HOME | DD

Description
32 Productions Presents…
32 Productions Presents…

A Teen Titan Fan Fiction The New Titans in…
“Alien Blood is Thicker Then Water”

Chapter Three

Junkyard Lair

Empty. There wasn’t even a power source for the left over equipment. Beast Boy swore.

Beast Boy: He probably figured we’d check on him sooner or later.

Secretly, Skeemat was relieved. She didn’t want to face her father. Not out of reverence or anything…she was afraid of what he’d do to her if he ever got a hold of her. That thought kept her up at night some times.

Conjure: What should we do now?

Hood: …what would he want with her, Skeemat?

For a moment, Skeemat was silent. Finally she spoke in a voice so soft that it didn’t sound like hers.

Skeemat: …Pops always had an obsession. An obsession with Starfire. Nightstar is obviously Tamaranian…she’s almost a dead ringer for her mother. If he didn’t piece together her identity, similarities alone might have been enough to prompt him to kidnap her.

Arella: But what’s he going to do?

Skeemat: …I don’t know. Kill her, brainwash her, rape her, I…I…

Taking her mask off, she wiped her eyes. She was crying.

Skeemat: I’m so sorry!

M: Ah ha! So it WAS you who ate the last of the ice cream!

Skeemat: No! …well, yes…but that’s not why I said sorry! I don’t regret that at all! He’s MY father! He made me! I knew what he was capable of and I didn’t do anything to warn you or help you capture him!

Tears trickling down her face, Skeemat shook her head.

Skeemat: I don’t even deserve to be on this team…

Hood: Are you done?

Skeemat: Wha…?

Hood: If you’re done with this self pity crap, I’d like to hear all about your father. It may help us track him down. …and when we get Nightstar back, finish up that damn program.

It was basically his way of saying that Skeemat DID deserve to be on the team and that nobody was blaming her for anything. Skeemat heard it in his tone.

Skeemat: …okay.

Bludhaven: Police Station

Dick sighed as his phone went off. He was in the middle of filing a report concerning an attempted carjacking. He picked up the phone and spoke in his most professional voice.

Dick: 54th Prescient, Officer Grayson speaking.

Gremlin: “Officer Grayson”? Well, look at you. Working both sides of it now, huh? Officer by day…well, you get the idea. It’s been a while, Robin. …oh, that’s right. That’s not your name anymore, is it?

Dick fought not to clench his teeth. He couldn’t put on a show and risk attracting the attention of those around him.

Dick: What do you want?

Gremlin: Now, that’s not a very professional way to talk. And can’t an old “friend” call and talk? We have so much catching up to do. I must say…you sure have an attractive daughter. Obviously from her mother’s side, wouldn’t you agree?

Eyes going wide, Dick could almost feel his blood freeze in his veins.

Dick: Don’t you touch her…

Gremlin: Too late. …and get your mind out of the gutter. I’ve never stooped that low and don’t intent to. Would you like to speak to her? She’s a little…no, I don’t want to say it. I have more tact then that. Anyway…here she is.

After a moment a new voice spoke into the phone, confirming his worst fear.

Nightstar: Papa, stay away! He’s trying to…

Dick winced at the sound of a vicious slap coming from the phone.

Gremlin: Oops. She almost gave away the big surprise.

Dick: You bastard…

Gremlin: Now I know you’re all the way on the other side of the country, but I think, if you wanted to, you could find a way to get here REAL fast. Do you remember the road we had our first battle on? Get here in one hour or I’ll start taking parts off her…perhaps starting with her feet. We can call her Stumpy. Come alone. This is a family type feud so only family is invited. See you soon, old pal. I have a BIG surprise waiting for you. You’ll just DIE when you see it.

Shrieks of laughter came just before the click of the phone. He dialed Raven’s number, both to see if she got hurt when Nightstar was taken and to arrange a method over to Jump City. …needless to say, he was less then pleased by her response to the former.

Dick: …you did what?

Raven: She wanted to go see the tower. I made them promise not to take her out to fight crime, but she was obviously noticed all the same. I’ll send Shade to get you. His teleportation is more pin pointed then mine. …I’m sorry, Richard. …I guess you don’t owe me anymore.

Dick: …

He hung up. How strange. He didn’t think he cared that much for the girl. …besides, the fault wasn’t Raven’s. It was his. He sent her away first. …he had to get ready.

Stretch of Road

The Titans hid along the nearby cliff, peering down at the captured Nightstar and her three captors. You may be asking…why aren’t they rescuing her? Well, if you were more patient, I’d tell you! …there was a glowing green field around the area. Nightwing soon arrived. Gremlin waved him in.

Gremlin: Come on in. The field is designed to allow certain people inside. You’re one of them.

Taking a chance, Nightwing walked through the field. Indeed, he was allowed to pass through it. He scowled at one of Gremlin’s companions.

Nightwing: Blackfire. What a surprise.

Blackfire: Oh, don’t scowl at me like that. Can’t an aunt visit her niece?

Nightwing: Only when it doesn’t involved capturing them.

Blackfire: Don’t get your tights in a note, Nightwing. At least not about that. What this guy did offends even MY sensibilities.

…for that matter, who WAS that guy with them?

Nightwing: And who the hell is this?

Gremlin: That would be my son.

Up on the cliff, Skeemat’s jaw dropped. His WHAT?! Nightwing scoffed.

Nightwing: In what delusional fantasy did YOU get laid in?

Gremlin: You’d be surprised how many women I’ve had...but that’s besides the point. After the disastrous failure of my daughter, I decided to try another route. This one is entirely biological, a mixture of my own DNA and…Starfire’s.

Gremlin snickered and turned to Nightstar.

Gremlin: In a sense, he’s your half brother. Of course, since I didn’t want to be faced with another betrayal, I had to do some…corrective surgery.

Corrective…? Nightwing looked closely at the boy. He was a blonde with green eyes…Tamaranian type eyes…he was dressed in a black sleeveless shirt and pants. Gloves over his hands and heavy looking boots on his feet. Then he saw it. Above his eyes…a scar. Nightwing felt sick.

Nightwing: You lobotomized him…

Gremlin: Oh, it’s not so bad. Just a little something to prevent another disaster. Well, that and I cut his vocal cords. Kids talk too much these days, don’t you agree?

Nightwing: You’re even sicker now then you were years ago.

Shrugging, Gremlin dismissed the insult.

Gremlin: Well, that’s your opinion. Anyway…Deadstar, kill your half sister for me, hmm?

Wordlessly, the boy nodded and created a massive green bolt…just in time to be struck by a blue one. Nightstar sat up, ripping the goggles from her head.

Gremlin: What?! How did you…?

Nightstar: Get loose? Easy. You made the shackles themselves unbreakable, but not the bolts fastening them. By moving my arms and legs back and forth as hard as I could, as fast as I could, I caused them to snap, freeing myself.

Jumping from the table, Nightstar dashed over to her father’s side.

Gremlin: Fine, whatever. Blackfire, you can handle your niece, can’t you?

Blackfire: I’d be happy to.

Gremlin: Good. Deadstar, help Daddy kill the masked man.

Blackfire flew at Nightstar and swung at her head. The girl ducked, socking her aunt in the stomach. Clenching her teeth, Blackfire spun in the air, catching her niece in the side of the head with her foot. Dodging the bolts coming at him, Nightwing threw a disc at Deadstar, clipping him in the head and leaving him dazed. Gremlin, however, was waiting for him and managed to slam his fist into Nightwing’s spine. The Titans watched the battle anxiously.

Hood: Isn’t there anything we can do?!

Skeemat: …he said that certain family members were allowed inside. I have Starfire’s genes in my bio-mechanical parts. Maybe I can get inside and help.

Climbing down, Skeemat put her hand on the green field…and flew back about ten feet, landing hard. So much for that plan. Perhaps it was designed to reject her mechanical parts. They were on their own. Nightwing seemed to be holding his own. Gremlin was the bigger threat of the pair. Obviously he had dealt with a Tamaranian before during the old training sessions and knew exactly how to deal with Deadstar. Nightstar, however, wasn’t fairing so well. Blackfire was stronger, more experienced, and all around a better fighter then her. Knocking her down, Blackfire wiped her mouth.

Blackfire: Not bad, kid. I mean that. You might have made it as a hero on this rock…but not against me.

Charging up a bolt in her hand, Blackfire smiled wickedly.

Blackfire: Now you might feel a bit of a sting…

Just before she could fling the bolt at her niece, something grabbed her arm. Something STRONG. Nightstar looked up in shock.

Nightstar: M…mama?!

Starfire: How dare you?

Blackfire was slugged in the face, reeling from both pain and surprise.

Starfire: …Mari’, help your father.

Nightstar: Y…yes, Mama.

Her mother’s face was a mask of barely contained rage. Blackfire tried not to show any fear, but she had to admit, her sister never looked so intimidating.

Blackfire: How’d you find out about all this?

Starfire: I did not. As I told her many times as she was growing up about Titans Tower, I knew where to find my daughter and noticed the large glowing green energy bubble. It was hard to miss.

The sisters charged at each other. Blackfire swore to herself. This wasn’t the naïve little sister she had last clashed with. Her time as Empress had obviously hardened her. There was no hesitation in using brutal force. Meanwhile, Nightstar grabbed Deadstar and put him in a painful hold, keeping his hands pointed away from her so he didn’t blast her.

Nightstar: You’re an abomination…at least my parents were in love…and actually MATED to produce me.

Though she did pity him. To have his own father use brain surgery to ensure his loyalty? With Deadstar off his back, Nightwing could fight to his fullest. Gremlin had gotten stronger, but his fighting skills had gotten rusty. He was making mistakes. …or perhaps Nightwing had just gone up in skill too much. Anyone could see he was better now then he was as a kid.

Nightwing: Let me ask you something…don’t you get tired of losing? I mean, I thought that was why you disappeared for so long.

Gremlin: You know what they say. Try, try again.

Nightwing got caught in the jaw by a sudden uppercut. Nightstar cried out in pain as Deadstar slammed the back of his head into her face, making her release him. Blackfire managed to pin Starfire to the ground and punched her several times in the face, shouting.

Blackfire: I should be Empress! ME! What made you so special from the start?! Why did they always favor YOU over me?!

Starfire caught her fist on the next swing.

Starfire: Perhaps it has something to do with your constant acting out? And as for why you’re not Empress, you WERE Empress once…and you wasted it to get revenge on me.

Blackfire: I HATE YOU!

Blackfire pulled her hand free. The next swing came with such force that it put a hole in the street. Luckily Starfire moved her head to the right just in time. She scowled at her sister, eyes glowing.

Starfire: So you finally come out and say it.

Starfire gave her sister a dose of her eye beams, sending her out of the field, leaving her sprawled out on the road. With her sister taken care of, Starfire went to help her daughter. Nightwing saw this and smirked.

Nightwing: It’s over, Gremlin. Just give up and I’m sure Starfire won’t hurt you TOO bad.

Gremlin: That’s precious, Robin. It really is…but in all honesty…what makes you think I’d actually show up to the battle anyway?

Removing his mask revealed a digital timer. It was just a robot…and they only had twelve seconds to get out of dodge.

Nightwing: Run!

Deadstar managed to get free and flee in the confusion as they fled the green field. The robot exploded, but the force field contained it, thankfully. The Titans came down off the cliff, Ebony in the lead. She was at Nightstar’s side in a second.

Ebony: Are you okay?! I’m SO sorry! I should have been paying better attention and…

Nightstar: …let the fires rage out of control? You did the right thing, Ebony.

Ebony: …actually, I knew that, but I wanted you to feel better just in case.

Starfire cleared her throat, arms folded. Nightstar hung her head.

Nightstar: Mama…

Starfire: …are you hurt?

Nightstar: Nothing serious, Mama.

Starfire: …what were you thinking?

Nightwing wasn’t sure how to react to this. In his mind, Nightstar hadn’t done too much wrong. Sure, she seemed to have run away from home…but only to see her father. Starfire glanced at the new Titans.

Starfire: Were any of you aware that Mari’ wasn’t supposed to be here?

Conjure: We gathered it. She seemed very hesitant to talk of her family and home.

Sighing, Starfire’s stony expression fell.

Starfire: …Mari’, I am sorry.

Nightstar: Mama…

Starfire: No, let me talk. It is time for both your father and your new friends to learn the truth. I am a terrible mother.

Nightwing: Star…

Starfire: It is true, Nightwing. Do not tell me it is not. You would not know.

With tears in her eyes, Nightstar took up the confession next.

Nightstar: One would assume that I’m the next in line for the throne. The royal princess of Tamaran. I’m not. I’m the shamed princess of Tamaran. Created not only out of wedlock but tainted with the blood of a far inferior species in terms of strength and abilities, I’m not considered worthy of the throne. I’m a disgrace…frowned upon.

Starfire: …and I am ashamed to say I did nothing to help. …I was bitter. Angry at the burden put on me. Not just being a single mother, but being Empress as well.

Nightstar sighed and shook her head.

Nightstar: I got tired of it…of the stares and whispering behind my back. The only thing Mama ever did for me was tell me stories at bed time. She told me of incredible things. Demons from other dimensions, witches in pies, and cruel men with single eyes…she told me all about them and how each and every one of them were beaten by the Teen Titans. They became my heroes…my idols. And when I learned that they weren’t just fairy tales…that on a planet within flying distance, it all happened…that one of those Titans was my papa…and that once upon a time my mama was one too…I knew I had to come to Earth. To a place where nobody cared who my mother and father were. A place where my voice wasn’t ignored because my blood was bad…so I ran away from home. …I didn’t think anyone would care.

A tear trickled down Starfire’s cheek.

Starfire: Oh, Mari’…I am so sorry. …and Nightwing…I am sorry I did not tell you about Mari’ when you helped me stop Cyberion. I was mad at you. I blamed you for Mari’s unhappiness…but I see now I had an even greater part in her sorrows.

Starfire was cut off as Nightstar embraced her in a tight hug. Startled, it took a moment for her to return it.

Hood: Um…we’re just going to take that lady to jail now.

He gestured to the fallen Blackfire who, fortunately for her, had been blasted outside of the energy field prior to the explosion. The family ignored them and they took that as a cue to take their prisoner and go. The mother and daughter separated and Nightstar sighed.

Nightstar: I guess you’re going to take me back to Tamaran now.

Starfire: That is why I came here.

Nightstar’s dejected expression went away as Starfire continued.

Starfire: …but I see now that I do not have the right. So…I leave the choice to you.

Nightwing: …I managed to find a bigger apartment, Mari’. It’s not much and you may need to get a part time job, but…

Nightstar: I’ll stay. …I just…don’t feel like Tamaran is my home. For as long as I can remember, I was a stranger there. Here…I feel more…at ease.

Starfire: Probably because you had a tendency to mispronounce everything you said and leave people confused.

Nightstar gaped.

Nightstar: THAT’S why they laugh when I talked?! I thought they were just making fun of me.

Starfire: You once told someone that you were the royal pain in the ass and that they should show you some respect.

Nightstar: …why is Tamaranian the only language I CAN’T absorb?

Nightwing: Don’t feel bad. Your mom couldn’t absorb Spanish.

Starfire: Do not remind me of that…I was “sucking face” with that man for two minutes and all I got was the word “grande”.

Sighing, Starfire hugged her daughter again.

Starfire: Know that you will always have a home on Tamaran, my daughter.

Nightstar: I’m sorry I worried you, Mama. I love you.
Starfire: I love you too, Mari’.

Nightstar: I’ll stay with the Titans for a little while longer until Papa gets the new place ready for me. I promise I won’t get into anymore trouble.

Starfire turned her attention to Nightwing.

Starfire: …it was…good to see you again, Richard. I am glad you are well.

Nightwing: Yeah…good to see you too.

Bludhaven: New Apartment, Bedroom

Starfire paced around the room. Her state of attire suggested that something interesting and unmentionable in a T rated story just took place. Dick watched her from the bed, half amused, half annoyed.

Starfire: What was I thinking? How could I do that? I must be out of my mind…

Dick: I take it you’re upset.

Starfire: Richard…

She sighed. On the way to Earth, she told herself over and over. I’m not going to sleep with him again. I’m not going to sleep with him again. And what does she do? She slept with him! Thank X’hal Mari’ decided to stay at Titan Tower for another day. She knew. The day she saw him again months ago, Starfire knew she still loved him. Even after all this time and all the problems, it was still there. And damn it all, she let that love override her rational thought!

Dick: Star…are you regretting it that much?

Starfire: …not the act itself, Richard. It…took me back, to say the least. No, I am more concerned about the consequences. I cannot afford to have another child like Mari’. Another child who cannot have the throne. It is a law that I cannot change on my own and none support the change.

Sitting back on the bed, Starfire sighed, holding her head in her hands.

Starfire: Life was so much easier back then.

Dick: Yeah…

He sat next to her.

Dick: …not everybody got a happy ending, I guess. Hell, Raven pretty much gave birth to the devil’s grandson.

Starfire: Ah, yes…Raven did mention a son.

Dick: Tried to take over the world right after we left with you.

Starfire: Ah, I see. And this is how the new Titans formed. …how very like us.

Dick: I guess so.

Starfire considered putting her head on his shoulder like she would have back then. …but times had changed.

Starfire: Do you believe in fate, Dick?

It was the first time she had called him Dick in a while.

Dick: Not really, no. I mean, if fate was real, wouldn’t we have been killed during the Trigon incident?

Starfire: Ah, but the world DID end. The prophecy just did not state how long the end would last. Think of it, Dick. Two sets of teenagers banding together to fit a global threat in two different points in time. Different in many ways, but soon becoming friends. What are the odds of such a thing happening twice? …all that needs to happen now is the formation of a separate group of Titans on the East Coast.

Hint. Hint. Hint. Sighing, Starfire got up.

Starfire: If you do not mind, Dick, I’d like to use your shower before I depart.

Dick: Go ahead.

Thanking him, Starfire went to shower. Afterward she dried off and headed for the door.

Starfire: I get the feeling that if I were to fly out of your window, attention would be drawn to you. It would be better if I use the door.

Dick: …you ever coming back?

Starfire was silent for a moment.

Starfire: …I…I wish that I could. Aside from a vacation now and then, I cannot do that. …it pains me, Dick…but I fear we must both move on.

…he was afraid of that. Sighing, he nodded.

Dick: I guess you’re right. …but I got to ask, Star. Was it worth it?

She thought for a moment. It wasn’t that she was thinking of which was the right answer. She was just remembering all the fun she had. Smiling, she nodded.

Starfire: Without a doubt. Good bye, Dick.

And with that, she was gone. …at least this time it was on much better terms.

Titan Tower: Training Room

Ebony: You’re too slow! Come on, step it up!

Cocky little…M was helping her practice teleport dodging. See, Ebony could use her ability to go from place to place, but it still took concentration and therefore wasn’t practical in the field, at least it did at first. Obviously she was improving. First, she had to envision where she wanted to go, then make herself get there. To this affect, she had to make herself think of her destination faster, then force her body into the “shadow dimension” and out again faster and with less effort. M kicked at her and she vanished again, a smirk on her face. It disappeared when she realized he had teleported with her and grabbed her from behind.

M: This fast enough for you?

Ebony: Aw, come on…that was cheating.

M: Like any teleporter isn’t going to do this on you.

M realized she wasn’t exactly struggling to escape.

M: You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?

Ebony: Like you’re not.

He let her go. She turned to face him, rubbing the back of her head.

Ebony: M…you gotta know by now I…I like you. I mean…I REALLY like you. Right?

M: …well…yeah.

Ebony: And you haven’t said jack crap to me?

M: You know your sister likes me too, don’t you? If I pick one of you, the other gets hurt!

Ebony: So you’ll hurt us both instead by picking neither?!

M: Well, I was hoping neither of you would figure out I was on to you!

And one of them had. So now what did he do? Ebony saw how upset and confused he was. It wasn’t an easy choice, after all.

Ebony: Stop thinking about what we want and think about yourself for once.

…well…Ebony WAS more his style. Cheerful, energetic…and strong. Both physically and mentally, Ebony was strong. Conjure on the other hand…she had problems. She was kind hearted, soft spoken, and more then anything, very understanding. But she was always staring off into space these days. She was losing weight…it just wasn’t good. And while she probably needed SOMEONE in her life, he already swore he wasn’t going to get with her out of pity. …so…what’s a guy to do? Sighing, he shrugged.

M: Alright, alright…what are you doing this Saturday?

Ebony smiled.

Ebony: I’ll check my planner, but I’m pretty sure I’m open. What did you have in mind?

Unbeknownst to them, they had an audience. Conjure froze at the doorway, her throat seizing up. She had wanted to talk to Ebony about Nightstar’s clothes. Some of them seemed somewhat…inappropriate to her. Then again, Conjure was a bit old fashion. …and this is what she walked into. She heard it all from “what are you doing this Saturday”. She ducked out of the room before she could be spotted.

Appa: What’s the matter? Not happy for your darling sister? Does this mean we won’t be attending the wedding?

No…no, she was right. Conjure SHOULD be happy for her. After all, Ebony was her sister. It would be okay. It…it would…it…would…

END