Well, here's the last chapter. It feels like I've been doing this story for-ever. That's probably because I have, lol. Hope you like it. Enjoy!
Chapter Twenty-Four
Don't Die Again
A pure white bubble encased Osiris, took his followers with him, and in an instant they were gone. Then there was silence. Beast Boy peeked around his barricade and wiped his forehead.
"Whew! There's something you don't see everyday."
"Everybody okay?" asked Cyborg. There was a general consensus of okay-ness. Robin released Starfire from his tight grip. She swallowed and looked up at him.
"Robin, is it finished?" He nodded with a tired smile.
"Oh yeah, it's finished." Starfire sighed and sank into him. The scene would have grown just slightly more intimate had it not been for a growing rumbling sound.
"Or not," said Raven. Robin helped Starfire to her feet.
"Let's get out of here. Now. Starfire can you fly?" Starfire tested her powers.
"I am afraid not, my powers have been weakened at the moment." The rumbling grew louder and the caverns behind them began to collapse.
"Time to go," said Cyborg. Wasting not a second they all moved swiftly out of the large hall and up the enormous flight of stairs. It wasn't long before the whole of the secret underground chamber began to fall apart. A large piece of the hollowed out cave fell and broke apart a section of the staircase. Beast Boy and Cyborg turned back and saw the divide separated them and Robin and Starfire. They paused at the obstruction.
"Robin what are we to do, I still cannot fly!" Without a second thought he grabbed Starfire by the waste and lifted her up. "Robin! What are you doinAhhhh!" He pitched Starfire forward and Cyborg caught her. More pieces of the long flight of stairs broke apart giving Robin less and less time to make his own escape. He backed up then sprinted forward. He leapt in the air and almost missed the edge by an inch. He clung to the edge and scratched to climb up. He then saw Beast Boy's hand reach down.
"How 'bout a hand?" He gratefully took it and alongside his friend he climbed out into the open air. Clouds of dust and smoke rose up from the passage door signifying that the entire network had collapsed. The Titans all stared in silence for a while. Starfire trotted up next to Robin.
"Robin, you are okay?" For a moment it was as if he didn't hear her. He then rested an arm around her shoulder.
"I'm just fine Star, how are you?" Starfire smiled and leant against him.
"I will be okay." Not far from them Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Lee looked about in various directions.
"Alright yall we going this way."
"No way Cy, to get back to the city we need to head that way," said Beast Boy pointing in the opposite direction.
"I'm afraid you're both mistaken," said Lee. "It is in this direction that we must go."
"Well what are we supposed to do, ask how to get baaaahhhh…" Raven grabbed him, and Beast Boy by the ears. Lee looked slightly relieved until black energy grabbed his own. A she dragged the boys behind her Raven rolled her eyes.
"Men." Chuckling lightly Robin and Starfire followed them and they began their journey back home. While they followed their friends ahead of them, Robin noticed Starfire looking pensive.
"What's the matter Star?"
"It is probably nothing, but in the city of St. Petersburg we encountered agents of the Order. In the psychiatric hospital Raven and Lee were admitted. I fear they may still be at large."
"I wouldn't worry about them Star, CIA is pretty good about tying up loose ends."
ST. PETERSBURG………...
Smoke rose from the chimney of a lone house hidden in the forest. Headlights from a car shone through the trees, alerting the house's occupant to its arrival. The back door of the house swung about in the wind. Steven, the captain of the guard at Granik, ran through the foot of snow that covered the ground. His breathing was hard and staggered. He quickly looked back as he ran, two men in black long coats swiftly followed behind. He hit his arm against a low branch but only paid it a small amount of attention.
"No," he coughed. As they drew closer and closer the two men following him each drew their weapons and cocked them. Steven looked back one more and tripped on a high root. He feel flat on his face and felt the cold snow bite his cheeks. He turned over onto his back and saw the two men standing over him. He put his hands up to shield his snow covered face. Anyone near the lone house then heard a series of quick and rapid shots.
--------
Back in the city a car was parked near the airport. Inside the esteemed Dr. Bilger sat smoking his tenth cigarette in less than an hour. The news of their Arbiter's death spread quickly throughout the remainder of the Order. He rubbed his head extremely nervously. He opened his glove compartment and pulled out a ticket bound for the United States. Bilger checked his pass port and looked around out each of the windows hoping to see one of his fellow zealots. He saw no one. He mashed the used up butt of his last cigarette and promptly lit another. Not looking forward to having to look over his shoulder from now on Bilger made a resolve to start moving. He stuck the key into the ignition. He then hesitated at actually starting the car. Knowing that one of two things would happen when he started his car he closed his eyes, took a firm of the key, and turned it. The car made a ragged sputtering sound. Then the car blew apart into a large ball of fire. The alarms of nearby cars went off from being hit by shrapnel. Not far from ground zero Dr. Zelanca, Lee's assistant in escape, watched from her own vehicle. Her face was unusually emotionless at Bilger's demise. She stuffed her wallet away into her purse, the CIA insignia flashing as it disappeared inside. Her job done she decided to retire for the night. She casually drove away, leaving the flaming mess behind.
JUMP CITY, TITANS TOWER………….
Cyborg walked into the common room early the next morning and took in a long and satisfied breath.
"Oh man! It is so good to be home."
"I second that," said Robin entering behind him. Raven and Lee had been up long ago, as was their way in the morning. Starfire followed Robin's entry and greeted her friends with the utmost elation.
"Joyous morning friends! Err...I hope you are all as happy to have returned home as I." Cyborg cracked his knuckles behind the kitchen stove.
"Oh you bet Star. Alright yall, what's say we christen new start with some good old fashioned hot cakes!" Beast Boy sauntered into the common room in mid yawn. "Yo BB your just in time. Grab a stool and eat something."
"Nice try Cy, but even when I'm still half asleep…you're not going to get me to eat that stuff." Raven shrugged her shoulders.
"Guess your gonna starve then aren't you?"
"No way, I've got my own breakfast all planned out."
"So you're going to wing it huh?"
"Exactly." Robin took his seat and noticed Starfire had greeted them, made a slightly unsure comment, and then remained silent. Cyborg and Beast Boy set to making their individual meals, Beast Boy needing only to prepare enough for himself. Cyborg finished fixing their breakfast a little after Beast Boy did and served out before them.
"Dig in." They all happily took their fill. Robin spread some butter on his toast.
"So Lee, how's Kiore doing?" The teen samurai actually looked pleased someone had asked about her.
"Better actually. It will take a while to completely remove the sortie programming from her mind but with the help of Raven-San…" He raised his glass to her and she returned it with a nod. "I'm confident she'll make a speedy recovery."
"That's good," said Robin. Cyborg gulped down some orange juice and grunted to get Robin's attention.
"I bet ol' Uncle Sam is dying to get you back after putting Osiris and his wacky goon squad on ice." Robin smiled with a short chuckle.
"I bet they are but…" They all looked at him curiously. "I'm sorry to say my days as a super spy are officially over. Of course Dalton could never admit that I even existed, so firing me is out the window."
"What will you do now Robin?" asked Starfire. He folded his hands together.
"Go back to the way I was…just being Robin the Titan. nothing more and nothing less. I know it hasn't been fair at all for any of you, you shouldn't have been involved. Hell you weren't supposed to even know about it."
"But answer me this Robin-San," said Lee. "Had this entire tale remained covert, as you wish, would you have been able to finally put an end to the Order of Isis? And would have done so without us being any the wiser?" Robin considered it for a moment then shook his head with a grin.
"No, I guess not." Lee nodded and raised his glass once more.
"Then here's to secrets that should not be entirely kept. And to our General, Robin-San, one whom I would follow to whatever end." Starfire, Cyborg, Raven, and Beast Boy all did the same and uttered in unison.
"To General Robin!" The boy wonder hid his face bashfully.
"I'm honored. Thanks guys." The rest of the day progressed as normally as it could at Titans Tower. Cyborg received a message from Bumble Bee saying that in the time that they've been gone The Titans East had been looking after both Jump and Steel City. They could tell from the bags under her eyes that Bumble Bee had barely slept in a long while. They all apologized numerous times for being away for such a long time and eventually Bumble Bee bid them farewell. Starfire soon returned holding an array of flowers and pink hearts.
"Friends, I have discovered these in my dwelling."
"Here, let me help you with those." Said Raven. She encased the bouquets and hearts in a black aura and they vanished. "There problem solve."
"Thank you, but I was not displeased with them, only confused."
"What about Star?" asked Beast Boy. She pulled out a crumpled note from her pocket.
"This was left along with it." Beast Boy took it and they crowded around it. It red ink the words 'Mi amor Starfire, tu ese muy bonita!' Beast Boy looked up from the note with a perplexed brow. Robin came in whistling a small tune.
"Yo Robin, what's this mean." Cyborg pulled Robin over and gave him the note. Robin squinted at the words then let out a few amused chortles.
"I think two really fast Spanish kids have a crush on you Starfire."
"Yeah well she's taken," commented Beast Boy. Starfire's cheeks warmed up with color. Raven and Lee then began a game of chess while Cyborg and Beast Boy began a game of arguing over who had top priority over the game station. Robin observed the irritating yelling from them and the passive silence from Raven and Lee. He smiled and nodded.
"It's good to be home." He saw Starfire walk out of the common room and that she had a more than slightly downcast person about her. He followed her, careful not to immediately alert her to his presence. She was but a step away from her room. "Starfire?" She turned quickly but calmed when she saw it was the boy wonder.
"Oh, it is you Robin. You gave me a fright."
"Sorry."
"It is okay, may I be of assistance?"
"I just couldn't help but notice that something was nipping at you in some way." Starfire put on an unconvincing smile and shook her head.
"I assure you, I am not feeling 'the nip'. You need not be concerned Rob-" he put his hand up. She silenced instantly and he grinned suspiciously at her. Robin walked up to her and rubbed her shoulders.
"I think I know you better than that." She ducked her head down.
"Yes, indeed you do." He took her hand.
"How about a walk?"
--------
Robin and Starfire walked side by side along the shore that ran around the Titan's small island. Robin shoot quick glances toward her now and again, though she seemed content just looking at the ground.
"So, what's really troubling you?" There was a pause in her expressions.
"You died Robin," she stated plainly but sadly. Robin ran his hand through his hair.
"Well you know, Osiris liked to twist things around and manipulate us. It was probably a deep coma or something-"
"No Robin, you were dead." The definite tone in her voice told him not to argue. "And for a brief moment…so was I." Before Robin could answer Starfire had stopped walking and flung her arms around him.
"Starfire…"
"Please, don't ever die again. Once is one time too many."
"Can't predict the future Star." Starfire held him tighter.
"Perhaps not, but we can do our best yes?" Robin stroked her hair and smiled.
"Yeah I think we can." He pulled her forward and kissed her lovingly. They remained joined for a full five minuets before needing to catch their breaths. They parted and walked hand in hand.
"And you are certain we have indeed seen the last of the Order?" Robin bobbed his head in agreement.
"Those who aren't found and arrested will stay in hiding or either come to thier senses. You have to remember alot of their recruits were kids. Its easier to sway someone who is younger."
"I see, that is good to hear. I am just relieved all is back to normal."
"Me too and I was thinking, if you're not busy any time this week."
"Yesss?" she asked with sparkling eyes.
"If you'd like to do something, we me, that is…together." Starfire giggled.
"Did you have a particular outing in mind?" Robin draped an arm around her and smiled goofy grin.
"Well, I heard there was this great exhibit at the museum this week."
"Really?"
"Oh yeah, they're supposed to have the best Egyptian display from here to Steel city." Starfire pretended to think about it then scrunched up her nose adorably.
"I think we should, as you say, pass."
"I was hoping you'd say that," he said playfully. "So, how's a night at the movies sound to you?" Starfire then leaned in and let Robin do most of the walking.
"That sounds most wonderful." He nodded.
"Alright then, the movies it is." They turned and headed back up to their home. "I hear their running both 'The Mummy' and 'The Mummy Returns'."
"Robin you may stop now," she said while playfully hitting him. They laughed all the way in, little knowing that they were being watched by their four friends and teammates. The Teen Titans were finally home.
Here's to my longest lasting story ever. Even though only about two or three people read it, I'm glad those select few did. You guys are the greatest for reading it all the way through. And considering how long a break I took between ch.12 and 13, it gives new meaning to the word 'patience'. Thanks again and I hope you've all liked it. Laters!