The Titans continued staring down at the dark-haired Tamaranean. Her appearance wasn't as elegant as everyone was used to seeing. Her clothing was tattered, her skin was covered in scuff, and there was a large gash leaking blood on the hairline of her forehead. If it weren't for her delayed, slow breathing, everyone would've thought that she was dead.
"How… How did she get here? I thought she was in some sort of space prison?" Beast Boy asked from across the crater.
"I can swear to you Blackfire was. The guards told me, after her last crime, she wouldn't be released until her 1,600th Blortke. That day is far from today, so that means-"
"She escaped." Robin interjected, narrowing his eyes at the still unconscious Tamaranean, "Raven, can you tell us Blackfire's condition?"
Raven nodded and focused her magic to examine Blackfire. The damage she sustained wasn't life-threatening as long as they took her into the tower for medical treatment. Fortunately, her healing factor was in effect, keeping her in steady condition while taking care of the damage her body underwent.
"The only thing that looks to be a serious issue is her rib cage. Blackfire seemed to have broken two bones, but none punctured her lungs. I can fix it with time. Her cuts, damaged tissue, and minor fractures in her body can be handled herself." Raven responded.
Tears began to roll down the face of Starfire as she looked down at her older sister. Although Blackfire caused Starfire years of suffering, Starfire couldn't bear to see her like this. She had nothing but love for her eldest and only sister. Starfire would take all the pain and suffering Blackfire was feeling tenfold just to relieve her sister of the misery she was going through. She fell into Raven's arms, lightly sobbing into the demoness' shoulders. While Raven was against her orange-skinned friend making a mess of her cloak, this was one of the rare instances where she would make an exception.
"Good… when she's stable, we need to bring her back immediately," Robin stated, looking at the other four of his teammates nonchalantly.
They all looked at him dumbfounded and confused. However, Starfire took offense to it the most, as she snapped back at her boyfriend with a stained look of betrayal. They were used to his stern and harsh decisions; however, they didn't expect an answer like this so quickly. Cyborg, Raven, and Beast Boy agreed with different standpoints, while Starfire was against the idea altogether.
"Rob," said Cyborg, "I agree. She's betrayed us numerous times. Opening her in the tower with open arms is not an option, I know. But, look at her. We can't just bring her back. What if she's in trouble? Don't you think we should keep her here for a few days and-"
"She's a criminal, Cyborg! She doesn't get that luxury!" Robin retorted.
"That criminal is my sister!" Starfire snapped, pointing angrily at her boyfriend and leader from across the crater, "She has hurt us countless times, but I refuse to turn my back on my sister! She's staying on Earth! Did we ever turn our back on you when you worked under Slade?!"
"That's not the point, Star! I learned my lesson, who says she has after all this time? We give her an inch, and I guarantee she takes a mile! The minute you show her hospitality, Blackfire will use that to escape and raise hell!" Robin answered back, audibly upset that Starfire would even want to keep Blackfire, "She's lucky we're even bringing her back to health before we escort her back!"
"You dare treat my blood as a common crook!"
Starfire began to fly upwards, her eyes glowed with anger and her hands radiated her signature color of green. Robin took a step back, regretting what he had said as he looked at the others, who were just as shaken as he was.
"Everyone, enough!" Raven shouted.
Those two words seemed to calm everyone's nerves, while also keeping them on edge as to what would come next. Starfire regained her composure, planting her feet back on the soil beneath her. However, she kept the disgust she had towards Robin, not having the strength to even look in his direction. Robin tried to speak but was cut off by Raven's hand extending it towards him as a signal to shut up.
"We all know that Blackfire can't be trusted. Just talking about her is causing problems. But, we're heroes, and she's Star's sister. No matter what the outcome is, we have to help in any way we can. So, we keep Blackfire to regain her strength, question her about what happened, and keep her if and only if she's in actual trouble. Can we all agree?"
The team took time to consider the decision. It was a good plan and fair. But, some risks need to be accounted for.
"I think that's… fair-minded…" Starfire whispered.
"Sounds good to me." Cyborg replied.
"... fine. But, we'll need to keep her under tight surveillance and security." Robin stated in a huff.
"Alright, we just have to get the walking booger's thoughts. What's on your mind, BB?" Cyborg said, looking at the changeling, who seemed to ignore him.
"Yo, Beast Boy!" Cyborg said once more.
"Beast Boy, we're trying to communicate with you." Starfire told him, but to no luck, he just continued staring at the sky.
Confused as to what was going on, the four others looked in the direction of what he could be so focused on and soon got a good look at what appeared. The two large objects closing the distance between them made the Titans take a defensive stance. Soon enough, they would land feet away from the team, armored in orange, bulky armor that didn't show any characteristics of the beings. Their heavy steps shook the ground under the young adults. No words were spoken between either group, which caused disorientation on whether these mysterious figures were friends or foes. Finally, face to face with the team, they looked down on the Jump City heroes, examining the team as well as Blackfire.
"GGGLLLUAAARGGGHHHHA!" One of the figures yelled.
An awkward silence followed suit.
"Uh… You have got to use your words, man." Cyborg replied.
The two mysterious figures looked at one another and fiddled with the devices on their forearms. Cyborg practiced his sonic cannon on the two as a warning, but the only reaction he got was a momentary pause from the aliens before continuing.
"We apologize for the confusion, it appears that our language isn't compatible with your world. We set our communications to a two-way; you can understand us, and we can understand all of you. My name is Erol, an officer at Fort Cyg-Muar."
"And I am Barul Jer-Ar, a guard at the prison."
"There was a riot at the prison, a riot the prisoner used to escape the compound like a few others. Fortunately, we were able to track her down weeks after the incident. We gave her a direct order to surrender, but she decided to respond by attacking and continuing to flee. As you can see, her plan did not go successful."
"You…" Starfire spoke up, eyebrows frowning at the officers. "You're the ones who hurt Blackfire?"
Erol and Barul looked at the Starfire, her hands glowed with energy bolts at the ready to hurl at the aliens.
"As a result of her resisting arrest, yes." Barul stated sternly to the girl, "Why does it concern you?"
"Because she's my sister! As princess of Tamaran, I demand you go back where you came from and leave her alone!" Starfire barked, growing increasingly more aggressive.
"Your diplomacy has no jurisdiction over Cyg-Muar, so we suggest you compose yourself, or you'll be going back with your sister, girlie." The back of Erol's suit formed a series of weaponry directed at her, soon his partner would do the same along with shaping a laser at Starfire's forehead with his fist.
A chain of events called for the team to ready their weapons and powers at the alien figures in the heated standoff. Neither side was going to stand down. Despite the team's mutual dislike for Blackfire, they weren't going to let these jerks get their hands on Blackfire or threaten their long-time friend. Whatever happened, they were more than ready to go to war with the two strangers.
"Every one of you, stand down! I will not say this again!" Erol shouted towards the Titans.
"Then don't! Pull the trigger if you have the balls!" Cyborg stated, more than ready to fight with these authoritative scums.
"We suggest you put down your weapons, you don't know who you're dealing with!" Robin added.
"Yeah! And try anything stupid, we'll have more of our friends to back us up! We'll even bring in the Justice League!" Beast Boy shouted at the men in his rhinoceros form.
The two invaders slightly lowered their weapons and paused, still keeping their eyes on the team.
"The Justice League?" Erol questioned, "The team led by the one known as Superman?"
"Uh… yeah?" Beast Boy responded.
"What other Justice League do you know with someone with the same name?" Raven asked the men with her unique annoyed tone.
Erol and Barul looked at one another once more, nodding simultaneously to put away their weaponry. Raven was reading them throughout. They weren't in fear at all by the answer to their question; they were more calm than they were when they first landed.
"That means… we're in sector 2814. Planet Earth... where the League operates." Erol stated, "When my planet was being invaded by Mongul, Superman saved my family from being crushed by a falling building."
"... The Green Lanterns and Martian Manhunter stopped Despero from conquering my world…" Barul added in a whispering tone.
"We apologize for our aggression and misunderstanding, we didn't mean this antagonism towards the Justice League's planet." Erol stated apologetically, "Are you all within the League as well?"
"No, we're the Teen Titans." Robin answered.
"We're like the JL, but we're more badass and cool!" Beast boy added, earning a magical slap from the gothic sorceress.
"We see. Once more, we apologize for making all of you feel troubled, but our wishes are the same, we need Blackfire to come back with us. She's a dangerous criminal who-"
"We can keep her under our supervision." Starfire interjected.
All eyes were on her as she continued to speak.
"The riot… it left Fort Cyg-Muar in disarray, yes? Well… we can keep her on Earth under the watch of the Justice League. Wouldn't sending her back to a place that hasn't fully recovered yet make her more likely to escape captivity? I'm certain all of you would feel at ease, not having another dangerous criminal under your watch, but under the supervision of the galaxy's mightiest warriors."
Erol and Barul faced each other. Their helmets didn't show the team their expression, but Raven could feel the conflict they were going through. She saw it as a perfect opportunity to use this to her advantage.
"Did either of you give Superman, Green Lantern, or Martian Manhunter a proper thank you for all they've done for you? They risked their lives to protect the ones you care and love. So, why are you trying to separate Starfire from her only family when the League saved your families? We promise to bring Blackfire back if she steps one foot out of line. All we ask is you to trust us."
The two took in what they were hearing and looked down at their escaped prisoner, then one another. It took a while before they turned back to the team, looking at them with the expressionless demeanor of their helmets.
"Like we said before, Blackfire is a dangerous criminal," Erol stated firmly. Then, he took a deep sigh. "However, her charges aren't as bad as the other convicts we have on the yard. If we have your word you will look after her and ensure no more crimes will be committed by her hand, we can tell our superiors that the Justice League has her in containment."
The team sighed in relief and cheered at the decision. Starfire hugged Raven tightly, thanking her best friend for convincing the two to let her sister stay. The crushing pressure against Raven's spine and sides made her gasp for air. No matter how many times she told Starfire it wasn't a problem, her friend simply held her tighter. It took Raven to threaten the cheerful redhead that she would send her to another dimension if she didn't stop touching her to make her stop.
"Thank you once more, officers! I promise not to go against my word!" Starfire exclaimed, flying at the two men in armor and wrapping them both in a tight hug.
"Unhand us right now!" Barul shouted in his mech voice. As a result, she swiftly did what was told.
"I apologize, sirs. I thought the both of you were okay with hugs." She said freighted.
"Hugs?" They both asked.
"A hug… a sign of gratitude, friendship, and warmth." Starfire responded.
"Oh, it's like a xhijbet?" Erol asked.
"A psy-what now?" Cyborg questioned.
"A xhijbet. I can demonstrate it on Starfire for everyone to see. It's when two people get their tongues out and use them to lick the other's eyeballs before-"
The explanation was cut off by the five young adults making grossed-out expressions and noises as they practically begged Erol to stop.
The team watched as Erol and Barul flew away towards the sky. They were officially the caretakers of Blackfire. But, now they needed to treat Blackfire back to health. Who knew how long it would take for her to wake, or what would happen when she did?
"Hey, Raven, that was pretty cool what you said back there!" Beast Boy said, walking next to her. "Also, whatever I did to upset you earlier, I wanted to say-"
"Fuck off." Raven responded, walking away from the changeling. It wasn't her neutral attitude she told him off in, but the more cold tone she had when they were kids. Beast Boy just stood behind, hurt, trying to figure out what might've set her off to treat him like this.
"Cyborg, I need you to set up the medical room." Raven ordered.
"On it!"
"Star, hold Blackfire straight as a board, but at a slight angle starting from her head. We need her to be stable. Any sudden jolts or positions will aggravate her injuries or cause new ones." Raven explained as she watched Starfire lift her older sister with ease.
"Like this?" Starfire asked, slowly lifting and turning Blackfire's body to show Raven.
"Perfect. Now hurry back to the Tower. The quicker I can begin healing her, the better." She responded, opening a portal inside their home.
Starfire walked by Robin, not doing him the favor of even looking in his direction. He was in the doghouse and there was nothing he could do but beg for forgiveness.
"Starfire, I-"
"I need to worry about Blackfire for now." Starfire told Robin, not being able to hide the pain Robin had given her, not only from their argument earlier but how she had been treated many times before.
He just respected her wishes and watched as the girls entered Raven's portal. With a sorrowful look, he took one last glance at his love, who was doing the same to him as well. They kept their gaze until the hole closed, and she was nowhere in sight.