crimes have been on the rise … I was only slightly surprised X hadn't yet jumped on the bandwagon.

However, after this ordeal I'm pretty sure he would be looking into it.

Career criminals never pass up new opportunities to piss the government off.

The thief had been loaded into the ship in the passenger cargo-haul while I levitated up to my position flanking the left wing to take control of the defensive systems. X may have thought I had considerable piloting-skills (however I think he was bullshitting that whole speech), but in all honesty that was Robin and Cyborg's specialty. I was just a fast learner. I was the one who knew enough to get by, improvising was my specialty. And apparently I was so good at it I actually got X and I out of Tameran alive … but then again, that could also be credited to pure, sheer, utter dumb luck.

X believed in luck, he'd take that idea to heart.

I didn't believe in luck, I hardly believe in anything … so I don't take anything to heart.

--

Disclaimer: Don't own the Teen Titans, don't won the Tameran or the Tameranians, Toriand'r is my name given to Blackfire even though her name is different, but this is my story so :P, Strongheart is mine also and besides that that's it! Everything else DC owns …

A/N: Again, straightforward, the next chapter will be far more interesting though, so until then …

L8er daez!