The common room of Mount Justice was dimly lit, a quiet reprieve after the chaos of the bounty hunter attack. The team Nightwing, Cyborg. Miss Martian, Superboy, Aqualad, Artemis, and Bart were gathered around the room, nursing minor injuries and sharing the tension of unresolved questions. Drones and robots were making a beeline on repairing and fixing all the damages whirred all around them as they all looked at Starfire who was sitting on a couch near the center, looking uneasy, her hands fidgeting as she stared out the window at the stars.
Nightwing looked at Starfire, he knew that there was something going on as he cleared his throat as he spoke in a gentle voice "Starfire... we need to talk. I don't think those bounty hunters didn't just stumble upon you. Who are they working for? Or were they sent here or something?"
Starfire hesitated, her glowing green eyes were filled with sadness. She exhaled deeply, then turned to face the group as if this was the last thing she wanted to happen. She knew this would happen, but what surprised her was how fast it happened.
"They were sent because of my sister…Komand'r…Blackfire. Or at least... because of the bounty she raised on me."
The room fell silent, the tension thick in the air. Bart was the one to break it as he leaned forward with wide eyes. "You have a sister? And her name is Blackfire? Sounds ominous and too on the nose." He said with a grim smile
Miss Martian looked at Starfire with concern, "Bart, let her talk."
Nightwing leaned in closer to Starfire as he patted her on the head "What's her story, Starfire? Why would your sister want to go this far?"
Starfire closes her eyes, gathering her thoughts before speaking. Her voice is steady but tinged with pain. "Komand'r... my sister, I knew her as Blackfire…she was the firstborn of my family. On Tamaran, she should have been the rightful heir to the throne. But Komand'r was born with an illness…one that left her unable to fly, unlike all other Tamaraneans. This...made her different. And well..."
She pauses, her gaze dropping to her hands as she tries to control herself. "Some of my people mocked her…shunned her. They saw her as less because she could not soar among the stars. Even my parents... even they treated her as though she were broken from time to time…But I knew they loved her...But Komand'r was strong…She studied war, strategy, and tactics, surpassing everyone in the royal court. She believed her mind would make up for what her body lacked. And in many ways, she was right. The military admired her brilliance, calling her a tactical genius. But... not many people saw her worth. The only people who did were a few powerful allies in the military, an uncle who is okay, and a couple of people in my home city."
Starfire looks up, her voice growing heavier with emotion. "When I was born, I... I was everything Komand'r was not. Healthy, strong, able to fly. The people adored me, celebrated me, loved me in ways they never did her. I was more popular…more respected…more loved by everyone…And when I reached of age…my parents declared me the heir to Tamaran's throne."
The team exchanges glances, the weight of Starfire's words settling over them. Everyone knew where this was going with a grim look on their face as Starfire continued, her voice trembling. "Komand'r…was furious." She said as she made a face as if reliving an ugly memory "She believed the throne should have been hers…not mine. And... perhaps she was right. She was older, wiser, smarter, stronger and more skilled. But my people... they could not see past her inability to fly...Her anger issues…her…personality…" she shook her body as if her blood had turned to ice "...And neither could my parents…That isn't to say they didn't leave her with nothing…they did offer her something…Putting her in charge of the army…"
Starfire looked up with a bizarre look on her face that resembled a cross between a bitter smile and a sarcastic grin "She always hid her anger well…At least, I thought she did…But one night, she led a coup against our family...She rallied her military allies and stormed the palace…She demanded the throne, claiming that our parents had betrayed her birthright. When they refused..." Starfire's voice falters, and she looks down, her hands trembling. "She... she exiled them. She exiled me. I barely escaped with my life...The only reason I am here today is because I was captured and sold to slavers by some nobody organization before she could finish what she started and..." she trailed off as if she had no need to finish her sentence.
The team sat in stunned silence, the weight of her story hanging over them. Artemis breaks the quiet, her voice soft but firm. "That's... a lot to unpack. But why raise a bounty on you now? Isn't exiling you enough?"
Starfire looked out the window again, her voice quieter now, almost a whisper. "Because she knows I am still alive. As long as I live, I am a threat to her rule. If I were to return to Tamaran, the people might rally behind me. She cannot risk that. So she hunts me, even from across the stars. I know that she would want nothing more than to kill me herself."
She pauses, her expression softening, her voice breaking with emotion tears were forming in her eyes. "And yet... despite all she has done. Despite everything she has done to me, my family and everything. I... I still love her. She is my sister. My Komand'r. I remember the nights we spent as children, sneaking out to look at the stars. I remember her laughter before the world turned cruel. She may hate me, but I cannot hate her."
Nightwing steps closer, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You're not alone in this, Starfire. We will take care of you now. Whatever happens, we'll face it together."
Miss Martian nodded "And maybe... one day…I hope that you and your sister can find peace."
Starfire smiled faintly "I do not know if that will ever be possible. But thank you. For now, I only wish to be safe…and to help the people who have welcomed me here."
The team exchanges solemn nods, as they dreaded what was about to come.
John Constantine layed down on a half dusty pew, a cigarette in one hand, a lighter in the other, and a floating thick leather book hovered over his face. He looked up every now and then to see the girl called Raven who wore a thick purple cloak, and was sitting cross-legged in the center of the room, surrounded by flickering candles. Shadows dance across the stone walls, their movements unsettling yet mesmerizing.
Constantine knew who she was, what she was, and what her existence meant. And he didn;t like it. He didn't like it at all.
Suddenly, Raven gasps, her eyes glowing a faint indigo as she clutches her head. Her breathing quickens, and her hands tremble as images flood her mind so fast that it was over as soon as it began.
Raven gasped sharply, her trembling hands instinctively clutching her head as her eyes glowed faint indigo. Her breathing quickened, and her normally calm demeanor shattered. The flickering candles surrounding her flared wildly before dimming, their flames shrinking to tiny, trembling points of light.
Constantine glanced up from his floating book, his cigarette hanging loosely from his lips. He sighed, more annoyed than alarmed, though his sharp eyes betrayed his concern. "Oi, kid. You alright, or do I need to start worrying about the room imploding?"
"I... I saw something." Raven panted as she pressed her palms to her temples, her voice trembling. "Not something. Many things. Too many things."
The shadows around her seemed to pulse, stretching unnaturally before snapping back into place. Constantine sat up, swinging his legs over the edge of the pew as he stubbed his cigarette out on the nearest surface, a tarnished silver candle stick as the book fell to the ground with a soft thud. "Alright, then. Let's hear it. What's got your knickers in a twist?"
Raven's glowing eyes faded, but her gaze was distant, as if she was still trapped in the remnants of her vision. She took a deep breath before speaking, her voice low and measured. "There was an invasion. Ships... massive ships, blotting out the sky. Aliens, I think, but not like anything I've seen before. The air was thick with fire and ash, and the world…"
Her voice faltered as she closed her eyes, steadying herself as she tried to force herself to continue. "...The world was burning. Flames consuming everything…I heard…I heard…"
Constantine scowled his face grim as he muttered "Him." As Raven gave a soft nod.
"And then... darkness. A void, swallowing all light, suffocating everything. It was endless, hungry…and…and…"
Constantine leaned forward so that he was almost face to face with Raven "And? There's more, innit?"
Raven nodded, her voice growing more uncertain. "There were flashes of light. Green, Yellow, Red, Blue, Gold, Silver, Bronze, White…all of them…each fighting to shine through the void. They were strong but... fractured. Disconnected. I don't know what they mean."
Her voice dropped to a whisper, barely audible. "It wasn't just the world…It felt... bigger than that. Like the universe itself was unraveling."
Constantine stared at her for a moment, his usual smirk replaced by a grim frown. He rubbed his temples, muttering under his breath. "Bloody hell. Should've taken that vacation to Ibiza."
He stood and walked toward her, his boots echoing on the stone floor. He crouched down, meeting her gaze as he spoke, his tone uncharacteristically serious. "Listen, luv. Whatever you saw, it ain't the kind of thing you shrug off…" He sighed as he took a sip of a flask "Visions like that mean something. And you... you're smack dab in the middle of it. Like it or not."
Raven looked at him, her expression a mixture of fear and determination. "I don't understand it. Any of it. But I know it's coming, Constantine. And I'm not sure if I'm ready yet..."
Constantine sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. He hated getting involved in apocalyptic nonsense, but he hated ignoring it even more. Still, he wasn't blind to his limitations, and he knew this was bigger than him. "You're not wrong, kid. You're not ready. Hell, I don't think I am ready against well…" he coughed as he tried to look at anywhere but Raven "...At full power…But I'll tell you this much. The world's got a nasty habit of chucking us into the fire whether we like it or not. The trick is learnin' how to dance through the flames."
He stood and paced, his hands in his pockets, his mind racing. "I'm gonna need help. Not just mine…proper help. Can't keep you tucked away here forever, and I sure as hell ain't qualified to play babysitter for the spawn of…"
He stopped himself, glancing at Raven, who was watching him intently. He sighed and shook his head. "Forget it. Point is, we're gonna need backup. I've got a few old mates I can call in…they handled people like you and I before…but... there's one lot in particular who might be crazy enough to deal with this."
Before Raven could ask who he meant, Constantine held up a hand, his expression softening slightly.
"That's for later. For now, you need to learn a few tricks to keep those visions from fryin' your brain, as well as a few aces I know that might annoy you know who...Come on, I'll teach you a spell or two. Just in case something nasty crawls outta your nightmares."
He gestured for her to follow him to the center of the room, where the candles flickered weakly as he summoned a large book out of thin air. Raven stood, her legs still shaky, but she followed him without hesitation.
"I am pretty knowledgeable on some spells myself…what do you think you could teach me?"
Constantine grinned "They won't hurt. Unless you screw 'em up. But hey, no pressure."
He crouched down, drawing a series of symbols on the stone floor with a piece of chalk. As he worked, Raven watched, her earlier fear replaced with cautious curiosity. The candles around them flared brighter, their light casting long shadows as Constantine began to chant softly, pulling Raven into her first lesson in magic.
"Now let us begin" Constantine said as his hand lit up on fire.
The Young Justice base is quiet after a long day and night of recovery. Nightwing walks beside Starfire, guiding her through the sleek, high-tech corridors. Starfire's green eyes widen with curiosity as she takes in every detail, occasionally stopping to inspect something that catches her attention.
Nightwing walked at her pace, one hand casually in his pockets, a small smile playing on his lips as he gestured with the other all around him "This here's the main hub. We use it to coordinate missions, monitor global threats, and occasionally argue about pizza toppings here and there. Cyborg's got most of the tech in here fine-tuned to perfection. Just don't touch the hologram projector; it's... temperamental."
Starfire tilted her head as she stared at the glowing panels and the sleek monitors lining the walls. "Your Earth technology is fascinating. Such advancements are not uncommon on Tamaran." She walked up to a projector "This 'hologram projector'... does it create illusions for battle?"
Nightwing chuckled "Not quite…" He said "It's more for planning and simulations, though Beast Boy or Bart sometimes uses it to prank people."
Starfire nods thoughtfully, her curiosity growing as she continues to follow him.
They pass through the kitchen, where Starfire stops to inspect the assortment of snacks left on the counter. She picks up a bag of potato chips and studies it closely.
"These... 'chips.' Are they a battle ration? They appear to be most durable." She said as she examined the bag as if trying to decipher the labels.
Nightwing laughs, shaking his head. "Not quite. They are more of a snack…something you eat when you're hungry but don't want to cook. Here, try one."
He opens the bag and offers her a chip. Starfire hesitates, then takes a small bite. Her face lights up in delight. "These are most delicious! Is all Earth cuisine this delightful?"
Nightwing grinned "Some of it. Just wait until you try pizza. But let's save that for later."
They passed the medical center which Starfire looked into with curiosity even though she spent several hours in it. "I am most grateful for the care I have received. Your Earth medicine is quite remarkable, though the needle they used was... unpleasant." Starfire said with a tiny smile.
"Yeah, needles aren't exactly anyone's favorite part of the process."
They continued walking, passing a large room with workout equipment and sparring mats.
"That's the training room. We'll spend some time there later. It's where we sharpen our skills and sometimes blow off steam. Just wait until you see Bart try to dodge foam darts—it's hilarious."
Starfire tilted her head, trying to imagine it. "Your team trains together often? On Tamaran, most warriors practice alone to perfect their individual strengths...there are times when they do train together but well…not much."
Nightwing nodded slightly "Here, it's all about teamwork. Individual skills are important, but if we can't work together, we're just a bunch of people in costumes."
Starfire nods, seeming to appreciate the wisdom in his words. As they walk into the common area, Starfire pauses near a large window overlooking the ocean. She turns to Nightwing, her expression thoughtful.
"Friend Nightwing, I must ask... Why are you doing this? Showing me your base, teaching me your ways? I am not yet a part of your team, yet you treat me with such kindness."
Nightwing stops, leaning against the back of a nearby chair. His expression softens, and he takes a moment to consider his words. "Because I feel kind of responsible for you. You've been through a lot, and being on a new planet, surrounded by strangers. I know that it can't be easy. The least I can do is make you feel welcome."
He pauses, running a hand through his hair before continuing as he smiled slightly. "I guess... I'm just trying to be polite. Maybe even a little old-fashioned…call it trying to be a gentleman. You've got enough to worry about without feeling like an outsider here."
Starfire's eyes softened her lips curving into a warm smile. She steps closer to him, her voice filled with genuine gratitude. "You are most kind, friend Nightwing. Your words remind me of the noble warriors on Tamaran, who would protect and guide those in need. I... I am charmed by your Earth custom of 'gentlemen.'"
Nightwing smiles, a faint blush creeping into his cheeks as he clears his throat. "Well, I don't know about noble warriors, but I do my best."
Starfire places a hand on his shoulder, her gaze steady and sincere. "And your best is most appreciated. I hope, in time, I can repay your kindness."
The moment lingers for a second before Nightwing straightens, gesturing toward another hallway. "Alright, let's keep going. There's still a lot to see, and I'm pretty sure Cyborg would kill me if I didn't warn you about his 'hands-off' gadgets."
Starfire chuckles, following him down the corridor, her earlier uncertainty replaced with a growing sense of belonging.
The training room at Mount Justice buzzed with energy as the holographic systems powered up, projecting a simulated cityscape. The walls shimmered with glowing panels, and the floor hummed faintly beneath their feet. Artemis stood at the control station, her fingers gliding over the interface as she adjusted the difficulty settings.
"Alright, everyone. We're starting with a basic urban assault scenario. You've got rogue drones, simulated hostiles, and environmental hazards to deal with. Try not to break anything—or each other." Artemis said bluntly.
Nightwing smirked "Got it. No property damage, just simulated carnage."
He twirled his escrima sticks, looking over at Starfire, who stood in the center of the room, her hands glowing faintly with green energy as he looked at her impressed with what she can do. "You ready for this, Starfire? It's just a warm-up."
Starfire grinned her eyes glowing faintly as she raised her arms in the air "I was born ready, friend Nightwing."
Beast Boy leaned over to Cyborg with a small smirk on his face "She says that now. Wait till the drones start firing plasma cannons."
Cyborg chuckled "Better her than me, man."
The simulation flickered to life, and the holographic city around them solidified. Drones buzzed through the air, their red lights scanning for targets. A loud klaxon signaled the start of the scenario, and the team sprang into action.
Nightwing got into a stance as he spoke in his commanding tone "Starfire, stick with me. Let's see how you handle air support."
Starfire nodded "Understood. Lead the way."
Nightwing leaped onto a nearby ledge, his movements fluid as he scaled the simulated building. Starfire followed, hovering effortlessly above him, her starbolts charging in her hands. On the ground, Beast Boy shifted into a cheetah, racing through the streets as drones gave chase. He zigzagged between holographic cars, taunting the mechanical enemies. "Catch me if you can, toaster brains!" He cried
One drone aimed a blast at him, but before it could fire, Cyborg stepped out from behind a simulated truck, his arm cannon glowing blue. "Not today." He said softly as he fired a precision shot, taking out the drone in one hit. Sparks flew as it crashed to the ground. Cyborg grinned "You're welcome, BB."
"Yeah, yeah. Don't get cocky." Beast Boy said, shifting into his human form.
Meanwhile, Superboy stood in the middle of the street, arms crossed as several drones targeted him. They fired plasma blasts, but he dodged with surprising agility, grabbing one drone out of the air and slamming it into another. "These things are supposed to be a challenge, right?"
He punched through a simulated wall to grab another drone hiding behind it, crushing it effortlessly. Miss Martian hovered above him, her telekinesis lifting debris to create a shield against incoming blasts. "Don't let your guard down, Conner. Remember, it's about teamwork!"
Superboy grinned "I am being a team player. I'm just the team's tank."
On the rooftops, Nightwing and Starfire faced a group of aerial drones. Starfire hurled a volley of starbolts, her glowing projectiles taking out two drones in quick succession.
"Nice shot. But watch your flank!" Nightwing cried
Another drone swooped in, firing a blast. Starfire twisted mid-air, dodging gracefully before retaliating with a larger, more concentrated starbolt that obliterated the drone. "Thank you for the advice, friend Nightwing. I find these drones... satisfying to destroy."
Nightwing launched a grappling line, swinging to another rooftop as he threw an electrified batarang, disabling another drone. "Glad you're having fun. Let's keep moving."
As the simulation ramped up, more drones flooded the streets. Artemis's voice crackled over the comms. "Alright, show me what you've got. I've just activated a little boss wave."
A massive mech stomped into the city, its simulated metal gleaming as it fired powerful energy blasts at the team.
"Starfire, you're up." Nightwing said as he gestured at Starfire "Hit it hard, but don't get too close!""I will handle it." Starfire said with a determined grin as she soared into the air, dodging blasts with fluid movements. Charging a massive starbolt between her hands, she released it with a cry, hitting the mech square in the chest. The machine staggered but didn't fall.
"Team, focus fire on the weak points!" Miss Martian said telepathically
Superboy leapt onto the mech's arm, ripping off a cannon, while Cyborg fired at its legs, causing it to buckle. Beast Boy transformed into a pterodactyl, swooping in to distract the mech as Starfire prepared another attack as shecharged another massive starbolt, her energy radiating brightly.
"This ends now!"
She hurled the bolt with all her strength, striking the mech's core. It exploded in a flash of light, the simulation ending as the room returned to its default state.
"I have done it!" Starfire cried with a giant grin.
The team regrouped, catching their breath as Artemis walked down from the control station, smirking."Not bad, everyone. And not bad for a first timer Starfire." She said
Beast Boy whipped sweat from his brow "Come on, give us some credit!" he mumbled
Cyborg laughed "She's right, though. You did well eh BB. And Starfire, you killed it out there. Literally."
Starfire smiled, her eyes glowing softly. "Thank you, my friends. Fighting alongside you is... exhilarating. I look forward to more training sessions."
Nightwing grinned as well "And we look forward to having you with us. Nice work today, Starfire."