Author's Note: I'm back again.
Also, today I'm launching my second Original Novel through Kindle Direct Publishing: VALKYRIE #1: Candidates. So if you want to support me, and encourage me to write both this story and others I suggest you check it out along with my previous novel 'A Fox's Tale'. The details are in my Bio.
I'm hoping to eventually make a living writing and thus give myself more time to write stories like this as a hobby. I intend to continue to release more fanfiction when I launch future works as a sort of 'promo' for my original stories. Like it or not, it does mean you get more fanfiction in the future.
Disclaimer: Teen Titans and Young Justice are the intellectual property of DC Comics, Cartoon Network, and Warner Bros.
Earth-16: Go!
Chapter 7: Family Matters
February 5th 2011, 13:42 EST
Mount Justice, Happy Harbor
Robin swore as he stumbled into the briefing room, his side aching. Beside him, Raven looked paler then usual and Cyborg looked exhausted. The rest of the team was clad in civilian clothes except for M'gann and Flash. Beast Boy looked livid.
"What do you mean you lost contact?" Robin snapped toward the figure on the screen. "I thought you had Hal over their negotiating with them or something!"
John Stewart, the second Green Lantern frowned. "Exactly that, I informed Hal that the probe had grabbed Starfire and then lost contact."
"How do we get her back?" Robin asked.
"You don't." Batman's voice cut through the room as he stepped out from the shadows. "Robin. You're grounded until we're certain you have recovered from your radiation exposure, just like Raven and Cyborg are. Aqualad, prepare Squad Alpha for deployment. You will handle this situation."
Robin seethed as Batman walked up and activated the holographic terminal. As he started typing Robin glared at the back of his mentor. Starfire was on his squad, sure... she was new. Sure... she was sometimes a bit annoying, but she was his teammate. If Bats was captured he'd be out there, working his butt off and killing himself if that was what it took.
"YOU'RE BENCHING ME? SHE'S MY SQUADMATE!" Robin shouted. "I'M HER LEADER, IT'S MY RESPONSIBILITY!"
Silence came from the rest of the team for a long moment before Raven muttered quietly. "Uh oh..."
Batman spun, his glare slamming into Robin like a physical attack. "YOU COULD DIE, ROBIN! The stresses placed on your body from exposure are too great. I'm not about to put you into the field, is that understood?"
Robin sulked for a long moment.
"IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?" Batman almost growled those words and Robin wilted.
"Yes, that's understood," Robin ground out the words.
"Now," Batman turned back to the display. "The probes the Rannians deployed were tuned to home in on the energy signature of the thief that broke into the Centauri System. As they grabbed Starfire, it is safe to say that the thief has a comparable energy signature. After feeding those parameters into the sensors aboard the Watchtower, we have managed to locate the thief."
An image appeared on the display and Robin swore under his breath. The familiar nation of Bialya appeared on the display, a single spot on the map marked with a red reticle.
"Currently, she is located at one of Bialya's primary boom-tube receiving stations. Initial satellite scans have revealed a network of underground caverns and caves which is likely the base. Your mission will be to infiltrate the base, extract the thief, and bring her to the Watchtower. After that, we will exchange her for Princess Koriand'r," Batman stated. "Gear up, the clock is ticking."
Rann, Centauri System
February 5th 2011, 15:37 local time
Starfire blinked and felt her body tingle all along her nerve endings. A dull golden glow seemed to fill her vision and it took her a moment to realize that it was from the force field that held her in place. She grimaced as a shock ran through her body from touching the force field and she growled under her breath.
"You've done well Officer Cron." A voice called out and Starfire glanced at a figure clad in a uniform she recognized as being from the Rannian Security Force. He stood beside another clad in dark robes that seemed to almost float across the room as he strolled over to the two of them. "His ring?"
The cloaked Rannian handed over the ring to the man, and he scowled slightly. "Strange that he could continue to wield such power, I had thought the rings prevented abuse in some fashion."
"Inspector General, the girl is awake," The one called Cron said quietly and the cloaked figure turned to gaze at Starfire. "We had to stun her after we captured the Lantern. She nearly broke free of the drone's internal containment system when she heard what happened."
"Indeed, she is powerful, that much cannot be denied," The Inspector General said.
"Why do you hold me?" Starfire stammered, holding back the impulsive desire to bang her fists against the force field. "I have done nothing to you or your people!"
"So you deny it then, Troq? You deny stealing from the Centauri Moons? You deny blasting apart one of the only defensive stations that remain after the Justice League smashed through our sector?" The Rannian said with a snarl. "Your signature may not be an exact match to the one we recorded, but I very much doubt that two Tamaraneans have such power. The science council is looking forward to disecting you after your sentencing."
Starfire seethed. "One cannot have a sentencing without first proving guilt! I did not do it, you must be mistaken... I know that few of my people have the power I do, or the ability to wield it as a weapon as I can, but I do know of two others who recieved the same treatment and experimentation that I did."
"Really... and who would these mysterious others be?" The Rannian Inspector General asked as he leaned toward the shield. "No doubt people we would never be able to capture, hmm?"
"I am Princess Koriand'r of Tamaran, you have no right to hold me in this way... I am a member of the Tamaranean royal family and due diplomatic protection!" Starfire snapped back, her eyes blazing with green flames.
"I very much doubt that... You see, Princess Koriand'r is dead according to the last information we recieved from the Royal Family, apparently she died in an escape attempt from being a guest of the Citadel." The Rannian Inspector General said. "A very nice ploy though, I must admit it rare that we capture one who has the wit to claim diplomatic immunity."
"Dead?" Starfire murmured. "They think I am dead?"
"Yes, a tragedy that... and even if you were who you claim to be, Princess... I doubt that it'll matter if we execute a dead girl, will it?"
Starfire grit her teeth and felt her energy pulse through her body. The shield around her crackled, and for a moment she saw it flicker. A smile slid across her face as she ached for freedom.
"Inspector General! Get back, the capac—"
With a boom the shield's capacitor exploded and it died. Starfire's hands crackled with brilliant green energy and she shot out of the cell, smashing into the side of the Rannian before her. He let out a woof as the air left his lungs and he doubled over. A second later, Cron spun toward Starfire, bringing a laser pistol to bear. Without a second thought, Starfire sent a bolt from her fist and blasted it apart. Cron toppled, his clothes smoldering and Starfire heard an alarm echoing through the area.
She scrambled for the exit before skidding to a stop. "The Lantern..." She murmured under her breath then shot back toward the cell beside hers where the Green Lantern floated, still unconscious.
With a growl she smashed the controls and watched the shield die. The Green Lantern toppled from the cell.
"Wha... What the hell?" He said as he blinked awake and stared up at her. "Starfire... what, where's my ring?"
Starfire glanced around before spotting the lantern ring sitting beside the knocked out form of the Rannian Inspector General. She scrambled over to grab it, and felt her fingers burn on contact with the ring. With a howl she leapt back waving her hand around. "Ow... ow... ow..."
"Are you okay? I forgot. Green energy and Vegans don't match up very well." The Lantern said as he picked up the ring and slipped it on. "What's going on?"
"They spoke of executing me, no trial... I have diplomatic immunity and they wanted to kill me anyway!" Starfire stammered. "We must leave and warn the others. Something has happened out here, something that makes you and the other Justice League people unwelcomed!"
"Right, umm... direct flight back then?" The Lantern suggested before pointing to the ceiling.
Starfire nodded. "Indeed, that would be the best way. Let us depart immediately."
BOOM-Tube Receiving Station, Bialya
February 5th 2011, 04:21 local time
Kaldur'ahm glanced around at his assembled team, true not every member had been available for the mission, but he still had a sizeable force to field. With Superboy and Miss Martian working as a dedicated team and experienced team element, the mission was looking up. When he added in the factor of three Atlantean magic users and Zatanna he was certain that whatever defense the Bialyan troops would put up would quickly crumble.
He hadn't been mistaken in that belief, in the least. They had easily slipped through the outer net and down into the cave network which held their objective, a simple thief if their information was correct. Of course some of the most infuriating villains that a hero could face could easily be described as 'simple thieves'. It was why people like Catwoman and the Penguin were so well known, even if their motivations were so crystal clear.
Now as they had penetrated deep into the complex, Kaldur felt himself growing nervous. Things had been going well, two well in fact.
"Zazzala, I thought you were going to pay me more than this!" A female voice snapped from a cavern ahead and Kaldur glanced at the sensor readout showing that the energy signature was directly ahead. He waved to the others instructing them to sneak into the next chamber.
"Komand'r, I am sure the payment is as much as we agreed. You aren't trying to squeeze me for more funds are you?" A second woman's voice answered and Kaldur felt himself grow taut and nervous. He recognized the voice.
"Queen Bee." Kaldur muttered as he slipped through the closing security hatch and dropped behind a set of crates. He leaned around the plastic containers laden with weapons and other Apokoliptan wares and caught sight of Queen Bee standing before a set of darkened holo-screens. She was flanked by a squad of Bialyan soldiers equipped with Apokoliptan rifles and armor.
What really caught his eye however was the black-haired dark skinned woman floating before Queen Bee, her hands engulfed in purple flames and eyes glowing. Immediately Kaldur recognized her as being the thief.
He glanced over toward where Miss Martian was floating invisibly and spoke through the telepathic link. You recognize her?
Yes, since Starfire's arrival I decided to acquaint myself with the Vega system. Her name is Komand'r of Tamaran, exiled princess. She is Starfire's older sister.
Great, no wonder they snatched Starfire, of course our girl doesn't have black hair. Conner thought. She's going to be tough if her power is in line with Starfire's.
Yes, and she finished formal martial training before her exile, so she'll be better trained then Starfire was. Miss Martian said.
"Zazzala, I could be of great help to you if you gave me more than this meager payment. With Tamaran's backing—"
"You do not hold the throne yet, Blackfire." Queen Bee stated. "I do not trust in maybe, we had an agreement and it is that agreed payment which you hold in your hands, or did before you threw it at me."
Should we wait for them to fight it out? Zatanna asked.
No, we act now! Kaldur answered before leaping out of cover and moving to engage.
"Meht Eransne!" Zatanna snapped a command as she pointed to the group. Immediately coils of rope shot from her hand and wrapped around the group, ensnaring them in coils of heavy rope. At that same time Superboy leapt toward the group from the shadows while Miss Martian grabbed hold of their arsenal of Apokoliptan energy weapons and hurled it them at the squad of soldiers, knocking them down. Queen Bee swore as three Atlantean sorcerers surrounded her, summoning blades of water, ice, and electricity to engage her. Without a second though she squeezed a button on her belt and disappeared in a brilliant red flash of light followed by a boom that shook the cavern.
"You must be the local 'heroes' I've heard about," Blackfire said as she tore apart the ropes that had bound her and summoned forth purple energy in her hands. "Perhaps Zazzala will give me a bit more for ending your pathetic existence!"
Kaldur dove as a barrage of purple starbolts hissed through the air and vaporized cargo containers, pallets of equipment, and melted through the plastic packaging that held the various pieces of gear that they had received by boom tube.
"You talk a big game, but let's see how hard you hit!" Conner snapped before launching himself at Blackfire. Just as he reached her, she sent a starbolt directly into his chest sending him hurtling back against the cavern wall, his shirt literally burned off from the blast. When he toppled to the ground Blackfire laughed.
"Is that the best you've go—" She stopped as Conner staggered upright and her glowing eyes widened. "Impossib—"
Conner smashed into Blackfire's side sending her hurtling back against the opposite cavern wall.
She gasped for breath after hitting it and staggered upright. "How... I've never met anyone with such resilience..."
"I'm half-Kryptonian," Conner said before setting himself. "Whatever you dish out, I can take it."
Blackfire scowled, "Perhaps you can, but what about them?" She snapped before tossing a starbolt in the direction of Zatanna, who had thrown herself behind a pile of crates. The plastic boxes melted from the heat and she scrambled out of the way.
"We can still beat you, Blackfire." Kaldur said before smirking. "Aquagirl, Tempest! NOW!"
Blackfire's eyes went wide as electricity and water slammed into her from three sides, arcing over her body. She let out a blood curdling scream before dropping to the cavern floor soaked with water and smoking from her clothes. Before she could stagger upright again, Superboy slammed down into her, pinning her to the floor.
"You've got a date with a Rannian jail cell, Blackfire," Kaldur stated as the young woman struggled to escape. "I sure hope you didn't plan to have your sister take the fall for that?"
"Starfire? That bitch is still alive?" She snapped. "I thought I had rid myself of her with the Citadel, and she yet lives?"
Kaldur frowned, disgusted by the rant. "Well, let's just add that to the list of crimes you're guilty of."
Commissioner Gordon's Residence, Gotham City
February 5th 2011, 18:43 EST
Robin grimaced as he came to a stop at the doorway beside his mentor. The new costume he wore felt stiff, and he knew that without a vigorous training session, would remain that way for a while. If that wasn't enough, he felt tired much easier than usual. Even a simple climb up the stairs left him a bit winded. He guessed it was one of the after effects of the radiation and perhaps even the chemicals that had made up Plasmus's body.
He glanced over at Batman and swallowed. The Dark Knight's uniform was mud spattered and looking rather worn. With the jailbreak from Arkham and Robin's grounded status, he'd been busier than he had in years. Even with the big names lying low in the wake of the jailbreak, the sheer number of criminals that had been let loose into the city once again was mind numbing. Petty crimes, rapes, and murders, they were all suddenly commonplace once again.
The door clattered open and the white haired Commissioner glanced out at the two of them before heaving a sigh. "Come on in, I'm sure you want to talk about the situation." He stepped back from the door and allowed the two of them to step into the small living room of the apartment.
Batman nodded and stepped inside just in time to catch sight of Barbara Gordon setting the table near the kitchen. Robin swallowed as her blue-eyed gaze flicked across him for a second before turning back to Batman suddenly looking nervous.
"Do you have any leads on the Joker?" Batman asked as Commissioner Gordon set a pair of take-out boxes on the table from some Chinese restaurant.
"Nothing yet, he's gone to ground Batman. We won't pick up anything of value until he decides to make a move. Plus, we're swamped with all the other criminals he let loose," The Commissioner sighed. "I'm surprised to see you Robin. We haven't seen you around much."
"Robin has been working with other members of the League," Batman stated. "Unfortunately he got a dose of radiation from his last mission and is on light duty until he recovers."
Robin saw Barbara's eyes widen slightly at those words. As he stepped around the table he grabbed a set of dishes and passed them over. As she took them, he whispered. "He knows, Babs."
"Any leads on the copycat?" Batman asked.
"No, and there won't be any... Batman, look... you're a vigilante, this girl, she's a vigilante. I can't move against her and not move against you." Commissioner Gordon answered. "You need help, I know it and Gotham knows it. So long as Robin isn't up to working with you, why not accept the assistance this girl is offering. I know you're too proud to call in the League to help clean up this mess."
"She's a child..."
"And Robin isn't?" Gordon asked.
Batman sighed. "She doesn't have the training."
"Then train her."
Robin looked at Barbara as her eyes jumped between the two of them. It was a strange moment, one that Robin decided he'd definitely look back on with amusement. Glancing between them, Robin wondered how much Gordon knew... The Commissioner was good, there was no doubt about that, and he wondered if he knew who they all were. Looking at Batman, he wondered if Bruce was asking himself the same question.
"It's dangerous... Robin's been lucky so far," Batman said quietly.
Robin gritted his teeth. "I wouldn't call getting slimed by Plasmus, lucky."
A heavy silence filled the room for a long moment and Robin saw Batman's gaze flick from him to Barbara, measuring and analyzing like he always did. Then his gaze moved over to Robin and he gave him a slight nod.
"I know it's dangerous out there, I'm a cop, but having you out there helping certainly makes me sleep easier at night," Gordon said before smiling slightly. "You know there are some on the force that are against it, but looking at the criminals in this town..." He shook his head and sighed. "Just be sure that kid doesn't get in over her head."
"I'll do my best," Batman said.
Robin sighed and glanced at Barbara. "Babs, meet us at the clinic on Park Row, at midnight."
Her eyes widened and she hissed, "How do you know about that name?"
"Come and find out," Robin said before giving her a jaunty smile.
As the door shut behind them, Dick frowned. His body ached, but it wasn't all. He felt useless and heavy, and if that weren't enough his mind kept making him cast a glance skyward hoping for some side. Batman walked him down the hall, and Dick frowned as he noticed how his mentor was always just a bit closer than usual, almost as if he was hovering over him.
The holographic computer built into his wrist suddenly lit up and Jon Stewart's face appeared on the display. "Ah, Robin... Team Alpha is on its way back with the thief, it seems that Koriand'r's sister decided to take up jewel theft, unfortunately Queen Bee escaped with the jewel. We're prepping her for extradition to Rann for trial."
"Any word from Starfire or Hal?" He asked as they walked down the stairs and headed out onto the street.
"Nothing ye— Hold it, jumpgate activation. We've got two organics coming through, the computer is IDing them as... Hal Jordan and Koriand'r of Tamaran," Jon sighed and Richard felt his lips twitch into a slight smile.
"Thank God." Richard said as he felt Batman's gaze flick over to him. "Thanks..."
February 5th 2011, 20:05 EST
The Watchtower
Starfire stepped through the airlock, a nervous expression flickering across her face as she did. Beside her, Hal Jordan was wearing an equally nervous expression as Jon Stewart walked over to them.
"So you got her cleared?" Jon asked.
Hal grimaced and rubbed his neck. "Not exactly, we had to bust out of there Jon... The whole system is a mess, and they're blaming us for it."
"You did what?" Jon snapped.
"They were going to summirarily execute us Jon, we didn't have a choice. I don't call that violating the damn rules." Hal snapped back. "Did you get her?"
It was Jon's turn to look a bit nervous. "Yeah, we got her... You might want to keep her away from-"
"SISTER!" Starfire shouted as she caught sight of Superman and Black Canary leading a shackled form toward a waiting extradition pod. She shot after them her eyes wide. "Kom! Kom!"
"Starfire..." The girl growled and Starfire froze, her eyes widening as her sister glared at her. "So you really are alive... it seems the Citadel couldn't finish you off like I'd hoped."
"Kom..." Starfire gaped in shock. "What, what do you mean?"
"I convinced father to send you as a diplomatic hostage, what else was it supposed to mean Kom. With you and your brother gone, father would have no choice but to make me heir." She hissed. "I hate you!"
"Starfire... leave it, sometimes it's better not to know." The one called Superman said before separating them. "We've added those charges to the list on the extradition packet."
"The Rannians said that they heard I was dead. Kom must have been to the one to spread that news," Starfire said quietly. "Why? Why would my sister do this...?"
"I've see such things happen all too often, Kori, but I've seen families without bonds of blood that were tighter than any other. Family is what you make it, Starfire." Superman said quietly. "I know, I was part of a family like that."
"Thank you," Kori said as she glanced back at Kom being secured in the extradition pod.
Park Row, Gotham City
February 6th 2011, 00:03 EST
Barbara Gordon felt her guts twist nervously as she dropped to the ground just outside the free clinic. Nervously she slipped the grapple gun onto the utility belt that hung around her waist. She glanced around in the dark and swallowed as the sound of tires squealing came from just down the street. Then she jumped as Batman's gruff voice echoed from a dark corner of the street.
"You're late."
Barbara spun and swallowed as the black silhouette stepped out of the shadows. Before she could speak up, Robin stepped into view just behind his mentor.
"Thirty years ago, two of Gotham's most upstanding citizens were killed in this alley," Batman said quietly as he lifted an arm toward the alley. "A small time thief and mugger by the name of Joe Chill gunned down Martha and Thomas Wayne as they walked home from the opera, before the eyes of their son..."
Barbara felt a chill run down her spine as she stepped forward, her blue eyes flicking between the two crime fighters.
"When I first appeared, one of those I tracked down was Joe Chill. For weeks the man hid from authorities and hired guards to fend me off… cheap thugs, assassins, gunmen, and the like. Then, one night... I slipped past his defenses and into his room. I think he thought I'd kill him." Batman gave her a cold smile. "Instead, I gave him this..."
From the folds of his cloak, Batman produced a small revolver. "It was the weapon that killed my parents, he knew then who I was... What he'd done that night, and so he put the weapon to his own head, and took his own life."
Barbara grimaced for a moment before she suddenly felt her eyes widen. "You... you're?"
Slowly Batman slid the cowl off and nodded. "I'm Bruce Wayne."
She stared in shock, Batman had just told her... but, if Batman was... Her gaze flicked over to Robin... No way.
He slipped the cowl back over his eyes and stepped behind Robin. "Seven years ago... Tony Zucco, a small time mob-boss attempted to force Haley's Circus to pay him protection money. When the owner refused, he set the ropes to the acrobats to snap, causing John and Mary Grayson to fall to their deaths while their son watched. Another criminal... Another orphan... Another hero."
"DICK?" Barbara almost screamed as Robin slipped off the mask and revealed his blue eyes. Babs staggered for a moment in shock.
"Surprise..." Dick said in a rather timid voice and Babs could see the hint of tears in his eyes.
"Now you know," Bruce said as he stepped forward. "As I see it, I have two choices now. Force you to stop what you're doing, Barbara, or... train you so you don't end up dead in an alley."
Babs swallowed audibly, "You'll train me?"
"Yes." Bruce stated.
"Okay..." She said, her voice warbling. "How... how'd you find out it was me?"
Bruce smirked. "You left a hair behind, DNA scan picked out your father as the closest match."
Babs ran a hand through her hair and swore under her breath.
"I assume you've been sneaking things Robin or I dropped and the police put in evidence for your gear, as the Commissioner's daughter, you had access. We'll have a new kit for you soon enough, and... I want your word you won't go out until I say you're ready." Bruce said firmly and Babs found herself nodding before she had time to think.
"How... what will I tell my dad? If I suddenly start going to the Manor, he'll..." She swallowed.
"Oh, you can just tell him you're dating Dick," Bruce said with a tight smile.
"WHAT?" Dick snapped. "Oh God..."
"Or, you can just say you're visiting a friend from school," Bruce smirked as he shook his head at Dick's expression.
Babs smirked at Dick and put her hand on her hip, "Really, is dating me so bad?"
"Zatanna would KILL ME!" Dick stammered before suddenly turning red.
"Who is Zatanna?" Babs asked as she arched an eyebrow.
"Bruce, just kill me now, please," Dick said as he stared down at the street.
Batman held out a hand and gave her a slight smile. "Welcome to the family."