Titans: Elemental

Chapter 4: Sisters

We see outer space once again.

There is a distant flash of light, from which four glowing objects emerge and fly across the cosmos. As they home in on Earth, three peel off while the fourth heads straight for the planet. It is long and cylindrical, something like a missile in shape, with several trailing tentacles.

….

On Earth, we see a fireworks show in full swing. We are at the waterfront; the craft's brilliant streak descends past the display and below the horizon. We see a nearby carnival: Ferris wheel, roller coaster, games, the usual. One of the wheel's cars holds Dick and Starfire.

The team are all in their civilian clothes.

Starfire watches the pyrotechnics with complete awe and sighs blissfully.

Starfire said, "beautiful. Tell me again what they are called?"

Dick said, "fireworks."

A few more go off.

Starfire said, "on my home planet, such explosions would mean the Gordanians were attacking. You are certain Earth is not under attack?"

Dick said, "positive. Cotton candy?"

He holds the pink stuff out to her.

Starfire said, "the last time I ate a ball of cotton, it was white. And it did not taste very-"

Dick chuckles and says, "this is different."

He pulls off a wad and pops it into his mouth; cautiously, she follows suit and realizes it is indeed different from the cotton ball.

Starfire said, "mmmm...", she yelped in surprise, "it vanished!"

Dick said, "hehe, yeah. It'll do that."

Starfire said, " sigh, when I first came to this planet, I did not think I would ever fit in. Earth was full of strange things. But now, I see that-"

A big glare from fireworks erupts!

Dick said, "here comes the finale! Yes!"

In the sky, the display has turned into a fusillade of redoubled intensity.

Dick exclaimed, "whoo-hoo-hoo! Amazing!"

Starfire said, "Earth is full of amazing things, too."

Dick said, "best planet I've ever been to. And the only planet I've ever been to."

The craft seen in space sweeps past the Ferris wheel and yanks

Starfire from her seat in its tentacles; she is carried screaming into the sky.

Dick yelled, "STARFIRE!"

The craft streaks over the bay. The carnival is now in the distant background. Starfire struggles against the hold on her.

Starfire said, "wherever you are taking me, I do not wish to go!"

She fires a starbolt at the tentacles' base; the craft stops in midair, crackling all over with the energy of the shot, and she extricates herself and bugs out. The device goes after her.

Back at the carnival game booths, we see several bottles set up for the old ring-toss game. A ring is thrown into view, bouncing off the neck of a bottle as a near miss; the next one rattles down on target.

BB laughs; he and Vic have been playing.

Vic exclaimed, "boo-yah!"

BB exclaimed, "sweet!"

They trade a high five. BB is handed his prize, a huge stuffed chicken. Raven leans against a post, her arms crossed and her expression showing her low opinion of the whole exercise.

BB said, "told you we'd win you a prize."

He gives her the toy and it bawks.

Raven said, "a giant chicken. I must be the luckiest girl in the world."

Obvious sarcasm is obvious.

Jack approaches with a stuffed ragdoll with a rope around its neck.

Jack said, "I won this while playing skee-ball. I thought you might like it?"

Raven gives a small smile as she takes the ragdoll and says, "thanks."

Dick lands nearby, in a crouch.

Dick yelled, "Titans! Trouble!"

Vic asked, "where's Starfire?"

Dick said, "that's the trouble."

He runs off; Raven tosses the chicken aside and pockets the ragdoll on her belt, and all four follow him. Reaching the end of the pier, they look over the bay and see a scintillating object plummet straight toward the waves. It resolves into Starfire as she pulls up sharply to skim the surface, leaving a broad wake behind herself. The craft is hot on her tail. She looks back over her shoulder, gasps, and side steps to avoid a lashing tentacle; turning onto her back, she throws a couple of starbolts that hit the nose without effect.

Starfire yelled, "no more chasing now, please!"

A flip to face forward again, and she is off like a shot. She angles herself toward the pier and flies neatly through the other five Titans; the pursuer does likewise.

BB asked, "who's her new best friend?"

Dick said, "I don't know...", he socks his fist against his palm, "... But I can't wait to meet him."

The chase loops around the Ferris wheel and back to the pier, where Starfire stops just behind the rest of the team. BB is first to attack, leaping high and turning into an alligator to bite at the tentacles' bases, just barely missing. Raven levitates a nearby hot dog cart and heaves it at the oncoming vehicle, which crashes right through it.

Jack tries shooting some water tendrils from the water beneath the docks at the thing, but it narrowly misses it! As the thing races past Vic, he grabs the tentacles and hauls on them with all his strength. Ever so slowly, he is dragged forward a few feet before bringing the craft to a stop.

Vic said, "don't know what you did to make this thing mad, Star, but it couldn't hurt to apologize!"

Starfire said, "I am... Sorry?"

Jack groaned, "don't apologize to it, it might not even be sentient!"

The tentacles yank themselves out of his grip. Dick whips out his staff, extends it, and goes on the offensive; a mighty swing reverberates against the nose and drives the craft back. It tumbles over the guardrails as he lands and puts the weapon away. BB, back in human form, looks down after it; a loud splash is heard.

BB asked, "so, did we just win?"

The thing crashes up through the planks at the Titans' feet!

Jack growled, "that's a big fat NO for your answer!"

Dick vaults onto the nose.

Dick growled, "don't see an OFF switch. Guess I'll have to make one."

His fist flies down and smashes through its panel, and he pulls out a handful of wiring underneath. Sparks fly from the broken connections as Dick jumps free. The craft veers hopelessly out of control, rising higher and higher toward the stratosphere, and finally explodes in a mighty conflagration among the fireworks that are still going off. Dick lands next to Starfire.

Dick said, "whatever that thing was, it can't hurt you now."

Starfire said, "but... Why did it wish to hurt me at all?"

Jack said, "let's just hope it's the last we see of those things, but I don't wanna jinx it."

….

Later at Titans Tower….

Starfire, positively ecstatic, enters first while her teammates stand at the doorway.

Starfire said, "come, friends. I shall thank you for my rescue by reciting the Poem of Gratitude, all six thousand verses."

All five of her friends are wide-eyed.

This segue, to them, is as subtle as a car wreck.

That's when we hear a new voice.

"I see you haven't changed a bit."

We see a girl similar in appearance to Starfire, but whose clothing is black rather than violet. Her hair is this same color, her eyes narrow and blue, and she wears metallic full-body armor over her clothes. In addition, her wrist guards and neck piece are metal-colored.

This is Blackfire.

She leans against the back of the couch, but pushes off from it as she says, "when we were little, I was always rescuing Starfire."

Laughing, she opens her arms wide as Starfire squeals with delight and runs over to hug her.

Starfire exclaimed, "Sister!"

Blackfire smiles and hugs her sister warmly.

She then held up a necklace with a large green gem and said, "brought you a present."

Starfire gasps deeply and her eyes pop at the sight of this bauble.

Starfire asked, "a Centauri moon diamond?! Where did you get-?"

Blackfire said, "on the Centauri moons, of course", she fastens it around Starfire's neck, "oh, look, it matches your eyes."

The recipient beams for a moment, then opens her eyes wide.

Starfire said, "you must meet my friends!"

Blackfire is yanked across the room before she can say a word.

Starfire said, "I wish to introduce my big sister."

Blackfire steps forward.

Blackfire said, "Kom'andr. Aka; Blackfire."

Starfire is caught out at her boldness.

Blackfire said, "and since Star told me all about the Titans in her transmissions, let me guess", she points to, "Cyborg? Aka; Victor?"

Vic holds out his hand to shake and says, "pleased to meet you, little lady."

There is a loud grinding of metal as she takes the hand; after letting go, he finds his fingers to have been squeezed temporarily out of alignment.

Vic said, "little lady, big handshake. Well, alright."

Blackfire said, "Raven. I like that gemstone on your Ajna chakra."

Raven is impressed, "you... Know about chakras?"

Blackfire said, "I got way into meditation on Altara Prime."

Blackfire looks at Jack.

She says, "Jack, or should I say Zivel? Those powers of yours are quite impressive."

Jack shrugs and says, "a lot of practice goes a long way."

Blackfire said, "Beast Boy! What's up?"

BB said, "nothing but the ceiling, baby."

Blackfire laughs and says, "good one!"

BB looks at Raven and says, "see? She thinks I'm funny."

Raven said, "statistically, I suppose someone has to."

This deflates him a bit as Jack gives him a pat on the back.

Finally, Blackfire makes her way to the leader.

Blackfire said, "and you must be Nightwing", she zips behind him looks at his armored plating, "oh, I am loving this armor. Very sturdy."

Dick said, "thanks. It's a high-density titanium dipped tri-weave, ten times stronger than steel and light as a feather."

Blackfire said, "fascinating."

He directs an appreciative glance over his shoulder as Starfire slides into view and gasps, completely shocked by this exchange.

Blackfire leans in closer and says, "and this mask makes you look very mysterious."

Starfire inserts herself between them.

Starfire said, "so, beloved sister, what brings you to Earth?"

Blackfire crosses to the couch.

Blackfire said, "I was in the quadrant. Thought I'd see if Earthlings like to party", she hops over the back and sits, "besides, I needed a rest. Nearly got sucked into a black hole on the way here."

Dick, BB and Vic are at the couch in an eyeblink, leaving Raven and Jack at the kitchen counter.

Dick asked, "black hole?"

Vic said, "no way!"

BB said, "cool!"

Blackfire said, "okay. I'm cruising through the Draconis Nebula, and-"

Starfire said, "sister! That nebula is full of black holes! You know travel there is forbidden."

This remark is met with dead silence, except for a cricket chirping outside, and very funny looks from the four at the couch.

Blackfire said, "most fun things in life are. Now be a sweetie and please bring me one of those sodas I've heard so much about? So anyway, I'm zooming over an event horizon, approaching light speed, when all of a sudden..."

Starfire walks toward the kitchen on the end of this. She looks in. It is an under-the-counter model, the sort that might be found in a college dorm room. A can of soda is on the top shelf.

Starfire said, "I see you have not changed either."

She gets the soda and closes the door.

….

One by one, three bright streaks flash across the area, and we tilt up slightly to show them approaching a large hovering vessel. Inside is a bank of four docking tubes. The three objects: duplicates of the craft Dick destroyed at the pier, the ones that peeled off from Earth, slide into place within them and stop. A light on each occupied tube goes green, but that on the empty fourth one flashes red.

….

We see an alien man in a shadowy nook.

The alien said, "our target was not located. The drones have failed."

A second crewman is next to him.

The second alien asked, "have they?"

He looks down at a control panel that shows outlines of the four craft, or drones. Three glow green, while the last one is red, matching the status lights on the docking tubes. One clawed hand, reaches into view and presses the red outline, and the four give way to a view of Earth.

The second alien said, "the one that probed Earth did not return. Pull back", both look at Earth on the main viewer, "that is where we will find the girl who stole what we seek."

….

It is now the next day at the tower.

Starfire asked, "Sister?"

We see her, walking down the hall. She is still wearing the necklace her sister gave her.

Starfire said, "Sister", she looked around a bit, "Sister, I seek your companionship."

Vic and Beast Boy are on the couch; they are playing GameStation.

Two vehicles, one green and one white, speed along a twistin elevated track, and the green one gets out in front and blocks attempts by the white to pass. Their expressions tell right away who is winning.

Vic said, "you want to pass me, but you can't pass me. You can't pa- you passed me!"

BB said, "tighten the turn... Jets... And nitro!"

He jumps up and does a laughing victory dance as Cyborg slumps over; a moment later, he is back on the couch. Starfire walks up behind them.

Starfire asked, "tell me, have either of you seen Blackfire?"

BB asked, "Blazin' B? She was here just a second ago."

His face goes slack as Cyborg grins; back to the screen. The white vehicle hugs the guardrail, then knocks the green one aside and zooms on.

Vic exclaimed, "aw, yeah! Back in the lead! Ha ha!"

Starfire exclaimed, "what fun! May I join your game?"

Vic explained, "winner plays Blackfire."

BB added, "yeah. She rules at this game."

Starfire said, "... I see."

She walks away.

….

We see her at a door; she knocks. It slides open a small amount and reveals Raven peering out.

Starfire asked, "is... My sister in there?"

Raven said, "no."

Starfire said, "oh... Might you wish to hang out with me? We could visit your favorite depressing café."

Raven said, "already been. It was open mic and Blackfire wanted to share. Your sister's poetry is surprisingly dark."

She closes the door; Starfire heads off down the hall and sighs heavily.

Starfire knocks on Jack's door.

He opens it and says, "oh, hey Star. What's up?"

Starfire asked, "have you seen my sister anywhere?"

Jack said, "oh, yeah. I was trying to think of gifts for everyone on Christmas, and I asked her about what you might like."

Starfire actually smiled and said, "oh, that is very thoughtful. Do you know where she is now?"

Jack said, "I think she's at the training room. You could check there. I'll talk to you later, Star. I've gotta do some light dusting."

Starfire said, "okay then. I shall speak with you later."

Jack smiled and closed his door.

Starfire once again heads down the hall. Through the open door to the gym, the shadows of Blackfire and Dick can be seen on the wall.

They are close enough to touch.

Blackfire said, "that's perfect, Nightwing."

Starfire gasps sharply as her eyes bug out.

Blackfire said, "hold me just like that, and..."

….

Inside the gym, she throws him the full width of the room; he spins in the air a bit before coming down on top of a rack of dumbbells.

Starfire is positively aghast at the sight. Dick peels himself up from the floor, he is seen to be badly dazed from the impact.

Blackfire said, "learned that move from a Ven-Zo master on Tyrus Three."

Starfire said, "hello, Richard... And... My sister. Am I interrupting?"

Dick said, "not at all. Blackfire was just showing me some alien martial arts. How come you never taught me these cool moves?"

Starfire has no good answer.

Blackfire said, "probably because she doesn't know them. I always was more of a fighter when we were kids. Come on. I'll show you the technique I once used to stop a raging orthax."

Starfire stares bug-eyed after them for a moment and then hangs her head sadly.

….

Later, inside, all the Titans except Starfire are lounging on the couch. Raven is reading a book, and Jack is sketching on a pad.

Starfire said, "friends!"

She comes in, balancing buckets of popcorn and candy along with stacks of DVDs.

Starfire said, "I invite you to join me in the togetherness of a stay-home movie night. I bring you popcorn and non-cotton candies. Tell me, what sort of movie shall we view?"

Dick said, "Action."

BB said, "Comedy."

Vic said, "Sci-fi."

Raven said, "Horror."

Jack said, "Fantasy."

Caught off guard, Starfire drops her load of goodies.

Starfire asked, "perhaps a double feature?"

Blackfire said from behind them all, "forget the flicks, kids."

Starfure turns to see Blackfire standing there, dressed in one of Starfire's spare outfits, and has dispensed with the armor.

Blackfire said, "we're going out!"

Starfire asked, "we are? Where did you-? Are those my-?"

Blackfire said, "heard about a party downtown. Cool crowd, hot music."

BB said, "yeah!"

Vic said, "I'm in."

Dick said, "why not?"

Jack said, "we don't have much to do."

Blackfire said, "and it's in a creepy run-down warehouse."

This gets Raven's attention. One by one, Starfire's comrades file out.

Vic said, "whoo!"

BB said, "I am a party animal!"

BB turns into a gorilla.

Jack said, "I've been meaning to test out some new dance moves."

Dick and Raven pass Starfire without saying anything; Blackfire is the last one out.

Blackfire said, "hey Star. I'm sorry I raided your closet. My clothes were dirty. Hope you don't mind me borrowing your look?"

Starfire sadly looks after Blackfire and says, "why not? You have already borrowed my friends..."

Blackfire departs, leaving Starfire standing among the snacks and movies she dropped: the scattered remains of her plan to spend time with the gang.

We see the exterior of the creepy run-down warehouse Blackfire mentioned. It is nighttime. A thumping dance beat can be heard within as multicolored lights pulse at the windows.

The team are in their civilian clothes.

The place is packed with partying teens.

Blackfire makes her way among the crowd, with all Titans except Starfire close behind.

Blackfire exclaimed, "step aside, Earthlings, the queen of the galaxy has arrived!"

Raven looks back the way they came and sees Starfire standing at a distance now. The sixth Titan moves hesitantly through the dancers and gets jostled back and forth.

Starfire said nervously, "oh... Excuse... Oh... Uh...", her foot is trod on, "ow! You really should apologize after stepping on someone's foot."

Raven shakes her head and says, "this is a lost cause", and then moves further into the crowd. Blackfire is already getting down.

Blackfire said, "ha ha! Now don't tell me you big tough superheroes are afraid of a little dancing."

BB said, "betcha Victor can do the Robot."

He does a little bit of that old dance and gets a very unappreciative glare from the big bionic man standing next to him. Blackfire dances across the pair, after which they and Dick start to get into the spirit of things. Raven, Jack and Starfire watch, Raven with the same posture and expression she wore at the carnival game booths. Jack is getting into the beat a little, but sticks by his two friends.

Raven said, "this party is pointless."

A goth-looking boy comes up next to her.

The goth boy said, "everything's pointless. Wanna go talk about it?"

She looks sideways at him and says, "maybe another time. I'm gonna try to enjoy myself a little."

The goth boy shrugs and walks off.

Jack turns to Starfire and says, "me and Raven are gonna dance with the others for a bit. Let us know if you need anything."

Starfire nods as she is left by herself. She makes as if to follow them, but does not. A couple of slacker types pass behind her and back up for a closer look.

The Slacker said, "hey, hot alien girl. You digging the scene?"

Starfire said, "I... Did not know we were supposed to bring shovels."

The slackers laugh for a minute before Starfire walks away sadly.

….

We see a view of Earth from outer space. The ship that launched those four probes drifts slowly into view; inside, the two crewmen are still watching the planet on the main viewer.

The second alien said, "the girl may have defeated one probe, but she will not fare so well against three."

The probes are launched, one by one, and they rocket toward Earth.

The three bright trails disappear into the Jump City skyline.

….

Starfire sits on a ledge, head in hands. She is utterly dejected, and she heaves a sigh.

Starfire said, "perhaps I do not belong here after all."

Dick said, "of course you don't."

Dick is holding open the door at the top of the stairs that lead up to the roof.

Dick said, "you belong down there, having fun with the rest of us", he closes the door and steps out, "what's wrong?"

Starfire said, "nothing is wrong. Everything is wonderful", he sits by her, "the pounding music and blinding lights are quite enjoyable."

The words are barely out of her mouth before her real mood rearranges her face. Dick looks on with concern.

Starfire said, "everything is not wonderful. I am happy to see her, but Blackfire rules the video games, and she is able to share very depressing poems, and she knows the cool moves... And she always knows when people are not talking about shovels. Sigh, and I am nothing like her."

Dick put a hand on her shoulder and said, "no, you're not. And I think-"

They are interrupted by a creak of hinges.

Blackfire has opened a skylight to let herself out. She holds it propped open; her hair is now shorter and bright pink. An obvious wig on her head.

Blackfire asked, "how do I look?"

Dick said after a moment, "... Pink. Look, can you give us a minute here?"

This response is not quite what she expected. However, her demeanor changes in an instant with the music.

Blackfire said in excitement, "gasp! Oh, I love this song!"

She flies over, grabs Dick's arm, and yanks him down through the skylight. It swings shut to leave Starfire alone on the roof again. She sighs wearily and stands up from the ledge as the sound of something in flight is heard from. She looks up.

Starfire said in confusion, "huh?"

From between the letters of the lighted sign on the roof, a glare can be seen fading away. Its source, one of the three launched probes, pokes out and charges at her. A shocked gasp escapes her!

….

BB and Vic are dancing to the beat, but the little green goofball stops short and looks up. He sees Starfire and the probe, visible only as silhouettes, are fighting it out on the skylight panes. It finally seizes her in its tentacles and darts away!

BB runs across the room to track the alien craft. Losing sight of it near the wall, he turns back to call in a little help.

BB shouted, "Vic! Star's in trouble!"

Vic stops dancing and turns to look, just as BV is grabbed by the tentacles of a second probe and dragged toward the door.

BB shouted, "whoa! Help!"

Vic runs after him, but is broadsided by the third probe; he fetches up against the wall, and the craft closes in.

We see Raven and Jack in a dark corner of the warehouse catching their breath.

Jack asked, "so, what do you think of show tunes?"

The probe hauling BB passes before she can answer. Raven flies to lend a hand with Jack right behind her, blasting himself into the air on a slab of Earth. Two crates are promptly levitated and projected at the craft; their impact jars BB out of its grip, and he falls to skid across the floor. Through the skylight, Raven spots the one that has caught Starfire; it gains altitude and then goes into a screaming dive to crash through the glass and into a pile of crates. She moves back to avoid the impact. Vic lands a punch against the probe that struck him, after which Starfire and the one that seized her break out of the crates. She blasts it back with a starbolt.

BB, momentarily in the clear, suddenly yelps and jumps back a bit to get out of the way of the one that tried to tow him in. Transforming into a tiger during his backflip, he lunges at the alien craft and drives it across the room with a swipe of his paw.

Jack lends a hand by shooting fire at it, the flames managing to hold it back!

It stops beneath Starfire; in no time, it and the other two have closed in on her. She gasps and flies around and around to shake them, finally getting a breather thanks to Vic's flying tackle that brings down all of them. Looking down as his grunts rise to her, she sees him taking on the three craft. One is punched away, another slung out by its tentacles; the third, however, spins like a high-speed flail and sends him tumbling.

….

Dick and Blackfire are on the stairs. His attention drawn by the commotion on the other side of the wall, he turns toward it as Blackfire tries to pull him away.

Blackfire asked, "where are you going? Stay and talk to me."

Dick said, "look, I just want to make sure that Starfire's okay."

Blackfire makes a guilty expression and says, "you're right. I've been so excited to meet all of you, I guess I forgot to spend time with her like I should."

Dick said, "make sure you apologize before she gets the wrong idea."

Blackfire nodded.

Just then, Vic comes crashing through the wall. As he stands up, rubbing his head and grumbling, Dick runs over to him.

Dick asked, "what's going on?"

Vic asked, "remember that thing that attacked Star? It had friends."

He rushes back into the melee, leaving Blackfire alone at the top of the stairs. Dick starts to follow, but stops upon seeing her there.

Dick asked, "didn't you hear him? Your sister needs help!"

Blackfire smiles genuinely and says, "right. Of course."

She pulls off her pink hair and drops it. Now she runs down the stairs.

Back in the alley behind the warehouse; Starfire crashes out through the wall, hits the one opposite, and drops into a nearby Dumpster.

The three probes float out as she opens the lid for a peek. One of them slams it down on her head and starts to hoist the entire container skyward; her screams are heard from inside as all three take off.

Dick's wingding flashes into view and severs two of the tentacles holding the Dumpster, causing it to fall to the ground. It returns to his hand.

All of the Titans stand together.

Dick and Vic yelled, "Titans! Go!"

Before they can move, Blackfire flies over their heads and straight toward the three probes, which move to intercept. Beams of energy shoot forth from her eyes and blow them all away; fragments of hulls and tentacles rain down as she lands in the alley.

Vic exclaimed, "aw, yeah! Good times!"

BB said, "nice shooting, Tex."

Raven said, "very nice."

Jack said, "you've got a lot of talent with those skills of yours!"

Dick asked, "how did you know where to hit them?"

Blackfire shrugs and says, "lucky guess."

Vic said, "we could use luck like that. Maybe you oughta join the team."

Blackfire asked, "me? A Titan?"

The Dumpster lid swings open, and Starfire pokes her head up and gasps in undiluted shock. A banana peel has fallen on her head.

….

Later, back at the Tower. It is later that night, and waves break loudly against the island's shores. Starfire walks slowly to the edge of the roof. She carries a backpack by the shoulder straps. She looks back; her face tells the story: she is ready to throw in the towel once and for all.

Starfire muttered, "she will be a better Titan than I ever was."

She lifts off from the roof. Dick steps out, and his words stop her from heading into the great wide open.

Dick asked, "were you just going to leave without saying goodbye?"

Having been called out in this manner, she cannot look him in the eye, but instead dips her head and descends back to the roof, her knees half-buckled. The backpack slides from her shoulders; finally she looks up at him.

Starfire tried to say, "Richard, I-"

"Wait!"

They both turn to see Blackfire approach.

Starfire asked, "sister?"

Blackfire said, "Starfire, I'm so sorry. All of this time I've been here, and I never took your feelings into consideration. I was never trying to replace you. I've just been so excited by everything, that I let it get the best of me. I don't want things to be like how they were on Tamaran, where I never hung out with you. I'm so sorry."

Starfire tears up as she and her sister hug.

But soon, the embrace is interrupted!

The sound of an approaching craft draws a gasp from them and an over-shoulder look from Dick. The same ship that launched the four probes in the first place. One of the two aliens is standing on its flat top deck. It turns 90 degrees to present one side to the Titans, and the standing man lashes out a long tentacle from his right arm that pushes Dick back and then snares Starfire! Another alien does the same to Blackfire! The tentacle's end wraps itself around their mouths before they can put up any sort of resistance, and the ship begins to haul them away.

Dick gets to his feet and sprints most of the length of the roof, finally leaping over the edge toward the alien vessel. Slowly but surely, his momentum carries him closer to Starfire and Blackfire, with his hands straining towards them. The effort falls short, however, and they are lifted toward outer space as their muffled cries ring in the air.

The ship flies into view; now the other aliens are on the top deck, handling the navigational duties. One of them presses a button that surrounds the sisters in force fields as they are bound and gagged.

Starfire lets out a series of garbled shrieks, wrestling her restraints.

Blackfire seems to be struggling even harder.

The first alien growled, "prepare to leave Earth orbit. We have the Tamaranean girl. Her sister will make good compensation for what she's done."

The second alien growled, "once we return to Centauri, you will pay for what you have done to us!"

They can only struggle and grunt through her bonds.

….

Meanwhile, Dick is hanging on the end of the ship!

Dick growled, "nobody's taking them away."

He vaults to the deck and lands facing the crewman at the force-field holding cell.

Dick growled, "my friends stay here!"

The Centauri roars and charges at him with a swing of that right arm, but he easily dodges this. A roundhouse also misses him; the alien's next attack consists of a series of right-handed laser blasts, the thing on his arm is a multi-purpose weapon. Dick leaps away from the shots, several of which hit the force fields holding Starfire and Blackfire and bounce off, and the Centauri charges toward him. An overhead swing crackles upon impact with the field and leaves his underarm exposed for Dick's counterpunch. This blow sends sparks up from the armor and pushes the aggressor back a bit.

Now the young man retreats to a spot near one of the ship's engines, on the side. Out comes that tentacle, which he barely dodges; it hits the edge of his cape and deflects into the engine, causing it to flame out.

The second alien yelled, "no!"

The craft begins to lose altitude, throwing his colleague off balance and putting the brawl on hold for the time being. It plunges through the clouds and just barely skims a riverbank.

The first alien yelled, "I cannot control it!"

Dick scrambles across the deck to the control button and deactivates the force fields. The ship descends ever closer to the river as he peels the tentacles away from their bodies.

Starfire exclaimed, "Nightwing!"

Blackfire exclaimed, "thank you!"

Dick exclaimed, "come on!"

They reach into view and join hands all together. They leap from the deck. The ship turns nose down first and grinds into the riverbank, skidding a considerable distance before finally stopping and tumbling forward to land on its top deck. Starfire and Blackfire lower Dick safely to the ground and land beside him.

BB shouted, "Star! Blackfire! Dick!"

He, Vic, Jack and Raven run up.

Vic asked, "you guys okay?"

Jack asked, "what the heck is going on?"

The two crewmen stand up amid the clouds of smoke pouring up from their wrecked craft. All of the Titans brace for action.

Dick said, "Titans! Get ready!"

The aliens approach.

The second one said, "in the name of the Grand Centauri Empire, you are all under arrest."

He shows a badge, the sight of which leaves the entire team momentarily stunned.

BB said, "uh... You can't be the good guys. We're the good guys."

The second Centauri said, "and we are Centauri police."

The first Centauri said, "the Tamaranean girl is a liar and a thief. She's committed thievery in the Centauri system."

Everyone looks to Blackfire.

Starfire asked, "you stole from them?"

Blackfire nodded and said, "after you were taken as a prize, I was left in charge. But no-one thought I could lead us. Especially our Aunt Ashfire. So I fled. I was hoping to get enough money to free you, and so I stole from these men. I always meant to pay them back as soon as I knew you were safe."

Starfire looked down at her necklace.

Blackfire said, "but... I will take whatever punishment I shall receive as long as my sister remains safe."

The Centauri nodded before Starfire said, "wait! If we were to return the valuables stolen, would my sister be allowed to remain here with us?"

The Centauri looked at one another before the first one said, "very well. But she may never return to our planet unless she is under your supervision."

Starfire nodded and said, "I may be the youngest, but I shall watch her as if I were the eldest."

Minutes later, Blackfire handed the valuables she had stolen, including her sister's necklace to the Centauri.

The two Centauri left, and the Titans returned to the tower.

Blackfire stood before everyone and said, "I'm sorry I didn't tell any of you. I thought that if you knew about my crimes, none of you would want me around. Especially Starfire."

Everyone gave sympathetic looks before Starfire hugged her sister.

Starfire said, "your apology is accepted. Please just tell us the truth from now on, alright?"

Blackfire nodded and said, "thank you."

Jack then said, "I got an idea. How about you guys spend the day together tomorrow? Catch up, shop, eat, whatever you guys feel like doing?"

Starfire said, "oh! That sounds most excellent!"

Blackfire said, "I'd very much like that."

And so, the sisters had reformed their bond, and would soon make it even stronger.

….

Later, we see it is now the sunrise of the next day. Starfire sits at the edge, bathed in light and lost in thought, and looks out over the sparkling bay as the wind blows her hair where it will. Dick comes up.

Dick said, "hey. How are you doing?"

He sits by her.

Starfire said, "I am…. Sad, about what happened."

Dick asked, "and for yourself?"

Starfire said, "I am just glad that the truth was discovered before I was replaced, and either me or my sister were taken away."

Dick asked, "replaced? What are you talking about?"

Starfire said, "well, you... Everyone was having such fun with her, and then Victor said-"

Dick said, "look. Your sister is interesting, but she could never take your place. No one could ever take your place."

Her answering smile shows that she has heard him loud and clear.

Starfire said, "I hope for my sister and I to get closer as she joins the team."

Dick said, "same here."

And the two spent the next couple of minutes staring at the sunrise.

….

Reviews:

Bailey Radcliff: thanks. I'm glad you're enjoying this reuploaded story and that you're doing well.

Canadude2029: thanks. I'm glad you liked that change with the story as a whole. And that you're excited for more.

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