The star wielder widened her arms, letting the currents of space twirl her, through space guiding her down the speckled path she had dreamt of since her departure. The light of the stars clapped for return of their long-lost princess, igniting the way to Tamaran. She lied upon the debts of the universe, her body vertical to defy the strengthening gravity. Their sparking flutter dwindled as a pink light—a light that bowed under the suppression of the inky blackness-in the far distance drew nearer. Rounding the Northern Clusters of Vatigo, the blessed glow of rose unfolded her petals to reveal a shimmering planet, graced with the presence of three Suns, their light fading from brilliance. With a sounding swoop of flight, she drew nearer. Her planet rejoiced in her presence, ready to hold its princess once more; however, she slowed in her pace to a graceful rest. With silence, she hovered in the stillness of space, confusion-tapped. She had dreamt of this moment for seven years: seeing her planet and the rosy-like glow it radiated. She practiced this moment even. She expected tears fall and worried when they did not—instead, she spun back to her trail, wishing desperately to see the faces of her beloved friends.
She shook her head, eyes widened, and turned back to the pink. The colors danced ever so vividly upon the golden belt that her best friend—no, the boy she loved so dearly—fastened around her waist as she grasped it tightly for comfort. She found her mind stirring around her earthen family. The voice of friend Beast Boy spawned into her thoughts, spurring her to giggle at the joke it told. Next, Raven slandered him, backed up by Cyborg. Robin? His voice had always been and always will be dancing inside her mind. From the kiss five years ago, she knew his every pronunciation, every tone and how he used it. She smiled in memory of her beloved friends, praying for their well-being. With a sudden jolt, she whirled back to her planet in confusion…confliction as well. 'What is 'the matter' with me? This is my home, is it not?'
Upon another glance, her mind flashed seven years prior, her desperately looking to the planet from a foreign spaceship, smashing her bonded fists upon the window and screaming and crying for her father and mother. Her mind shot to her kidnapping and she shut her eyes violently.
(Translated)
"Mommy! Please do not let me go!" Koriand'r fastened around her mother who sobbed, running with her daughter in her arms. She clenched onto the back of her mother's dress desperately as tears streamed from her eyes that she tried so hard to clench.
"Shhh…I have you, princess! Please do not cry!" She rounded the hall, jumped over the shattered glass, lashed back to check her trial, darted through the slashed tapestries, its condition breaking her heart, and dove for the remaining portal exit. The outside world hit the pair fast, revealing fallen bodies scattered throughout the courtyard. Koriand'r gasped violently.
"Sweetheart! Close your eyes! Sing." The little girl clenched her eyes shut and grasped onto her mother' shoulder tight, feeling the race of her thumping heartbeats, her furious strides, and the aura of terror that conquered Tamaran. She suddenly felt her mother dive once more, opening her eyes to themselves clamped in a tight area shrouded in darkness—the perfect hiding spot where Blackfire and her would play as small children, now it was tainted with blood, fear, and two quivering Tamaraneans. Her mother held her daughter close, cradling her on her lap, checking left and right violently. The girl wept and wept, the gentle hand of her mother caressing her child's poor cheeks.
"Mommy," she hushed her voice. "Mommy, I'm scared."
"Shhh," she comforted her precious daughter, "Shhh. Please do not cry, sweetheart."
"M-Mommy?" The girl flickered her glossy green eyes up to her mother, "C-Can you sing for me?"
In the stillness of hell, the most beautiful voice, hushed and calming, sounded from her mother's lips.
"Forget the times we fought another.
Repeat the days we cherished.
Find what is true even in the dark.
Relive the sight, oh, let it be our wish."
"Sing with me sweetheart."
Their voiced chimed together, bringing harmony to the hell they hid from.
"You are the light to me, you must spread it for me now.
Do not let it fade, hold it tight, be the key to light.
Hush my little light you are safe.
The morning will rise to end the night
Let it come up on the sky for us.
The stars, the light, it blankets you
Oh sleep sound my child.
Do not cry.
Light up the world with your smile.
Forget the times we fought another
Repeat the days we've weathered
My heart, your heart will be strong
My heart, your heart, will stay together."
"GAL'C TE DUMERU!" A fist launched into the cavern and clenched the red hair of the child, yanking her into the exposed air, her back licking the jagged stones of the courtyard. The alien gripped the princess around her chest, swinging her into the air violently. Her arms lunged out in despair, kicking and shrieking, "MOMMY!"
Suddenly a woman of a tattered gown launched herself from the crack in the wall, striking her fists against the alien, knocking him down. The princess tumbled to the ground, hitting her head upon the pavement.
"DO NOT TOUCH MY DAUGHTER" She thrusted her fists to its gut and broke into a flight to retrieve her daughter. Suddenly, a massive force hit the woman airborne, pinned her to the ground, and whipped out a dagger. The child, screaming, was reaped back into a bind where she struggled furiously, crying for her mother! "PLEASE! PLEASE DO NOT HURT HER!"
The woman's eyes widened, fear manipulating the formation of her irises, as she looked up at her blood-lusted killer, her eyes then sinking to her daughter in defeat. "Sweetheart," she hiccupped, "Close your eyes and sing."
A tear rolled and Starfire flashed open her glossy gaze. A voice sang into the arms of the universe:
"You are the light to me, you must spread it for me now.
Do not let it fade, hold it tight, be the key to light.
Hush my little light you are safe.
The morning will rise to end the night
Let it come up on the sky for us.
The stars, the light, it blankets you
Oh sleep sound my child.
Do not cry.
Light up the world with your smile.
Forget the times we fought another
Repeat the days we've weathered
My heart, your heart will be strong
My heart, your heart, will stay together."
She stopped, letting the memory of her mother soak and carry her away—this time, she was strong enough to see it—to relive it in her memories. Her mother's smile, her face, her hair, her eyes, her voice spawned into the vision of the beloved princess. She smiled deeply in reverence and let it captivate her memory—the waves taking her back to her childhood. How loving, sacrificial, brave, and strong her mother was. Now it was time for her to be the heroine. Her eyes fluttered down and gazed upon her beloved home planet.
…It was quiet… oh so quiet…
With a sudden withdraw of breath, the universe sang back to her. In reverence, she shot down into the arms of the pink glow, twirling in flight with the spawning of new formed joy.
A prince—no, simply a boy—dashed down the narrow hallway, leaped over furniture, carelessly knocking down florescent lights and shattering gifts and statues, whirled around corners, ran over servants, dodged stone pillars, took flight, and soared into the Western Wing, a large, over-joyed smile thriving upon his face. 'She is home, She is home, She is home!'
Stars shot alongside her, flooding in to the heavens to escort their long-lost princess. Her world opened her arms out to her and she wished to the hit ground with full-force to soak in the seven years that she had missed! The pink ground visible, the cliffs of Tur'o definable, and her kingdom she could trace, her speed accelerated…
Five… Four… Three…Two…
..'X'hal'…
A face—a face handsome, strong, and familiar—slowed her down. She found her rush of wind die and soon, her feet kissed the concrete of the western winged gates of her childhood palace ever so gently, her eyes locked on him—a tear fell. The view was magnificent, overlooking the Tamaranean world abundant with sunset-like hillsides, rosy sky and clouds, and plains of barren fields with the various towers towering above, but she didn't notice-her gaze still glossed upon the boy. Suddenly, her palm cupped her mouth and a waves of tears leaked from her drowned-out eyes. Stalemate they stood, staring at another—the changes, the height, the beauty, the maturity. He stood, breaking stillness. He was very tall, slim, but muscular to her disbelief. His hands, covered with the traditional lilac gloves, and his feet, strapped in purple military boots sashed with golden crests, were of adult size. His red hair was still the same and she giggled softly: it spun with defiance and unruliness down to his slim shoulders. His face—oh his precious face of a child-like expression—still remained the same, summoning another wave of tears to fall in relief. "Wildfire?"
"Starfire?" He chimed back in her language dearly, a tear rolling down his cheek in remembrance of his beloved sister, the image of her child-like form swishing away to reveal the girl who stood before him now. He beamed brightly, choking up emotions he had abandoned long ago. Go! The galaxy shouted to him. "Starfire!" His eyes, his smile, his expression, grew, lighting up the skies, the world, his world, her world, and all of Tamaran as he rushed to embrace his beloved sister.
With time elapsing into steady heartbeats…interruption, solemn as can be. A mass of men triumphed over the gates and flooded the long-span of balcony. Caught in the clash of their reunion and hurdling men, the two siblings suddenly flung and whirled themselves back to back and into fighter positions: Starfire blasting two disks of starlight into her fists; Wildfire spinning forth a double-edged sword. Hit with rush of cries and marching, the infantry engulfed them, their personal eye of the storm invaded by their own men, pushing and pulling the two from each other who latched onto another desperately.
"Starfire! Star—don't let go!"
"Wildfire!" Arms launched around the girl, lassoing her back, while others held the younger boy back from defending her. Arms and bodies poured in between the two, creating a vast ocean of separation between. Fear, protectiveness, and confusion revolted inside, wrenching at the girl, screaming at her to blast starbolts! She held back with the greatest strain of control, the powers gnawing at her insides. She knew if she hurt a Tamaranean, it would be all over.
"Please! Unhand me!"
"Men!" Wildfire barked, the men pushing him to frontier of the swarm. "What are you doing?!"
Suddenly, a man emerged into the crowd, saddened, waving his hand in the air, "Men, I tell you! Do not harm the princess! Take her to the military base!" His voice echoed into the valley encouraging his men, some broken hearted, some wrathful, to push their princess further into the distance. Starfire struggled furiously under the pile of arms that still held her to her breaking point. She screamed and kicked violently, seeing the kingdoms of Earth and Tamaran begin to crumble.
Her expression launched Wildfire into a flight to suddenly see two purple spears unfold forward right before him. A gilded hand of General Kro'ka's placed itself on his shoulder. He lashed back, angry… confused, "Release my sister at once!"
"My greatest apologies, my Prince. Your father has commanded that she'd be taken to the military base for protection!"
"My father?"
"Yes, the Grand Ruler."
He looked back to his sister and drew forth his sword, his eyes locking back onto Kro'ka's with nobility and determination, "Let me join her!"
"I am afraid I cannot suspend my greatest warrior, my Prince." He paused, succeeding to hide the massive amount of sorrow, regret, and pain he clenched within. "I promise to protect her with all my might, Prince Wildfire. For she is Tamaran's future and we cannot afford to lose her."
The young boy whipped around back to his sister, her eyes beating with the expression of fear and confusion, her being lifted into a cloud of Tamaraneans. It broke his heart—shattering the image of his joyful sister that he had dreamed of seeing ever since his departure from the planet during the Gordanian attack. Starfire struggled and tried to fight back, shoving her shoulders left, right, to, and fro, kicking and yelling for her freedom, and biting the raw air. An image flashed and consumed her surroundings: her kingdom up in smoke. "Please no! Please release me!"
The eyes of the siblings locked together once more pushing and pulling waves of emotions, until it finally broke, the prince allowing his sister to be carried away. He pivoted to the General for comfort, "She will… She will be safe, correct?"
"The military base consists of the strongest metallic foundation within our universe, My Prince. I can confidently ensure you of her safety"
He took a deep breath filled with pain… but acceptance—for his General was right. He looked to the ground in remembrance of his departure. "When the Gordanians attack, I was sent out into the universe to preserve my kingdom's line. Perhaps, it is her turn to be protected."
He gazed back to his sister, his expression most relieved, his smile gesturing peace to her. However, her expression did not return satisfaction—instead of the grin of her precious little brother, she witnessed flashing images of the crumbled kingdoms of Earth and Tamaran, dying in smoke, the people dead, the towers destroyed.
"I must speak with my father at once."
"I am afraid the Grand Ruler is not taking visitors due to our rising war, I suggest that you resume training in your personal quarters." The General fastened his grip on his Prince, turning the boy from his sister to look at him, trusting his mask he put up to hide the deceit. "Go in peace. I believe your training has not been completed for the day's being. After, you shall need your rest. We expect great things from you, oh Prince Wildfire."
He hesitated for a moment—he pushing and pulling himself. He took a deep breath and with a bow, the prince exited with a broken heart and prayed on behalf of his sister.
The boy stirred violently, quaking in his sleep, shouting her name and flailing his arms to and fro. The nightmare suddenly swept away, loud voices shouting through his headphones.
"Robin! It's me, Raven! Robin, wake up!" Suddenly the boy launched forward from his slumber, gasping for breaths.
"Dude… Are you okay?"
"Birdie, come on!"
He breathed deeply, pacifying his raging heartbeats. He clutched his head for an escape, his mouth unhinging to seethe and silence his team, "I-It was just a nightmare! Only a nightmare!"
"Robin, your dream images were rioting!" Raven called, "I'm not sure if that was just a-"
"She's okay guys! I know she is!" Robin barked, shaking his head, denying the fact that she could be in trouble. He then lowered the volume of his voice to appease the tension in the ship. "We just need to get to Tamaran."
Suddenly a giant shadow eclipsed and consumed the ship in utter darkness. The Titans whipped around to stare in awe of the giant ship breeching from the ocean of hovering space dust.
Beast Boy gulped, his mouth quivering, unhinged in disbelief, "I-Is that… is that the UFE?"
Robin furrowed his brows, his emotions traceless. "Titans! Take control of your positions! We're following behind them! Cyborg! How strong is our cloak?"
"Strong enough to hide the ship! Enough to take a few blows."
"We won't settle for one!" Robin dashed to his control keys, slamming the keyboard violently, activating mechanism and controls, then yanked his headset closer, "Titans! We're going in!"
With the shut of the grand doors, Kro'ka shook his head, expelling repentance that crept on the outskirts of his heart. With a pulse, hatred and compassion snapped him into a free fall, tearing away the general in Kro'ka. With a snarl, he bit at the air, swung his fists across the span, and re-filled his hatred burning for humans flesh. He let it consume him—the same hatred that stole in sleep in the night…. and imprisoned his princess. Swallowing his lip, he retook his defiant stance, reaped back his grim furrow. With a deep breath, he re-claimed his stance and called a soldier into his presence.
"Squire, bring word to the Grand Ruler of the princess's arrival. Inform him of human-inflicted wounds piercing her body. Add that she was sent to be hospitalized upon the far side of the planet… No visitors."
"…N-No… S-sir… I… I cannot."
"WELL FIND SOMEONE WHO CAN!"
Author's Note: This chapter was very hard for me to write: I tried to put myself in Starfire's position, not seeing my beloved brother (who I have in real life) for seven years and being forcefully torn from him seconds later by my own friends and family-after that image, I was brokenhearted myself. Also, the song in this chapter is to the tune of a beautiful song called Xion's Theme (a melody belonging the Kingdom Hearts game series). Also, I wanted to add a significance to the chapter title, contrasting to the chapter with her encounter with Superman, 'Grace in Betrayal.' In that chapter, there was grace and compassion on the side that was programed to betray her. In this chapter, she was betrayed by the side that was supposed to hold grace for her, thier princess. Anyway, thank you for reading and for any form of critism. It really helps and has helped me to improve on my writing! I am so grateful for that! Okay, well Happy New Year!
Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans, Xion's Theme, or Kingdom Hearts.