Okay, guys and gals, last chapter for the episode. Have a great Memorial Day weekend and remember what it's really for, not just an excuse to grill and a day off.
Black Victor Cachat- Given how there's a wide selection of aliens, I was thinking her scientists may have something to with cross splicing genetics. That's what I was thinking at least. As for M'gann's phasing ability, it was a little of both. She dropped down to trap him in the dirt befor delivering a knockout punch while he's defenseless.
The Darkman- Lobo was just a captive so he's with the prisoners fighting to survive and become king. No Light in this episode and Kara just didn't like the vibe she was getting.
Eric- I wanted something like that with Blackfire's rule. She only wants strong warriors and nothing to distract them from only becoming stronger, eventually becoming so feared no one would attempt to stand against them. So you got it right. And the heavy violence would happen off screen to keep it suitable for TV. When the alien blew his head up, the screen would only show the prisoners getting splattered by goo After the boom, that sort of thing.
Guest- There's no fun telling you if Beast Boy becomes the beast. You're just going to have to read on. And yes, I do believe in a higher power, I'm Catholic.
5.
Bioship
August 23
12:29 UTC
Outside the city walls, two Tameranain guards with rifles carefully made their way to a mysterious ramped doorway to nothing. The closer they drew to it, the more it seemed to shimmer, as if it were bending light and was near impossible to see. Had it not have been for the discovery of several knocked out guards and the news of a returned Koriand'r, none of the soldiers loyal to Komand'r would have thought of patrolling outside the walls for anymore possible intruders.
"E glackmah su nabah," One of the guards whispered as they stood outside entrance ramp.
"Nu shunna en l'a neeba," the other one said as he took point and quietly entered the doorway.
Motioning for his partner to move up, the two Tameran guards cautiously entered the near invisible object when they heard a low growl come from the darkness before them. With their weapons raised, the guards readied for whatever beast should come at them when they saw the large form of Wolf appear from the shadows, teeth bared and ready to attack.
Backing up slightly, the Tameran's aimed their rifles at the white beast when another sound caught their attention, the high pitched sound of the pudgy worm named Silkie as he crawled up Wolf's back and rested in the fur of his neck and head.
"Shadda flo'a nah."
Aiming their rifles at the two, the guards were about to fire when Silkie stood up on it's hind legs and let out a high pitched shriek as its skin turned a bright red. Each of the worm's legs opened to the side and stiffly pointed at the Tamerans as its jagged toothed mouth opened wide, splitting halfway down its body as it began to shoot strands of white webbing at the soldiers.
Dropping their weapons, the Tamerans tried their best to ward of the webbing as best they could but to no avail as the webbing was so incredibly sticky, moving was becoming harder to do with each passing second. Once the pudgy alien worm finished cocooning them, Wolf licked his lips then pounced forward, growling, snarling and chomping away as the two guards screamed and ran in terror.
Gladiatorial Arena-
Hovering before her sister, Starfire had her eyes glow brightly along with her fists powered up. Red X stood behind her, ready to move at a moment's notice should the two go at it suddenly. With the wind lightly blowing and the crowd chanting 'Kromotae'', the sisters were surprisingly still for the moment without looking to be ready to engage in a battle for the planet.
"Star." Joining her, Supergirl and the others landed within the box section made for the Queen to occupy. "We're here for you."
"You now the rules," Komand'r said, "no one interferes in this family squabble without getting the other disqualified. Still want to fight me, sister dear?"
"She's right," Starfire told her friends. "No one can aid me nor her. It is not allowed. I must do this on my own."
"You're not alone, Star," Wonder Girl said. "We're right here with you."
"Hate this sappy stuff," Komand'r muttered. "I'll tell you what, you get first hit little sister. Dazzle me."
Rubbing her fingertips together, Starfire increased the brightness of her starbolt loaded hands.
"We believe in you, Kori," Supergirl told her.
Knowing Komand'r was the better fighter between them, she knew she had to be careful when engaged in the fight. With a growl, the younger Tameranian sister shot forward, fist cocked back and ready to deliver a power packed punch to Komand'r's face. The attack was easily dodged as Komand'r, Blackfire, moved to the side and shoved her forward hard.
"Lousy attack, Koriand'r. My turn."
Flicking her hands back, Blackfire charged them with her purple energy while her eyes ignited as she flew after her sister. Her first choice of attacks was a volley of starbolts, filling the sky around Starfire, who did her best to fly out of the largely green field. It was evident Blackfire was enjoying her attempt to injure her sister but it was unclear if she she was playing or actually fighting by keeping her distance in the skirmish.
Barrel rolling to her right, Starfire returned fire by hurling a number of her own starbolts back at her sister. The stands emptied as some of the spectators were forced to move out of the way, should they get hit, and flew into the air while still choosing to watch the fight. The sky lit up with explosions from green and purple starbolts colliding with both sisters dodging each others energy orbs.
"You will fall, Koriand'r!" Shooting forward, Blackfire wound back a fist and slammed it into Starfire's chest, sending her to the arena floor.
Seeing the ground enlarge from her fall, Starfire swooped upward just in time to avoid hitting the soil with her feet grazing the dirt. A batch of purple starbolts littered the ground around her, sending dirt upwards as she climbed back into the air. As she regained altitude, she was tackled from behind and grabbed by her hair as Blackfire viciously spun around and threw her into the wall of the arena. Skidding across the floor of the second story standing area, the flame haired Tameran could not find time to recover as she crashed into the wall. She was soon slammed into by Blackfire and was sent through the rock wall to the outside of the building and fell to the streets below.
"Think we should follow?" Wonder Girl asked as she and the others watched both sisters disappear from view.
"De lessa cooda, batish slomo!"
Looking down to the arena floor, the group saw a few of the prisoners stand with their collars off. Behind them in the viewing area, a large group of soldiers rushed into the arena with weapons drawn to fight the ones loyal to Starfire. Each of the new ones wore insignias displaying how they were of the elite guard detail with slight modifications to their armor, making it easy to determine whose side they were on.
"Don't know about you, but I want to get back at the ones who put me in chains." Moving to the front of the group, Conner balled his fists as Jaime armored up behind him.
"Count me in, too, amigo. Scarab's back online and I'm ready for some payback." Forming his staple gun on one arm and a shield on the other, Blue Beetle leapt upwards and hovered in the air.
"Guess we help Star's followers," Mrs. Martian said. "And take out the remaining prisoners."
"And make sure none of them interfere on Komand'r's behalf," Supergirl added.
"Graude!" one of the elite soldiers yelled, sending his troops forward to fight.
As the groups clashed, no one noticed a certain skull masked individual was nowhere to be seen.
Out on the streets of Tameran's capitol, Blackfire and Starfire were holding nothing back as the sisters turned the sky into a light show with their starbolts. Having the higher ground, Blackfire let loose dozens upon dozens of purple orbs down on her sister who dodged them while staying low near the city streets. Those occupying the area were forced to take cover wherever they could to clear the way for the fight. Rock, wood, cloth, the air was filled with everything the people were selling, transporting, or dropping as the sisters continued to fly at breakneck speeds between the buildings.
Speeding through the air, Starfire ducked through a window into a building's third story while Blackfire lay waste to the opening she disappeared into. The younger sister did not stay out of sight long as she came exploding through the roof at Tameran's Queen. Grabbing her ankles, the princess flipped her sister over and threw her to the ground with a roar before unleashing a heavy dose of energy blasts from her eyes. The following impact was enough to leave a crater in the street with Blackfire lying on the bottom, with the green energy forcing her down even more.
"Shlowa!"
Looking down, Starfire saw three elite soldiers run onto the roof of an adjacent building with rifles, as well as powered up fists, raised at her. Ready to defend herself from the incoming starbolts and rifle rounds, she powered up her fists when she saw a black blur appear on the same roof. One of the soldiers was taken out with a hard swipe to their head as Red X put all his strength into his energy sickle attack. Another one was knocked down from being shot by a red impact round and stuck to the floor while the third was tripped then pinned with red x's on his hands and feet. The reaper-like anti-hero finished them off with his sickle, knocking them out before turning up to face Starfire and give her a slight salute before teleporting away.
Smiling at what just happened, Starfire was about to resume her attack when she was caught with an uppercut to her jaw.
"Do not take your eyes off you opponent, sister. Shame you forgot that since last time." Grabbing Starfire by the shoulders, Blackfire turned the tables on her and plowed the princess into the ground where she once was.
Mounting the younger woman with a knee on her stomach, Blackfire charged her hands up and went to work delivering fast, hard punches to her sister. Covering up as best she could, Starfire was finding her pummeling to be too much for her to take. Over and over, her sister's charged fists found exposed areas with light explosions occurring every time they made contact. She was grateful they were not at full power as this fight would already be over, but that presented a danger to Blackfire as well from being so close.
Stopping her onslaught, Blackfire regained her breath and looked down contemptuously at her sister. Light smoke lifted off her skin and clothing with her arms moving weakly to her sides. A light moan escaped her lips from finally having a moment to simply breathe.
"Do, do you yield, sister?" Charging up her right fist, Black fire was ready to deliver the finishing blow. "Just say the word and it all comes to an end right here, right now."
Opening her eyes, Starfire could see the bright purple light encasing her sister's fist. She did not have the strength to go on and swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat.
"Remember, you wanted this," Blackfire said as she grabbed Starfire by the neck with her free hand. "You believed you could beat me. And there's no one here to help you. We may be related, but we were never sisters."
Hearing Blackfire say that caused a tear to escape the corner of Starfire's eye. "No, we are not sisters. I know what it means to have a real sister, a family."
Shifting her hand around, Starfire palmed something Blackfire failed to see.
"And I will do what I can for them at all costs!"
Reaching up, Starfire blocked Blackfire's charged up fist and slammed her other hand into her chest. Pulling back, she saw the small red X she placed enlarge and ensnare the Tameranian Queen.
"Wha, what is-" Unable to move, or even break out of the restraint placed on her, with how her arms were pinned, Blackfire was helpless to defend herself.
Getting up, Starfire grabbed her sister by the throat and delivered a hard hit to her torso with enough force to crack the armor she wore. "It ends now, Komand'r!"
Grabbing the queen by the collar of her armor, Starfire flew upwards and slammed the raven haired Tameran into the ground then quickly planted both her feet on her chest.
"You plot to take over the throne."
Starfire delivered a hard right hook to Blackfire's head.
"You banish your own sister."
She then ripped the top part of Blackfire's armor off her chest.
"You keep your own people down and kill off the weak."
She then landed an overhead elbow to Blackfire's shoulder.
"And you kidnap my friends."
Landing a front kick, Starfire sent her sister flying back into a wall, cracking it from the force.
Landing in front of the beaten Blackfire, Starfire's eyes glowed brightly as well as her fists. "Stand down, Komand'r. Stand down or I will put you down."
"Heh," Blackfire said as she stood from a knee, "never!"
Breaking out of the 'X' shaped restraint, Blackfire charged her sister and wrapped her hands around her throat, pinning her to the ground and slammed her head on the hard stone.
"I am Tameran's queen! I rule the people! They do as I say! Only the strong deserve to survive. I promised them a life without the weak! Without worrying about insignificant things. All that matters is having the strength to change things by force and that cannot be done with the weak, the old, the sickly!"
Charging up her eyes, Starfire blasted Blackfire's face, forcing her back and releasing the hold she had on her neck. After a moment of sucking in enough air, the younger of the sisters flew up to her feet and delivered a jump kick to Blackfire's ribs.
"Real strength is defending the weak! To make sure they are protected and learning how to better yourself! You're leading this planet to it's downfall with how you rule."
Reaching out, Starfire grabbed Blackfire by the throat. "And I will not see my people suffer anymore or parish because of your dictating ways."
Breaking Starfire's hold, Blackfire fired a point black starbolt at her sister's midriff. With a loud shriek, she charged forward, ready to end the fight and her sister's life. Recovering from the hard hit, Starfire looked up once she heard the shriek and saw Blackfire flying at her with her fists charged up to full power. Seeing no other way to end this, she charged her right fist up to full power herself and charged forward with a growl.
Both Tamerans shot at each other at such an incredible speed, green and purple blurs set on a collision course with each other. The moment they met, both women put everything they had in the hits they delivered. Blackfire, as good as she was, missed her mark as both fists failed to connect. Starfire on the other hand, landed a vicious uppercut to the underside of Blackfire's head, causing an explosion from the energy she packed along with her punch.
The light was incredibly bright from the explosion. A cloud of dust shot from where they met, filling up the streets and sky over a fifty block radius with the sound of the collision capable of being heard from the palace some distance away. Had there have been windows, they would have definably been shattered.
Once the dust began to settle, a lone figure walked forward. Eyes flashed red as Red X searched the area to find out what happened. The fist one he found was Blackfire. Her armor was in shambles with only a silver bodysuit covering her. She lay motionless on the ground, wheezing with her crown missing from her head.
Having his attention drawn by the shuffling sound of feet over gravel, the masked man looked to his left and saw a darkened figure make its way through the dust. Turning to face it, he saw a worse for wear Starfire stumble into view with the crown in hand. She was so weak and tired, she failed to watch where she was stepping and tripped over a small indention in the street, only to be caught by Red X who had teleported to catch her in a kneeling position.
"I...I did it," Starfire muttered. "I defeated my sister."
"You sure did, kid," Red X told her.
"I don't have the...the gift you gave me anymore. I used it on her."
"I saw that. I can get you another one."
Taking a deep breath, she continued. "I guess, I am the...queen now."
"Yeah. You're the queen. Long live the queen and all that jazz."
Reaching up, Starfire ran her fingers along the edge of Red X's mask. "I do not wish to be the queen. I would have to stay here if I am."
"Sorry to hear that, Kori." He then moved a few strands of hair from her face.
"Can you please...take off your mask?"
"Uhhh, you now how I feel about the whole identity thing, cutie. What if your friend's see?"
"Please?"
Letting out a sigh, Red X quickly looked around then undid a clasp on each side of his helmet. Removing it, he set it on the ground and looked down at the tired Tameran.
"I missed seeing your face," Starfire told him. "It is not unattractive. I believe the proper term is, handsome."
"Thanks. You're pretty hot yourself."
"But I do not feel overly warm."
Letting out a chuckle, Red X shook his head. "You are beyond words, sunshine."
A bright smile formed on Starfire's face from the remark.
Watching from a distance as she hovered in the air, Supergirl saw the entire exchange between the two with her enhanced vision and hearing. "Long live the queen. My sister."
Gladatorial Arena-
With the last of the elite soldiers being shackled and collared, as well as some of the more unruly prisoners, the guards loyal to Princess Koriand'r led them away into the arena's holding cells underground. M'gann sat with Conner as the two had a private conversation over their mental link while Cassie lightly mocked Jaime for the purple two toned pants he was forced to wear before having his Scarab form pants for him.
Kara, who had been back shortly after seeing the exchange between Koriand'r and the maskless Red X, rolled her eyes at the way the two females were acting with their men. She kept her comments to herself and drank from a long canteen one of the soldiers had given her.
"Kreensece Koriand'r!" one of the loyalists shouted once he saw the Tameranian enter the arena.
As the other soldiers began chanting her name, Supergirl got up and saw her Earth sister was having to be helped by the skull masked man as he drug an unconscious Komand'r behind them with a tanglemet of red straps around her entire body. Those they passed bowed in respect and grew excited to see their princess had defeated the former Queen of Tameran.
"Star!" Supergirl shouted as she flew down to the arena floor.
Stepping away, Red X handed a chain used in dragging Blackfire in to the nearest soldier as Supergirl wrapped her arms around her friend.
"I'm so glad you're okay, Star," the Kryptonian said with her arms tightly around Starfire.
"Thank you for believing in me. Sister." Starfire said as she hugged Supergirl back.
Tameran Palace
August 24
10:00 UTC
Within the main hall reserved for the planet's king and queen, hundreds of Tamerans stood tall on ether side of a long aisle leading from a set of massive double doors. White was the main color for the room with a slate gray stone floor where a purple carpet stretching down the length of the aisle marked the middle of the room. Sheer, white curtains blew lightly in the breeze coming in through the tall windows with a view of a beautiful outdoor garden surrounding it on all sides. White, purple, and two toned pink and purple flowers decorated the hall as well as the seas and tables for those in attendance to feast at where various Tameran delicacies were placed.
Standing in front, the five team members of the Titans and black ops team, as well as Wolf and Silkie, looked on as Koriand'r stood tall, dressed in a white gown with silver embroidery and a large golden pointed necklace topped her shoulders going halfway down between her bosom for a sweetheart neckline effect. Even Red X, still in his mask and refusing to take it off, stood with the others and watched Koriand'r smile proudly from her spot with a small crimson 'X' pinned over her heart.
Approaching the thrones, Domom'r, who was now dressed in ceremonial white and purple armor befitting the Captain of the Guards, walked long side an elderly Tameranian with the now polished crown resting atop a purple cushion. Both men climbed up the few stairs and knelt down on one knee each with their heads bowed and the crown being lifted before them.
Reaching down, Princess Koriand'r carefully took hold of the headpiece, the same headpiece her sister wore that was capable of deflecting telepathic attacks, and placed it on her head, marking her as the new Queen of Tameran. A loud roar of cheers and applause filled the hall with Wolf howling and Silkie screeching along as well.
Holding her hands up, before any announcement could be made proclaiming her as the new ruler, she brought the crowd to a silence to address them herself. "My fellow Tamerans. It is with great honor I accept this crown and the position as your Queen of Tameran. But it is with a heavy heart that I must tell you, I cannot stay here with you all."
As one, the crowd began to mumble amongst themselves.
"Please, allow me to explain. You see, I have a life back on Earth. A planet where there is an ongoing war between good and evil that I am a part of. And until that war is over, until my part in it is complete, I must stay there and see it through to the end."
She looked over the crowd as they listened to every word she had to say.
"My sister, Komand'r ruled you all with an iron fist, but her time is over. I wish nothing but for the prosperity of Tameran and in that, I declare all opportunities for advancements, be they healing, scholarly, or religious, be reestablished. However, like I have stated, I am needed elsewhere at this time. But I have chosen someone I feel is capable of leading Tameran where it needs to go in my stead."
Stepping to Domom'r, Queen Koriand'r motioned him to stand. "Domom'r, I have heard tails of your bravery during the time of Queen Komand'r. You took it upon yourself to lead the others when the previous commander was caught by her soldiers. You risked your life in saving others, the weak, elderly, and sick from her declaration of death. You have showed kindness and compassion when it was close to being lost to Tameran. For all that you have done, I wish to declare you interim ruler while I am away. Should you choose to accept, know this position comes with tremendous responsibility, not only to you, but to all people of Tameran. What is your answer?"
Looking up at the new queen, Domom'r swallowed, took a deep breath, and nodded. "If you see fit to judge me as worthy to rule in your stead, then I accept. I will not let you down, my Queen."
Motioning for him to join her side, Koriand'r lifted his arm up into the air. "While I am away, Domom'r shall rule in my stead. Treat him as you would me. I will be back to check on the progress you are making under him. And I swear by Tameran, when I am finished with helping my friends and Earth sister win the day, I will return. May Tameran now know peace and last forever!"
The crowd cheered at her words and bowed as she descended the steps from her throne with Domom'r inhaling deeply at the new position he was now in.
"Come, friends," Queen Koriand'r said once she was at her friend's side, "let us partake in the feast before making the journey home."
"But, aren't you the new Queen of Tameran?" Wonder Girl asked.
"Indeed I am. But I am needed on Earth. I explained everything to my people and appointed a temporary leader while I am away." Queen Koriand'r then looked at Supergirl. "And I have a sister I wish to spend time with."
Smiling, Supergirl noded. "I'm honored to be considered your sister, Kori."
"The honor is mine."
Bioship-
It was a few hours later before the group made the journey back to the Martian spacecraft. They were not alone as hundreds of grateful Tamerans lead the way and cheered for their queen as she and her friends left the palace and city.
Sitting in the cockpit, Mrs. Martian had her ship prepare for take off while Superboy sat to her right. Both were in their private mind link with the Martian woman blushing every now and then. Blue Beetle and Wonder Girl occupied the two seats to her left while Supergirl and Red X sat in front. The last to enter was Koriand'r, now without her crown but still in her dress. She took the last remaining seat in front, right next to Red X who made sure to have gotten the seat next to her by sitting in the middle of the three empty chairs.
"So, Queen Starfire," Wonder Girl said once the Tameran took her seat, "How'd you like your trip back home?"
"I enjoyed it," Starfire answered. "But while I am happy to have been back, I cannot help but feel sad."
"You're gonna miss it that much, huh?" Blue Beetle asked.
"I am afraid so. I just wish things were different. While I will miss my home and her people, I know I will miss you all, as well as my friends back on Earth. Maybe if Komand'r had known people like you, she would not be like she is."
"Nice way of thinking," Supergirl told her. "But that alone would not change who she was. Not if it's what was in her heart to begin with."
"I am afraid you are right. But despite that I have lost my sister by blood, I am more than glad to have you as my true sister."
"And I will always be here for you, Kori. I promise."
"As will I, cutie," Red X slyly said as he snaked an arm around Koriand'r's shoulders. "Anytime, day or night, whenever, wherever. Even if it's just for a booty call-"
"Hey," Supergirl said with a light push to his arm. "I'd be careful if I were you."
"Then it's a good thing you're not me."
Leaning in, Supergirl made sure only Red X could hear her. "Unless you want the others to now what you really look like, and your real name, I would seriously watch how I treat Koriand'r or any woman we're friends with."
Turning to face her, Red X leaned in close. "You're bluffing. You can't see under my mask from the thin layer of lead I-"
Whispering into the the ear canal of his mask, Supergril said, "I saw you take your mask off while holding Kori after her dual. She then told me she knows several different languages after kissing you. And a tan really wouldn't hurt Mister..."
Jerking back, Red X stared at Supergirl who said his name. She only mouthed, 'Try me' as a response to him looking at her. Removing his arm, carefully, Red X crossed his arms and sat back in his chair.
"That's better," Supergirl said, satisfied in putting a stop to the flirtatious anti-hero.
After taking off and entering space, the Martian Bioship flew towards a freshly opened Boom Tube gateway to make the journey home. With the coordinates for Earth programmed for the craft to follow, the trip would be instantaneous and not a few days like it had been for the rescue party. Weather that was a good or bad thing for Red X was a question to be asked another day.
Titans Tower
August 24
16:27 UTC
Standing before the main security terminal on the communal floor of the tower, Terra finished putting commands into the computer system like she had been doing shortly after joining the Titans. Everything looked nominal with sensors, cameras, and locks engaged as they should be. With the tower up to code, she grabbed a notebook from an overhead shelf and marked the time as well as her name before leaving.
Entering the hall, she saw Raven standing beside Garfield's room with her arms crossed and her back against the wall. The Gothic teen had her head down with her hand rubbing her forehead, looking as if she were having a migraine. After pressing the switch panel beside the door to close it, Terra made her way to the black clad girl, glancing into Garfield's room as she crossed in front of it.
"Something wrong?" Terra asked.
Lowering her hand, Raven looked at Terra who was taking a look inside the room. "Empathy. Garfield's letting off so many emotions, it's hard to ignore."
"And what are you doing by his room?"
"Not that it concerns you, but I wanted to see what was the matter since he spoke with that dignitary the other day. He saw her on the news and hasn't been mentally quiet about it. He hasn't even been acting the same, if you've noticed."
"And you just decided to confront him on your own about it." Terra's words were not a question, but a statement.
"It's...what a friend would do. And I don't have many."
Nodding, Terra shifted her feet around. "Okay. Well, since you're his friend, maybe you would know where he is then."
Looking at the blonde, Raven narrowed her eyes and turned to completely face her. "As his friend, I-"
"Care about him?
Crossing her arms, Raven developed a slight sneer and locked eyes with the slightly taller girl.
RECOGNIZED, T-2, MRS. MARTIAN. RECOGNIZED, T-1, SUPERBOY.
With the computer announcing the arrival of the two leaders, both girls refrained from saying anything more and dropped the subject.
-Next episode- The hunt is on.