Hello fan-fics readers! I have another chapter for you all to enjoy. This is ch 14. I do believe it might be about half-way through at this point but i can ramble sometimes... so to be honest I don't know when this story will be done. Sorry about that! Enough about me, hope you enjoy and leave a short review if you want. :) :) :) nekotenshi-hime
Chapter 14: Request of an Emperor
The Titans had a restless night. It was difficult to sleep when all you can think about is the threat of your friend getting banished to a faraway planet and you may never see her again. Breakfast was quieter than normal. Beast boy and Cyborg were not fighting over the menu. Robin was not listening to loud music to drown out all the yelling. Raven was not trying to ignore everyone by reading a book. Starfire and Terra worked together to fix breakfast and no one complained about the strange foods.
After breakfast the friends gathered outside their home wondering what to do next. It was too early to go the canyon but no one could get rid of the idea of something hanging over them.
"Friends perhaps we could journey to the place of sand and salt water to have some, fun? It would help the passage of time and we could forget the overwhelming sadness. Is this a good idea?" Beast boy smiled and Cyborg smacked Robin on the back. Terra was about to say "yes" but she remembered a little detail Starfire forgot.
"Uh… Star I don't think you realize that water is probably cold as ice and by the time everyone gets ready we have to bolt to the canyon to meet up with Blackfire."
"I think Terra has a point," Raven said. "On the other hand just because we have a deadline does not mean we have put off the beach trip. We can go after we get back; you know all of us together." Raven's unspoken thought hung in the air. The thought of Blackfire not coming back with us was too unbearable to think about. Unconsciously, no one wanted to believe that the man who raised Starfire and Blackfire would be so heartless to not let her come home. How could he banish Blackfire especially after all the good she had done?
"Listen guys you need to hear this," Robin said seeing the forlorn looks. "Wondering if Blackfire will come home, or get exiled, or if Terra will get her memory back, when Slade and his insane brainwashed puppet-gryphon girl will rear their crazy heads; is only going to drive us crazy. So here's what we'll do. I'll treat for ice-cream, go for a walk in the park, and then wear something nice but durable in case things get messy, so we can support our friend. That sounds good to you?" At first none of his friends look him in the eye. Starfire peaked up at her crush with a reassuring grin, and gave a smile of her own. Beast boy chuckled and Raven gave a tiny smile. Cyborg said, "You know a double chocolate fudge peanut-butter sundae sounds delicious right now."
"I would not mind a banana split," Raven said. All the way to the ice-cream shop they listed off the different flavors they wanted to try. Robin had the right idea to get ice-cream. Many brain freezes and a comforting stroll through the park later, they returned home to get dressed with about an hour to spare. Starfire considered her evening gown from the disastrous dinner the night before. Turns out Raven and Cyborg had the same idea. The pair came out holding their evening wear all they could do, was sigh. Terra thought maybe going in traditional clothes might be best.
They decided comfort was the best policy so they dressed in their usual outfits, except for Terra. She wore a light green blouse and with cinnamon brown jeans and tennis shoes. Beast boy insisted on sitting next to her in the T-sub which brought up another problem. Where would everyone sit- the T-sub holds 5 people and there are six.
"I shall do the sitting out. I will travel with my sister to our homeland. It is the right thing yes?"
"That's all well and good Starfire but it could hurt your image showing up with your sister. What will you do if your people think you are betraying them by riding with Blackfire?"
"Cyborg has a point, so maybe I should go," Raven suggested. The others shook their heads while ideas floated around. The boys went back to playing games, Raven skimmed through her Hunger Games book not paying attention, and Starfire played with her hair. Terra was staring out the window when the answer hit her.
"Listen up everybody! I have the answer to our problem."
"What is it Terra", Beast boy said holding his game controller. "If you are all concerned with a particular image then let me ride with Blackfire. Besides I already think of her as my good friend and it'll better than letting her go alone."
"Terra how exactly does you riding with Blackfire solve our problem?" Cyborg asked.
"It's simple the Titans go together. This shows that you are united. Starfire supports her and not demanding she be, like executed. Starfire's people don't know anything about me. They have no previous notions to be suspicious when it comes to me and how I'm related to Blackfire. If anything they'll be curious. I believe this is the best option."
Terra waited for someone to rebuke her argument. Robin opened his mouth to say something when he looked at the clock hanging over the kitchen sink. "Uh guys? We got to go! It's almost 12 right now!" The Titans then scrambled in a rush to get out the door and then realized with any luck they would all be coming home, so why did they need to run all over the place when they had everything they needed?
The Titans made it to the canyon with a few minutes to spare. A glare from the ship's glossy windows blinded them. Four Tamaran guards stood watch over Blackfire. Starfire had to hold her tongue to keep from screaming. Why do my people continue to hold her as if she is a criminal? Beast boy and Terra were not far behind in their thoughts either. Raven wished the whole ordeal could be over and done. Robin and Cyborg just wanted to be prepared in case those thugs became hostile.
"We have noticed your vessel seems quite compacted. Which of your companions will volunteer to accompany the banished traitor to our home planet?" The Captain was surprised when the human girl stepped forward not one of the heroes or even her own sister. Terra put on a brave face and climbed inside her left brushing Blackfire's side because of the shackles. Robin was surprised to see Blackfire in the same outfit Star had when they first met.
"I have ensured the draining effect of our prisoner's shackles will not diminish. It is for everyone's safety the exile remains in these power-absorbing cuffs until after the emperor decides her fate." Terra gave a brave smile before disappearing into the darken hull of the alien space craft. For a brief moment her friends waved before jumping into position to launch the T-sub from Titans Tower.
As if to add insult to injury, one of the guards held up his hand on the back of Blackfire's neck. Starfire's eyes glowed poisonous green in her anger. Raven's eyes turned red and Beast boy's eyes went black. Robin punched a nearby rock and Cyborg crumbles the chunk that falls off in his hand. Blackfire gasped from the shock and fell to her knees tears leaking down her cheeks. One guard mutters "gorka" which means weak in Tamaran.
"If you do not wish to be sent to another dimension I suggest you do not do that again." The Tamaran guards ignore Raven's threat and sling Blackfire over their shoulders like a sack of potatoes. Throwing her into the ship Terra raced forward to watch over her. Starfire will have to be content that none of them will allow Terra to come to harm while she is traveling with them. Unfortunate this left her the rest of the trip back home to wonder how her sister was being tormented.
The Titans were not surprised that the planet Tamaran looked as it did when they were there last. What did surprise them were the cheers, the waving, the throwing of some strange interplanetary flower in the air when the landed. Fanfare and trumpets, and music playing with children doing aerial flights and dancing in mid-air were not expected. Some of the party goers stopped celebrating seeing Blackfire step off the ship. Terra became afraid that the party would turn into a riot. The guards were pelted with rocks and sprayed with squirt guns. Instead of water coming out there was an orange gel that made the guards footsteps very sticky.
"Princess Starfire! Princess Blackfire you have returned! All of Tamaran rejoices at your safe return but guards! Can you explain why the first born of Tamaran and first in line for the throne is so gorka and if she has been used for practice-of-the-targets?"
A Tamaran adviser glares at the guards at their obvious mistreatment of their princess. The guards muttered and stumbled out an apology but they refused to remove the shackles. Starfire tried to not glare at the guards for hurting her sister. Terra wanted to run to her friends but the thought of leaving Blackfire at these jerks' mercy made her stay close.
The adviser shook the Titan's hands in friendship welcoming them and asking them how things were going at Earth. His long orange-brown hair was tied up with a black ribbon. His robe was colored with vibrant greens and blues which matched half-circle of a "crown" on his head. Starfire explained only the highest in rank of advisors wore green and blue. Thus proving his wisdom and the trust Emperor Galthor had placed in him.
"Good to rest my eyes on the dear friend Terra. Much have we heard of the great earth-mover and her heroic efforts against the forces of evil? How did you become the acquaintance of our late princess Blackfire my dear friend Terra?"
Terra stammered and blushed. She never thought word of her supposed heroics had reached to the far corners of space! What was she to say- the truth; that she had destroyed not only her ex-friends' trust but the entire city; almost let a volcano erupt to burn said city to the ground. The one good thing she remembered about that story, because anything Blackfire or B.B. or anyone who knew, for her it seemed like a fairytale turned nightmare. To be honest, Terra never quite believed her friends' tales so she humored them for their own sakes not wanting to offend.
"Well I don't mean to be rude but we're not here for me. We are here for the princess Blackfire and to…uh…Raven… can you help me out here?" Terra stuttered to the Tamaran.
"You see Blackfire just told us yesterday that unless she gets an appeal from Emperor Galthor she will have to be exiled to some slime planet with no hope of us ever seeing our friend again. I'd to believe she is sincere about asking Starfire for forgiveness, so we want to make sure we do all we can to help. Besides she's getting along great with Terra, even if she doesn't remember some details. We want them to be happy. We would love for them to stay on Earth with us, because Earth is our home."
The adviser pulled out a bright gold cloth and patted his eyes. He held up his hand for everyone to stop in front some beautiful, ornate, huge doors that lead to the banquet hall. Unfortunate Terra had no prior warning to the Tamaran style of music before having to cover her ears from the sounds. The rest of the Titans could not get used to Star's music no matter how much they tried. With much gratitude the song did not last long. A bigger feast was spread out than from the last time they were here. Robin wondered why some of the seats looked sectioned off.
"Are there special guests coming adviser? Where is the emperor" Robin asked.
"You see my young friends the emperor had to make special preparations when he heard his two daughters were returning. You came here just on time. This food before you is the pre-meal. We would disgrace our planet and our people if we let our honored guests go hungry. Our kind emperor asks you to eat and drink, but not too much. The bigger feast is on its way after the appeal. I expect our guards to behave with utmost civility toward them, am I correct?"
The guards crossed their left hands over their heads and bowed. Beast boy was about to call out to them that Blackfire was still in shackles when the adviser came to shake Terra's hand. Blackfire was leaning against her looking quite pale, her hair had lost its glow and sheen, and she appeared very thin. The advisor shook Terra's hand once mindful of his strength.
Star ran to her sister who was close to fainting. Terra and Star held her up by putting their arms under her shoulders. The advisor's eyes glowed a dark green showing his anger. Raven began chanting under her breath to keep her own anger under control. The rest of the Tamaran in the room shuddered when the advisor roared in anger; "How dare you, you insolent whelps! You dare to harm the princess of your planet?! Worst in the presence of her own flesh and blood! When Emperor Galthor hears of this you will confront bone-breaking consequences for your actions! Now out of our honored guests' sight this instant or I shall be forced to send you all into exile for treason!"
The captain of the guards was about to protest when he was forced to dodge a star-bolt. Looking up the emperor stood with more of a sweet-sour broth in a large vase that was being poured into giant glasses that only Star and Blackfire would be strong enough to lift. Galthor stood at least 7 feet tall dressed in a tight dark purple shirt and pants. It matched Star's outfit except for the interwoven bands of gold and red that wrapped around him. Simple in its design it displayed his power and strength as the emperor of Tamaran. It is most unwise to anger the emperor in particular regarding his own daughters, especially when one has returned home seeking forgiveness.
"You my trusted captain will be stripped of your station and employed in the mines of the Swamp Moon before this day's end. As much I would enjoy to see you and your squad off this instant we have a trial to attend. I apologize to my young friends for your visit on such a sad occasion. However before we move to the important task at hand please take your seats and relax. I welcome you to Tamaran yet again and hope you shall leave with much more pleasant memories than before."
Several Tamaran servants appeared carrying heavy golden trays filled with various kinds of foods. Much to Beast boy's delight the vegetables were labeled and for everyone's delight the drinks poured into cups were much smaller than Starfire's and Blackfire's. At first no one was very keen on trying to pick up the goblets. Terra decided in a show of good faith and appreciation to lift the goblet. After lifting the cup with no trouble she took a few sips.
Her eyes became wide and her face became flushed with pleasure. The brown liquid which looked more like fairytale porridge tasted like key-lime pie with vanilla ice cream! Raven was the next to try. Her drink tasted like the freshest herbal tea ever; it tasted unlike anything she had ever had on earth- to compliment it was warm bread-like pastries not too sweet but just buttery enough to melt in her mouth.
Cyborg's drink tasted like a soul-food Sunday dinner complete with gravy, steaks, mashed potatoes, and fresh corn on the cob. Robin's tasted like a hot fresh pizza with all his favorite toppings. Starfire and Blackfire's tasted like the gmorsh Star had made for Terra once- sushi mixed with ice cream and a large pizza with pickles, mint frosting, and mustard. Blackfire's drink also had a powerful healing ingredient that gave her back her strength soon after she had finished drinking and enjoying bites of the mouth-watering home delicacies.
Galthor was quite pleased to see his young guests enjoying the drinks and eventually the food. He remembered the difficulty his guests had with their planet's food so he decided to get as close to their hometown food as possible. Judging by the pleased looks on everyone's faces the Tamaran had succeeded. Four girls a little younger than Terra danced into the room carrying strange instruments that looked like a fluffy tuba that curved around their waists. Whenever the girls would spin a calming melody of bells and flutes and violins filled the air, as they blew into strange ice-cream cone shaped mouthpieces that reminded them of piano notes.
Robin blushed imagining Starfire in the layered short gowns that reminded him of pressed flowers that moved. Beast boy also blushed imaging Terra in a similar outfit. Boys, no older than Robin or Cyborg, marched into the room and stood to the side of the table forming lines. A tall Tamaran boy with short brown hair almost tripped down the stairs in his haste to make his announcement. Blackfire could not help but chuckle at the little boy so nervous to be speaking in front of the emperor of the whole planet and heroic guests.
Clearing his throat the little boy said, "Honored Guests from Earth. We the people of Tamaran welcome you on your return to our humble home. We wish you a safe journey home and hope you will not forget your friends in the stars. Without further delay, please follow us- the Scribes of the Crown to the Throne room to commence the long awaited appeal for the late Princess Blackfire." The little scribe in-training bowed as far as he could without falling over. Galthor clapped his hands in approval and the rest of the company joined in.
The Tamaran and the Titans followed Galthor out of the smaller dining room into the much larger throne room. Tamaran servants hustled and scurried everywhere to make sure the room was up the emperor's standards. They stopped what they were doing after hearing the trumpets and music accompanying the emperor and his honored guests. Worried they scrambled to get everything ready and exit the room.
"Peace my friends," Galthor said in his booming voice. "There is no need to rush off. We are all friends here. I would appreciate you staying to give support to our lost princess Blackfire who has come home at last. Please be seated and we shall commence with this appeal." Blackfire stood to the right of the throne of the emperor. With Starfire on the left of the emperor and after everyone was seated came in the Captain of the guards.
The Titans sat in the front row. Beast boy tried not to growl at the guards it would not send a good message. The other Tamaran guards glared at the Titans and in particular Blackfire. Galthor announced that first Blackfire would give her appeal to either stay on Earth or stay in Tamaran. The guards and the Captain would give their reasons for not letting her stay and exiling her. If Blackfire wanted she could have one person, in addition to her sister, explain his or her reasons to let Blackfire come home.
The Captain insisted on speaking first. Galthor granted the request on the condition the guards remained civil and peaceful. Blackfire's friends did not enjoy listening to these thugs recount all the times Blackfire had done something wrong even from her childhood. Their biggest argument was that she had, with ruthless cunning and deceitful trickery, taken over her own home planet and almost enslaved her people. Not to mention almost marrying her younger sister to a slime prince from a planet far, far away.
The assembled crowd grumbled a little at the memory. Robin and Terra could not help but look at the others' faces trying to determine if these memories would color their decision today. Galthor's decision could be influenced by the people themselves and Blackfire's friends as well- although he would make the final decision. Galthor seemed almost indifferent to the guards. He called Blackfire up to make her case.
Blackfire stood up and turned first to her father-figure, then to her sister, next her friends and finally on Terra. Terra gave the most encouraging smile she could manage. The others mirrored her smile with quiet encouragement and whispered praise. Blackfire smiled and cleared her throat before speaking.
"My fellow Tamaran brothers and sisters I stand here not as an arrogant tyrant intent on playing with your sympathies and attempts to deceive you. I have learned much in the ways of forgiveness and compassion and most of all regret. I humbly regret every wicked dead I have committed against all of you and my family. I know that I can better myself in the future and make you proud. So if it's not any trouble can I please go home with my dear friends and sister- back to Earth?"
Galthor began to clap which encouraged the room to give her a standing ovation. Blackfire hung her head too embarrassed to see their reaction until she heard the applause. She looked up with shock; the whole room was clapping for her. For the first time that she could recall she felt like crying.
Sniffling to hold back her tears Galthor asked everyone to return to their seats. The guards were in awe. How could she have tricked the good people of Tamaran with such a speech? It must be obvious her words were false and they would fall apart the moment she left her home. Could Blackfire be such a great manipulator or is it possible she is telling the truth?
Galthor announced he would make his decision in an Earth hour, so he invited a small procession of snacks to be provided while they waited. Unfortunate no one was able to talk to Blackfire during the intermission but she felt hope for the first time since she came home. Beast boy and Cyborg could not figure out which of the snacks were vegetable or meat.
Terra decided to be a good sport and try one of each. When she sighed and smiled this encouraged Beast boy and Cyborg to sample them. Robin and Raven shared a strange yellow fruit shaped like squash but had a nutty and sweet taste. Terra said that one was her favorite and she also liked the dark violet squares with green nuts and other multicolored- she assumed they were fruits- with a sweet/sour taste.
Starfire held up her thumb to agree with Terra's thoughts about the snacks. Blackfire grinned from ear to ear. Galthor held up his hands as everyone finished eating. Cyborg, Beast boy and surprisingly Raven went back for seconds.
"Before we hear the final judgment," Galthor said in his deep voice. "It will be appropriate to hear from some of Blackfire's friends to speak on her behalf. Recall that whatever is said will be taken into consideration for the appeal, but by no means will it hinder my decision. So please be truthful and speak your feelings."
Terra was considered the best choice to speak on behalf of Blackfire. As Robin said, "you are best friends now and she trusts you a lot. There's no pressure just tell us why you care about her and why you think she should stay with us. Isn't that right everyone?" The other Titans smiled and nod their heads in support. Terra stood up to address the court. Galthor motioned for her to stand closer to Blackfire and face her if she wished- to make this more comfortable for her.
"Hello everybody," Terra sighed. "You'll have to excuse me I'm a little nervous." The audience chuckled for a moment. Terra turned to Blackfire before she began. "I don't want to take up too much time so I will try to make this brief. I don't know about the little lies and big mess-ups Blackfire has done in her life. If I may be blunt, I really don't care about all of that. She has been a source of company, of friendship, and strength for the entire time I have known this girl. She is brash, sharp-tongued, stylish, and confident. Blackfire is a girl who knows how to have fun.
"When I think of her the first word that comes to mind is, confident. I have never met someone so confident in my life, well maybe besides Robin or Cyborg when he's playing video games with Beast Boy. What I mean is, if there was anyone in the world I would want to back me up it would be Blackfire. Now I'm sure she did those things and call it what you will- arrogance, stubbornness, a teenage rebellious phase, the list goes on and on.
"I'm not here to make judgments based on what she has done in the past. I'm here to tell you all about what she has done. Blackfire took me on a joy-ride when the only thing I remembered was my name, almost dropped me in mid-air and then laughs when she catches me. I have seen her go for hours shopping with her sister when I am pretty sure she did not quite agree with Starfire's choice of clothes.
"I heard her poetry at Raven's favorite café which was a little depressing but it was worth it to hear her express herself in a way I don't think she does often. I've seen her fight like an Amazon and scare the crap out of bad guys. Blackfire has shown me her fun-loving, confident, laid-back at times, sensitive, and vulnerable personality.
"Oh dear here I am rambling. Well, the point of my whole speech is please don't punish a girl for a wrong she has committed when she is true in her sincerity and it is plain to see her wish to be forgiven. If Starfire can forgive her for almost marrying her off and taking over her planet, if the Titans can open their home to her and go to great lengths to rescue her when she was kidnapped by those same guards, then can you not find it in your hearts to forgive her too? Blackfire is my best friend; whether I regain my memories or not, and I would not exchange these for anything in the world. Please let my friend, go home with us."
Some of the audience including Starfire had started crying after Terra was finished. Galthor applauded with loud claps as did everyone else. The guards growled at the misfortune. It looked like the traitor would get what she wanted. Galthor held up his hands and the audience quieted down.
"That was a most moving and inspirational speech my young friend", Galthor said. "I have made my decision but before I announce her sentence do the opponents have anything else to add?" The Captain stood up and faced his emperor to say, "We the loyal guards of Tamaran we abide by whatever ruling you deem is worthy, my emperor." Terra did not have anything to say so Galthor proceeded.
"It has come to my attention that the accused Blackfire has committed wrongful acts in the pursuit of self-gratification and glory. On the other hand she has demonstrated kindness, loyalty, and strength to stand up for comrades. I, Galthor emperor of Tamaran, hereby sentence the first in line to the throne- Blackfire to exile on a distant planet."
Starfire covered her hands in her face and cried her heart out. Terra slumped to the floor tears streaming down her face. Robin leaned against Cyborg while Raven tried to hold Beast boy back from charging- whether he wanted to charge at him or out the door Raven had no idea. The guards kept composed while jumping for joy inside.
"I decree," Galthor paused once. "That Blackfire should be exiled to Earth as soon as possible." Terra jumped up, Starfire leaped out of her chair, the rest stared with their mouths open before Blackfire asked a question. "Can I really go home, father?"
"I would be a terrible father and emperor to deny my daughter the happiness she so deserved. You should be with your friends for the rest of your days, my child. Have no worries these guards shall pursue or persecute you no more. Please go where you are happy and with my blessings if you so wish." Blackfire ran into her father's arms and hugged him as tight as she could. Starfire joined in the hug and the Titans surrounded Terra in a hooping and cheering circle. Galthor kissed the tops of his daughters' heads before releasing them.
Blackfire swung Terra in a circle crying tears of joy. Robin and Beast boy and Raven and Cyborg all cheered and jumped up and down. Galthor gave a deep, rich hearty laugh. Later that evening when all the excitement was over and the T-sub was being prepared to leave in the morning they all got together in one room to talk everything over.
"I cannot believe B.F. gets to come home with us!" Beast boy exclaimed. Terra giggled and held on tight to Blackfire's left hand while Star held her right. Raven sipped a cup of strange blue tea with a genuine smile on her face. Cyborg and Robin chatted over what had led up to this moment. Blackfire said she needed some air and walked onto the balcony with her sister and best friend.
"I never could have done this without you both. I needed to say thank you so much. I don't know where you got the faith in me, but I promise to be deserving of it every day."
Starfire said, "There is little need for thanks, sister. I have always wished to welcome you with wide arms as my sibling and my friend for a long time now. I am most grateful to Terra for her generous words. I could not have spoken better myself."
"Stop Star you're embarrassing me! I just spoke from my heart that's all. I know Blackfire would do the same for me. I have to admit your planet is beautiful but I cannot wait to go home. Who knows maybe I'll go back to school? Maybe a certain someone can come with me?"
"You mean it; you would let me, an alien, be your classmate?"
"Of course, I would silly! You are my best friend after all." The girls watched the sun set as their friends joked around and talked in the background. Tomorrow would be the start of a new day.