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WARNING: This story has context pertaining to another fan-fiction of mine entitled Teen Titans: Beware my Power. If you have not read it I suggested you do so now before reading this story, otherwise you may be confused on certain references, settings, characters and the like. Thank you.

Far out in space was the planet Durla home to a race of alien beings known as the Durlan. The species was signified by their yellow colored skin, pointed ears and two small antennae poking from their heads. They were a peaceful race, not often prone to violence among their people.

However on of the villages of their town had found itself in ruin. Buildings of advanced design had been turned to crumbling rubble, many had run in fear of what had attacked them while others had perished in the fight to defend their home, and fires had spread from one place to another. It was night which only added to the dreadful scene of the town and its people brought to ruin by what had attacked them.

A number of soldiers riding on a hovering tank-like vehicle were driving through the town towards the thing had destroyed their home. They rounded a corner until they were on what used to be the main street of the village, seeing the thing responsible in the distance. It was standing there as if waiting for them, scaring them enough to order for an attack.

While the soldiers fired blasters they carried the tank fired a laser that streamed from the cannon barrel towards the target. Explosions erupted where they fired, the soldiers thinking they’d managed to take or at least stop the enemy. Suddenly a bolt of energy came from above struck the tank, making it explode and send the nearby men flying through the air.

The few that recovered looked up to see the enemy in the air flying down towards them. They aimed and fired their weapons, only for the target to fly past them or dodge while firing more bolts of energy down towards them. All were caught in the following explosions except for one who dropped in weapon and tried to run after seeing how powerful this enemy was.

He didn’t make it far enough before being cut off by the person who had destroyed his friends and the entire village: Blackfire.

She hovered in front of the alien soldier as he tried to back away, only for her to hold her hand up as it charged with energy and smirk “So weak. So pathetic.” The soldier coward in front of her before Blackfire, seeing him sniveling and almost begging for his life, dropped her arm and said “You’re not even worth thinking about.”

With that she floated away, up towards the sky. The solider, seeing she was gone, hurried away as fast as he could before she decided to change her mind. Meanwhile Blackfire had reached her spot above the city to look over all the destruction she caused, now have her smirk turn into a sneer.

She felt the presence of someone nearby but did not turn, knowing it was her master: the leader of the Red Lantern Corp, Atrocitus.

The Red Lantern floated close to her and said “Impressive, child. Tell me, did this stay your thirst for revenge?”

“Hardly.” She answered while still looking over the ruins. “This was nothing but a waste of time.” She then turned to him and said “Just like all these other ‘tests’ you’ve put me through. None of them have helped. All they’ve done is make me want to see my sister destroyed all the more.”

Atrocitus smirked and said “Then you are ready.”

“What?” Blackfired asked in a confused state.

“What you failed to see, child, was that all that I’ve put you through was to see how focused your mind was. Most would find themselves more calmed. Relaxed. Rethinking their so-called vendettas. But not you. You’ve proven yourself worthy enough.”

Blackfire’s eyes like with excitement as she asked “Then you mean….?”

Before she could finish Atrocitus held out his hand that was balled into a fist. He then opened it, revealing a red ring with the symbol of the Red Lantern Corp in his palm. After seeing the one Atrocitus himself wore, Blackfire knew this was not some trick or imitation but the actual thing. A real Red Lantern ring.

“Blackfire of Tamaran.” He began “You have great rage in your heart.”

The ring suddenly lifted itself up from his hand as it began to glow bright red. Blackfire watched before reaching her hand out to claim it. Instead of her coming to it the ring zipped forward and slipped onto her finger. Just as she realized what happened the red ring released a stream of energy that went from it into Blackfire’s mouth. She choked from it at first but once it had ended she coughed and leaned forward to regain herself, her eyes closing as she regained her breath.

Atrocitus’ eyes nearly twinkled with delight as he said “You belong to the Red Lantern Corps.”

When Blackfire fully recovered she opened her eyes, revealing that her pupils had gone from purple to red. She looked down at the red ring now secure on her finger before balling her hand into a fist.

With a smile the new Red Lantern Blackfire said “Prepare yourself, baby sister. You’ll burn for what you did to me!”

********************

In Titans Tower, Starfire had awoken with a gleeful cheer. Once she was up and out of bed, Sliky still snoozing on his smaller bed, she went to her closet and rummaged around before finding what she needed. She gave a great big smile before running off to find her friends.

Meanwhile Cyborg had just entered the living room of the Tower before giving a big yawn. He walked towards the kitchen where Robin, Raven and Beast Boy were already. All of them looked as tried as he did, BB even actually still sleeping with his head down on the table.

He yawned as he grabbed himself a glass of orange justice and said “Long night for you guys too?”

“Long and hard.” Robin answered. “I was trying to sort a whole bunch of files from past cases. I didn’t even realize how late it was before I was done.”

Raven rubbed her eyes while saying “Tried studying a few more spells and I kept getting closer and closer to perfecting them. Next time I need to set an alarm.”

Cyborg nodded as he sat down next to BB, who was still sleeping, before lifting his head up and seeing he was out like a light. Drool was leaking from the side of his lip as he gave a little snore.

“What’s up with him?” Cy asked.

Robin yawned before saying “Found him in front of the T.V. with a game on. I think he was trying to beat your high score.”

Cy, shocked by this, dropped BB’s head making it smack against the table, BB not waking from this, before saying “What? Oh heck no.” He turned to the still snoring BB and said “Don’t you even think of trying to be my score behind my back, you little sneak.”

Raven groaned a little when Cy raised his voice before saying “You think you can keep it down a little? I think we could all do with a nice quiet…”

Not a moment later there came the sound of something like a fog horn that filled the entire room with its sound. It was so loud that it made all of the Titans, even BB who woke from it, cover their ears as they and the rest of their heads rang from how loud it was.

They all looked to see Starfire blowing into a giant colorful alien-looking horn while standing in the center doorway into the room. She was still blowing so loud and so strong that the force of it started blowing the other Titans off their seats until they landed in front of the couch.

As they all laid in a pile, still stunned by the sudden loud noise and feeling of being tossed across the room, BB poked his head up and said “Worst…..wake-up call….ever.”

“Friends!” Star declared as she walked towards them. “Today is a most wondrous occasion: the Day of Zerfu’tanra!”

As the Titans all got to their feet Cyborg groaningly asked “Please tell me it’s a celebration involving a long nap and some ear surgery?”

Star went on by explaining “It is perhaps the most celebrated day among my people. For it is a day to honor our families and loved ones.”

“So kind of like Valentine’s Day?” Robin asked.

On that note Raven asked “Please tell me this won’t involve a lot of hugging and kissing.”

Starfire, now close enough to the Titans, said “On this day my people take the time to engage in a number of traditions with their families. A way of commemorating the bond between the members, be they children, spouses or siblings. And since my family is not present I look to you, my friends, whom I consider a family of Earth, to celebrate with me.”

Robin smiled a bit and said “Well that’s nice of you to think of us like that, Star-”

Before Robin could finished she pulled him forward and said “The first is to share our sign of passion with those that we share the relation with.”

She then pulled Robin in for a kiss, something he wasn’t prepared for, while the others watched awkwardly. When Star was finished kissing him Robin looked a bit bewildered and flustered from how great her kiss was, a goofy smile on his face.

“Staring to wish we’d celebrate this more often.” He commented, the others rolling their eyes or sighing at his remark.

Star then turned and said “Come, my family of friends. Let us be off to enjoy the many festivities we can.”

“Uh…maybe we’ll sit this one out, Starfire.” BB said, still groggy from waking up.

Cyborg added with “Yeah. You know, maybe just relax and-WHAA!” he finished as he was pulled away by Star, along with BB and Raven.

Before they knew it, Starfire was taking them, including Robin who had to follow, out to the city to enjoy whatever was to come from this odd alien holiday.

********************

Starfire had put the Titans through a tiring day of “festivities” for the Day of Zefu’tanra.

Some including a race around the coast of the city, Beast Boy using his animal abilities to almost win before realizing that the length of how much they had to run was far longer than he though. Another part was when all of the Titans had to eat a large amount of food, Cyborg winning this event, only to have Starfire sick an angry cat on him as a means of “reward”. Soon after came a game involving Starfire running after all the Titans with a giant hammer and trying to hit them like a whack-a-mole machine. The entire time the Titans felt like they were going through some sort of trial run on a danger simulator while Starfire was enjoying every moment as if it were her birthday.

Finally they’d all settled at the park, the Titans all sitting at a table exhausted from everything they went through.

“Remind me…never to take….a holiday….on Tamaran.” Cyborg said as he tried to catch his breath.

Raven, also panting, said “If this is celebrating….I’d hate to see….what a bay day is like.”

Star approached them, saying “Friends, we have one more festivity to celebrate.”

All of them groaned before BB asked “What is it this time? Pushing boulders with our tongues? Dodging your starbolts while you fire them at us? Needing to clean out Silky’s box?” He flopped his head on the table and said “I don’t think I can take any more of it.”

From behind her back Starfire showed them a cake which she placed on the table in front of all of them. They all looked at it, seeing it had a few candles and looked like it was chocolate flavored with icing.

“Don’t tell me.” Raven began. “It’s made from some kind of alien egg yolk, right?”

“None at all.” Star answered with a smile.

“It’s rigged to blow up? Or shoot acid in our face?” BB asked.

“Of course not.” She said, still smiling.

“It’s not something we have to fight over, is it?” Cyborg asked.

“Only if you desire to make it more interesting.” She said, holding up a giant axe before Cyborg, in a panic, declined.

She tossed it away while Robin asked “So it’s just a cake?”

“It is more than that.” Star explained. “It is a token amongst my loved ones. An offer and tribute to our friendship and the hopes that it will last for the rest of our lives.”

The Titans exchanged smiled amongst each other before BB said “Wow. That’s actually really nice, Star.”

“Yeah.” Cy added. “Really tender.”

Star smiled before looking to Raven, who, despite her monotone voice, gave a sincere “I’m glad you care for us so much, Starfire. Really. It’s flattering.”

Robin held Star’s hand where he sat and said “You always were the heart of the Team, Starfire. Guess we’d be in a worse shape if you hadn’t been there now and then for us.” She blushed at this before he added. “And if you think of us as family….well I guess you’re as much a part of ours too.”

She gave a bigger smile before reaching her arms around all of them and bringing the Titans in for a hug, squeeze them with her strength. They were held so tight they almost felt like they were being choked to death, but Star didn’t notice.

“You are my most beloved friends.” She said loudly. “I care and love you all so much.”

“Uh, Star?” Robin gasped. “A little less love, please?”

She released them, letting all of them regain themselves before saying “Happy Day of Zefu’Tanra, to all of you.”

“Same to you, Starfire.” Raven said as she and the others smiled.

Suddenly, from the city, an explosion sounded in the distance. They, as well as the other people present in the park, all looked to see smoke rising from the middle of the buildings.
“Aw man.” BB whined. “And just when I thought we could relax.”

Cyborg stood and said “Whoever it is, they picked the wrong Day of Zefu’Tanra to mess with this city.”

Robin, looking to Starfire, nodded before he called out “Titans, GO!” sending all of the running off to confront whatever the problem was.

By the time they came into the city streets the Titans found a whole crowd of people running the opposite direction. All were scared, men and woman and children all running for their lives from yet another threat to Jump City.

One of the pedestrians, an older looking man, was stopped by the Titans with Robin saying “What’s is it? What’s attacking?”

“It-it was something that came out of the sky and started tearing up the place!” he said in a panic. “It was glowing red and has this ring on it! Like when that red monster that attacked the city before!”

The Titans, realizing who it sounded like, all looked when Raven stated “Atrocitus!”

“The big red meanie red lantern.” BB added. “What do you think he’s doing back here?”

“Perhaps he wishes to have his butt experience the whooping.” Star said with an angered tone.

“I like the sound of that.” Cy said, slamming his fists together.

“Hold on.” Robin said “If Atrocitus is here then we’ll need the right backup to take him down.” He pulled out his communicator and said “I just hope he’s not busy.”

********************

In Coast City, at the cities high school, Kyle Rayner sat bored in his history class as his professor droned on about ancient Egyptian civilizations. He kept looking at the clock, watching as every 5 minutes passed and yet they felt like ten.

Suddenly something began to buzz in his pocket and, looking, he realized it was his Titans Communicator. Kyle’s eyes went wide before he perked up, needing to deal with this somewhere in private.

“Uh, Mr. Garret?” he called, raising his hand. “May I go to the bathroom, please?”

The old professor turned from the board and said “Now, Mr. Rainer? When we’re about to get into the reign of King Solomon? It will be on your upcoming quiz, I should add.”

“I know, sir. But I really need to go. I’ll try to get as fast as possible. Promise.” Kyle said, trying his best to convince the teacher.

“Oh very well.” Mr. Garret said. “Off you go.”

Kyle wasted no time in running off for the bathroom, hurrying as fast as possible while making sure not to run into any teachers who would delay him longer. Finally he made it and, after making sure no one was around, answered his Titans communicator in the boy’s bathroom.

“Green Lantern here.” He said.

“Kyle?” Robin said from the other line.

“Robin!” he exclaimed. “So awesome to hear from you again. I waited whole month before you guys would call.”

“You might want to hold off from any celebrating, Kyle.” Robin went on. “We’ve got a situation in Jump City.”

“Yeah. Right. Whatever it is I’m there.”

“It sounds like Atrocitus is back.” Robin explained. “He’s back and tearing everything up. We need your help if we’re going to put him down like last time.”

Kyle, a little surprised by the news of Atrocitus, answered with “I’ll be right there.”

“We’ll hold him off long enough. Good luck, Kyle.”

“You too.” He finished before turning the communicator off.

After putting the communicator away in one pocket Kyle reached into the other and pulled out his Green Lantern ring. Slipping it onto his finger Kyle was engulfed in green energy that, after taking a moment to settle had changed Kyle’s clothing into that of a Green Lantern uniform.

All suited up and ready Kyle said “Prepare to beware!” before flying off through the bathroom window and into the sky towards Jump City.

********************

After finishing his talk with Kyle Robin looked to the others and said “Alright. He should be here soon. For now let’s try and keep him from causing any more damage.”

“And maybe give him an attitude adjustment in the process.” BB said before he and the others ran off.

Starfire was the last to follow, looking to the old man who’d warned the Titans before while saying “Do not worry, older human. We shall deal with Atrocitus and you shall be safe.”

As Star flew off the old man said “Atrocitus? Now isn’t that an odd name for a girl?”

The Titans all reached the street where they believed Atrocitus was attacking and rightfully so after seeing the damage already done. A number of cars had been wrecked and left to the side of the road or crashed into each other. A fire hydrant had been burst open with its water spewing out. And standing on an overturned bus in the middle of it all was a figure which, as the Titans could see, they belived to be Atrocitus.

Once they came close enough all the Titans readied themselves: Robin standing at the front and in a fighting stance, Raven and Starfire floating in the air with their eyes and hands glowing with either magic or alien energy, Cyborg aiming his arm cannon and Beast Boy already turned into a tiger.

Robin was the one to say “Alright, Atrocitus. Not sure what you’re after this time, but we’ll be happy to help you find a nice cozy cell for…for….”

Robin trailed off when he and the others realized it was not Atrocitus, especially when they turned to reveal themselves.

Starfire, shocked most of all, looked and said “Blackfire?”

It was indeed Blackfire, only she looked far different. Aside from having the glowing red pupils her outfit was changed as well to armor somewhat similar to a Red Lantern’s. She had what looked like a black skin suit, only exposing her hands and head, on underneath a large red chest plate attached to round shoulder guards. She had armored braces on her arms that were pointed at the end, similar with her armored boots which also pointed at the end. And branded on the center of her chest plate was the symbol of the Red Lantern Corp.

Seeing her sister, Blackfire’s eyes flared as she smiled and said “Finally. I wondered how much more of this city I would need to wreck before you would show.”

Starfire was still shocked as she said “You…you have joined with the Red Lanterns? With Atrocitus?”

“After everything you’ve done to me?” she spat back. “Sending me to prison. Banishing me from my home. I’m surprised I hadn’t come to him sooner.”

“Everything you did you brought on yourself.” Robin retorted. “You shouldn’t blame Starfire for your own mistakes.”

“Aww. How sweet.” Blackfire toyed. “You know, Robin, if things don’t go well with baby sis, I’m always free to give you a good kiss now-and-then.”

Starfire, angered by this, roared before zipping towards her sister and firing her starbolts. Blackfire, using her ring, created a bubble around her that deflected the bolts. Once Star was close enough she created a heavy metal spiked glove that she used to punch her sister square in the jaw, sending her back.

Seeing Star hurt Cyborg called out “Now you’ve gone and done it!” before firing his arm cannon at Blackfire.

She created a shield in front of her that defended her from his attack. When she dropped it she saw Robin, leaping from the air, throw a number of his birdrangs at her. Blackfire created a buddle around them in mid-air before crushing them and then using her ring to create two giant walls of spikes to their sides, intent on crushing the two heroes. Robin and Cyborg leapt out of the way before being crushed only for a number of cars to be in the process.

Raven, appearing from behind Blackfire, fired a bolt of magic with both hands focused on the Red Lantern. Blackfire, sensing it, turned and fired her own bolt of energy from her ring that collided with Raven’s. The two power struggled before Blackfire looked to see Beast Boy, in the form of a triceratops, charging towards her from the right. She pushed enough energy to knock Raven back before bracing herself for BB. Once he reached her she grabbed hold of his horns and, using her strength, managed to stop him after he only pushed her back a little. She smirked before digging her feet in and lifting him over her head and then slamming him down on the ground behind her.

Starfire finally recovered and looked to see as Blackfire now turned her attention towards Cyborg, who’d tried firing his shoulder missiles at her from afar. She protracted herself with another red barrier before flying towards him and, with a heavy enough punch, sent him back into a car.

Blackfire stood over Cyborg as he groaned and said “Earthlings. So easy to break.”

Just as she was about to give Cyborg a finishing blow Starfire flew in and tackled her sister to the ground. The two struggled on the ground as Robin helped Cyborg to his feet. They both looked as Blackfire blasted her sister off of her, sending her up into the air, before flying in and giving a hard punch to her gun and then an elbow to the back.

Starfire fell face-first into another car, denting the roof badly. Star picked herself up and turned only to see Blackfire hovering nearby, pointing and charging her ring for a heavy blast. Before she could use it Beast Boy, now in the form of a giant squid, wrapped his tentacle around her arm and pulled it away as the rest of his arms coiled around her. While Blackfire stuggled with BB Raven, floating nearby, focused her magic.

“Azarath. Metrion. Zinthos!”

Her magic word spoken, Raven’s powers began to lift a number of the nearby cars in the air. Once enough of them had been lifted she threw them towards Blackfire. BB, seeing this, quickly turned into a hummingbird to fly off before Blackfire realized what was happening. She turned into time to be met by a dozen cars smashing into her and piling over her on the ground.

BB, landing near Starfire and changing back to his normal form, asked “You think that stopped her?”

“Knowing my sister, the answer would be ‘no’.” Star said just as they could see red energy glowing from underneath the cars.

With a loud roar and explosion of power Blackfire blasted all the car into nothing but rubble before looking towards the Titans. She looked towards Raven who reacted by using her magic to send a pile of debris towards her but Blackfire flew towards her, her whole body encased in red energy, and tore through all the pieces before using her ring on the Titan. She created a giant hand that slapped Raven out of the sky only to be caught by Cyborg before she could hit the ground.

Blackfire watched this, letting her back be exposed as Robin threw an explosive at her. It detonated on her back but, giving how durable she was both on her own and with the ring, Blackfire turned before using her ring to create tendrils that wrapped around Robin’s arms and waist. He tried to wiggle from their grip only for Blackfire to tighten them as she reeled him closer to her.

“Robin.” She smirked. “So clever and yet so foolish.”

She used the ring to squeeze Robin tighter but, seeing this, Starfire fired her eyes beams at Blackfire’s back, making her let go of Robin and turned her attention back towards her sister. She held out one hand that pushed the energy back before using the ring’s energy to fully push it back at Starfire. The alien Titan gave a loud cry as she felt her own power pushed back on her before Blackfire zipped forward and grabbed her by the collar.

Starfire struggled and said “Please, sister, stop this! You are not yourself.”

“Aww, baby sis worried about me?” Blackfire toyed before tossing her sister back on the ground. “I’ve never felt better in my entire life than I do now. Because now I have more power than anyone! Even you!”

She fired another beam towards Star which she rolled away from before flying in the air and firing more starbolts at her. Blackfire shielded with her arms before creating a giant hand with her ring’s powers and grabbing Star’s legs. With a quick whip she slammed Star into the ground before letting go.

Star recovered as her sister walked towards her and said “This is not who you really are. The ring is controlling your emotions. You must break free from it.”

“If that’s what you think then you clearly don’t know me well enough.” Blackfire said as she held her ring up. “You want to see how in control I really am?”

Starfire took a step back as Blackfire held up her ring high in the air. The other Titans recovered and regrouped in time to see as Blackfire’s ring began to shine ever brighter. With that she began to recite what was revealed as the Red Lantern Oath, and with every verse she spoke Blackfrie’s ring shined bright and bright with crimson red.

“With blood and rage of crimson red. We fill men’s souls with darkest dread. And twist your minds to pain and hate. We’ll burn you all--THAT IS YOUR FATE!”