Another update! This is the first chapter without Raven's POV, so this was pretty fun to write. Also, I will be doing longer chapters with less often updates. Unlike the first two episodes, this one I was able to fit into one (very long) chapter. The next two episodes should be like that too. Nevermore will most likely be longer (and boy I'm excited for that one!). It turns out I'm a much faster writer when I only focus on one story at a time. I'm hoping I'll catch up to where I left off relatively soon, and this series can be wrapped up.
Anyways, here's the chapter!
Divide & Conquer
(Starfire)
Oh, what a glorious morning! Starfire awakened, feeling light and happy and absolutely wondrous. She met the sun with an equally bright smile and hopped out of her bed. Like every day, she selected her favorite outfit, which never changed. Even when she went dancing at that all-too-crowded, overly loud, stickily-humid dance club, she remained in her typical crop top and mini skirt. The rest of the team wore regular teenage Earthling clothes (even Raven!), which was a fun deviation from the norm.
Robin looked especially handsome that night.
Sure, he spent that night wooing her criminally evil sister, but now that Blackfire has been arrested, things can go back to normal!
With that positively amazing thought, Starfire giddily made her way to the family room. Oh, she loved how they called it a "family" room. It was Beast boy who suggested it and, though Robin and Raven were initially skeptical, it remained. And what a family they have become! Even though Raven did not think so, Starfire was sure she would change her mind in time. The girl was so emotionless that Starfire presumed feelings of any time took much longer to reach her.
The doors slid open, and she greeted her beautiful family with a bright smile.
Only to instantly frown in disappointment.
Robin was once again missing.
Cyborg, Beast boy, and Raven sat at the breakfast table. As usual, Cyborg and Raven were discussing the newspaper while Beast boy intermittently chimed in with quirky jokes. And, as usual, he got a laugh out of Cyborg and an eye roll from Raven. The three of them were so close! During most team bonding events, the trio stuck together like that sticky white Earth substance that tasted oh-so good. On that note, Starfire fetched herself a plate of strange Earth food that was not nearly as scrumptious as the food of her homeland. "Friends!" She grinned as she approached the table. "Where is Robin?"
Instantly, the table went silent, and an awkward pause settled in.
"Training," Cyborg eventually grumbled. "Where he's always been since his fight with Raven."
Raven scowled.
Starfire gasped. "I did not hear of this! Friend Raven, you fought?"
"No," her deadpan voice revealed nothing. As usual. "For the last time, we didn't fight."
Starfire believed her without question.
"Blackfire said you did," Beast boy pointed out.
"My sister is not to be trusted," Starfire warned. "She is, after all, in prison."
A fact that still saddened her. All her life, she wanted her cool older sister to like her, yet Blackfire always found her… annoying at best. She had hoped that Blackfire's visit meant things were finally brightening up between them.
Only to have those hopes quickly crushed.
"Yeah after she stole that diamond, which apparently Robin knew about," Cyborg aggressively stabbed his eggs with his fork.
"Yes… well… he did turn her over to the police!" Starfire smiled. "That must have been his plan all along!"
"A plan he didn't tell us." Cyborg seemed to be incredibly focused on the negative today. Strange, that was usually Raven's role. Normally, he was smiling, teasing Beast boy, talking with Raven, and more. Starfire wished she could take her friend's anger and turn it into happiness and trust; however, she understood. She, too, did not know why Robin did not tell her of his master plan regarding her sister. She thought they told each other everything… well, now that she thought about it, she told him everything, and he listened. But still she learned many things about him!
Such as his favorite color: blue!
"I'm sure he would have told us eventually!" Beast boy argued. "Right?"
Raven squirmed a bit in her seat. Starfire did not know much about her friend, but perhaps she too was discouraged by Robin's secrets. Maybe that's what they had their not-fight about!
"Sure," Cyborg went back to his grumbling.
Starfire glanced at the door. It had been a little over a week since Blackfire's arrest. That was enough time to punch his emotions out. Robin could walk through that door any moment!
… Any moment!
….. Any moment now!
…... Tomorrow perhaps?
Starfire sighed. Back when the team first formed, Robin and Raven rarely emerged from their respective hiding spaces. Starfire took it upon herself to make the two lonely souls feel absolutely welcomed. After all, they were a new family now! Raven never allowed the alien girl into her room, and Robin refused to train with her. Still, she cornered them every chance she got. While she never made any progress with Raven, Robin slowly opened up to her. Their conversations became longer, and Starfire practically begged him to eat meals with the team. He relented and started eating dinner with them.
The very next evening, Raven joined as well.
Robin's leadership was truly amazing!
Since that first dinner, the team ate every meal they could together, and they conducted multiple team bonding experiences. Such as the fun boardwalk! Or getting pizza! Or their weekly movie nights!
But now Robin was locked in the training room as though something disastrous happened.
Did something disastrous happen?
Starfire was determined to fix this. Blackfire would not ruin her family! Again!
The alarm blasted, and Starfire jumped, startled out of her own thoughts.
Just as she hoped, the double doors slid open, and Robin stood there, sweaty and tired.
"Titans," he commanded. "Trouble!"
The trouble was a prison break, which unsettled Starfire. It felt like an ominous warning for her own sister, who was just arrested and vowed to break out. Oh well! If Blackfire did break out, then Starfire would re-imprison her. Right now, she needed to focus on the task at hand.
And the task at hand was a large concrete man-hybrid named Cinderblock (how fitting!). He's faced off with the Titans a couple times before, and Starfire knew he was a fierce opponent.
Strangely, Cinderblock was attempting to break into the prison, not out, which is not usually how criminals behaved themselves.
Starfire paid this detail no mind. She had no talent for detective work, unlike Robin who could figure out a crime scene just by looking at it. He was so smart! He would surely unravel the mystery of Cinderblock's actions. For now, she did what she loved.
Fighting evil with her family!
"Titans GO!"
The team raced towards Cinderblock, who met them head-on. Robin leaped up and kicked Cinderblock across the face, forcing him to stumble back into Starfire's starbolts, which glowed brightly in her hands. Cinderblock howled in anger or pain, Starfire couldn't quite tell, and Cyborg used that opportunity to punch him. Just as Cyborg jumped back and out of the way, Beast boy transformed into a hawk and began clawing at Cinderblock's eyes. He thrashed his arms around, attempting to hit her teammate. What he didn't notice was that Raven magically manifested herself behind him. Her eyes glowed, and she lifted a section of the floor upwards. It slammed into Cinderblock, pushing him back and nailing him against the wall across the room.
Cinderblock seemed to be unable to form words, just loud grumbles of displeasure. He punched into the floor-wall that pinned him, shattering it to pieces. Unfortunate timing! Cyborg and Robin were beginning to run towards the hybrid-man, and he swung his arm, hitting them both square in the chest. Starfire gasped and flew towards the monster-like man. She threw two starbolts at him, but he was a fast learner and quickly dodged. He reached his hands out and grabbed her, squeezing her arms hard enough to almost bruise.
Starfire almost felt bad for him. He looked so happy to have caught a Titan! Unfortunately, he caught the strongest Titan of them all (physically speaking, of course).
"I'm sorry," she sheepishly grinned, "but I am stronger than I look."
At least she had warned the poor hybrid-man! If he had the ability to make facial expressions, Starfire was certain he would have showed shock when she delivered a harsh kick to his chest. He flung back into the wall, releasing Starfire. He made that growling noise again and stepped menacingly forward towards Raven, who braced herself for the battle.
Before Starfire could move, Robin screamed and jumped onto Cinderblock's back, wrapping his arm around his neck in a choke hold. Cinderblock moved frantically around, attempting to fling the man off. Robin's hold only tightened, and he started kicking his back with all his might.
"Robin!" Raven shouted.
Yes, Robin indeed!
Robin released him only to hit the ground and roll between the hybrid-man's legs. He used the momentum to jump up and deliver a sharp kick to Cinderblock's face. Then a punch! Then a kick! Blow after blow after blow! Starfire was amazed!
It was as though Robin planned on taking Cinderblock down all by himself!
Though she was impressed, she was not without concern. He was beating Cinderblock as though the sort-of-man was one of his punching bags. He held nothing back, and he was becoming reckless. A human male hitting concrete over and over again was sure to harm himself!
"Robin stop!" Raven yelled, but it fell on deaf ears.
Luckily, Cyborg stepped in. He ripped a large metal beam from the wall and swung it over Robin's head and into Cinderblock's face.
Robin turned and glared at Cyborg. "I had him!"
"You're gonna hurt yourself, man," Cyborg yelled back.
That was all he had time to say before Cinderblock snared another, almost identical beam from the wall and flung it at Cyborg, who raised his own beam to block it. They began fighting as though they had swords. Eventually, Cinderblock managed to whack Cyborg, who skidded along the floor. Starfire glared at the man who dared hurt her friend and raised her hand. She focused her absolute fury onto the metal beam, and her hand began to glow. The metal beam melted in Cinderblock's hands, who gurgled in confusion. He narrowed his red eyes at the team before attempting to flee down a hallway of the prison.
Cyborg hastily stood up and shouted to Robin, "I got the sonic if you got the boom!"
Robin hesitated then nodded.
Oh joy! She hasn't seen that maneuver in so long!
Cyborg and Robin started running towards Cinderblock so quickly that they were able to practically run up the walls before they leaped into the air. They held out their hands, Cyborg with his sonic blaster and Robin with one of his gadgets. In the blink of an eye, Starfire was blasted back, slamming into the wall behind her.
For a moment, she was completely dazed and saw only white.
When her vision returned to her, Cinderblock had already broken through multiple prison walls, releasing at least a dozen prisoners, who were all cheering. As they walked out of their cells, some stopped and gasped at the sight of the Titans, who looked… well… wrecked.
Robin shakily stood up. He was unusually wobbly, and his breath came out in pants. The rest of the Titans were getting to their feet and looked as confused as she felt. The prisoners took this opportunity to escape, running towards the exit.
"Titans… get them!" Robin shouted. Even his voice sounded shaky.
Still, they all obeyed and started rounding up the prisoners.
Perhaps this day was not quite as glorious as Starfire thought it to be. First, they had to round up all the prisoners, which meant that Cinderblock was able to escape. Then, Raven had to fix the jail cells by using her magic to lift the concrete and create make-shift walls. While she fixed the cells, Robin updated the police on what occurred. None of the police seemed to blame the Titans, which was a relief.
Eventually, they made their way home: tired, sore, and beaten down.
"What happened?" Beast boy asked once they finally entered their family room. "I thought you guys had him!"
Robin scowled and fell back onto the couch with a wince. "We did."
Surprisingly, Raven was instantly next to him and holding out her hands. "You need healing," she stated.
Robin scowled at her. "No, I don't."
Raven frowned, still inching her hands towards his. "Yes, you do. I saw your one-on-one with Cinderblock. You have bad bruising at best. Perhaps a couple broken fingers and maybe toes. If you let me look—"
"I told you I'm fine!" Robin snapped. Raven lowered her hands, her expression unreadable.
"Hey man!" Cyborg marched up to Robin, glaring down at him. "Don't take your anger out on her! She didn't do anything!"
"I don't need healing!"
"I don't care what you need! You don't talk to her like that!"
Robin scoffed, and Starfire feared he perhaps rolled his eyes behind the mask. It was so hard to tell. Many times she wished he would take the dreaded thing off and show his true face to the team.
Cyborg clenched his fists. "What's going on with you? What's with your attitude? You lock yourself away for a whole week, you tried to take Cinderblock by yourself, you messed up our sonic boom, and now you're being rude to Raven! You gotta talk to us, man!"
"Oh like how you talk to us?" Robin gave him an empty, cruel smile. "Tell me, Cyborg, how's it feel to be half robot? How'd that happen exactly? What's it like living with that body? Come on! Tell us how you feel."
Cyborg stepped back as though he was physically struck.
The room went dead quiet.
Not even Starfire knew what to say. She loved Robin, truly she did, but that was… how did the Earthlings say it? A low blow. Even Robin appeared to be jolted from of his fit of rage, and he looked absolutely regretful. "Shit…" he whispered, and Starfire flinched at the curse. Robin shakily stood up. "Cy, I'm so sorry—"
"Forget it," Cyborg whispered, his tone cold yet full of hurt at the same time. "I quit."
The shock of those words stunned the team, who watched quietly as Cyborg exited the room.
Once the doors shut, Beast boy seemed to shake out of it and yelled, "Cyborg wait!"
He ran after his friend, leaving behind Robin and the two girls. Robin looked absolutely horrified, and his hands were shaking. Raven fared no better. She stared at Robin with wide, horrified eyes. "What did you do?" She whispered.
"I didn't mean to," Robin trembled. "I just… I was so angry. I didn't mean…"
Starfire expected Raven to lecture him or sarcastically tell him off. Perhaps even raise her voice! Shockingly, Raven did none of those things. She just sighed sadly. She reached out her hands and gently grasped his. Robin winced in pain, but he allowed the touch. Raven closed her eyes, and Starfire could see her magic work its way through her fingers into his. Robin silently watched her the entire time.
Suddenly, Starfire was struck with a feeling of… of…
Well, she wasn't quite sure. Of being out of place? Of not belonging?
Intruding.
Yes, she felt as though she was intruding on an intimate moment between the two.
She did not know what happened during their fight. She did not know if Raven upset Robin, or if her sister upset Robin, or maybe a combination; however, she sensed an apology in the way Raven touched him. I should not be here for this, she decided.
"I shall check on Beast boy and Cyborg," Starfire stated. "Perhaps they have not yet left."
Robin sadly nodded. "Thanks Star. I appreciate it."
Raven gave her a nod of acknowledgement before turning to Robin. "I need to check your feet. You kicked him quite a bit."
Starfire quickly exited the scene though one feeling remained.
Is everyone truly so close with Raven except me?
Oh, what a tragic morning! Starfire awoke to the beautiful sun, yet today it felt dim and gray. She drowsily dragged herself out of bed and slowly dressed herself. She walked the halls towards the family room, hoping that perhaps Cyborg had come home. Last night, Beast boy was unable to talk to Cyborg, who left the building without another word. When Beast boy and Starfire returned to the family room, Robin and Raven were quietly sitting on the couch as though they were in mourning. They all eventually went to bed without much talk. Starfire attempted to comfort Robin before he escaped to his room, but he avoided her. She cried before she fell asleep.
When the doors slid open to the family room, she nearly burst into tears yet again.
Cyborg was not here.
Raven was gazing at the ocean view from the window, and Beast boy was leaving a voicemail, presumably for Cyborg. Robin was not in the room.
Aha! Genius struck her!
She strode to the kitchen and began making a dish that would surely reconnect the team! Yes, Robin and Cyborg were not here, but they would be soon… maybe?
It was quick and easy recipe made especially easier by some of the moldy food that she loved. She began whipping it together as Beast boy made yet another call to Cyborg, who was not answering. Well, he was not answering now, but he would eventually! Family's fight. They are, as Raven and her agreed upon some time ago, complicated. Why, her sister tried to frame her for theft, and Starfire still loved her dearly! Cyborg would forgive Robin's careless words, and all would be well again.
She bit into the pudding of sadness.
Disgusting! Vile! Horrid!
Hooray, it was just right!
Beaming, she flew to Beast boy, who hung up the phone after leaving yet another voicemail. "Try this!"
Without warning, she shoved the spoon into Beast boy's mouth. His face became pale with the wonders of the pudding, and he fell to his knees gagging. He practically spit out all the food, which made her pout.
"What is that?" He cried. "Cream of toenails? Are you trying to kill me?"
"Pudding of sadness. It is what the people of my planet eat when bad things happen. Would you like another bite?"
"Absolutely not!" Beast boy crawled away, staring at her in horror.
She shrugged and flew over to Raven. "Would you like to try? The horrible taste will ease your troubled mind."
"My mind is not troubled," Raven answered curtly.
Starfire blinked. "Are you sure? Cyborg left the team, and Robin… it is okay to be upset."
"I'm not. People come. People go. It's life."
Though as she said this, her hair whirled around her face and cracks slowly started appearing in the window. Starfire stared at their barely-there reflections. Ironic how those cracks appeared between herself and Raven. A beautiful image reflecting the reality of their non-existent relationship. Even now, Raven would not open up to her. She could be sassy with Beast boy, serious with Robin, and friendly with Cyborg.
But nothing with her.
Starfire quickly turned away, not wanting Raven to see the tears coming to her eyes. She briskly walked out of the room, leaving her pudding behind on the kitchen counter.
She needed to speak to Robin.
Luckily, he was no longer training. Instead he was on the roof, one of his favorite places in the tower. He sat on the edge of the building, his feet dangling in the open air that always made Starfire nervous. If he fell, he could very well die, and it would absolutely break Starfire's heart. She already experienced his death, though it turned out that he was okay, and she did not wish to relive it. It was one of the worst moments of her life.
"Robin," she softly called.
He turned to her and gave her a weak smile. "Hey Star."
"May I join you?"
"Of course."
She sighed in relief and flew over to his side, sitting next to him. There was a respectable distance between the two, and Starfire longed to inch closer. She refrained from her desires and focused on her sole purpose for coming up here. "I made the pudding of sadness to lift everyone's spirits, but no one wants to eat it."
"Is it bad?"
"Absolutely horrible."
"That's probably why."
"I suppose," Starfire turned to look at Robin, who was staring at the ocean. She wished she could read his mind. Or even see his eyes. She just knew they would be beautiful. "On my planet, we try to erase sad feelings with horrible taste. It's a distraction. Though even with the pudding, I find myself saddened. I miss Cyborg."
Robin sighed. "Me too. I shouldn't have said those things to him. I don't blame him for leaving."
"He will come back." Starfire promised. "I just know it."
"Raven told me the same thing. She said he was just angry and hurt, and he'd forgive me once he calmed down. She said I need to give him space."
"Raven is much wise," she agreed then paused for a moment.
The conflict must have shown on her face because Robin asked, "What's wrong?"
"I do not think Raven likes me," Starfire mumbled. "She is distant, and she does not talk to me. When we first started this team, I thought we would grow to be like sisters, but she avoids me. I do not understand."
Robin softly laughed, though he did not sound amused. "I get the feeling."
Starfire blinked. "You do? But she seems comfortable around you."
A very small smile graced his lips. "Really?"
"Yes!"
"I'm glad that's how it seems. Half the time I feel like I make her uncomfortable," he confessed. "She's complicated, and I don't always understand her but… I know she loves this team. You're a part of this team as much as anyone else, and I guarantee she cares about you a lot more than she shows."
"You really think so?"
"I know so," he made it sound like a promise. "I may not always understand her, but I know that much. You just need to try talking to her, and I mean really talk to her."
"I will try my best!" Starfire cheered up. Hesitantly, she reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. She tried not to take it personally when he flinched and shrugged it off. She placed her hand back in her lap. "I know you and Cyborg will as well. Talk, I mean."
He gave her a hesitant smile. "Thanks Star. I appreciate it."
"Of course!" Starfire smiled back at him. "Would you like the pudding of sadness? There are many leftovers!"
Robin shook his head. "No, I just… I want to be left alone. I need to think."
Better to think than to mindlessly beat up punching bags, Starfire thought to herself. Perhaps that is progress.
"I understand. If you need to talk, I am always here to listen."
"I know. Thanks Star, I mean it."
He says this, but deep down, she knew he would not come to her. She has offered to be a listening ear for him many times, but he does not open up to her. Little moments like these, when she sought him out, were the closest she could get to him truly speaking his heart.
She exited the roof, still feeling heavy and burdened with sadness.
An alarm blared in the evening, interrupting their sad dinner. Robin rushed over to the computer by the window. He typed out a couple of codes, and a map was suddenly displayed on the large screen above them, revealing the coordinates of the distress call.
"It's not Cinderblock," Robin frowned. "It's something else."
"Well, what is it?" Beast boy asked.
"Guess we're going to have to find out."
Later on, they did indeed find out. The Titans burst through the doors of an empty factory and saw a monster. Ironically, the monster was the opposite of Cinderblock, who was solid concrete. He was a large man-like pile of brown goo, and he was gulping down toxic waste like Beast boy chugged his sodas.
Robin's lip curled in disgust. "That can't be good for you."
That caught the goo's attention. The monster burped and dropped the hazardous bin on the ground. He faced the Titans and clenched his fists together, letting out a howl. Suddenly, multiple blobs of his goo-skin burst from the main body, each one aimed at the Titans. They quickly dispersed, avoiding the incredibly sticky looking splatters around them.
Starfire flew up and blasted his chest with multiple starbolts, but any injury she inflicted was quickly healed by the goo merging back together. Suddenly, it's arm elongated forward, nearly hitting her. Thankfully, Raven pushed her out of the way.
I will cherish this moment of almost sisterhood forever! Starfire thought to herself. Unfortunately, she didn't have much time to celebrate. Robin threw one of his gadgets at the monster, and it's arm froze over. This did not seem to phase the monster, who merely shattered his own arm against a thick metal pipe above him. His arm regrew without any further issue, stunning the Titans. Starfire raced towards him, firing starbolt after starbolt. Perhaps if she kept hitting him over and over again, he would be unable to reform! Beast boy seemed to understand her plan and transformed into a pterosaurs, clawing at his arms with mighty speed. Quite similar to his hawk-formed attack on Cinderblock!
Unfortunately, much like their fight with Cinderblock, these attacks were not successful.
The monster's arm intentionally exploded, splattering the sticky goop everywhere. Starfire gasped and attempted to dodge, blasting multiple starbolts to keep it away. Luckily, she was successful, but it left her a couple yards away from the fight.
Raven levitated upwards and began chanting, "Azarath Metrion Zinthos!"
Multiple toxic waste bins lifted into the air, shooting right into the monster's chest. It yelled in alarm before sticking out his chest. The bins blasted right back at Raven, who quickly dodged them.
That's when Robin jumped right into the goo, attempting to kick it. Luckily, this monster was not made of concrete, so Starfire was significantly less worried about him physically harming himself. Still, she gasped, he was getting sucked into the monster like quick sand. He attempted to punch it, but every hit just continued to trap him. He glared at the monster, who almost smirked back at him.
Perhaps this monster was another man-hybrid? Starfire always had difficulty telling the difference.
"It's a man," Raven whispered, and Starfire jumped in surprise. She did not notice that the other girl was right next to her! "He has a presence. I didn't sense it until now. It's just barely there… almost like…"
She squinted at the man-monster-thing, and Starfire hoped she could figure out whatever mystery she was trying to solve soon. The goo blasted out of the thing's chest, and it's current washed Robin away from the monster and slammed him into Beast boy. For a moment, both were lost in a pile of goo.
"Robin!" Starfire and Raven both shouted, dashing over towards him.
"I'm okay!" Robin gasped, breaking out of it. In his arms was Beast boy, who looked pale.
He leaned over, away from Robin, and started retching. "This tastes even worse than Star's pudding!"
"Titans," Robin stood up, pulling the goo off of his body. "Let's try tying him up!"
They all nodded and got to work. Robin ran towards the goo-man, using one of his grappling hooks to lasso his legs. He continued wrapping the wire around him, making him unable to move, and Beast boy morphed into rhino, hitting the maybe-man with full force and knocking him on his back. Starfire began melting the metal beams of the building, and Raven directed them with her magic, securely wrapping them around the monster's body.
For a moment, they went still, hoping this plan worked.
It did not.
The thing melted, seeping out from under the beams and screeching. It somehow divide it's body into five smaller, animal-like versions of itself, and each version leaped towards the Titans.
"Fall back!" Robin commanded.
They ran towards a set of metal doors and slammed them shut. They leaned their full body weights against the doors, panting with exhaustion. "What do we do?" Beast boy sounded panicked. "It's five against four!"
Starfire flinched at the hidden meaning behind his words. Cyborg should be here, he seemed to be saying. Much like when Robin was presumed dead, their fighting was weaker. They were so used to coordinating between all five of them that missing one teammate was like missing a limb. The emotional weight of that loss also distracted them, further weakening their fighting. Starfire glanced at Raven, whose eyes were pressed shut. Her distress over Cyborg must be clouding her ability to magically sense the new creature, Starfire realized.
"Let them in," Robin said through gritted teeth. "Then we separate and take them on one-by-one. They're smaller, so we have a chance. Give them everything you got!"
The team nodded, and Robin screamed, "Titans, separate!"
They sprinted into the room, leaving the doors unmanned. The multiple, smaller monsters stalked them, following quickly behind. Starfire obeyed Robin's command and bolted through what felt like a maze. The factory room was incredibly large with multiple pools of toxic waste. Above said waste was a conveyer belt, and there were multiple machines throughout the room that Starfire presumed filtered and separated everything. Briefly, she thought to herself to later ask Robin what on Earth this factory was for.
She glanced behind her and gasped. The goo-animal was getting closer to her! She threw a couple starbolts at it for good measure, but she missed every shot due it's speed. Eventually, she flew into a more open area where the rest of the team, sans Robin, were fighting their own versions of goo-animals. Starfire immediately assisted, hurling starbolts at the creatures.
"Robin!" Raven shouted.
Starfire gasped and whirled around, looking around for the man.
Bad choice! The muddy animal leaped at her, but her quick reflexes saved her. She grabbed the goo with her hands, holding it back from her face. Still, her hands were slowly sinking into the animal, bringing it slowly closer. Thankfully, Beast boy slammed into the creature, knocking it off of her hands. Starfire jumped up, and her eyes darted around.
There!
Robin was hanging off the edge of the conveyer belt right above a pool of toxic waste! It bubbled, and Starfire guessed it was likely too acidic for human skin. Robin struggled to lift himself back onto the belt, which was crumbling apart at the end. Starfire nearly took to flight, about to save Robin, when something absolutely wondrous happened! A metal hand reached out and grabbed Robin's, yanking him back to safety.
Cyborg!
They exchanged quick words that Starfire couldn't hear, and Robin shouted, "Titans, corner them! Star, come get us!"
Raven nodded and reached out her hands. Her magic wrapped around the now four animal-like creatures, yanking them backwards towards the very doors that the Titans escaped through. Starfire moved just as quickly, charging upwards to her two team members, who reached out their hands. She grabbed both of their hands and used her strength to fly them down to the floor. Once they landed, they began to commence the sonic boom!
Parallel to their previous fight, they ran so quickly they practically flew up the walls. Cyborg's arm transformed into his sonic blaster, and Robin hurled a gadget at the monsters. Cyborg's blast went off, hitting the gadget and causing an overly bright explosion. In fact, Starfire had to look away to shield her eyes.
Though this time, the enemy was hit and not Starfire herself.
"Boo-yah!" Cyborg grinned, high-fiving Robin.
"Quiet!" Raven hissed. "Don't wake him up."
The team all blinked at her. "What do you mean?" Beast boy asked.
"I couldn't sense it before. I was…" Raven trailed off, briefly glancing at Cyborg before turning back to the team. "He's a man, and he finally feels at peace. I think he needs to stay asleep."
She pointed towards where the monsters were and, sure enough, there was an almost naked man asleep on the floor amongst a pile of goo.
What strangeness!
"Guys," Beast boy quietly groaned as though he just realized something. "The night's not over. We still have to get Cinderblock."
Cyborg smirked. "Yea… about that."
Starfire took great care to wash the goo out of her hair. Her luck with the most recent battles has been abysmal! First, she was covered in trash and slime after the Centauri robots attempted to arrest her. Now, she was covered in goo from Plasmus!
It turned out that was the monster's name. After Cyborg revealed he captured Cinderblock, Robin called the extraction/cleanup team using his T-communicator. They arrived quickly on the scene, as usual, and began quietly taking care of everything. They placed Plasmus in a large, liquid-filled container that kept him asleep, which confirmed Raven's suspicions that he only transformed into the monster when he was awakened. They used a forklift to transfer Cinderblock into a large truck, presumably to take them both back to prison. After speaking to the lead of the team, Robin learned that Cinderblock had broken Plasma's out of prison the day Cyborg quit.
Oh Cyborg! Starfire practically squealed with joy. He had returned to them! What a mature, heartfelt moment that was!
"Maybe you were on the right track," Cyborg joked as the other team drove away with the criminals. "Hitting Cinderblock over and over again felt great."
Robin offered him a weak smile in response. "I'm glad you came back. We've… I've missed you. Cy, I'm so sorry."
"I forgive you," Cyborg offered him a gentle smile. "I shouldn't have pushed."
"It doesn't excuse the things I said to you. I was horrible."
"Yeah, you were," Cyborg grinned. "Next time, tell me when a psychotic alien tells you she's a psychotic alien. Then we'll be even. Okay?"
Robin's lip quirked in a tiny smirk. "I think I can do that."
She nearly cried just thinking about it.
Once she finished washing her hair, she dressed herself and headed to the family room. After all, it was a Friday night, their sacred movie night! They all decided to let Cyborg pick as a welcome back present, and Starfire was so excited to finally spend a night with her family.
She entered the family room and saw the rest of the team was waiting for her.
"Oh friends!" She smiled, taking her usual spot next to Robin. "I'm so happy we are all back to normal!"
"Yeah," Robin did not sound happy.
Cyborg immediately picked up on his mood. "What is it?"
"There's still something bothering me," Robin mumbled, and Starfire froze. Was Robin still angry at Cyborg? Was he still angry in general?
"I know," Raven agreed.
"What?" Beast boy cautiously asked.
"This whole plan was too smart for Cinderblock," Robin answered. "Someone else is pulling the strings. Gizmo said…"
He trailed off, looking thoughtful.
"Oh thank goodness," Cyborg sighed in relief. At Robin's confused look, Cyborg explained. "For a second there, I thought you and Raven were still fighting. I'm glad you're just in detective mode."
Robin's eyebrows raised in surprise, and Raven looked like… what is the Earth saying? A rabbit caught in the sunlight? No, that wasn't right…
"You told him we fought?" Robin exclaimed.
"We didn't fight," Raven argued.
"So you guys did fight!" Beast boy chimed in. "Blackfire wasn't lying!"
"Is that why you were so upset that you locked yourself away?" Starfire questioned.
Robin hesitated for a moment. A guilty expression quickly crossed his face, but he smoothed out his features. He awkwardly replied, "Not exactly… I mean, it didn't help, but it was a lot of things all at once, and I didn't handle it very well."
"What did you fight over?" Cyborg asked then froze. "I mean, you don't have to tell us! Actually, ignore I said anything!"
He appears to still be sensitive from the last time he pushed for information, Starfire noted.
"We didn't fight," Raven rolled her eyes.
"Well…" Robin's voice took a slightly teasing note. "We kind of did."
Raven glared at him, and Beast boy leaned forward. "What about?"
Robin took a dramatic pause before scandalously saying, "Raven was flirting with some guy, and I got in her way."
…
...
…...
"WHAT!" The Titans all shouted. Starfire couldn't believe it! It couldn't be true! Raven has shown no interest in the matters of romantic love! And yet…
Raven's face turned completely red. "I was not flirting," she hissed.
"I'm sorry," Cyborg stood up, his voice raised. "You were WHAT?"
"I misread the situation," Robin continued. "I interrupted them, and he ran away. She didn't seem very happy with me afterwards."
"Robin…" There was a warning in Raven's voice.
"Raven!" Beast boy jokingly elbowed her. "You dog, you!"
"Good!" Cyborg crossed his arms and turned his attention towards Raven. "I don't want you flirting with strange boys who hang around at clubs!"
"Excuse me?"
"Men are dangerous!" Cyborg lectured. "I don't want you getting hurt by some playboy who's only after one thing!"
"That's hypocritical," Raven glared. "Robin can flirt with three different women, and I can't flirt with one nice man?"
Who was the third woman that Robin was flirting with?
"So you admit that you were flirting?" Robin teased.
If looks could kill, Robin would be dead three times over with the way Raven glared at him.
"That proves my point exactly!" Cyborg scolded. "Men can't be trusted!"
"What did he look like?" Starfire asked, excitement building in her chest. Why, she had no idea that Raven could be such a girl! It warmed Starfire's heart! Perhaps they really did have something in common!
"Typical goth boy," Robin answered though he clearly seemed unimpressed by the mystery man's appearance.
"That sounds wonderful!" Starfire beamed. "You two would make a great match!"
"Over my dead body!" Cyborg glared at Raven. "I need to meet this guy. If he's going to be flirting it up with you, I need to assess him. If he hurts you—"
"I think Raven can take care of herself," Beast boy snickered. "She could take a regular human down without even trying!"
Cyborg ignored him. "Who is he? What's his name?"
"I'm not telling you that!"
"Evan Maguire," Robin supplied.
Raven gaped. "How… how did you…"
Cyborg was even faster. He typed something quickly into his arm and exclaimed, "I found him! He's in the Jump City high school play this weekend!"
"We should go!" Beast boy grinned. "I want to meet him!"
"No one is meeting anyone!" Raven stood up, glaring at all of them. She would be scarier if she wasn't blushing. "We talked for a little and that was it! If you are all going to gossip about me instead of watching a movie, I'm going back to my room!"
Raven stormed out.
You just need to try talking to her, and I mean really talk to her, Robin's voice rang in her head.
Starfire determinedly stood up and chased after her.
"Raven!" Starfire cried. She caught up to her in the hallway, and Raven paused though she didn't turn around. "Wait!"
Raven sighed and leaned against the wall, looking at her with tired eyes. "What?" She snipped.
Don't lose courage! Talk to her! Really talk to her!
"I think it's wonderful!" Starfire blurted out. "That you found someone! Truly! I'm happy for you!"
Raven quirked an eyebrow as if to say that's it?
Starfire tried again. "I'm in love with Robin! I've never told anyone that before. What I mean to say is you can talk to me about this Evan, and I will listen! I will understand!"
We can talk about boys! We can stay up late and talk about our feelings and paint our nails and giggle and laugh all night! We could be like sisters, you and I!
Raven sighed, clearly exasperated. "Starfire, everyone already knows that."
"… what?"
"The entire team knows you two are in love with each other," Raven explained.
Robin is not in love with me, Starfire wanted to argue, but the words wouldn't come out. Everyone knew? Did Robin know? He was so smart, so perhaps he did… Her face flushed.
Oh, she hoped not!
"If that's all, I'm going to go to my room," Raven finished.
She walked away without another word, leaving Starfire alone in the hallway.
Robin, you were wrong, she thought sadly, tears coming to her eyes. Talking did nothing.
She just doesn't like me.
Thanks for reading! The next episode will be Forces of Nature, which will be one chapter. It might take slightly longer compared to some of my other updates, but it shouldn't be longer than a week or so. Like I said, I'm really excited to get to Nevermore, so that will really motivate me.
Anyways, please let me know your thoughts! There were a couple mentions of wanting to see more of Cyborg and Raven's sibling-like relationship, which inspired Cyborg's overprotective older brother vibes towards the end. If there's anything else you would like to see, don't hesitate to mention it!