INNER DEMONS

by The Mighty One

Chapter 44 has been completed! Blackfire struggles to claim her prize outside The Jump City Observatory. The elemental wielders of ice and earth, are evenly matched at Titans Tower; Raven formulates a strategy with Avatar and The Squadron heroes, as the contest for Cyborg, reaches an unpleasant dilemma of its own. Meanwhile, Falcon and Elizabeth make their move.

44. Duel Of The Champions

Disclaimer: By this means, I rightfully claim ownership to this FanFiction story and my original character within it, by my trademark signature T.M.O at the conclusion of every update. Any other characters that may appear in this work and are new, these are the rightful properties by their creators as well and cannot be reproduced, or duplicated without their individual consent. I do not own anything within the DC Universe, from Warner Brothers, or on Cartoon Network. The only original character and the name that I created for him; that I accept half ownership on is Falcon from this telling. Scififanfreak222 owns the second half of him as well, for drawing him upon a collaboration of various new designs and sketches within the year of 2010; and cannot be knowingly placed into another literary document, writing community, comic book series, and or televised broadcast without either of our written or verbal consent in front of legal consultants. TheForceIsStrongWithThisOne, Scififanfreak222, xSaffire55x, Novus Ordo Seclorum, and RavenxIsxAxBlackxRose; each of these fellow writers have helped me to press onwards with this story, every-time I have come across writers block. Without their outstanding guidance, the updates would have taken me even longer to complete.

Chapter 44 has been completed! Blackfire struggles to claim her prize outside The Jump City Observatory. The elemental wielders of ice and earth, are evenly matched at Titans Tower; Raven formulates a strategy with Avatar and The Squadron heroes, as the contest for Cyborg, reaches an unpleasant dilemma of its own. Meanwhile, Falcon and Elizabeth make their move. "Nothing goes on forever." -unknown-

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Chapter 44 - Duel Of The Champions

"STARFIRE!"

The frightened tone of the male's voice, was of absolute grief. Robin realized the moment he looked up, what was happening.

Fear wrapped him completely as he lay on the ground, a slow creeping dread that spread from his toes to his skull. He hated it, this despair, the unpleasant anguish, the gut churning guilt.

Robin's hand was outstretched, he was very close to grabbing his teammate to pull her back in. She was unresponsive, her entrancing emerald eyes that were so filled with laughter, joy, and affection were closed, and she said nothing while she plummeted down.

It was in these agonizing seconds, that his heart felt to tighten within his chest, and time appeared to slow down. His eyes behind the Domino Mask became wide, as the knee-jerk response, had forced him to slide forwards onto his stomach.

She had been knocked out from the attack in the clouds . . . and down, down, down, to the cold depths she went.

His right hand was outstretched, after stumbling across the wet battlefield. His left hand reached for the grapple gun, tucked within a compartment on his gold utility belt, but it was not going to help this time, as she was already past him.

The broken and mangled bodies of Robot Commandos he defeated, the droids were strewn behind. His domino mask squinted, The Tamaranean Princess was beyond his grasp.

Starfire! Robin's voice echoed, but this time it was in his mind.

She said nothing, only the rushing of cool air met his ears. Seeing her collapse backwards, tumbling like she was somersaulting in mid-air, Robin had put the pieces together, that something was wrong.

The strike against her was absolutely potent, powerful, and within a matter of seconds, she could do nothing to defend herself from the explosion of bright purple star-bolts, that detonated upon impact.

Her name rattled about the hillside, while the Red-Haired heroine, splashed into the icy surf of The Pacific. The Boy Wonder was only able to watch from the very lip of the edge, as the maw of the tide swallowed her.

"NO!" Robin shouted, and he felt his entire body growing numb.

He had nightmares, unpleasant traumas which returned to remind him of his failures as a young man, of his blunders, of the leadership role that created wider distance from himself and all those that could potentially get close.

The moment of Starfire falling, made him wince and clench his fists. Tears began to form behind his mask, as he began to recall himself as the scared little boy, reaching out for his mother's hand in the circus tent that night.

Starfire's fall suddenly combined and merged with that of his parents. It was in this blur of the past to the present, that the exact dread and inability to do anything, paralyzed him.

His vision became blurry, while all the world had become strangely silent.

No, not her too . . . His thoughts trailed off, fragmented into the depths of his brain.

The Tamaranean Princess had fallen at such an incredible velocity, that a great splash of water erupted around her, causing the hero to reawaken to the current moment. As Robin looked up, a triumphant figure hovered in the night sky, pumping their fist in a victory pose.

What words they spoke, Robin did not know. His focus returned to the waves tumbling into the shore, where the nightmare slowly dissipated and he shot up off the ground.

It had been another ambush, where his closest teammate and romantic partner, had become harmed in this maneuver. The words of Red X taunting him, played back the simple message that he had been sent to deliver, those many days ago . . .

"Keep your friends close Robin. It's always the ones that you love, whom you end up hurting in the end."

Thunder boomed, while lighting flashed behind the slender female that was in the sky. The attacker looked down at him with a twisted smirk, and for a moment, their eyes met.

The entire evening had been a pattern of misfortune, from the heroes barely getting out of one impossible scenario, to then become pinned into an even more difficult struggle. Robin felt a strange reinvigorated emotion, and it became stronger causing his fingers to tighten into fists.

While the light rain coming down made him dwell on his parents funeral, he looked across the battlefield, and saw his twelve-year-old self, turning away from their headstones. He was walking with his head bowed, and the mirage disappeared.

Something inside of him clicked, and the goal that captivated him above all this pain, as it had the day he vowed to bring justice to Tony Zucco, the man responsible in making him an orphan, was to capture Slade.

The face of his parent's murderer, it merged with the orange and black iron mask of Slade. Robin could not uphold the vow he pledged, if he remained in this state of shock. The Criminal Mastermind had to be defeated, where the fate of not only his friends, but all of Jump City depended upon it.

The intense glow of vibrant purple orbs of light, were becoming wider over her fists. She was preparing for a new attack, as his adrenaline began to race. The training to utilize that inner focus, was critical in making him react split seconds ahead of any challenger.

The opportunities to think, to recalibrate to what was happening in the immediate aftermath, he had worked out the battle-strategy like a super computer. The time for grieving was not afforded him, where he noticed the attacker dive down towards him, to finish him off.

Robin was tired, where the vow he promised at his parent's graves, only intensified the importance of this situation. He was angry, furious at himself and he channeled that raw emotion as a drill sergeant would.

Get moving you idiot! MOVE!

The attacker was swooping low. She came in like a Stuka Dive Bomber, strafing the ground, as Blackfire began throwing one purple star-bolt after another at him, leaving a trail of devastation in her wake.

Robin rolled out of the way, he got back to his feet and his legs started to carry him. He had dodged it, but he would not be afforded a second chance. The battle was heating up, and he remained totally focused on her, while she looped around to make a second pass.

She destroyed a few of the Robot Commandos, that had emerged yet they got in her way. To the Tamaranean Exile, it did not matter, there would always be more to utilize.

He had overcome the first bout against the numerous faceless opponents, yet this girl was driven by a brutal rage which was unprecedented. Since the attack had started, it was exposed who she was working with.

Starfire was somewhere in the water, and his primary focus was to punish this enemy for what she did. He needed to rescue his teammate, but the relentless pursuit only forced him further away from the cliffside.

"Damn you!" The Titans Captain growled, as he gritted his teeth. "You will pay for what you have done!"

"What are you waiting for?" Blackfire beckoned the troops across the battlefield, "Attack him! NOW!"

Blackfire unleashed a potent barrage of star-bolts once again, exploding purple shot after blistering shot, aimed center-mass at him. Some of The Robot Commandos were armed with blasters, and they began to shoot at him. Others had staffs, and batons of their own, where they charged forwards as a cacophony of noise erupted.

Robin tossed down two smoke grenades from his utility belt, he had defeated four more warriors in this sudden motion. Their broken bodies had spent electrical wires popping from their shell-like frames near his feet.

His silhouette disappeared as she came in low, trying to finish him off but unable to locate her target.

"Where are you?!" She cried out, as she squeezed her fists in ire. "You cannot hope to win this contest, Robin! I just bested your strongest fighter, what chance do you think you possibly have against me?"

The Titan's Captain did not reply. He was working his adversary into a fight of his choosing, not the other way around. Being in the open field, without cover, and unable to have any even footing in their duel, those issues were a receipt for failure.

Lessons from The Dark Knight had shown him many creative ways, in how to face over a hundred enemies at once, through the Ninjistu art of becoming truly one with the shadows. The training had illuminated his battle-strategy, as he disappeared from all those that hunted him.

Fear and deception were powerful agents, as the intense tutelage he went through as a boy, honed his adaptability. He had cleared everything from his mind, and he was ready to bring the fight to a whole new level.

The Old Master in the mountains he parried against, the constant regiment and workouts he forced himself to go through, the meditation sessions every single day within The Tower's Gym, these exercises had sharpened his fighting skills, heightened his senses, and built his muscle memory to become the capable leader of The Teen Titans that he was.

Robin breathed in slowly, calmly, to set himself up. He remained under the shadow of the great telescope, while the white lenses from the domino-mask peered forwards. The smoke-screen had concealed his withdrawal, and the enemy troops stood motionless.

He began to count the Robot Commandos, as there were forty in total.

"This shouldn't be difficult." Robin commented quietly, "Half this number are armed with blasters, the other half have weapons for hand to hand melee."

Blackfire was an elite Tamaranean Warrior, a gladiator of formidable physical strength. She had the ability to fly, she could unleash attacks the same as her younger sister, and she had just proved how terrifying she could be, when all of her focus was directed at one place only.

The best action he deduced, was not giving her a single momentary reprieve. This would mean, he had to be stubborn, and to constantly attack her blind-spots, move, then hit her over and over, not relenting. Starfire had practiced sparing sessions with him, and in their training, the two learned a great deal.

Blackfire had struck her sibling with no mercy. Robin understood, she would hold nothing back against him either.

He bowed his head, "Starfire, just hang on."

Being of a fierce warrior race, pride was an obvious marker he could use against her. He would need to utilize every gadget and fighting technique he had ever learned, just to do battle with her. But before he could confront his main enemy, he would need to dismantle the roaming bodyguards that were searching for him.

Twenty were surrounding The Observatory itself, and the other twenty, were scattered about the woods and parking lot. While not a real challenge to him, they would wear him down.

To out maneuver and strategize multiple vantage places, prior to even carrying out the first strike, he would begin with such a swift and determined calmness. He had been much too eager in reaching this location, and that overconfidence had cost him.

"You fool!" Blackfire hissed in rage, as she stood in the middle of her troops. "You cannot possibly hope to win! If you do not come out to face me, then I will drag Starfire's body up . . . and make her endure further agony!"

He said nothing. As much as it pained him to hear this and not respond, yet he understood what she was doing. He needed to take down the Robot Commandos first, otherwise they would only interfere.

"There you are!" The Exile grinned, as she flew up and peppered the nearby trees with a barrage of exploding vibrant purple star-bolts.

The smoke cleared, where Blackfire hovered in mid-air while wiping away the mounting plume of smoke from her eyes. The foot she saw, had been from a broken Robot Commando.

Robin acted quickly, he was leaving a trail of defeated enemies around the battlefield. Blackfire in turn, was getting increasingly agitated, as her prey continuously evaded her.

"Show yourself, you coward!" she roared, turning in circles.

No response came.

Robot Commandos that emerged to attack The Boy Wonder, suddenly formed a circle around her. The Jump City Observatory, was on the hill directly behind them, where the troops were awaiting further instruction.

"Find him!" The Exile demanded, with her arms interlocked. "Search the area! Fan out and bring him to me! He could not have gone far!"

Deep within the shadows, utilizing stealth and adaptability that his great mentor had taught him, Robin peered out from beneath a catwalk. He had used his grapple-gun to pull himself away from the trees. He was well concealed, as the cloud cover blocked out the stars and moonlight to hide himself away.

One by one, Robot Commandos began to disperse around the area, allowing The Titan Captain to track them from afar, at a methodical and calculated rate.

In a fit of wrath, a purple orb of light that was glowing over her right palm, smashed through the direct center of one of the droids that was simply standing near the Tamaranean, causing it to collapse backwards.

"I will count down from ten! If after that, you still stubbornly refuse to come forth, then I will make you watch, as I do to her, what I did to him!"

He stayed silent.

Blackfire stepped over the body, as her voice echoed. "Ten!"

Robin slipped around the permitter, making fast work of a group of enemies. One after another, stealthily and without causing the others to notice. They were no match for him, and he had cut down their ranks to thirty-six.

"Nine."

With the heated anger in her glare, she turned towards the ones that were nearby. They quickly parted from her, to not be made an example of, like their poor compatriot had been.

"Eight."

Robin opened his bo-staff and he pummeled four more Robot Commandos that were huddled together. The weapon impacting them, the thudding caused others to notice, and to race over to see only the defeated and motionless copies.

The Exile shouted with her arms spread apart, "Seven!"

Robin had finished clearing another pair, and he used his grapple gun to continue swinging around the battlefield. The Robot Commandos were always a few paces behind, and as they would enter the area, following a scuffle or commotion, the pursuers would find more defeated sladebots.

Their ranks were being cut down.

Utilizing the darkness, and only striking when the enemy had their backs to him, Robin was succeeding in his mission. The rage fueled him, and he kept moving.

Blackfire stood by the edge, in the very spot where the Titan Captain had reached his arm out to grab Starfire. Down below, at the very bottom, waves crashed into the wall, to then pull back out to sea.

"Six."

The fall, was bringing back images of the mercenary known as Red X, she had attacked at the Amusement Park. She scanned the cliff, not seeing any sign of a body, which caused a knot to tighten within her stomach.

Blackfire needed something for conformation of her handiwork, the attack had been so masterfully carried out, it was preformed with such ferocity and impact, that her opponent did not even throw up their hands in a defensive posture.

Starfire was in the water, somewhere, she had yet to resurface where the girl's ability to maintain being alive, in any inhospitable environment, like the cold vacuum of space, made the attacker understand her sibling was still alive. Stunned from the attack in the clouds, but not defeated.

"So . . . this is the great and powerful might from our enemies you went on and on about. Pathetic." Blackfire grumbled, as she raised a clenched fist in front of her. "Was I really so worried for nothing?"

The Communicator attached to her belt chimed in, interrupting her monologue as she was jolted back to the present moment.

The Exile reached for it, then stopped as her fingers clasped the circumference. Anger grew inside of her, a hot bubbling ire that increased when she thought of the long journey to reach this place, and how she felt like she was still being used. He was the last person she wanted to deal with.

"What is it?" She spoke in a tone of total annoyance.

It was very different from her more agreeable voice, when it came to him speaking to her, where perhaps it was the fact that her mission was nearing its end, that had something to do with it?

The image on screen revealed the one-eyed masked villain, as he stood in front of his large throne. Blackfire brushed a strand of silky dark hair away from her face, as the gust of wind picked up. Her attitude was brimming with loftiness.

"Perfect timing." she commented, "I know that you have your own preparations to look after, and I was just in the middle of - well, you know already. I must say however, you could have at least told me about the gas you were planning to unleash!"

The clicking and clanking of gears into cogs churned away in the repetitive pattern, as he resided within his impenetrable fortress. He began speaking, after a bit of steam hissed about him.

*Everything must be completed in their proper stages. To ignore this, then defeat is a guarantee. Even the smallest of preparations if overlooked, can bring about worse struggles.*

He was using her. She knew that, but his methods did come in clutch to allow her the resources to weaken and distract her foes. The discarded Robot Commandos that were laying across the battlefield was proof enough.

"I . . . I understand." She bowed her head slightly. "I wont have to say too much really, because we both know, that you have eyes everywhere. So then, why are you bothering contacting me now?"

*Have you something more to say, some proud, defiant remark . . . or have you learned your place?* The deep and masculine voice from Slade fired back, he was not pleased with her rebellious attitude.

"Forgive me." Blackfire answered. "It has been . . . difficult."

*You have lost the initiative, your overconfidence is a foul quality that you carry. It has left you blinded, a shroud has fallen over you.*

"I throttled her." Blackfire squeezed her right fist, almost trembling in rage. "She . . . she never saw it coming. She is down there, and I plan to-"

*Then FINISH it.*

"I will."

There was another awkward silence on both ends. Their partnership was fragile, and while they were striving towards the same goal, something felt off-kilter, that something had changed ever since her return from Gotham.

They were nearing the ending of their arrangement, and with how close they were to success, the one thing that could foil everything, was a prideful attitude in praising their achievements, before they had even crossed the finishing line. It was subtle without any verbal cue, and deep down, both of them knew it.

Slade had made that mistake once, and it had cost him Robin of being his apprentice.

*Do not underestimate them. Do not underestimate, him.*

"He won't get far. I promised I would -"

*You have turned an assured success, into a miserable game of hide and seek. Or, have you forgotten, that every one of my machinations reveals what you are trying to hide.*

"I have done everything you told me to do!"

*No. You Have not. You have lost the element of surprise, you have overplayed your hand, and now . . . you have absconded everything to gloat. Tell me, where is your strength now, that you are in panic as more of my resources are depleted?*

Blackfire closed her eyes, the truth was unavoidable and she had missed her opportunity to strike Robin. The pair of Titans had arrived, just as he told her they would. The Gotham City criminals had led them right to her, and her choosing to strike when she had, they were separated but not crushed.

Starfire may have been knocked out for now, but Robin had outmaneuvered her, and so long as he was doing what he was, eventually the Robot Commandos would continue the fight on his terms.

Slade was right.

"I have waited years, to get my vengeance. Surely, that is understandable and I -"

*It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience.*

"This. Isn't. Over."

*No, it is not.* Slade cut-in quickly, silencing her rebuttal. The deeper meaning to his words made her shiver. *They will not accept this. Robin is more cunning than you give him credit for.*

"I have knocked my dear sister out of the fight, for now. Robin is hiding from your troops. I am going to make sure to end this!"

Slade leaned forwards on his end, his single eye was squinting as his menacing posture made it abundantly clear, that he was still the authority in their roles.

Blackfire gulped. The disk containing the last known coordinates of Wildfire, in the vastness of space were still in his possession. To destroy The Teen Titans, and her sister, that had always been an incentivizing offer. To be reunited with the youngest brother, after fearing he was lost forever, it made her strategize the next words carefully.

*Need I remind you, of what you will lose . . . should you fail?*

"I want you to know, that I am angry. You would not have me otherwise. My hatred towards them, brought me to you. I want you to know, that I will not fail. And I understand us, precisely."

Steam hissed on his end, where his formidable image became more concealed in the shadows and fog, as his single eye behind the cold mask was all to be viewed.

*We shall see.*

The transmission faded to black, and Blackfire released a deep sigh.

She was still following his orders, and so far, everything had gone exactly as he had plotted and schemed. Minus a few small unexpected hiccups, but the main goal was still being carried out, and there was very little in the way. Except as he pointed out, her stubborn arrogance, which had afforded Robin his moment to continue the fight.

Blackfire took one last glance at the bottom of the cliff that her sister fell alongside, and she kicked a few pebbles over the edge. She was down there, somewhere.

"Dear sister." Blackfire monologued, as she looked up to the plumes of rising smoke that enveloped Titans Tower, out in the bay. "My vendetta is not yet secured, but soon, soon it will be."

She just had to find Robin now, which he was proving harder to locate than she first gave him credit for.

Regardless of the scheming and events, her role was as a diversionary snare, and Slade may not have admitted it during their conversation, but another agenda was unraveling. The Criminal Mastermind was able to keep the heroes delayed further in their objective, and Blackfire was able to at long last confront her sister.

"The insects of this planet, are going to be their own undoing." she smirked, "What pitiful and wasteful creatures these humans are."

Before she could turn towards the large building up on the hill, the sudden enveloping cloud of white smoke hissed at her feet, and a series of concussive grenades exploded all around her!

She became stunned, disoriented, as a blistering attack was unleashed onto her now. She could not block the hits, as a flurry of strikes and blows, crashed into her from the front, back, and sides.

THWACK!

The metallic bo-staff slammed into the back of her cranium! Her vision darkened, as she was caught unaware by the potent blow, and before she could throw up her arms in defense at this most critical hit, she stumbled backwards and crashed to the ground.

It was Robin!

The hits came at such an incredible speed, there was nothing she could do. The strikes were heavy, and they battered her down without mercy.

Blackfire lay on her back, unable to fend off the jabs and blows that were a whirlwind of a blur, and the hits intensified with every movement she made. Where the hero stood above her now, pointing his most trusting weapon at her jugular, panting heavily as he had managed to outmaneuver and defeat all remaining Robot Commandos by himself.

Blackfire pleaded in the universal gesture, by raising her right hand, not able to speak as the air had been knocked out of her lungs. She had a splitting headache, while a ringing in her eardrums slowly dissipated.

"Do. Not. Move!" Robin commanded, his cape flapping behind him as he leaned forwards, aiming the end of the iconic weapon against her throat. "This fight, is finished."

Impossible! She thought.

He was breathing heavily. His chest moved up and down in a slow pattern while he had her pinned. Beads of sweat dripped down his forehead, as every strike he landed was a force of intensity that he increased.

What he had overheard, it was undeniable. She was working for Slade, and he was furious that she had returned to Earth, of all things to align herself with such a heinous evil, that made his blood boil.

If he leaned in all the way, he would crush her neck, ending her. Even now, after everything that had taken place and having learned the truth, his humanity was struggling to deliver a coup-de-grace. He was able to do it, but he was fighting hard against it.

Blackfire blinked her eyes to finally see him. He was as attractive and formidable, as she remembered the day she last saw him. The day her scheme on Tamaran was exposed, and she was banished.

She could understand why her sister was so fond of him, and why his tactics had made him such a difficult opponent. It was a resiliency in himself, that spark of not giving up, a truly unique and human element that she had been oblivious to.

"Well done." Blackfire deadpanned, "You truly are as driven, in seeking victory out as any champion. But, I wonder . . ."

He tightened his grip on the staff, lowering the weapon across her neck, bringing her focus to look back to his face.

She respected him, as much as it pained her, it was a remarkable feat to defeat forty armed enemies all on ones own, within under a few minutes flat. As she looked over her shoulder, the last of the Robot Commandos lay strewn about, defeated and broken.

"I should end this whole thing!" Robin angrily shouted, it was as though he was yelling against himself, as much as he was to her.

"But you won't."

Robin glared at her, not speaking.

"You live by a code, of something deeper. That is who you are."

"Before tonight, I did believe in that." His domino mask squinted further, he was enraged while the suffering of his teammates, their faces sped across his mind. "After everything that has happened in these past few days however, I am strongly reconsidering that stance."

Blackfire blinked her eyes, unable to respond this time.

Robin slowly backed away, keeping his staff aimed at her neck, ready to cut off her oxygen but not leaning in as hard as before. He required answers, he knew she was just stalling, where she was the primary link into locating where her handler, was hiding.

Blackfire began to chuckle. Her laughter was unnerving, and there was something behind that tone.

"What's so funny?" The Titan's Commander demanded. "You are defeated, you have no support, you have lost! Tell me exactly, what I want to know, and maybe I will let you go."

Blackfire tilted her head causing the staff to create a light mark against her skin, "You think you have won?"

"You are in no position to dictate anything!"

His body was directly on top of her, where she could feel the rhythm of his heart-beat thudding in his chest. He was so close to her, that she was unable to not notice the wrinkles on his forehead, the strain and aggravation had been exhausting.

A seductive smile she had not shown before, formed on her face, "You poor, dumb fool."

"Enough of this!"

"Or what?"

He leaned in even closer, straddling her so she would not run away. He wanted her to look in his domino mask, to not avoid the fear, and a part of him that he did not want to confront, was enjoying this.

Silence lingered.

Multiple lapses in judgment were made, mistakes had cost them dearly, and both combatants realized it. Even now, as Robin had every right to interrogate her, he was contemplating torture methods which was a line he never before crossed over.

Robin took a deep breath, trying to calm his heart rate down. "Blackfire . . ."

She glanced away after hearing her name.

"You talked with him, didn't you?"

She refused to respond.

"This hurts me, you know that." Robin pressed the end of his bo-staff back onto her throat after speaking, causing her to squint her eyes. He was tired of the games, fed-up with the chase, and there was very little he had to work with, except to make her talk. She was the only link, the key to everything and he needed answers.

"You still haven't figured it out yet?" The Tamaranean Exile scoffed, as she did not look at him. "The truth has been in front of you this entire time."

"I am . . . tired." Robin deadpanned, partially leaning back, "I know you are too, and I don't want you, to make this any harder on yourself."

"You. Have. Nothing." Blackfire said very slowly, finally staring back up. "Nothing."

There was another awkward pause, as he was grasping for the proper words to articulate. What could make her give up some clue, some minor detail, anything as the beaming glow that emanated from Starfire's smile, flashed from his memories.

While looking into Blackfire's eyes, he was more determined than ever, to get what he wanted from her.

She exhaled slowly, and the nature of who she was truly, it crept back in. Blackfire was not going to talk, and while she was without the Robot Commandos, they had served their purpose to lure him out.

The ambusher still had one move to make.

She tilted her head to the left side now, her long dark hair sprawled behind her, and her hips slightly moved up nudging his lower half, causing him to readjust himself.

"Tell me." The Titan's Captain spoke in a stoic manner somehow unfazed by this, "Where is he?"

Blackfire laughed. Her expression was unhinged, she was confident in how she could play this, making Robin back up in response. She was going to cause him to falter, and then she could reverse their positions of her, to being on top of him.

"Yes, some great and noble champion you are. Another amazing quality, by The Boy Blunder. Stumbling into this without any true confidence. What is it you are good at, detective, if you cannot answer that which is right in front of you?"

" . . . "

She shuffled her hips a little more, causing him to readjust and move closer.

"Ah. Does this excite you?" Blackfire whispered in a seductive manner, the intensity from her eyes made him feel uncomfortable, but she continued to lean her chest up and into him, making the young man feel her soft breasts pressing into his body. Their faces were very close.

"Blackfire -"

With her right hand, she wrapped her fingers around the staff, and she maintained her concentration directly into his domino mask, encouraging him to look in her eyes completely. "You have this one chance, or, shall I guide you?"

Robin held firm, he did not budge.

Blackfire continued speaking in a quieter manner, "This will slowly eat away at your soul little by little, day by day . . . where even if you DO manage to succeed . . . it will only be because, of you having decided to break your oath."

Their hands were lightly touching, and she strummed her fingers upon his. The delicate gesture beguiled him, and he was at a loss of words.

It was during this moment, when The Great ClockTower in the heart of Jump City, rang three booming notes. The time was now three in the morning.

Clang! . . . Clang! . . . Clang!

Robin was distracted, his mind raced through everything. His friends were in jeopardy, Starfire was in the water, and the desire to get to her caused his heart to beat much louder. The entire city was in peril, by a madman that had tormented and frustrated him for years. Now, even The Tamaranean Exile was provoking him, and it caused his hands to tremble.

Blackfire stroked his arm. "Two hours. That's all that remains. I wonder, what you will do, as we both understand, you are past your breaking point."

The sudden chiming of the notes, the constant mention of time, the intense focus of every message Slade had delivered in the mysterious room with churning gears and cogs, flashed in his detective brain.

His eyes behind the domino mask became wide, as Robin finally looked up towards the direction, where the interruption came from. Deep within the heart of the metropolis. The Eureka sensation had arrived.

"So." Blackfire continued playing with him, "Now comes the hard part."

He turned his focus back onto her. He could not waste what precious minutes that remained, in struggling over this.

Her alluring smile became twisted, where he became confused with what she was thinking?

In split seconds, she used her right hand that was holding his to clamp down, to push the staff to the side away from her neck with her superhuman strength. With her left that had stroked his chest, she reached for the collar to his cape, clutching the fabric so tightly that it tore a little, and she began pulling his head down towards her, in a bold sudden thrust!

Robin fought to remain in place, where Blackfire had outmaneuvered him. Utilizing the ever so seductive movements of her hips and pelvis, to arch his lower half away from her abdomen meter by meter, this allowed one of her knees to rise up, and to slam him in the groin, hard!

She did this, while squeezing his neck down at the same time. Her fingernails dug deeply into his skin, leaving red marks as he was unable to breathe.

His thoughts were jumbled, and in this distraction, she slammed her forehead into his!

---

(~)

---

Terra and Killer Frost broke out of their battle-trance at one another, to turn and look behind them.

The sound of some massive creature, it was something that howled in absolute rage that brought them both to tremble. It was unclear as to what it was exactly, as though a scientific experiment had combined a terrifying adult male lion, splicing it with a dominating Alaskan Grizzly Bear's roar of absolute dominance.

It was unlike anything that the two females had ever heard, and it erupted from some hidden depths, deep within Titans Tower. The bone-chilling noise of the unknown, it forced the combatants to immediately stop what they were doing.

Neither girl said a word, as they looked at the building.

The moon was partially visible through the rainclouds, shining a peaceful blue like brightness that had been obstructed for a few hours. There was a sudden break in the storm, as everything had fallen strangely quiet.

The blasted-out opening along the entire top level was wide and extensive, as the rocket damage that had slammed into the walls, would require construction crews to operate cranes, welding equipment, and craftsmanship of all calibers to fix.

It would be a massive undertaking to restructure, back to its original prominence. Being a gigantic target for all these years, it only encouraged the heroes to find more ways to improve things.

Expensive resources would be required to pay for the costs, which would only frustrate the tax payers, as this was something that happened one too many times before.

Terra felt her emotional level was at its lowest, as the destruction only reminded the poor girl, like she had failed in her objective. She had no idea what she was capable of, and the current state of things, only made her feel deplorable.

Beast Boy is depending on me. I have to see this through.

"Well now." Killer Frost spoke with a gleam of excitement in her eyes. "What do you think that was?"

Terra said nothing. She simply frowned in disappointment at this question, as many theories raced across her mind.

What the heck was that?! The Ex-Titan whispered to herself, holding back from speaking out-loud.

The entire upper level of the 'T' structure, where the Command Center resided, had smoke billowing outwards in a wide slinking pattern. Chunks of outer wall collapsed, while entire sections where windows resided, were completely open to the elements.

It was unclear as to what had happened to Beast Boy.

Perhaps that strange noise was from another secret weapon, they had hidden inside of Titans Tower? Terra thought to herself, to calm her nerves. Yeah, just another counter measure, that Beast Boy had up his sleeve.

It was a lingering silence now, as this uncertainty brought even more burning questions, faster across the pair of combatant's thinking.

Beast Boy. Terra spoke to herself. What is happening?

While thinking this, the disturbance of the wolf-howl had been overtaken by a now belching creaking sound. The submarine on the opposite end of the shoreline, was sinking.

The dark vessel was leaning entirely on its port side, as intense red flames were visible through the gaping holes. The metal decking was splintered apart, water was pouring in, and the ship slipped deeper into the ocean.

Sizzling sounds popped and cracked, similar to the noise that water makes when sprayed into a still hot frying pan after being on a kitchen stove.

It was a painful agony, a final death gasp that caused both girls to feel uneasy and cringe. The submersible craft was unable to remain upright any longer, as the damage was catastrophic beyond repair, and it continued to sink beneath the waves.

Bubbles were noticed while it sank, before plunging into the deep, one final time.

A mixture of black diesel formed around the dockyard, soot that came from the island, and sulfur from spent firepower hung in the air, while the concoction made breathing nauseating for the two combatants that were left standing.

"Damn." Killer Frost spoke up, "You really caught me unprepared for that. Perhaps you are not a coward as I first thought?"

Terra squeezed her fists, refusing to say anything.

The two youthful and attractive fighters remained on opposing sides of the rocky slab. Both had new injuries that they could feel and observe on themselves. They took this halt in the contest, to check the damage they sustained, and to reorient themselves.

The fight between them was only just starting.

A strange liquid trickled down Terra's right bicep, and what at first felt like the mist of rain against her bare skin, this was something else entirely. This wound was caused from a shaft of ice, that had been blasted into her, from the silver white haired Elemental Warrior.

The Ex-Titan rubbed her arm after removing the icicle, feeling the dampness and crimson texture while the stinging sensation intensified. She tore off a piece cloth from her shirt, to try and wipe away the blood.

The spear had pierced her, but she squeezed her fingers into a fist, and upon raising her arm, she knew she could still throw a punch. She could fight.

Killer Frost had bite marks along her left ankle, and the scuffle against the German Shepherd had forced her to limp a little, as blood began to trickle down her lower leg, and onto her boot.

To the side of the battlefield, the dog which did the deed, he remained sprawled out. His chest rising and falling, in a slow steady pattern while a light whimper escaped.

The Cryomancer squinted her eyes with disdain at Sibs, then at Terra. She had been very close to achieving her goal, without suffering any injury, but the intimidating dog and this skinny blonde girl, both had interfered in her plans, which for all purposes was not even supposed to be a threat.

"Damn you!" Terra shouted following the lengthy silence.

Killer Frost was taken aback by this outburst. With the lack of any details by her employer, she felt betrayed. She squinted her eyes, and she responded in a jeering manner, "You know, I was supposed to win this without a scratch on me. But it looks like your bodyguard, had to ruin my fun. Pity."

In response to the uncomfortable stare down, Terra squinted her blue eyes right back.

Killer Frost smirked before speaking up again. "You know, I was wondering if this whole time, would do anything to stop me? Where again, you relied upon others to come to your rescue, again. What does that say about your character, hmmm?"

The blonde had completed her mission, the communication for the heroes was operational once more, she had destroyed the jamming device, where knowing Beast Boy was in the state that he was, she had to go to him. She had to re-enter Titans Tower, to make sure that he was safe.

This blasted girl is standing in my way! I have to defeat her . . . I have to . . .

The strange animalistic roar made a new fear deepen within her, as the unknown entity could potentially do more harm, if it backfired. Some creature was lurking nearby, and the concern that her friend was in greater danger, was all she could focus on.

"You have no idea about what I am capable of." Terra deadpanned out-loud.

Killer Frost spread her arms while saying, "You honestly think, that you can face me in combat?"

An unsettling pause lingered between them once more.

Killer Frost took another step again, slowly making her way around her opponent before she continued with her banter. Droplets of scarlet ran down her calf, and the red liquid began to splatter across the rocky terrain. "You are desperate, there is nothing that you can do. It is written all over your face."

"I don't know who you are, and I don't care. You have crossed a final line. One that I will never forget." Terra fired back, as the faithful canine lay across the ground, and her focus switched from The Tower, to Killer Frost, and back to Sibs.

Killer Frost asked with a goading type of sneer, "Did I?"

Terra hesitated, in deciding what path to choose where even the smallest actions a person makes, can have major consequences. This moment here, the dog leaping into the fray to protect her, it was something she had observed time and again, and with so many risking their lives to help others, to save her, that feat was awe inspiring.

It was in this lull, that a new emotion of respect had been uncovered. Her trembling subsided, her legs stopped shaking, and the entire time of being here, on the island only made her want to leave. Now, she felt compelled to stay, when she had every reason to flee, but she could not.

The constant sacrifices that were offered, all for the teenager's own survival, had left their impact.

I cannot abandon him. Not this time. Terra said to herself. There is nothing that will stop this . . . only me. What can I do though? Think. THINK!

"I saw your file." The Ice Elementress continued her prodding, as she slowly circled the stubborn girl, as her pace revealed a slight limp. Terra approached the dog in her own slow walk.

Around the island, dozens of Robot Commando's lay strewn about. Scattered in broken fragments, as their inner circuitry was exposed, causing her to nudge one with her boot. Killer Frost had fulfilled her part, and the smoking ruin would leave a record for the world to know, just how dangerous she was.

In war, the casualties would be left in the open for all to see, and then the survivors would be forced to clean up the mess. There would be time to dwell over the destruction and grief later, right now, Terra was trying to channel that despair and grief into a weapon.

Large round craters were scattered about, they were deep, as though a series of excavations had taken place. They were caused by the numerous missiles having smashed into the rocks and sand.

While Terra knelt alongside the German Shepherd, to stroke his head to calm him, Killer Frost pointed at her before speaking.

"You were given the opportunity of a lifetime! To be something, something so much more. Something incredible . . . and yet after everything you were given, after all that power, knowledge, and training from him, despite all of that, you still turned your back on the one person who was by your side. After everything!"

Terra remained kneeling next to the dog. Not offering any retort, just letting the disdain expand between themselves, as she understood her opponent was trying to distract her, and to poke a hornets nest.

Killer Frost's tone was giving vibes of narcissism, and she continued her taunt. "You had everything in the palm of your hands, and you let it all go. I think I understand all that there is about you."

Terra still said nothing. She stroked Sib's head, as she felt his heart-rate slow down drastically. He would need medical attention, and she clutched at her own injury with her free hand.

The Cryomancer leaned forwards to speak further, "Why?"

Why did you do this? Terra asked herself in turn. Of all the people who you could have protected . . . and you . . . came to save me. Why?

Killer Frost shook her head while speaking, "The really pathetic joke out of all of this, is how you, the one who is left with nobody to turn to for answers, to have no reason for your own benefit, and yet you go to the very place that cast you away."

The antagonizer was not unaccustomed to bickering and counter arguments, mudslinging to be tossed at her. The silence in any retort from her opponent this time however, it upset her to a greater degree, than what she typically met.

"Well, say something!" The villainess shouted, noticing the skinny girl not even looking at her. All her focus, was on the German Shepherd.

"You don't know me." Terra finally rasped back, keeping her hands on the dog's neck to calm him. Her fingers ran through his thick fur, and slowly she looked at her challenger, as her eyes were struggling to hold back tears. "You never could."

She needed to concentrate, and the pulse of the dog's heartbeat was still felt. She was not going to let this abuse go on any longer.

Killer Frost squeezed her fists. "You are no hero."

"Hero?" Terra repeated, slowly sitting upright.

Killer Frost snapped her fingers while pointing, "You have no way of fighting me, and there is nothing you can do, to save them. You were brought here against your will, why . . . why stay when you could leave?"

The Ex-Titan was back on her feet. The comments and snide remarks were nothing she cared about, but in seeing the German Shepherd laying across the ground, and observing the plumes of smoke rising from the destruction all around them, she was not going to let this pass, without enacting retribution.

She had been running away all her life, running from her family, from responsibility, trying to avoid the problems in the hope that it was all just a bad dream.

"Hero . . ."

"You may have done, what nobody else expected." Killer Frost stared angrily at her, while her voice was rough, "But I still see you, as nothing but a worm. An insignificant insect, squirming and struggling for another hole to hide in. That's what you are."

The Ice Elemental Warrior placed a hand to her hip, curious with what her opponent was thinking, and trying to make the blonde frightened.

"You talk a lot." Terra revealed a grin, the frown became warped into a sinister look. She tilted her head to one side, as her long golden hair swayed from a gust of wind, "Where I will only concede that I am no hero. Not like them."

"So then, what are you?"

More wind blew in, causing the fighters clothing to sway.

Killer Frost held herself back from speaking. There was something about the way her opponent stared into her, that look was something she had never seen before.

Terra had heard enough, clenching her fists by her sides as a golden glow emanated about her hands. A slight tremor was felt below their feet, while rocks began to vibrate nearby. The anger had become too difficult to channel in any other direction.

She could feel the atoms within the rocks, the molecules between air and ground. Her intense concentration was directed entirely at the pestering villainess, causing rubble to wobble and fall all around them.

Killer Frost was poking and prodding to antagonize, to get a rile out of her opponent. She was familiar with Sun Tzu, this was another tactic like a cat playing with its captured meal. However, one lesson that stuck with her, was to always leave at least one escape route for an opponent, otherwise they would feel trapped in a death-struggle.

By having forced her enemy into a battle, with no place to retreat, the blonde had gained incredible confidence all of a sudden. It was at this moment, any fear or doubts were washed away.

The rumbling began to intensify. The glow of bright golden light began to brighten around Terra, and a few larger rocks around her, as she lowered her hands by her sides, and rocks began to levitate.

"So." Killer Frost spoke up, "Let's see just what you can do."

Snow started to swirl around Killer Frost, as it became a minor vortex that The Ice Elemental villainess harnessed. She was absorbing the moisture from the air, to concentrate on forming icicles within her hands, to create more deadly projectiles.

Just as the two were about to unleash their assaults into each other, a new commotion startled both girls. A loud crash erupted behind them, again coming from Titans Tower!

Of the dozens of Robot Commandos that had entered the compromised openings, various droids were spotted fleeing in a panic, as three were noticed on a fast retreat. Something was chasing after them, and it pounced on a pair that were standing guard, by the main entrance!

The foot soldiers never stood a chance. Others that were gathered near the training course swarmed in to assist their brethren, only to be swiftly defeated, and slashed to bits as the gigantic wolf-like animal, pounced into their ranks, pummeling and tearing them apart limb from limb!

The creature was covered in thick green fur, his long ears and wolf features, the snout, and elongated claws, all of this combined with the moon made it appear, like a werewolf had emerged from a cage of captivity!

What is that?! Terra gasped, unable to take her eyes off from the destructive wrath it unleashed onto the aggravating Robot Commandos.

Both girls were speechless, as The Beast leapt out onto a flat rock, to stare at the only two people remaining on the island, near the shore. The green and black fur made Terra deduce something else, a story that Beast Boy wanted to explain, but he was out of time.

Her blue eyes locked onto his pair, that glowed pure white. The thick mane behind his head, and the maw of sharp teeth, the imposing stature and muscular arms revealed a monster that neither girl had encountered before.

The moonlight made the interloper appear even more terrifying, where it stood up to full height, and after sniffing the air, it jumped an incredible distance down to their spot, as if it were going to attack both girls!

Terra braced herself, raising her hands up and cowering a little, while Killer Frost stumbled backwards. Both girls were distracted by this, as it leapt across another large rock between them, to reach the edge and to dive into the bay!

It was going to swim towards the mainland of Jump City.

"Uh . . . is he with you?" Killer Frost asked, as she pointed to the Ex-Titan.

"No."

The villainess unleashed a devilish smirk, and she clicked her tongue into her cheek loudly. All of the constant interruptions, delays, and hiccups, only revealed another side of what she wanted above all that she could ask. Her ambition was to be confronted with a worthy opponent, to challenge her in a fight.

Right now, the best fighter that could be up to her standards, was The Werebeast that had just finished off the remaining Robot Commandos she had, by itself, to then bolt right past her without any care or thought, which only made her intrigued.

"Well now." Killer Frost gloated, as she resumed her focus towards the skinny blonde standing across from her. "This is interesting."

"It is just the two of us now." replied Terra.

"Indeed. But is this how you truly care to spend your final hours that you have left, engaged in combat with somebody who is beyond your level? You are outclassed in every conceivable manner, and there is nothing you can do to win."

Killer Frost turned halfway to the side, making a gesture that held Terra in a confounded state. She was looking to the bay, and her attention was locked onto The Beast, that was swimming towards the metropolis.

"This is between you and me." Terra demanded. "No more tricks, no more schemes. We are going to settle this, once and for all."

"You have nothing to gain."

"You're wrong."

The Ice Elementress blinked her eyes, and she turned around to confront her skinnier opponent.

Terra felt the droplets of blood trickle down her arm, and she resumed with her intentions of this fight. "You will pay for what you have done!"

Killer Frost looked at Titans Tower, the smoke and damage to the entire building before resuming her gaze to the Ex-Titan.

"This is not going to go down, the way you think it will. Trust me on this."

". . ."

The leader of the invading army took another step closer. "Just because you managed to secure one measly little win in a battle, that you managed to overcome one struggle, look around at what this 'victory' has left you with. This game, it is so much bigger than you and me. It is larger than any of us, and we now come to the most crucial dilemma, and regardless of anything you or me feel right now, none of this matters."

"I -" Terra stopped herself. She was so exhausted by all of this, and her resolve to just fight, to rush forwards was again being hampered.

Was it a new ploy? Some tactic that she wanted to distract her with?

Killer Frost stroked her chin. "You could have left, and yet you stayed behind. You did not have to carry out any task for them, and yet you remained, that you still are willing to fight?"

Terra was getting more and more angry, as her fingernails dug deeply into the palms of her hands. The words carried a potent punch, it was a tactic that the mastermind himself used quiet a lot, yet to be utilized by this want-to-be criminal from Gotham, it made the Ex-Titan deeply disgusted by this entire ordeal.

Killer Frost continued her rant, waving her right hand to encourage her opponent to just run away, "What are you trying to prove? You honestly have not understood anything I am showing you."

"That's enough!" Terra shouted, and all the pent up frustration came out of her lungs in a menacing pitch, where her eyes burned. "I am done, hearing about how everybody thinks they know me. How everybody thinks, they have me all figured out, but they couldn't be further from the truth!"

Killer Frost tilted her head back, enjoying this taunt. "Yet you are willing to stand, and fight, for those who cast you out?"

Terra had heard enough. Sibs lay across the battlefield in a pool of his own blood, while the black smoke billowed behind them from Titans Tower.

I am not running away. The Ex-Titan said to herself, and as she looked up she spoke out-loud, "I am going to stand, and face you."

Killer Frost let out a sigh of aggravation, and she shrugged her shoulders before speaking.

"So be it."

The two female outcasts were left staring at one another. Neither had any support to shield them, they had nobody to offer cover for them to run and escape. They would commence in their own fight.

In the distance, the steady chiming of three loud knocks from The Old ClockTower, echoed across the city. Despite this, all that these two females focused on, was each other.

---

(~)

---

Everything was dark. Black as pitch as the brave heroine had landed in-between a wall of The Colosseum, and another building that was directly across from it.

This had at one point been a major intersection, for fans to enter or for those leaving from numerous pathways, which was a bustling hub for shops and stores. To sell memorabilia, and even a few restaurants with their seating booths and tables staggered about.

Avatar had crashed into one of these back-alleyways, as the adrenaline of battle, and the subsequent events raced by rapidly. Everything had become a major problem, that unfolded into hundreds of tumultuous personal dilemmas.

The entire facility had been in disuse for many years, as the home team had relocated to a more prestigious area, where this facility, had become a condemned blight on the city.

Everything was boarded up, abandoned and dilapidated. The smell of garbage hung in the air, while colorful graffiti had been spray painted in multiple sections. A rat squeaked in a trash heap, while a pair of raccoons were bobbing their heads out of the nearby dumpster.

Pain! Avatar's voice echoed inside her skull. Ouch, that stinging, searing pain! My back . . . wait, I . . . I can feel that, then that must mean . . . I . . . I am alive!

Her heartbeat thumping had interrupted her thoughts.

That hurt. She thought to herself, blinking her eyes and remembering everything as the sporadic images, flashed before her.

"Oh no. Robin! I have to-" she stopped speaking out-loud now, clutching at her head while the fuzziness was disorienting and then it subsided. The world around began to come into focus.

The drip, drip, dripping of rain water splashed across her domino mask, forcing the young heroine to flinch. The cold dampness traveled down her attractive face in long winding streaks, cooling her down.

Avatar slowly sat up, finding herself having landed on a large crumpled mess of debris. Her plunge outside the run-down venue, was very difficult to brace for, where her entire body felt rigid.

There were numerous scrapes and cuts about her body, bruises she would feel days after this. Her black and tidy uniform and red cape, revealed holes and tear marks. Any motorcycle enthusiast can attest to dealing with road rash, when being strewn from their bike, and skidding across pavement at high speeds.

She had endured, to have broken through various canopy layers and streaming banners. A fall of such incredible height, would be a death sentence for most people, yet Avatar was not the average Jane.

The unpleasant feeling of a searing pain, shot up her backside once more. She was a seventeen-year-old young woman after all, and if not for her dedication, through rigorous years of training, in mixed martial arts and gymnastics, she probably would have succumbed to her injuries.

"I could have stuck the landing . . . a bit better." she clutched at her head, while staring blankly upwards from the place she fell.

While having defeated one attack, she grew overconfident and was unsuccessful in fully countering the second strike, from the Robot Commando on the staircase.

A new burst of pain caused her to grasp for her leg, for this entire fight she had not focused on anything else, but to continue the marathon alongside Robin. A commitment along with her teammates, to do all they could to help The Teen Titans.

She bit her lower lip, as the injuries were unpleasant, and she would require a few days of solid rest to recover back to full strength. Glancing up from the pit she lay in, broken boards and rusted cages had been strewn around this unfathomable darkness.

"How fitting. From the dark and gritty alley's of Gotham that you last left me in, once again . . . I find myself alone, and in another dark and disgusting alley."

The debris had collected at an angle, of old cushioned seats and even a discarded couch, where she had not landed on it directly, but the impact blunted her descent, and she tumbled across the ground to be sprawled where she was.

The stars were breaking through the clouds, and she turned her head up to observe.

"The rain . . . it seems to be letting up." Avatar held out her hand, collecting a few droplets and smirking. "Well then, I've got to get moving!"

Blood continued to streak across her ankle, and the puddle of water she had landed against, soaked into her. She needed a bath.

The recent events continued to flash before her, in black and white reel on an old flicker film. She watched her Escirma Sticks being knocked out of her grasp. Of the desperation to hold on, to not drop her primary battle implements that she had trained with for so many years.

"Damn!" She managed to speak up, as her trusting weapons were lost over the balcony, while she fought alongside The Titan's Captain.

Without realizing it, she was reaching forwards, out in the air like the fantom memory became blurred with this present moment. She had collapsed into the wall, and was propping herself up against it.

"Jeez, get it together Leela!"

She cut herself short, as she found herself leaning against a brick barrier of wall. Blinking, she looked around herself, as her expression quickly changed, from one of bereavement in losing her weapons, to feeling panic with the race to reach Starfire's location.

"He got to her." Avatar suddenly smirked, while looking up. "Knowing him, yeah, he went to get her. Now then, I need to focus on what I should be doing, as my next move. I can't just stay here."

She began to look around, to gauge anything for a landmark, or a possible route, where the darkness of the pit was long and unpleasant.

"Talk about quite the debacle." Avatar quipped out loud to hear the sound of her voice, still raspy from the shouting and struggle from the conflict. "Funny, I always knew Robin would keep us going, and just when I managed to foul things up again, he remained driven more than ever. Some things never change."

The Squadron Captain released a gentle sigh, as the smiling face of The Boy Wonder, of the past they shared during their team-ups in Bludhaven, to thwart criminal operations being a severe issue on The East Coast, it caused her to pause.

Her own challenges with learning how to overcome the odds, when everything looked so bleak and lost was a deeper issue that she had not fully confronted yet, as a leader. Since arriving in Jump City with her team, everything was causing them to push harder.

The silhouettes of Batman, Batgirl, and Robin, with their iconic capes flapping in the breeze as they stood overlooking a gargoyle, came to her now. The trio of vigilantes, the watchful protectors, the boldest and bravest warriors Avatar had been privileged to fight alongside, they gave her a new sense of resolve.

"To think, those early days were some of the worst I had ever experienced in my life, and yet you were there, to guide me, and to give your support when I didn't know what I was even doing. How am I supposed to do this, when I can't even . . . no. Stop it. Keep it together."

Avatar's voice trailed off. She was feeling very low, and she knew she still had a long way to go yet, before making any bold claim to be considered an equal, to her old partner.

Robin had reached out to her, in a way to rebuild something that was cut out from his departure, and that unexpected call those many days ago, had been the motivation to challenge herself.

She wanted to see, if she truly was meant to be in the position that she was.

This was a test for herself, and with each day that had passed, she learned more and more, of just how unprepared she was when she was to return to Bludhaven. How her team was struggling, and their own demons to expel, it only made her want to train more efficiently.

"On the day that you decided to leave . . . you did not look back, and I don't hate you for it. In fact, I found it rather enduring, and you even inspired me, to push on in my own journey away from my mentor. To eventually find my friends, and to lead them."

Tears began to form behind her domino mask. Tears which she managed to hold back, and she started rubbing her sore leg.

"I'll have to tell him when I see him again." Avatar continued monologuing out loud again, her voice was not chipper or upbeat as it usually would be. "It only encouraged our group, to want to join yours, because of what you told me. Of what had happened to Falcon."

The glint of a sharp edge, of something sparkled in the darkness, just ahead of her current position which caused the heroine to smile. She thought on the instant Robin was captured by a vine and hoisted up, as he was about to become a meal for the carnivorous plant.

He tossed her the blade, to keep up the attack.

"What was taken from me, I vow to bring back to you. The struggle to achieve the impossible, is only possible, because of the sacrifice to go all the way." Avatar spoke while steadying herself, and she approached the object. Grabbing the hilt, pulling it out from the debris.

A slush-like sucking sound was heard, as the heroine retrieved the weapon. The craftsmanship was impeccable, it had preformed its task exactly as it was intended to, for protection, and bringing the final end to the threat, that was going to harm Robin and her.

The blade's edge dripped a sticky orange goo, the plant's vital blood as she had impaled it through the very center, ending it with one forceful thrust. Her charge forwards was too much to block with its sprawling vine appendages, and the monstrous plant crashed backwards though the wall, with Avatar still holding onto the hilt.

Avatar steadily raised the weapon out, and then to the side in a long arcing motion. The dark fluid suddenly flew off its edge, and splattered against the ground.

"Now then, I am not out of this fight yet."

Blinking her eyes that were concealed behind the domino mask, she felt the unnatural texture and grime that had sprayed her clothing.

A thick orange colored mess, was splattered all over the ground. It was smeared everywhere, along the walls, the rubble, and the mountain of debris between the building she and the great plant had fallen into.

The plant conjurer herself was nowhere to be found, and that made Avatar raise her weapon in a defensive posture to fend off any surprise attacks.

"I must be cautious. I may have defeated one threat, but there is always another, right around the bend."

The memory came flooding back to her now. She had defeated Poison Ivy's gigantic flower creature, utilizing Robin's sword he tossed to her, and after impaling the plant directly through the center mass of the body, everything sped up rapidly in her mind.

The dizzying headache was still potent, as she had no way of knowing what the outcome was going to be.

The cacophony of battle, of Robot Commandos battling The Tower's Training Droids suddenly exploded in the background. The frantic attempt by Robin to grab her hand, had failed, but the fight went on.

Her right ankle felt sore, and the scarlet liquid was smeared by her hand, as she brought it to her face, to check how severe the wound was. Wasting no time, she opened a small medical compartment that she carried on her belt, and she applied a tourniquet.

"Crude, but it's the best I can do for the time. It will likely require stitches." Avatar leaned backwards against a wall after saying this, dragging the sword before her to act as support. "The next part is going to really, really suck, but . . . I'll cross that bridge when I get to it."

She was thinking of the stitches that would be needed, to properly seal up the wound that continued to leak. The image of a needle with thread, poking her skin was not pleasant. The dark stain began to spread on the white bandage she was able to apply, she did not have long before it could become infected.

The chirping of The Titan's Communicator was heard beeping on her hip in the dark, and she was startled.

"Well now, the communicator is working. Good! Somebody must have taken care of that bothersome issue, now I can reach out to find out what the heck is going on with everybody else."

Upon opening the device, she noticed the recorded message from Robin, as well as the other messages that were ready to be watched. She pressed {play} where she stood in absolute silence, as her ex-partner and former teammate from Gotham, told his battle strategy.

Once Slade's message had also been replayed, and the many warnings about Titans Tower having been infiltrated and under siege, the seventeen-year-old squeezed her fist around the device.

Avatar's eyes became wide from fear. Everything was falling apart, there was no unity in their ranks, the two superhero groups were scattered. This, was a serious issue.

"It's almost three in the morning! Great! We have barely a few hours left to figure this mess out, and to get back into this with my team, somehow form a strategy to save The Titans East, fight, and . . . to stop that poison from being unleashed. Talk about a tall order of things!"

Avatar felt the weight of the world crashing down around her. She was alone, and Robin with Starfire were on their own mission, having located the mastermind's hidden fortress. This did cause her to breathe a little easier, as there was a chance for hope.

The ultimate dilemma remained, the Titans East were held prisoner, and the entire city was turned against the heroes. The poison was going to be unleashed, regardless of what The Teen Titans, or The Squadron members did. The main goal, was to stop that train from leaving the station, which was still at an unknown location.

Avatar was already worn down from the fall, but a resilient energy suddenly coursed through her. She could move, and if she could do this, then she would carry on the fight. Utilizing one of the pouches of her own belt, she created a make-shift strap for the sword, where after making a cord to tie through the hilt, she slung the blade behind her shoulder.

Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself down. She had a weapon, and while not her preferred implement in battle, it had been proven to be most effective.

Time was not on their side, the entire city was engaged in a massive hunt after the heroes, where the only strategy that was of any fledgling hope for success, was that they had communication restored. They could orchestrate a battle strategy amongst themselves, and yet nobody had reached out to her.

Robin had made a bold speech, it was optimistic and encouraging, but the others still required a plan to carry out. They would have to avoid the hoards of angry people, roaming the city streets, searching to capture them and do them harm.

"Avatar calling Titans!" She depressed the {call} button, trying to get something in motion. "Titans, report in!"

*. . .*

The blank static feedback was unpleasant. The Squadron Leader understood her friends were battling for their very lives, and she had to get some form of counter measures in place on the fly, which to an odd extent, was a style she was very accustomed to already.

Robin had taught her many things, and now her own training with him, was in need of many improvements.

"Titans, call in!"

*Raven reporting in.* The Empath's voice and face came on screen. She was fatigued, the strain and sacrifices she had put herself through were beyond exhausting, where she had managed to hide in a dark passageway, somewhere underground.

The place she was in, was a dark tunnel, dimly lit and she was noticed with her dark blue hood pulled over her head. A steady churning of water sound reverberated on her end, as the force rushed behind her.

"Where are you?"

*It's a long story.*

Avatar chuckled.

A brief moment of humanity was felt between the two girls. It was the one common thread that people can relate to, in times of great stress, being humor. A natural pressure valve.

"I'll bet." The Squadron Captain smirked. "I have quite the story to tell myself."

*You will have to tell me about it, when I get back to Jump City then.* A white robbed female appeared on screen, catching the other two off-guard. She was leaning against a pine tree in a thick wooded area.

"Delphi!" Avatar and Raven both said in unison.

*Dang it!* Press spoke up as his image came up next, where he had just finished defeating a Robot Commando by smashing the droid's chest. *What the heck guys, who decided to call when I'm literally in the middle of a tense fight!*

*How is it in Steel City? Where is Cyborg? How are you managing?* Raven asked in rapid succession, while she pulled her device closer, making her face appear larger on the screen.

The Rune Knight sighed for a moment, the hood of her outer attire was casting a dark shadow over her face, and she used this, to collect her thoughts. These two girls were very similar, in both mannerisms and clothing choice, they could be mistaken as sisters.

*We became separated shortly after our arrival.* Delphi's voice was filled with angst, and she was suddenly quiet. *I managed to make my way to a place, to finally catch my breath. It would seem, that things are unraveling much too rapidly, for everybody to keep up with. I have been able to find a reprieve, while short, but I do not know for how long.*

Raven was concerned, if Delphi could communicate, then why had Cyborg been unable to do so? But as this came to her thinking, she quickly understood that everybody was still being hunted by countless enemies.

A sudden burst of popping static feedback, caused the faces onscreen to wince. Where the image of Kimiko appeared next. She did not say anything, as she simply looked at the others, and nodded behind her crimson veil, that covered her mouth and nose.

The fact that Robin, Starfire, and even Beast Boy with Terra were not responding, this made everybody also grow much more worried. The entire Titan Squadron crew had managed to make an appearance on call, but The Grey Empath was the only member from The Teen Titans, and she felt greater responsibility now more than ever, to speak on behalf of her teammates.

"Well, this is a start." Avatar's voice cracked a little, as she felt hope slowly rise through her. "We need to go over what Robin told us to do, and -"

*In case you haven't noticed, uh, we are all dealing with a bit of a situation on our own ends at the moment.* Press said in his typical nonchalant manner, as he ducked from blast that hit behind him.

He was still in the stadium, running for cover behind pillars and debris. Press did not fully look at everybody, his attention was on the environment he was in.

"I can see that!" The Squadron Captain shouted back, where she fought to regain composure. "Anyway, this may be the last time we get the opportunity to talk, and we need to make this work."

A steady motion of heads nodding, was observed by everybody.

*Um, Titans Tower is under attack.* Raven's voice was crestfallen, deep down she wanted nothing more than to keep fighting, but the heartache at what was happening at home base, of not hearing back from The Changeling, all she desired was to race there.

*Wait, what!?* Delphi cut-in. *I only just managed to open my communicator and I haven't had the opportunity to go over everything. Can you at least fill in some of the key details.*

Raven shot a death-glare into the screen. *Titans Tower . . . is under attack.*

*As are we.* Kimiko reminded them.

*Delphi, what about you and Cyborg?* Press chimed in, interrupting the two Grey Skinned females, trying to keep everybody up to speed. *What is happening in Steel City?*

The white robed Rune Knight tugged at her hood, as she leaned back a little further into the tree. *Currently, the situation is looking very grim, I managed to chase after somebody who attacked me, but I have lost contact with Cyborg. This mission has been one big disaster.*

*Robin thinks he is onto locating Slade's hidden fortress.* Kimiko deadpanned, ever the wise voice of sage like reason. *Where The Titans East members have been apprehended, and are held as prisoners somewhere here . . . in Jump City. We need to find them, and rescue them.*

This revelation brought immediate shock to Delphi. Her features and expression which were normally very plain and unexpressive, had suddenly became animated with excitement in this news.

The entire reason for her and Cyborg going to Steel City in the first place, was to rescue them. Now, they had to race back to their allies across the country, who were fighting just to survive.

*So then . . . they were brought here, to be held as bargaining pieces?* Press concluded, again surprising everybody.

*Well, that is the first good news I've heard all night!* Delphi spoke up. *Cyborg and me can make our return to you . . . once I get back to him.*

"Aside from Robin telling us he is going after Slade." Avatar deadpanned, "Which means we can focus all our efforts, on saving The Titans East, and stopping that train from leaving its station."

*I could have sworn Starfire was with him too, from what he last told us? So then, you and Robin managed to get to her, eh Avatar?* asked Kimiko.

"Not exactly." Avatar frowned while glancing away. "I . . . got separated from him, in my own battle against Ivy."

The Kunoichi Warrior continued her interrogation, *Where is she by the way?*

Avatar glanced about her surroundings, remembering the dead carcass and flattened remains of the giant plant-monster hybrid. She pulled at the hilt to the sword she had, her new weapon.

"There was no sign of her. She ran off somewhere, but I think she is still nearby. In the shadows . . ."

*Strange.* Kimiko remarked.

*Why do you say that?* inquired Press.

*Because, Cheshire who was battling me, has also disappeared. The moment the training droids arrived, that distraction apparently caused her to back away to face them, and while I don't know where she is, I feel as though she is still pursuing me.*

Raven became uncomfortable on screen.

*Raven, hey, what about you? What happened to Croc?* Press asked, remembering the great reptile charging after her.

*After I escaped the Stadium, I was pursued . . . but I managed to give that repulsive reptile the slip. But, I do not have much stamina or energy, to keep up a prolonged fight. I used up the bulk of my powers, to just get through a crowd of people trying to destroy me . . . I do not know how much longer I can keep going for?*

"So then, let's look to our locators, and see just how far we are spread apart. From there, we can formulate where to link up with each other, and take our next step of action." Avatar explained, and a somber silence was felt on all ends.

"What our the main focus should be now, is understanding that while Robin is doing all that he can, to bring the fight to Slade's doorstep, it doesn't change the larger problem we are left with."

*The train.* Raven rasped in her gravelly deadpan.

*I was going to say rescuing The Titans East.* Delphi stated next, equally in a cold and serious pitch.

*Guys, can you at least tell me, what the heck you have in mind here. For those of us who watched the broadcast by Slade . . . this is insane! Everything is going from like a four, to a twelve in the crazy scale, and from all reports, it seems like the entire city is on a massive hunt against us!* Press spoke up, as he felt his heart race rapidly, after another blast landed even closer. *Whatever we decide, make it quick cause its getting really nuts on my end!*

Kimiko leaned forwards, and without hesitation she knew right away the proper steps to get things back on track. *So why not do both? Rescue The Titans East that are captured, and take out that train, before it even departs. We should split into two groups.*

The Squadron Captain waited to speak, stroking her chin while thinking of something that would work. A desperate plan was needed, and this was it.

*Regardless of Robin's own personal crusade, or his obsession towards Slade, we must be committed to the greater cause.* Kimiko spoke up during the silence once more. *The reason for our team coming to Jump City, that is still under the established arrangement, where the resolution to the main threat remains.*

"The protection and well being of the citizens of Jump City, and to help our friends. We can, and must do both." Avatar recited.

Press summersaulted low, evading another powerful blaster bolt exploding into the wall. Robot Commandos were swarming around him.

*GUYS!* The Rorschach masked hero cried out. *I don't know what I can do here, but I can't stay for much longer!*

Raven took a deep breath. Her ability to use her powers was heavily hampered, she could run, but even if she managed to make it to the island, there was no guarantee the others could stop the gas from being unleashed. They needed her.

She, like the rest would have to fight on. Only after the job was completed, would they be able to regroup at home base.

There was a serious dedication to a greater cause, more than of the self. Everybody was longing to return home, and the fact that Beast Boy with Terra had not responded to this call-in on the communicators, that made a nightmare scenario play out.

Raven felt a pang of guilt at how she and her teammates had acted towards Robin. Falcon smirked beneath his long cowl in Raven's mind, and the horror of his fate, it only worsened her mood.

*What would you recommend then?* Raven asked, as she was aware of what the implication was, that she would be abandoning her own teammates, to accompany the Squadron heroes.

That did not sit well with her in the slightest. But what choice did she have?

"We can do this. Let's make this easier and link up in groups. Group A . . . Raven and me to find The Titans East, and Group B, Delphi and Press, you two join up, and stop the subway train from leaving the station." Avatar spoke in her commanding tone as a true leader.

*Hey, why do Kimmi and me have to be in Group B?* Press whined.

*David, of all the things that are going on . . . is that REALLY the thing you should be concerned with at the moment?* Delphi chided him.

*Hmmm. Well, I am still being pursued inside the stadium!* Press replied as he slid behind a pillar. *These blasted Robot Commandos are swarming everywhere, but I think I can make my way out. But, I just can't stand it!*

*You can't stand what?* Raven asked.

*No, don't encourage him.* Delphi jumped in, only to be quickly interrupted by Press.

*I just don't like being in a outfit called Group B. If you guys are Group A . . . then Kimmi and me are in Group One!*

A collective sigh was felt on all ends.

The Kunoichi Warrior rubbed her face in frustration. *Don't call me that. And besides, that just makes this too confusing!*

*What happened to Victor Zsasz?* Raven asked, trying to keep everybody on the main topic.

*He got held up with some of the training bots. I think Beast Boy and Terra were behind that . . . remind me to thank them for that little maneuver.*

"Kimiko?" Avatar's voice cut-in.

*Following my own contest, Cheshire and me battled, but she also departed once the reinforcements arrived. I managed to make it a few blocks outside the stadium, near a park. But I don't know how much longer I can remain in this place, there isn't much cover.*

"Alright." Avatar acknowledged. "So, Press, link up with Kimiko. I am sending your coordinates to you both . . . now."

*Copy that! Kimmi, I am on my way.*

*Seriously? Stop calling me that.*

"Raven, you and I will meet up. I'm sending my coordinates to your communicator."

A steady beeping chimed in, as the two parties had formed, from the four heroes being Avatar with Raven, and Press with Kimiko.

It was during this moment, when The Great ClockTower in the heart of Jump City, rang three booming notes. The time was now three in the morning, and everybody became suddenly aware of what that reverberating noise meant.

Clang! . . . Clang! . . . Clang!

"Great. We only have two hours remaining, before that train departs its station!" Avatar deadpanned with total seriousness in her pitch. "Press and Kimiko, we will meet up with you, once we have rescued The Titans East. That should even the odds a bit."

*But I don't even know where to begin our search!* Press spoke in a defeated tone.

*Kimiko, go over the message that Slade delivered a few more times.* said Raven, *He may have given us more than he intended to.*

*Care to elaborate on that?* questioned Delphi.

*It was the same when Slade threatened to use a Chronoton bomb, years ago. He always gives away tiny things, and my gut is telling me, that through his recorded message, we will find the clues to get through this. Just as I will look over the footage to assist Avatar and me in our mission.*

*Right.* The duel wielding katana fighter acknowledged.

"He is utilizing the subway system . . . we don't have much to go with as to where exactly to even start, but, the only clue that keeps coming to mind, is that dang map he put on screen for everybody!"

*Alright.* Delphi chimed in, realizing how desperate this was becoming. *I will link up with Cyborg, and get our butts back to Jump City to assist you. You will need all the numbers you can get."

"Delphi, do you really think you guys can get back here in time?" Avatar asked, knowing full well just how dire everything was.

The Rune Knight simply smiled, nodding her head.

One by one, the images faded out to black. The teenagers finally had a proper method of combating the great threat, that had been unleashed.

The difficult hurdle remained, in finding those two critical areas. One being the subway cars carrying the deadly poison, about to depart in two hours, and the other being the secret location, that the Titans East were imprisoned at.

---

(~)

---

A steady, gentle beeping sound echoed inside the darkness.

The red flashing glow suddenly blinked on, then off, and then back on again. It was a sensor that acted as an eyeball.

*Warning. Warning. Battery levels at . . . commencing vitals check. Internal scanning has been completed. Diagnostics reading at . . . eleven percent . . . rerouting backup stores to maintain the primary directive of Doctor. Silas. Stone.*

The Teen Titan blinked his right eye, while the red sensor that was his left, refocused onto the environment. The methodic humming of an internal fan, like the one found inside of a computer began to whirl at a rapid pace, where the robotic female tone, chimed in once more, to complete the report.

*Diagnostics reveal damage rate of forty-five percent to outer chassis . . . mobility range, stable. Main radar optimal scanning . . . malfunctioning, thruster boosts . . . offline. Thermal detector now . . . reactivated. Weapon systems are . . . non-responsive. Requiring complete capacity that will bring meltdown to the core, if current levels drop below five percent.*

Great. We don't want that now, do we. Cyborg remarked to his internal system.

*Warning. Warning. Main power system is near critical. Operating at eleven percent . . . correction . . . ten percent.*

Thanks Glados. Cyborg spoke in his mind, responding to the companion's voice. At least we have managed to make it through . . . for now.

The broken and mangled Robot Commandos lay strewn about the battlefield. The great cataclysmic clash, had erupted, as Cyborg slowly rose to a kneeling position. He had survived the encirclement, where time was lost.

Everything turned into a blinding flash of white. Seconds felt like hours, where the cold chill of night reminded him, that he was knocked out.

The last thing he remembered, was being encircled by Robot Commandos, and of a giant figure marching forwards to challenge him. Then, everything faded into a pure crystal like glow. A bursting sound of electricity boomed, like thunder, and then, pure silence.

The servo motors whined while he moved, as his vision was distorted. He had managed to pull out one more counter-measure, that drained a lot of his battery. The unleashing of his own attack first, had caught the enemy by surprise.

Black Mask lay across from him, face down in the mud. He was not going to be of any further a nuisance, as Cyborg had defeated him. At another great distance near the edge of the gorge, The Ventriloquist and Scarface were not moving either.

"Ah. You are awake." A thick hispanic accent called out from afar. "That is good. Now, we can continue."

Cyborg rubbed his forehead, as he looked about his armor plating that wrapped about his body. The once shiny blue and white coloring was fading into a charcoal grey, as there were burn marks, countless scratches, and dings, all over his frame.

A bit of smoke rose about his shoulders, as there were many wisps also rising from various craters. A powerful electrical discharge had been unleashed, from his chest into those within the direct blast radius.

"What the heck -" Cyborg was still trying to piece things together.

Glados interrupted him,

*System input . . . you had verified to activate protocol directive . . . 0-0-0-1 . . . of a primary defensive maneuver. One that was built into you, following the battle against the criminal Brother Blood. A potent shockwave electrical blast, ten times larger than the normal sound frequency, unleashed when all other statistics for defensive protocols, are practically one percent of success. The discharge from this, enveloped a range of fifty feet around the battlefield, disabling all enemy combatants . . . except one . . .*

Cyborg blinked, and he flexed his fingers to make sure he was still more human than just machine. The female voice did calm him down, and it spoke to him, when he was in a very tight spot.

The dangerously low levels of his main power supply, were no longer concealed to just himself, as his massive opponent could see the difference from when he first had arrived.

Bane was standing proudly, like the monumental obstacle that he was. He did not get close enough to be harmed, where his opponent that had arrived, the young lad had blasted his way through the new encirclement, to have taken even worse internal damage, and he further exhausted his power levels.

Cyborg could not believe what was happening.

"I missed . . . well, I suppose I will have to deal with this the old fashioned way. One on one."

The Teen Titan was transfixed in a state of deep shock. Exhausted, and ready to collapse as his legs struggled to keep him upright, yet the reveal of his internal systems caused him to smirk through all of this.

There, on the opposite end of the battlefield, had emerged the formidable villain known as Bane. He had evaded the blinding electrical discharge, where now it was just the two of them.

Cyborg breathed a sigh of relief. He had wanted to find clues, answers to what had happened to his friends, but a part of him knew that something sinister was afoot. That not everything was as it had been first revealed.

He had taken the helm to lead not only his own team in various instances, but he had also taken charge of The Titans East. Their predicament, was the catalyst for him traveling all the way to Steel City.

Delphi tagged along, to offer support, where her abrupt absence again made him concerned with her well being. She had managed to trick the attackers, and her actions were reckless, but they had gotten results.

Get up! Cyborg griped in his noggin. Get back on your feet! Come on Vic, you aren't out of this fight yet.

"You have fought well, señor." Bane spoke after the lull, his thick dialect carrying over the field, causing the hero to squeeze his fingers. "Now then, let us see what you are truly made of, flesh and bone, or gears and bolts."

Cyborg had overcome so much, traveling half this distance across the country, leaving his friends behind. He went off to try and assist The Titans East, as nobody else could go. The faces of Bumblebee, Speedy, Aqualad, Mas and Menos came to his mind.

They needed him, and the part of himself that he could not figure the reason out, the tiny voice of a whisper urging him to reconsider his bold dash to get here . . . it slowly started to come into focus.

As the defeated Robot Commandos lay strewn about him, this only revealed that Slade was involved in this plot. There was no avoiding it.

Cyborg had no clear idea, as to where the Titan East members were taken, but the current state of things, it was appearing more like he had been led on a wild chase, to pull him away from his friends back in Jump City.

Black Mask refused to answer any of his questions, where Cyborg pondered if Bane would be any different?

To lure him away, to keep him driven deeper on his quest for revenge. After everything that had happened, after how Falcon was lost in the Jump City Railway, it slowly came to him, as he had a chance to think.

He had been unable to contact anybody for a long time now, and with the current struggle, he was not likely to, until this looming fight was finished.

Cyborg was growing more confident as he studied things, that this was a military tactic he had fallen into, and the answers were always pointing in a different place that he first overlooked.

The hero just had to make sure of one detail, and Bane was ironically the key to this question.

"Jump City." Cyborg said out lout.

"Hmmm?" Bane refuted with contempt.

"Of course, this whole thing, all of it . . . where he used that to his advantage. I should have known."

The ambush at the cliff, in the outskirts of The Steel City Airport had revealed something that he could no longer avoid. There was a deliberate effort to keep him here. To pin him in place, to wear him down, and to make him utilize his entire arsenal of weapons.

"What a damn predictable mess I've made for myself!" Cyborg chuckled, as he arched his head back.

"You have nothing to be ashamed of, young one." The masked villain deadpanned. "You have fought well, and you stand ready to continue the fight."

"Tell me."

Bane took a step forwards, cautious in his approach, remembering the electrical blast that had wiped out his forces. This was allowing Cyborg to continue with his inquiry, at a safe distance.

"I have every reason to suspect . . . that The Titans East are here . . . somewhere. If you will uphold any sense of honor, in your own code as a seasoned warrior . . . to at least respect one request before we fight . . . can you answer my one question, before we begin?"

The giant of a man stood still, and after tilting his head to the side, he asked a question of his own.

"A valiant man, is often blinded by his own lust for riches and glory. I have no reason to offer anything. Not to you."

"Odd to say that, wouldn't you agree . . . when we both know that you as a hired mercenary, a man of honor, of his own creed of reward seeking would never work for free. Tell me, what was it that Slade offered you, to keep me here, while the real battle takes place miles and miles away? What was it . . . gold?"

"You are in no position to negotiate!" Bane roared.

Cyborg smirked before going further.

"Ah. There it is. So then, if you are not a man of merit, or of honor as you strive to uphold . . . what kind of a man are you?"

It was a palpable moment, and while having overcome the many trials and devious plots to ambush him, The Teen Titan refused to look away. He was close, he just had to make his enemy reveal one detail.

Tell me. Cyborg spoke to himself, to the internal device he called Glados, that monitored his functions as a personal assistant. Can we rearrange my right arm into the sonic cannon one more time, at least for a single shot?

*Calculating . . . Calculating. Power levels are currently at ten percent, to initiate this function, any further usage of energy transference, will drastically deplete reserves.*

Yeah, I know that. But can you do it anyway?

*Calculating risk management . . . assessment complete. To activate primary weapon system, battery status will be depleted to critical levels of eight point eight five percent -*

Damnit Glados! Cyborg shouted to his internal assistant. If we are already NEAR critical levels, then we are not yet AT critical levels. Right?

Bane took another step forwards. His gigantic figure and muscles were well defined, even before he pressed the switch on his wrist, to inject the venom into his body. His menacingly long trench-coat had been discarded long ago, exposing the black singlet and combat attire he wore beneath it.

"No more running then." Cyborg steadied himself after speaking out-loud.

He was ready to confront his main opponent that was over five times his own height, and even larger in physical strength alone.

"You have integrity. To fight beyond your limit, there is strength in that. That is the spirit of a warrior."

Cyborg smirked. This entire ordeal was causing him to drag things out, and after glancing to his power-levels that he could view with his left red sensor, internally, the bar graphs were revealing the extremely dangerous rate which he was pushing himself.

The battle against the Robot Commandos had taken that percentage down to its current status. His main battery was overheating, and the looming fight was going to take every last scrap of his persistence to carry on.

He just needed to give his weapon system time to charge up. If he could get his prideful opponent to boast, it would give him the precious seconds required for this to work.

He had lost contact with Delphi, who had ventured into the thick wood-line on the far side of the canyon. The Squadron Airship was destroyed, it was a burning wreck in the bottom of the valley floor.

High in the clouds above them, propellers were heard swirling, as Cyborg glanced up, he noticed it was a news helicopter filming the scene.

Cyborg was going to fight, but he still was no fool in understanding just how dangerous this game was. He still had a few weapons and abilities that were not lost yet.

"We all have our limits." Cyborg spoke in a low pitch, as his right eye revealed a burning fury that consumed him.

He could fight, that was all that mattered.

"Indeed we do."

Bane started walking closer again. His black wrestling singlet revealed his thick muscles and biceps, that were larger than even the biggest of body-builders. A few cords and tubes lined his left wrist, connecting to a metal tank attached to his back and infused into his neck.

Cyborg had done enough homework that Robin had given him to research, on various opponents he may potentially come across, or threats that utilized similar techniques.

The Criminal Mastermind Bane, was suddenly brought up from his internal databanks, and the potent liquid concoction called Venom, is what gave this masked monster an even more deadly advantage. That, and his cunning and remarkable intellect, made him a truly deadly adversary.

The giant cracked his knuckles in his gloved hands, extending his fingers as he prepared to brawl, prior to speaking. "But for the both of us, we understand a common thing my young opponent."

Cyborg was thinking about his personal struggles in the Tower's Gym, to overcome the absolute maximum levels built into his body, and his fight against Atlas.

He had the strength to do incredible things, but he also understood, that despite his vigor for triumph and his human remains, he was still mostly machine that kept him alive, and that any push beyond what his robotic parts could deliver, could potentially be fatal.

Cyborg formed a fighting posture with his body, to respond with a show of confidence, as his sparring sessions had been of great importance. "There is nothing we have in common!"

Bane threw his arms out to the sides, "It is what makes us who we are, señor. Not the titles, nor the deeds, nor the accolades . . . no. What drives you, is what I also seek."

"Vengeance." Cyborg squeezed his fists after admitting this.

"Now we shall see, if you can truly overcome this final test."

Cyborg looked away momentarily, his head was partially bowed. "It was you all along, wasn't it?"

The hero still needed to buy more time to reroute the power within himself. He could feel the tingle in his fingertips, as the current flowed through his arm. He was almost ready.

The masked criminal smirked, and then he pointed at his opponent. "I only take credit, when I have earned it."

"How noble of you."

The behemoth tilted his head to the side. He had fought against numerous challengers over the years, and to finally confront somebody who was a high-ranking member, of a youthful crime fighting organization, he wanted to see what the future would bring against him.

Cyborg gradually looked up before responding. "If I beat you, you will tell me where they were taken."

The red eyes of the mask squinted, as Cyborg felt a new chill travel up his back. Bane was a villain who could easily crush any opponent, as though they were a mere insect beneath his military grade heel.

"You will not survive this." said Bane.

Cyborg was ready.

The blatant ignorance of the simple request only meant one thing, The Titans East were not here. The hero was going to have to break his opponent, and while Bane was a brawler who was not to be trifled with up close, Cyborg still had the means to fight from a distance.

Having defeated two villains already, and then to overcome the onslaught of one hundred Robot Commandos, those challenges were difficult on their own. The looming battle against his oncoming challenger, this was going to test him, far beyond anything he had ever faced before.

---

(~)

---

"There. I think that is good enough distance." Raven deadpanned in a quiet pitch, as she leaned against the brick wall, of the underground tunnel.

Her lungs burned with an intense heat, and the soreness in her body compounded the effects of the gas she had breathed in. The Empath understood that with every step she took, with every motion she made, the fumes were coursing through her veins.

It had taken an incredible effort to escape here, and now that she was in this place, new concerns had caused her to slow down.

The group call-in was the only other opportunity to rest, while short, but it had afforded her and The Titans Squadron members, the proper course to now take.

Her joints were stiff, a dizzying effect from her brain was making the deck plates she stood on to feel unstable, and her vision was starting to blur.

The tiny microbes that were attached to her blood cells, from the decoy Slade had detonated, when Robin was forced into becoming the Mastermind's apprentice, this made her shiver at many of the nightmarish possibilities, that could be going on this very moment.

"Breathe . . . just breathe." Raven told herself, as her heart was thumping very quickly against her ribcage.

So far, she was not under any mind control, and she was able to carry on in her mission. The gas cloud had knocked her down, for a time, and it incapacitated her, draining her powers which in the current state, was bad as she did require to utilize her abilities.

The passageway was totally dark, the only illumination came in from the vents and grates above, casting a haunting aura about the surroundings. Within this environment, a few streaks of light were noticed, between the bars, cascading down upon her face as she looked up.

A headache began to irritate her, and she squinted her eyes while trying to focus on the path she had been traveling.

"Ironic. Here I go every single day, to put criminals and monsters behind bars, safely away from the general public . . . and yet now I am the one who is being hunted."

The pungent stench was utterly foul, and it hovered low above the dirty water that flowed nearby.

She was giving herself a reprieve of the marathon, and to remember what she was supposed to be doing. Her stomach felt like it was twisting into a tiny ball, and she slumped forwards, clutching the railing with both hands, as a burning fever began to increase inside of her.

Sweat dropped from her bowed forehead, and she suddenly collapsed onto the ground.

To reach her current location, it was an exhausting sprint. She was in a sluggish state close to delirium, and the room began to spin.

"I . . . I have to keep moving. Get it together, The Titans East need my help." she closed her eyes to breathe in and out, to recalibrate things internally, as she would when meditating.

For a moment, the headache and discomfort in her stomach subsided.

Following the group chat, there was a sliver of hope, dim though it was. In the ever increasing darkness of their dejected hearts, the heroes had to put the clues together to complete their objectives, where the teenagers were going to link up in pairs.

Avatar was taking the helm, hurrying to meet The Grey Sorceress somewhere up ahead, while Robin and Starfire were going after Slade, far away. Press and Kimiko were trying to link up in their objective.

The Empath wanted above anything, to just reach the boundary of the city, to then head straight to Titans Tower, and to reunite with Beast Boy. However, that had become even further out of her reach, as the main threat was about to destroy everything.

Two-Face, and the roaming enraged mob seeking their own calls for justice, had forced her to withdraw deeper in the opposite direction. She may have escaped the clutches of Killer Croc from The Stadium, where Raven understood that her friends were also contending with challengers equal in fighting skills and abilities.

The burning of Titans Tower, of the explosions booming across the city made her feel the urgency to hurry on. Often times, in a dire situation with too much conflict, if a person focuses on just one immediate task, then decisive action can be taken.

Things were only getting worse, and time was not on her side. Raven had to push aside any doubts, and to keep going. She reached out and grabbed the railing once more, ready to pull herself upright.

She knew the stakes as the others did, as the red cloaked drifter that came into her life had changed everything. The closed-off and angry loner from The East Coast, who did not have the best first impression or compassion to exchange with them, he had left his mark.

Raven smirked, as she remembered her very first encounter of meeting The Teen Titans.

Falcon may not have intended to cross paths with them, in his own pursuit to hunt down a monster of his past. His efforts while small, he was still a part of their team. He was difficult to work alongside, stubborn, and dangerous.

The others had welcomed him in, they wanted to give him a chance, yet Raven refused to see herself in him, until . . . he was gone.

Raven was the most critical and out-spoken against the newcomer from joining their ranks in the beginning, and she did put up the front, that his parting from their team was for the best.

As she reminisced, it was the way things had ended, so abruptly and without anybody from either side making amends that stung. That she never had a real opportunity to explore a friendship, or to apologize.

It was too late for Falcon, but she could still save The Titans East.

Cyborg was clearly unhappy with being stuck as a Co-Captain, and he continued to reveal his discontent towards Robin, where the rift had only forced him to leave when they could have used his help now, more than ever.

The big teenager desired to branch out, for his own personal glory and growth. The consequences of not letting him take charge, of Robin refusing to make any concessions, it was a big deal, one that the team may never recover from.

Starfire may have been good at concealing her true feelings, and the mask she wore in front of Robin, it was compelling in ways that Raven did not expect. Her sister-teammate was trying to keep the group together, and the experience of the past week she had gained, in a large part was due to her desire, to wanting to bridge a friendship with Falcon.

Beast Boy had been the most upbeat and potentially hopeful of them all, where even his continued sacrifices time and time again, only revealed that while he was the youngest of their team, he had matured faster, and perhaps it was Falcon's bold stance in that train station that night, that caused the changeling to reflect on a deeper level of their connection.

The decision to leave Falcon behind, to carry on with the mission, it had impacted them all. Jump City was under threat, multiple crises's had tested the Teen Titans beyond their limits, and still the heroes went forwards into battle, to win the day.

Raven's gothic mood and cold monotone, was filled with a morbid type of grief. It was a feeling that a person develops, when a loved one is diagnosed with a severe illness, and the outcome is certain. Falcon had come into their lives, and while he, and the others, may not have thought much of their bond, his impact was deep.

"If only . . . we had more time." Raven whispered as she pulled herself upright.

As much as one wants to do something to help, there is nothing that can be done, and that generates a hole, a bitter hatred at the inability to act. The void grows, as the division and anger pours out at people unable to do anything.

Beast Boy and Terra were in jeopardy, where again, it was the green shapeshifter that had saved her, having utilized The Tower's training drones, to be the much needed reinforcements to even the odds.

Against the endless waves of Robot Commandos, the battle was dire. It was because of them, that their friends had regained the ability to communicate, and to continue the fight.

"Beast Boy -"

The blue cloaked Empath sighed, cutting herself off from saying anything further, as she stayed on the walkway that service workers would utilize. It was very narrow, but luckily a pathway that she could travel.

It did nothing to mask the abhorrent stench that clung to the air.

With every breath she took, the fumes only made her more light-headed. She clutched at her nose, to stifle a sneeze that was building, as the whiff of this place, only irritated everything.

"How is it, that after most confrontations with some great evil or criminal group, I always wind up down in a sewer, trying to navigate my way out?"

Raven clasped at her cloak, the means of protection and warmth did offer something, as her gravelly pitch echoed around the long dark of the tunnel.

"The life of a superhero . . . this little excursion apparently was left out on my orientation day. Perfect."

Her friends faces came to her. Robin, Starfire, Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Falcon. She clutched her right hand tightly against her breast, as the attack upon Titans Tower, the thick plumes of smoke bellowing upwards into the night sky, this image from the video was making her mood sink even lower.

"They need me. But what can I do . . . if I am unable to utilize my abilities when the time comes?" Raven's voice rattled around her. "I just have to reach the next passageway, and I can link up with Avatar."

Her feet began to carry her, one step after another.

Deeper and deeper she trekked. Only the sound of her boots echoed, as the steady rush of water, continued to flow down the very middle of the channel. The churning of the waste liquid was creating little eddies and bubbles.

The Grey Sorceress was feeling regretful, for how her temper at Beast Boy had caused things to erupt, when the pair were last together. It could have gone any other way, but instead she demanded space from him.

Beast Boy had told her what had taken place at the hospital, with Terra and him sharing a kiss. A love triangle of these three, cemented fears she had hoped would not become real. There was no hiding it now, and while The Grey Empath was far away, those two were alone.

"Stop thinking those thoughts." Raven scolded herself, as she leaned a hand against the brick wall for support. "This is no time to dawdle."

On she went. The ominous reflection of herself she noticed, while moving in the water, it made her feel even more hopeless than ever before.

She began to wheeze, and a coughing fit picked up. The potent gas she inhaled from The Sport Colosseum had lingering effects, and she felt off-balance, while she leaned out to grasp at the railing once more, to prevent herself from tumbling into the drink.

"I . . . I can not afford to stay here." Raven was able to reorient herself, ever so slightly, as the migraine began to intensify again.

The world above was bustling with all sorts of foot-traffic.

After crossing paths with the local police squad, as a last ditch effort for gaining some assistance, the reveal of Slade's threat, to every inhabitant made it all too clear, that she, nor her friends, could show themselves.

It brought a chill up her back, as she recollected her journey into Jump City, that cold winter night so many years ago. She had come to this place in search of a path, in the attempt to find a way out of the doom she was foretold to unleash.

The battle had drawn a division amongst the populous, protestors for and against the heroes turning themselves in had formed. As the night dragged steadily on, and the minutes ticked away, a clash of an intense engagement was slightly heard up on the city streets, while muffled, but still noticeable even in the underground sewer.

She slammed a fist into the railing, making the metal rattle. While she had made it here, during her race to meet Avatar, she struggled to find any clue of where The Titans East members were being held prisoner.

She pulled out her communicator, to replay Slade's broadcast and scan over the details. Meeting up with Avatar was a key thing, but while she had the chance, she wanted to try and solve this puzzle.

The image on screen revealed them, and she paused the recording. Looking intently at the background, of the chains, of the heroes, to the cages themselves. Anything that stood out that should not belong, it was the only evidence that was given.

Then she pressed {play}.

*The Teen Titans have always been the problem. Everywhere they go, all of those that decide to meet them, to assist in their folly, eventually must pay back their own debts.*

The footage showed Bumblebee, Speedy, Aqualad, Tramm, Mas and Menos, suddenly get electrocuted!

*This does not need to be your fate.*

Raven pressed {pause} on this device. The clip was very short, there was not much to go with in details, and the discomfort and agony being shown on the teenagers faces as they were tortured, it caused the Empath to feel their pain and to wince.

They were each lined up, locked in place against a brick wall. The camera was zoomed onto the figures in the cages, where there was very little to spot, however, something did catch her attention.

Something out of place, was briefly spotted to the upper left corner of the screen.

"Wait a second. Maybe if I enhance the image . . . and I zoom in to this section here . . . and I play it back a second time -"

During the recorded message Slade had given, he had exposed more than he intended. It was so minor in fact, so small in detail that he may have been totally engrossed in his egotistical nature, that he forgot to crop away the outside of the holding pen.

It was the outside of the cage that surrounded the hostages, that Raven now looked at this with a detective approach.

It was something oblivious to anybody who watched the recording once, as the main focus was the looming threat of the gas to be unleashed. If the Teen Titans and their allies were not apprehended, where the display of torture had the opposite effect.

Raven felt this was it.

"Slade, you always were one to never show what you were working with." Raven spoke up, as she continued to focus on the blurb, just in the background of the Titans East members. "Even the best poker players have a tell."

There was an unusual sound. A high pitch distortion which was also overshadowed by the unpleasant image, of the torture happening, as the electrical shock was administered to the captives.

The clip showing The Titans East in their predicament was very quick, yet there was something that Raven was able to explore.

Like a 'Where Is Waldo' moment in a children's book, the anomaly was not intended to stand out, but it did.

She replayed the clip several more times, using her communicator as Beast Boy had taught her, with the exact features of how to engage in the settings, to go over video footage. It was editing software, very sophisticated technology that was far ahead of many cellular phones that the average citizen owned.

Starfire was also surprisingly adapt in using this, as she had a social media page, to post all sorts of things on the go. During one of their bonding moments, between just the two girls, The Tamaranean Princess had shown her things at the time, which The Grey Sorceress could have not cared in the least about.

"I would prefer it if I was back in The Tower, to use the main computer for this . . . but I will have to thank Starfire for showing me a few tricks. To think, her wanting to post photos on social media, may actually prove to be the only way I can get through this . . ."

Raven enhanced various features across the video, trying to expose the out of place anomaly.

"Dang-it! This is not much . . . but . . . hang on."

She pressed the {zoom-in} button, as she looked at the cages themselves. Enhancing the image, tapping the touch-screen with her fingers ever so gently, to expand the shape in the background.

"There . . . now if I can just make out what the heck that thing is behind them."

The bars the heroes were locked behind, were of a sturdy and thick material, something that she had seen somewhere before.

The repeated light chirping sound, this was enhanced as the volume of everything else became muted, to reveal it was the call of an exotic bird, cooing for its mate. It was also in a cage, where Raven began to rapidly narrow down the locations it could be, and the image of a rare South American aviary predator, with colorful feathers suddenly caught her attention.

It was no longer a mystery.

"The Jump City Zoo!"

---

(~)

---

"Dang it." Elizabeth whispered in a hushed pitch, as she peered her sapphire colored eyes out from the thin crack of the door. "They just changed shifts. I - I don't know the gatekeeper on watch."

"And . . . has that stopped you before?" Falcon asked, already seeming like he knew what she was going to respond with.

"No." she smirked back a playful grin.

The camaraderie between them had slowly blossomed, and they were trying to lighten the depressing atmosphere.

It was a race against time, and with every minute that passed, with every delay in their journey, they would have less time to travel, let alone to locate the subway car, that was going to set off a chain reaction across Jump City.

"Even if we manage to get out of here . . . care to explain how we will stop the threat, when we don't even know what rail-line those canisters are set to go off on?" Elizabeth questioned.

Falcon, ever the pessimistic person replied without any change in his rasping monotone, "I am still trying to figure that part out."

"Or . . . how the heck are we going to link up with your friends, if you don't have your communicator to begin with?"

"Do not delve too deeply into that."

"Why though? Being that I am sticking my neck out for you. Again. The same goes with Mark."

"Look, it is true that we are going into a big mess of a situation. Jump City is going to be unraveling in a state of chaos, of panic . . . and while I do not have the means to contact The Titans, or of narrowing down where exactly, that subway car is leaving from . . . I still have to do this."

"Of course."

She glanced over her shoulder, revealing a perplexed expression towards his stoic calmness. This was not what she thought his manner would be at this point. Since they had introduced themselves, he remained distant, calculated, and there was a strange aura about him that she could not explain, but she felt.

An ominous entity was just behind him, towering over his back and this caused her to shiver. She had felt 'it' when she found him in the physical therapy room, going over his stretches. Before then, it had hovered over his broken body, as he lay within the wreckage.

Elizabeth cleared her throat, trying to not dwell over whatever 'it' was. "Just, promise me that we will get through this thing."

"What?"

She shot a stern glare at him, an expression that made him reflect on his own determined willpower. "Promise me."

Falcon rubbed the back of his neck. After a long enough pause in not saying anything, he finally responded, "First, we need to make it out of this hospital. The only way this will succeed, is if we work together. Right?"

"Hmmmm. I suppose that will do. For now."

"You really don't give up easily, do you?"

She smirked again. "No, and I'm glad that you are finally beginning to pay attention to that."

The elevator was just ahead of them, beyond the check-in desk. A twenty-something year-old nurse in blue hospital scrubs, with her brown hair tied back in a ponytail, had just taken a seat behind the computer, and she was busily talking into a phone.

The previous staff member had gotten up, she grabbed her purse, waving to her colleague. She walked towards the lift, pressing the button, she was ready to go home for the night.

Falcon nodded his head in the direction of their goal, and in his quiet tone replied, "So close, and yet so far away at the same time. I feel like this is something I've been through too many times already."

She chuckled a little, "You and me both."

The teenagers had arrived, all the way at the very end of the wing without alerting any of the other patients or staff. They had made it to a safe distance to catch their breaths, where one last barrier had yet to be overcome, then they would be all clear.

"Elizabeth."

She exhaled very slowly after hearing her name. "Well, why don't you take a look and see for yourself."

He grimaced, as the injuries he acquired broke his concentration, and he began to rub his ankle. The damage had weakened him, but through his recovery here, and from the rehabilitation exercises, he was able to move.

The young man was dressed in a thick black hoodie, wearing plad checkerboard pattern of red and black bedroom pants. It was clothing that Doctor Spears had acquired, and brought for him. This was not his typical clothing choice, but it was better than the thin hospital gown.

Over his right injured leg, a black sturdy brace had been put on, as it was the main thing that afforded him the ability to limp forwards, and to stand on his own.

Falcon was no longer confined to just a wheelchair. He was not at full capacity in the things he used to be able to do, but he could partially walk, and in the coming fight, this was his only choice.

"How's the leg?" Elizabeth asked, clearly aware of his pain that he was unable to hide.

"It's not too bad."

"Liar."

"Alright." Falcon deadpanned, "I just . . . I need a moment."

The two were hidden within a tiny supply closet, as Falcon was squeezed directly behind her, trying to peek over her shoulder. A thin glimmer of light caught his eye, yet he could see the hallway beyond, and the main desk with the nurse busily taking care of miscellaneous tasks.

There was barely enough room for the two of them, and the cramped space of shelves stocked fully, with bedsheets and various amenities, this forced the teenagers to lean into each other.

This brought back images, when they first crossed paths in the destroyed ruins of The Railway Station. Falcon was careful, to maintain some distance even in here.

Elizabeth could come and go as she pleased, but for Falcon, the staff would need some sort of documentation, a clearance allowing him to walk out the front door.

As he looked out the opening, he scanned the end of the hall to make a quick reference to any alternative routes. There were none that he could find.

The girl was so close, that her breath came down onto the side of his neck. The thud-thudding of her heartbeat was sensed by him, the subtleties of her perfume, the soft touch of a strand of her hair, that lightly brushed against his cheek was all felt.

Like a statue, he remained perfectly still.

"Hmmm. I see your point." He glanced back, upon realizing how close her face was to his, he turned away.

"Oh. Excuse me." she blushed, pulling back a little.

An awkward silence lingered.

They had talked for a number of hours back in his quarters, going over so many details of their lives, that they felt a bond had been established between them. They were no longer strangers, and their entire mission was to get back to Jump City.

The two could not linger here however, they had to make a move.

The teenagers went back to their original places in the cramped closet, with Elizabeth at the door, and Falcon directly behind her. They may have kept their thoughts to themselves, but the close proximity of their bodies, this made everything feel even more claustrophobic.

"I can't believe we are about to go through with this. Are you sure you can do this? I can hold my own, but I don't want you to slow me down." Elizabeth mentioned with a nod, trying to maintain her concentration on other matters. She hated long silences.

"I can manage fine on my own."

"Good. Cause while the elevator is just ahead of us, it will put a great deal of strain on your leg, in trying to make our next move."

" . . . "

"Hmmmm." Elizabeth continued, "Perhaps we should have waited, till Mark came back. He could have gotten -"

The elevator doors were heard opening once more, the familiar 'Ding' echoing down the hall, where the girl's eyes became wide from who had just arrived.

Falcon did not have to see what she was looking at, yet her quick mood shift, the concern on her face, the sudden pattern in her heart-rate once again, these things were so subtle yet he could detect something was off.

This had alerted him, that a new problem had unraveled.

He required an alibi. They had to get permission from the medical staff, in order for Falcon to leave, and for any person dealing with hospitals, there was paperwork, bureaucratic red-tape and dozens of forms that had to be filled out, before a patient could just walk away.

Thanks to their quick thinking on the spot, the third member of the party, Mark Jackson Spears, he decided to get that taken care of. During this, his adoptive daughter and the young man she saved, gathered their belongings in his room.

"Friend's of yours?" The fourteen-year-old asked, while letting him peek over her shoulder once more, to get a better view.

"I suspected they would catch up . . . eventually, but somebody must have tipped off the authorities, about me being here." As he squinted his one eye to get a better look, he then turned to confront her. "There are only a handful of them, this won't be a problem."

"What!?" she clutched at the collar of his hoodie, "Are you mad?"

There was something exhilarating taking place, a new challenge, and the convergences of many struggles all at once, made her right hand begin to tremble. The possibilities of a brawl taking place, this was not how she wanted any of this to play out.

"Hey . . . breathe. They are after me, alright." The seventeen-year-old raised his hands after speaking.

"Huh?"

"Elizabeth, I have to get back, and a few guards are not going to -"

"No!"

He gave a serious glare after hearing her interruption. "Well, we can't go back to my room, or leave without alerting them anyway."

"Just, let me think of something."

The girl rubbed her forehead, trying to soothe the migraine that had formed, and she went on talking. "They are only doing their jobs. Getting into a fight, with them . . . in your current state, is that REALLY a good idea?"

"We cannot stay here."

"We can't leave without making a scene, and we can't remain without them eventually finding us. So then, what are you suggesting?" Elizabeth asked while she raised an eyebrow.

"You won't like it."

"No, but anything is better than this!"

The uniforms and badges revealed they were of a special military unit. As the five men stepped out of the elevator, and in a slow cadenced rhythm they marched forwards. It was of a military precision, they were not here for just anybody, and they were carrying a variety of weapons.

Two of the men remained in front of the door acting as a rear guard, as the other three continued walking down the hall, being led by a doctor in a white lab coat.

"Just calm down, alright." said Falcon.

"Keep calm?!" Elizabeth hissed back in an angry tone, fighting to keep her voice low. "It's kind of hard to do that, when a madman is threatening to destroy an entire city, which we are trying to get into by the way, and oh, did I forget to mention, that anybody that put one and two together, about you and The Titans as they clearly know now, that will be REALLY bad for a lot of people. Oh, and the time! We don't have much to spare!"

"Hmmm."

"Don't hmmm me! I am anxious because of everything going on. And I can't keep my focus when I just found out, from you, that I have a brother that I thought was . . ." she stopped her rant, where the older teenager simply stared at her, allowing her to vent. "Never mind."

"I told you, that you do not have to do this."

She exhaled a deep breath before continuing, "There is just . . . a LOT that is happening, and while I am used to hectic things, as being in the medical profession has that as a prerequisite."

Falcon bowed his head, smirking a little.

The fourteen-year-old started speaking again, "Okay. Just, don't even go there with me on this, as you won't win."

The aspiring medical practitioner kept her eyes closed, and she tried to slow her heart rate down. She then glanced to her cellphone, noticing a text message that came from her stepfather.

After typing a reply, she leaned back a little, making sure that the door remained shut. Two female nurses in hospital scrubs, suddenly approached the room just across from them.

There was more foot-traffic now, and that would complicate matters.

Elizabeth slowly brought her left hand onto the door handle.

Falcon spoke up in a quiet voice, "There is one thing that will work, but, it requires you to trust me."

"Well now, that is some bold confidence coming from a guy who moments ago, made it seem like the only way out of this whole debacle, was to turn yourself in. Now, these guys show up. Talk about convenient timing."

The tightness in his damaged leg was severe, but through his abilities, he was able to numb the pain to proceed with his journey. "I was surprised to have made it this far as quickly as we did, but I am still adjusting to this brace."

"Good. Cause trying to get out of here in the wheelchair, that would have been a nightmare. However, due to the circumstances, taking the stairs is off the table for you. It looks like the elevator is our best shot."

He nodded his head while replying, "Then, that is our path."

The footsteps echoed down the hallway, and the uniformed figures drew even closer.

"They are coming!" She glared harshly at him after saying this. "Dang, fine then. Can you at least tell me what your brilliant strategy is now? I do want to trust you, but that only works, if you help me."

"I just need to get out the front door, and from there, you and Mark can . . ."

His words slowly became silent to her.

The girl kept her back facing him. This was not how she expected any of this to go, and what seemed like a simple walk to the escape route, had become blocked. They had come in here, to catch their breaths. If they had decided to push forwards earlier, they might have avoided this situation.

"In any case," Falcon's voice cut-in. "I owe you an apology."

"Can you hold onto that thought, till we get out of here."

The seconds continued to pass, and another nurse approached from a different door.

As the security force of three moved down the hall, they then broke off and began to search each of the rooms individually.

"Here we go." Falcon urged while shoving her. "Brace yourself!"

"What?! Wait!"

The poor girl had no way to stop his sheer strength alone, even injured and with a bad leg, he swiftly overpowered her, forcing Elizabeth to push into the door, knocking herself down as he stumbled out past her!

The commotion had caused the nurse behind the desk to rise up, and to stare in bewilderment at the sight of the male teenager, slowly rising from the ground.

Dammit! Elizabeth stammered in her skull for an explanation. "Falcon!"

He pushed her back inside, slamming the door shut while he whispered, "Forgive me."

While raising his left hand, he utilized the darkness that he could manipulate, which he felt from his fingertips down to his bones. The very essence of the room itself was honed into, through the powerful grip of his mind, and he harnessed his powers, to keep the door sealed.

"Falcon, hey! Let me out! Just what in the blazes are you doing?"

"I'm sorry Elizabeth." He repeated, where his mood had not given away any of his intentions. "I know this is wrong, and you can hate me."

She banged her fists against it in a rage, trying to get out, "Falcon! You can't do this! This wasn't part of the plan! This was not our deal!"

He bowed his head, glancing away from the door. He understood that he had dragged her along. This was his chance to part ways, and that her still being with him, that was gong to put the girl in a very uncomfortable situation.

She had done enough, and he wanted to cut her away.

"I told you to brace yourself."

She banged against the door, again. It would not budge.

"I made a promise." Falcon closed his left eye, slowly turning away, "I vowed to keep you safe."

"Don't do this!" Elizabeth pleaded.

" . . . "

"It's him!" A guard called out, running to apprehend him from a different room. "It's one of the Titans!"

"Stop him!" Another officer shouted, reaching for his blaster pistol attached to his hip.

Falcon knew this was all pointless. The longer they waited, countless others would arrive from the lower levels. This was not how he wanted to depart her company, where she was trying to make things right, but there was no time left.

"You have every reason to be upset." Falcon acknowledged, as he monologued from the other side of the door. "I told you that I was going back, and that you don't need me to find your brother."

"How dare you!"

"You have sacrificed enough."

Elizabeth was beyond furious, and she needed him to understand. "That is not your call to make!"

"I am going to stop him . . . I will."

The nurse behind the desk began to call for support, as the whole world felt like it was in slow motion.

The doors on the far end by the stairs, leading to the fire escape suddenly swung wide open, and a flood of boots were heard marching into the hallway. Multiple officers all in the same uniform had arrived, and they were eager to pounce.

Falcon raised both of his hands, slowly. It was the universal gesture of surrendering.

Elizabeth pulled on the handle, yet it would not budge. At this very moment, the exhale of her breath was noticed in front of her, as if she was outside during a cold snowfall of winter.

The adrenaline that she felt, it was making all other senses become very sensitive. As she looked around herself, something cold and evil poured out, spreading in a long shadow across the hallway, spreading further and faster away from Falcon, in all directions.

There it was. The black aura that he omitted, the sinister imageless 'thing' she had sensed in his room looking back at her, from the mirror. It caused goosebumps to form, where his abilities did keep the door shut, but she was able to peer out of the crack to observe everything.

This shade slithered and warped out directly behind Falcon, it moved with the flexibility of a serpent. Black tendrils blended into the lines on the floor, of an unpleasant aura that nobody was observing, but she did.

One of the security members who was quick with a sidearm, was now aiming it at the young man. At the same time, the two guards that were at the elevator, they also arrived from the opposite direction, also raising their weapons and were prepared to fire.

One of them was shouting an order, issuing a threat to halt the young man from making any sudden movements. Gradually, the troopers inched ever closer, to put him in handcuffs.

"Do. Not. Move!" An officer barked out. He was clearly unsettled by Falcon's arrival into the hall.

"Keep your hands in sight!"

The teenager revealed a sense of pleasure in this moment, where a smirk formed. He preferred being in the middle of a battle-hardened contest, with the avenues of negotiating off the table, and the challengers all confronting him, ready to strike.

"I did not want this, remember that." Falcon spoke up, glancing from each of the officers with an expression of confidence, of vigor. "So be it."

"Falcon . . . no." Elizabeth whispered from the tiny room, still trying to reach him.

The shadows that stretched out behind him, had finally merged around the numerous opponents, where their silhouettes transformed, causing fear to spread amongst their ranks!

They were quick, yet Falcon was quicker.

Dragon and hawk claws appeared, capturing the armed figures attention. Gigantic talons emerged out of the floor and ceiling, snatching up every member that had surrounded him, and these began pulling them backwards, squeezing them to not let them budge!

The shadows enveloped them into the entity of the void, and they were pinned.

They squirmed and fought to break free, where the hooded figure lowered his hands, in a gesture of expressing a fraction of what his abilities could do. They were no match against him. They were just standing in his way.

Elizabeth could only look on. It was the intensity of this black sorcery, of him controlling the shadows and locking every single guard into place, of him shutting the door that made her feel very uncomfortable.

What could she possibly do against that?

The thumping of her heart was all she could listen to, where even the nurse at the desk that had alerted the numerous officers, she had dropped the phone. She was unable to budge due to absolute terror, collapsing and cowering low, as dread was easily written all over her facial expression.

His action now, had the unintended consequence of giving Slade's words, even more weight against what The Teen Titans represented. The teenage-group of superheroes, were meant to be protectors of the peace, servants of the people, yet that was a naive way of continued thinking, from this moment forwards.

"Elizabeth." His deep voice caught her off-guard, as he looked back. "I did not have any choice in this . . . you must understand."

"You promised me!" She shouted back, slamming a fist against the door. "Why?"

He turned as he reached the elevator, contemplating what to say but unable to answer.

Elizabeth remained sitting on the ground, stupefied and overwhelmed with his most brazen act. Pushing her down in the manner than he did was harsh, but to abandon her now, that was a very low hit.

Separating himself from her, and so easily subduing the numerous people like they were mere toys made her realize, she had trusted him too easily. She wanted to believe in what he was doing, but she had no relief, because of his swift actions.

"I am going to finish this." Falcon deadpanned while glancing over his shoulder. "I have to."

She was in a state of deep conflict, at how everything had unraveled. This made her question everything she thought she knew about him, all over again.

The elevator 'dinged' and the doors parted, letting him enter.

"This isn't right, and you know it!" She cried out, trying to reach him. In her head, her voice continued, How can you? Are you really leaving . . . am I just going to sit here while Jump City is in peril?

As the elevator descended, the shadows of the room which he created suddenly vanished! In the exact same instant, the guards all collapsed to the ground, groaning and trying to reorient themselves.

Elizabeth burst out into the hallway, and as she glanced back up, she noticed that he was moving to the lower floors.

Without wasting a second more, with a tremendous rush of energy, Elizabeth got back to her feet, and she bolted towards the stairs at the other end of the wing. Her belongings were luckily in her book bag, that she had strapped to her back.

"He cannot be allowed to escape!" An officer's voice echoed behind her, where he raised an arm as he was getting back up.

I need to get to him first! The fourteen-year-old remarked to herself. If he thinks he can just ditch me now, after everything . . . I am going to give him a peace of my mind!

Down the concrete stairs she hurried, leaping over multiple rows in long extended strides. From rounding one corner, she slammed her shoulder into the thick brick wall, to groan in pain, then to keep moving.

Panic was building. He had told her that he was leaving, yet she only felt a seething anger at him, for the tactic he pulled.

The militarized police began to split up on the floor she exited, some were running in the direction that she took, hot on her heels leading to the lower levels.

The door above was heard slamming open, with a clattering of heavy boots rushing in. Others called to their fellow officers over their radios, to continue the pursuit upwards from the lobby, and to be prepared for his arrival.

The medical staff over the intercom system, called out to inform the workers, to apprehend the fleeing teenager, as the lift he was in, continued its downward journey.

The brief glimmer of hope that still burned in her, was that she might catch up to him. He was in an elevator, where other people could stop it on its way down.

He was dangerous when cornered, but she could still outrun him. The girl could not afford to stop.

He needs a means of transportation in getting back to Jump City. You haven't shaken me off yet! Elizabeth's voice excitedly rattled in her skull. If he isn't going to be using Mark's vehicle . . . then there is one thing, that he just might take!

She sprinted harder and faster. Down the levels she ran.

Her breathing was intense, and the a scourge of a fire burned her lungs. The stomping of her feet, and her body weight crashing against the concrete echoed, every time she leapt around a corner in the stairwell.

The fourteen-year-old sprinted the entire way, droplets of sweat began to form, and the anger at his action, this only made her push herself even harder.

Why did you push me away? Why?

He was stubborn, his injuries had revealed that to her. She had her own battle wounds, and that was another thing she could relate to him on.

His family was lost, and he blamed himself for that tragedy, a stinging ache that only made him drive other people that wanted to be close to him, further away. Mark tried to be there for her, as Andrew from her school reached out on her last day, yet Elizabeth fought bitterly to keep everybody at an arms length.

Pushing herself through the large door, and panting heavily for much needed air. At last, she arrived in the parking garage.

The night was surprisingly cold, where the stairwell had also been chilly, without any insolation, as the garage was open to the elements in numerous places.

While she bent over to catch her breath, a row of ambulances were noticed lined up. A few E.M.T.'s were standing near one, chatting amongst themselves as they were engrossed in their cordial conversation.

It was in this gathering, that a familiar person Elizabeth did not expect to see, was amongst them. Jefferson Stims.

At a far away corner of the garage, the arrival of an elevator had suddenly chimed. The doors parted in the middle, and people began to disperse towards their vehicles.

Elizabeth moved behind a pillar, to hide herself from being spotted, where the very last person to exit was the hooded figure wearing a leg brace. Through this crowd, he began to limp forwards, keeping his head down, avoiding any disturbance or interaction in his path.

The way he hobbled forwards, keeping one hand on his leg for support, he moved with an urgency she did not expect him to carry.

The sound of feet quickened from behind her, trampling down the stairwell. The men that would soon arrive were determined to apprehend their target, and he looked up to find her, staring directly at him.

Falcon hid behind another pillar, which caused Elizabeth to follow. They were reunited, and without missing a beat, she focused on scolding him, by glaring at him.

Is he going to use his abilities again? Elizabeth thought to herself, as the conversation he explained in his room, was that each time he unleashed his powers, he gradually lost more of himself to the darkness he wielded.

"Leaving me behind?! Dang it Falcon . . . what the heck was that?"

"I did warn you."

"Barely! "She was totally stunned by this, and she began to rub her right hand through her hair. "And don't for a second think, that I will forgive you for what you pulled back there. You owe me!"

"Look, as much as I would like to try and explain things, or to offer an olive branch . . . there isn't time." He nodded towards the pathway she had emerged from.

Dozens of soldiers hurried into the parking garage, and they began to fan out in multiple directions. This caused both teenagers to squeeze even tighter behind the large pillars that obscured them from being spotted.

"So then . . ." She spoke in a quiet pitch, as their voices did carry, and they did not want to be found. "If you are trying to get back to Jump City, and being that it will take well over an hour, just to get there . . . how did you plan to get anywhere without some vehicle?"

Falcon lightly smirked before replying, "That is where one of those comes into play."

He pointed with his thumb, gesturing at the parked ambulances, and it suddenly became clear.

"We take a ride in one of those." Falcon turned to confront her again, "And that will give us an unimpeded approach, to get back. If the siren is blaring, most people should part ways on the highway. That was why it made sense to cut away when I could, to not drag you or Mark in this any deeper than you already were."

"I see."

"Besides . . . the way I see it, getting there should not be the issue. As most people that can leave, will be flooding every way out that they can."

"So, the main concern will be having to deal with every rational thinking person in the city, fighting in survival mode. To stay, which would invite too many issues and far greater risks, or leaving . . . that ensures a chance of survival. This is going to be messy."

Three of the guards approached the corner, causing the teenagers to slink further into the shadows.

She took out her phone, to see how much time they had left before the calamity was going to be unleashed.

"It is three in the morning."

Falcon kept his eye shut.

"Will it be enough time?" Elizabeth asked, frightened more by his silence than she wanted to admit. "Alex?"

"If we went in any other vehicle, no."

"Talk about cutting it close. The drive alone will take over an hour to get there, if we leave now."

"The trip can give me the chance, to filter out what subway line it could be. It is not much of a strategy, but its the best I can come up with."

"Good thing you have me coming with you after all." Elizabeth flashed a sly grin at him.

He had nothing to counter this with. He did need a way to look at the recording, and she had the one tool for that job. Using her cellphone was going to be most helpful, yet he did not want her to be dragged any further in this plight.

The officers drew closer near their hiding place. This caused the pair to become even quieter, and to understand they had to move and not get stuck in any skirmish. It was only generating worse risks.

The increased sound of sirens blaring, came from just around the street outside. Now, multiple vehicles were approaching, as a large force was descending to lock down the entire premises.

"Elizabeth -"

"Now!"

She bolted towards the closest ambulance after saying this, being the one to startle him.

One of the guards noticed, and he began to race over.

Falcon limped quickly, trailing behind Elizabeth who had already snuck in through the back-door of the ambulance, causing the noise to reverberate as she was the first to get inside. He was next to hobble in, shutting the door closed.

Falcon angrily stared up at her, as the two caught their breaths. She smiled a wide grin, giddy with glee to have outplayed him at his own tactic.

"Going somewhere?" A male's voice from the front seat asked.

Falcon and Elizabeth gradually turned from each other, to simultaneously stare at the person in the driver's seat.

The twenty-six year-old man with hazel brown eyes and dark hair, looked at them from the mirror up front.

"Jefferson?" Elizabeth said his name in a conflicted tone, causing him to adjust his chair, and to turn around and confront the two stowaways.

An uneasy silence lingered, where both parties were frozen with where things would turn from here?

Falcon sat up, raising his right hand in the air and in a confident voice he said, "You can turn me in to the authorities out there . . . and Jump City will be destroyed. Or . . ."

"Drive us to Jump City, and we can save it." Elizabeth jumped-in next, still panting heavily.

Jefferson looked from the two passengers that had snuck into the ambulance. He was waiting for his partner that was still inside the hospital, not expecting his break to be interrupted so suddenly.

"I won't hear the end of it." The driver deadpanned with a frown, where he glanced out the mirror to notice multiple police cruisers and officers all approaching much closer to his vehicle. After a lingering hesitation, he switched the siren on, and he put the vehicle in drive.

"Buckle up!"

---

(~)

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Darkness. Everything was cold and pitch black.

The only sensation the girl felt, was of a void. A pit that had swallowed her whole, and there was nothing to grab or cling onto, to stop the descent.

It was like the vacuum of space, alone and without anybody to reach her. There was no sound, only the long somber emptiness she had slipped into.

Starfire had taken a severe thrashing, unable to counter the attack or to block it. The explosive blasts had knocked her out. The last thing she could see, was the triumphant challenger who expressed a malicious grin at her.

She was deep underwater, where the current had carried her further out to sea.

A swirling, disorienting movement had overpowered all senses of sight, taste, and sound. The fragmented image of the girl with long jet black hair, and burning purple eyes flashed across her memory.

Sister? . . . Why?

What happened within split seconds, felt like an eternity of falling.

The Tamaranean Princess was in a state of limbo, of an in-between. Unable to navigate or awaken, as she was unconscious. Everything was scrambled, as the thud-thud, thud-thud, of her heart beating caused her fingers to flinch.

She was still alive.

The Teen Titan was a proud warrior of very distant planet, her body could handle the extreme nothingness of space travel. What had taken place, of the attack Blackfire unleashed, it only forced her body to immediately switch into this state, and she remained floating underwater.

The pumping of the central organ in her body that kept the blood flowing, was a key echo within her eardrums which she was able to focus upon. The words of her attacker were muffled, as the last image before everything turned to darkness, was of the feminine figure, hovering above her with a fist raised in triumph.

They had fought bitter contests before, but Blackfire always seemed to be holding back. This onslaught was entirely different, it was filled with a wrath of absolute hatred, of an unbound restraint that she wanted to make Starfire suffer.

Everything slowed down, as a sort of primal mode, or a 'blood-lust' that is a common trait in many species. This caused time itself to feel delayed.

The flight or fight instinct had set in, where Starfire was frozen in deep conflict, the second the black haired warrior had revealed herself in the sky.

Starfire was caught by complete surprise, at Blackfire having returned. The bond between them had long been fractured, where this attack only splintered those broken pieces, even further apart.

Arriving at The Jump City Observatory, the chances of a trap being sprung were considered, yet the stubborn nature that the superheroes expressed, often led them to ignore the potential hazards.

They were trying to stop Slade, that was the mission.

The young man that she admired above all others, the leader of their team whom she had pledged herself to, Robin, was all by himself now. He was in danger, and she wanted to be with him, to stand alongside him in the fight.

He had reached out to her, calling her name as she fell . . .

Starfire's emerald eyes blinked open. The vast darkness was all around her, and as she squeezed her fists, the very bright glow began to illuminate the water.

"I always was the better fighter."

Blackfire's voice boasted with a smirk, as she was pumping her right fist in triumph. Her eyes were glowing the same intense glow, as her purple star-bolts that she had unloaded into her target.

The red haired princess had been hit by multiple attacks.

Slade had cornered her on the rooftop of the Jump City Hospital, where he was too quick in their contest. From this debacle and her eventual rescue, she later had entered The Sport Colosseum, to have been knocked out by surprise, from a variety of sneaky villains.

The attacks against her had taken a toll, yet the ambush outside The Observatory, this had pushed her over the edge.

No more! No more tricks. No more sneak attacks. No more! This time, I will be the one who makes a decisive strike!

With the events flashing before her mind, a fierce resolve was taking shape. Starfire had been rescued many times, and now it was her turn to repay that debt.

The intensity of her emotions, of a rage swelled and bubbled. She was floating at the bottom of the seabed, yet her insides made her feel a potent fire that she had no intention of reeling back in.

Her friends were depending upon her, just as she relied on them.

Blackfire, her elder sibling had made the rookie mistake of not finishing the job. Now, the younger sister would use this opportunity, to strike back.

During their skirmish on Tamaran, from the scheme to have Starfire wed the grotesque monster . . . Starfire had emerged the victor. With the help of her friends to expose the devious plot, and after a trial by combat, she then banished her older sister from their home world. To never again return, under pain of death. Enforced by Galfore, the current ruler.

Tilting her head up, Starfire propelled herself to blast towards the surface like a rocket, using the power of flight, to rise up and out and of the depths.

Rising like a mythical phoenix, forever changed and reborn, a renewed purpose with the great anger she felt only motivated her, to get back into the fight. Her mission was to defeat the thorn that had caused so much heartache and suffering throughout her life. Blackfire would answer for her crimes.

This is not over!

Higher and faster she flew, where she blasted out of the surf, headed towards the cliffside she had fallen alongside.

The ferocity of her anger caused the emerald color in her eyes, and the star-bolts that she created over her hands to grow bright. The night was dark, but she could see far and clear.

As she reached the edge of the cliff, two figures were now spotted, where they had their backs facing her, their hands were grappling for dominance. All around the battlefield, Robot Commandos lay in pieces, scattered as smoke from craters spiraled upwards from various places.

"Robin!" Starfire's familiar voice cried out, causing the fighters to stop in their bitter struggle, and to turn.

With no restraint, flying at the incredible speed of a supersonic jet, the red-haired warrior zoomed directly into Blackfire! With her dominant right hand straight out as a potent battering-ram, and all of the pent-up frustration and wrath behind it, she aimed directly for her target's torso.

Her clenched fist slammed directly into the mark, as Blackfire was straddling Robin yet she was unable to block this green blur of light. The momentum was so violent and unexpected, that the force of the hit, knocked the girl backwards, and to sail towards The Observatory!

Blackfire was about to deliver a mortal blow to The Teen Titan's Captain, only to have been attacked herself. Hurtling through thick trees, creating a path of destruction all along the way. Her body was heard crashing through a wall, as smoke was left in her wake.

Robin slowly got back to his feet, as the sound of the ocean came tumbling into the shoreline. He turned to look at his teammate, while the excitement at her emergence just now, renewed his confidence.

"Starfire!" Robin joyfully reached out while calling her name, his heart was overflowing with affection.

He fought to reach her, as the Robot Commandos closed in. He tried to rescue her in her fall, and she wound up saving him instead.

Before the two could embrace, the vibrant purple glow of The Exiled-Tamaranean, shined through the mounting plume of thick grey smoke.

The battle between the royal siblings from the distant world, their bitter rivalry was going to be resolved. Through the oldest of traditions, where this time, neither sister would refrain in their attacks.

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{{ End Of Scene }}

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