Here's my new story, go easy on me alright it's my first one like this. Hope you like it. Tell me please. Also things said in the beginning might not make much sense but just about everything is explained later. Language translations are in parenthesis.
The story basically starts off ten years in the future and where Robin is now. Enjoy the begining!
Chapter One
Titans Parted
The air was cold and thick with an atmosphere of ominous foreboding. The lamps lighting a street in the city of Hamburg, could barely be seen through the dense fog that covered the streets. Germany was one of hundreds of nations to fall to the grip of Hominis Nocturna, more commonly known as vampires. The open streets once walked by humans were now some of most dangerous places to be during nightfall. And though the warning was known well among the surviving humans, a lone young girl carrying a bundle braved the darkened roads and alleyways. Carefully looking around corners she quickly tip toed her way back to her safe house, which was at the other end of the next two blocks.
As she walked three pairs of eyes watched her from atop the roof of a gas station. They nudged each other and snickered in anticipation. She passed them by and in the blink of an eye they had left their perch. Breathing hard, she moved along only thinking of the warm comfort of being home again. A shuffling noise behind her made her spin around and check her backside. She saw no one. She cast a suspicious glance at the darkness behind her and continued on. Another noise behind her prompted her to abandon her stealthy ways and simply start running. A crash off to her side startled so that she gasped and dropped her bundle. Loafs of bread bounced about in various directions and she froze. For the longest of moments she simply stood in place, praying they didn't hear the noises. Very slowly she picked up the first loaf and tucked it away into the apron-like front she had on. She then proceeded to pick up the rest of them one at a time. Noticing that she was one short she looked about until she spotted it at the entrance of another alley. She bent down to pick it up and upon straightening up was met by an evil grin.
"Guten abend fräulein," (Good evening miss). He hissed his words making her recoil in pure abject terror. She turned to run but ran right into his buddy. He misled showing her his two fangs. "Was ist falsch? Scare wir Sie?" (What's wrong? Do we scare you?). Tears moved down her face as the third joined in. He ran up behind her and pushed her forward. They laughed at her expense as they pushed her about back and forth between them.
"Ich bin hungriges James" (I'm hungry James), said one not taking his eyes off the girl. "Jetzt als wir essen?" (Now when do we eat?).
The girl sobbed; "Bitte, bitte lassen mich alien." (Please, please leave me alone). The lead boy licked his fangs and stroked her hair.
"Nicht furcht," (Don't fear). He took hold of her face and forced her to look up at him. As soon as she locked gazes with him her eyes glazed over and her arms went limp. "Nicht furcht…ich," (Don't fear…me). He glanced up at his friends telling them to wait their turn. He moved her limping head aside and found the pulsing vein along her neck. With a smell of her skin he opened his mouth and awaited her taste.
"Spielen mit ihrer nahrung?" (Playing with your food?) He looked up from her and saw a lone figure standing at the end of the street. His face was hidden behind a ninjitsu style mask. The vampire handed the girl off to his companion and walked closer to the figure.
"Wer sind Sie?" (Who are you?) The figure drew a sword forged from the days of feudal Japan.
"See for yourself," he answered. He swiftly twisted the sword so that the broadside of the blade was showing. The vampire's eyes widened as the form of a raging dragon was etched on the blade. He snickered.
"So, you are the infamous slayer i have heard so much about. You are the Dragon?" He stayed silent. "Just what are you doing here in our humble town? Interrupting our evening meal?"
"Let the girl go."
"Or what?"
"Or you will be the first among the three of you to die tonight." They all laughed out loud at the Dragon's remark.
"You've made a mistake Dragon, and now I will make you pay for it." The swordsman's eyes narrowed.
"Please do." Moving at lightning speed the vampire zigzagged about trying to throw him off balance. Already knowing his plan, the swordsman twirled his sword about and pointed it behind him. The vampire ran right into the point running himself through. More surprised than in pain he lived only for a short moment before turning to ash and crumbling to the ground. "Who's next?" The remaining two looked at each other and abandoned the girl. Their shadows disappeared down the street as the swordsman approached her. He removed his mask and the aged face of the renowned boy wonder shown in the lamp light. He propped her against the wall and patted her on the cheek. She blinked out of her trance and upon doing so gasped and made an attempt to run.
"Nein, ruhe unten." (No, calm down). "Calm down, it's alright." The one formerly known as Robin cupped her face in his hands. "Shhhh, it's alright." He wiped away her tears and brushed her hair out of her face. "It's over now." Robin reached inside a pocket and pulled out a small crucifix on a silver chain. "Listen, this isn't just for protection. Pray with it, and you'll find some comfort." She took it and nodded.
"Th-thank you, thank you." She said trying to remember the words. He helped her up.
"Die weise sollte klar sein. Gehen sie auf haus so schnell, wie sie können." (The way should be clear. Go on home as fast as you can). She kissed his hand and promptly sped off down the road. Robin sighed and walked back down the street in the opposite direction. He moved in the shadows to avoid being readily seen. He took out an ear piece and after sticking in his ear tapped it. "Cyborg…"
Elsewhere the half man half machine, Cyborg, picked up the call and popped a few peanuts in his mouth. "I'm here, what's up?"
"I'm just leaving Hamburg." Cyborg sat up straight.
"You are? How'd it go? What happened?" Robin furrowed his brow in irritation.
"Lead was a dead end Cyborg. Just a couple of punks looking for a midnight snack."
"Well you know they're actually just sightings and not really what you'd call 'leads'. Besides I told you not to get too worked up about this one as the last twenty-five were just as far out there."
"I don't really need that right now Cyborg. Just tell me where the next sighting is." Cyborg shook his head.
"You've been gone for two weeks on your hunt. You need to come on back and chill for a while."
"That's nice Cyborg, but it can't be helped. I need to find her."
"Well your not gonna if you suddenly pass out because you haven't had a wink of sleep in days. Call it a night Rob." Robin leant against a wall and allowed a passing group of vampires to move by him. They did and Robin looked in both directions.
"Remember the time when you used to come along on these hunts?"
"I try not to, waste of time if you ask me."
"Why do you say that?"
"We're not the rulers of the world anymore Rob, they are. How can slaying two or three a day take down a population of millions? One that's rapidly growing by the way." Robin situated himself into a small crevice as the group seemed to be coming back for some unknown reason.
"Tell you what Cyborg; I'll have to answer that a little later. I've got company." He pulled the ear piece out and hid himself just as the party reached him. He carefully pulled out a dagger. They group of six had obviously heard something from the fight earlier and had come out to take a look. Not sure if he had the strength to take all of them Robin began to brood on how right Cyborg was. He was in need of rest. As they looked about the general area Robin's mind began to wander.
'I sure wish you were here Star.' He ducked lower as they moved aside some garbage cans near him. 'Damn, I didn't come this far to slip up. I'll fight them if I have to. I just wish you were here.' Robin dared to take a peek and saw that they were moving away. He let out a sigh of relief and found an alternate way out of hiding place.
ROME………
Cyborg heard four evenly spaced knocks on the door and readied his sonic cannon. He took the doorknob with one hand and held up his weapon at the ready. He opened it and found Robin standing there in the rain.
"I'm not getting any dryer Cyborg." Cyborg chuckled and moved aside.
"Well now that I know your not some door to door salesman I suppose you can set a spell." Robin stepped inside and took off his coat. After hooking it up on the rack he poured himself a small glass of whiskey to get a small amount warmth back.
"Glad you decided to come on back."
"Well lets just say a got a tiny wake up call and figured I should hit the sack for at least an hour, before I hit the 'trail' again. Just for a while though, I gotta head back out again." Cyborg snapped his fingers and pulled up a page on his laptop.
"Speaking of which, while you were gone I got some pretty interesting mail." Robin stepped up behind Cyborg. He finished re-reading it and sat back. "I think we might have found her Rob." Robin stepped closer and set his glass down.
"Are you sure, you actually found Nightingale?"
"Well it seems a fairly strong female vampire has planted her flag in a small village in the highlands of Scotland. Apparently she's stated that the village was now a piece of her territory, which just for the sake of mentioning, now stretches from there to Spain and France. So if whoever sent out this distress call told us the right stuff then…"
"Then she must be a Sovereign," said Robin. He dashed into another room and began throwing things into various bags and pouches. Cyborg leaned back in his chair to look in the room Robin went in.
"Robin?"
"Pack your things Cyborg, we're off to Scotland." Cyborg stood up.
"Why are you so hell bent on hunting this one vampire?" Robin closed a suitcase and looked up at him.
"Because she can tell me where to find Starfire. If the rumors are true and nothing has happened since I heard them, I have a chance to fine her."
"It's been ten years Rob."
"That doesn't matter to me, I'll make Nightingale talk and I'll finally find Starfire."
"Think about what your saying though man. Nightingale is a Sovereign, the only female one I might add. While you're at it you might as well take on the rest of the Nocturna Council."
"We already talked about that Cyborg. We take them down one at a time, and eventually they'll all fall. But for now, Starfire is the only one I'm worried about. Now are you coming with me or not?" Cyborg mouthed wordlessly and Robin began moving outside.
"Rob wait." He turned back and Cyborg grabbed something off the desk.
"We're gonna get are assess lost without our GPS." Robin smiled as Cyborg shook his head. "I mean what were you thinking?"
"I don't know, I guess I was in too much of hurry.' They laughed and got the rest of their things together.
TEN YEARS EARLIER………………..
The common room of Titans Tower was completely empty, not one sign of life floated about its halls or rooms. The door then slid open and in walked Raven, Robin, Beast Boy, and Cyborg single file in that order. While his friends set to their usual post-crime fighting activities Robin double checked the mission reports. Now sure that there was indeed no more commotion, for the moment, he looked about the room quizzically.
"Hey guys, where's Starfire?"
"She was right behind me," said Cyborg from the fridge. "She must be still outside." Robin jogged up to the large window and saw the Tamaranian princess down below. She walked about the small grassy plain breathing in the ocean air with a smile. She spread her arms out wanting to catch the wind and sail away with Ro-
"Starfire?" She dropped her arms and spun around.
"Oh, hello Robin." He walked up to her.
"What are you doing out here?"
"Oh well I was just a little more fatigued after out battle than usual and elected to stay out here for a moment. Is the city in need of us again?"
"No it's fine, I just wanted to make sure you were..were okay." He moved his jaw about to keep his face from getting red. Starfire tilted her head at this but smiled and took his hand.
"Will you not enjoy the scenery with me?" Robin only chuckled and beckoned her to lead on. They hand in hand though in silence. Above them two Titans kept a close and watchful perch. Cyborg and Beast Boy snickered now and again at Robin's closeness to Starfire. They were so absorbed in spying on them that they didn't notice Raven settle down beside them.
"Having fun?"
"WHOA!" They both jumped and shouted in unison. Raven moved her unamused eyes from them to Robin and Starfire.
"They're happy together. What sick pleasure do you two get out of watching it? With a bowl of popcorn no less." Cyborg and Beast Boy looked at each other then shrugged their shoulders at her.
"Because its fun, plus Rob's never gonna have the guts to tell Star exactly how he feels. So it's very much like watching a dog chase its tail." Beast Boy burst out laughing and rolled around on the ground. Raven stood up with a scolding look.
"I can sense it from both of them, love, it will come out when it's ready."
"Whatever, but while we're waiting for it to come out you want some popcorn or what?" He held up the almost empty. Raven rolled her eyes and walked away. Down below Robin walked alongside Starfire trying to muster up the courage to do just was Raven had said. 'Come on former Batman sidekick, you can do this. What's the worst that could happen? She could totally freak out and fly away,' he answered himself.
"Starfire?" She looked at him and he felt stunned by her eyes.
"Yes?"
"Uhh…um…Starfire I just wanted to say that…uh that….." Starfire continued to stare at him. "That your…hair looks..very red today." He mentally beat himself over the head but Starfire bowed her head with a blushing smile.
"Thank you Robin, you are looking very...groomed yourself." The atmosphere became, if possible, even more awkward when Robin allowed himself to give her hand an affectionate squeeze. Sensing that something might be wrong Starfire removed her hand from Robin's grasp. "I am rested now, thank you for walking with me Robin.' She glided up to her window and closed it behind her. Robin watched after with a dopey smile.
"Your welcome…Starfire."
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Nighttime fell over the ocean and their tower was consumed in the moonlight. It had been hours since Robin had come in and faced twenty minuets of teasing from his Titan colleagues. Starfire had eaten her dinner without saying a word then retired to her room. She fell into slumber rather easily that night, either from the intense battle they fought that day or something else. In any case, Starfire lay on her bed sleeping soundly with a dreamy sigh here and there. Then a bright flash and a loud boom woke her with a start. She sat up and immediately went to her window. She squinted her eyes trying to see where it had come from but was blinded by not one but three more flashes. She covered her eyes and when she could look saw that they were large projectiles. She heard her door open and Robin leapt inside.
"Starfire."
"Robin what is happening?"
"Come on Star, we're going." She quickly dashed into her closet and began throwing on her uniform. Robin observed the action from her window then returned to the doorway. Starfire emerged in her Titan attire and joined Robin. They ran (or flew) down the halls until they met up with the others. Beast Boy rubbed his eyes while yawning.
"Would anyone like to tell me just what is going on?" Again Robin avoided the question and only herded them further. They all stopped dead when another series of explosions was heard.
"We need to get to the docks."
"I've got just the thing," said Cyborg. They all field out through the double doors and began making their way down the grassy hill. Starfire finally caught sight of the city ahead of them and did a double take. She covered her mouth and gasped. Smoke was rising high into the night sky as Jump City was in flames. Form out of nowhere flaming projectiles would rain down on various parts of the city. Captured by the sight Starfire remained firmly rooted on the spot until Robin took her hand and jerked her back to reality.
"Starfire we have to keep moving!" Wide eyed she followed him without question and they boarded a speed boat undoubtedly designed by Cyborg himself. As Cyborg piloted the boat along the water Starfire, Raven, and Beast Boy got Robin's attention.
"Care to explain now!" Raven shouted over the rushing water and the boat's engine.
"I'm not sure! But whatever it is it's happening all over the world. I caught a glimpse of it on the news! Right now they're saying someone or something has begun a massive world wide siege!"
"Why!" shouted Beast Boy.
"I don't know! But we need to get away as fast as we can!" They traveled on for few more minuets. Cyborg would move about to try and avoid the falling projectiles. He finally reached the docks and seemed to be one of the few boats trying to come in, many pushed and shoved to leave on their own vessel or steal another's. The five Titans wasted no time in disembarking and making their way toward the subway.
"Where are we going!" asked Cyborg.
"The trains still work! But we don't know for how long, we have to leave now while we still can!" It was utter chaos in the streets of Jump City. Buildings and houses alike were consumed by the fires and collapsed on passing citizens. A man running alongside Starfire was suddenly grabbed around the neck. Feeling the need to help Starfire turned to offer her assistance and screamed out loud. The man's assailant had dug his teeth into the man's neck. He dropped the twitching man and advanced toward Starfire. Robin jumped out of nowhere and knocked him in the head with a swing of his staff. As soon as he was on the ground Robin took Starfire's hand/ He pulled her through the panicking crowd toward the train station.
"Robin where are the others!"
"I don't know! I had to break off from them to just a second ago! We can only hope they've already left!" Starfire tried to keep up with Robin's speed but the jostling crowd around her bumped her about. She felt her hand slipping out of Robin's.
"Robin! I am slipping!" He looked back frantically.
"Just hold on! We're almost there!" Starfire gritted her teeth trying to hold on. A large man moved past her and nudged her just enough to break Robin's hold on her. In the longest split second of his life Robin's breath caught and turned around. Starfire stretched her hands out trying to grab onto him again. A great ball of flame touched down near him and Robin's world became a silenced blur. He moved about in slow motion, pushing past every person that got in his way. 'I'm coming Star!' His thoughts screamed out loud. Frightened from the moment she woke Starfire stared after him as she was being moved away from him by the current of the passing mob. Robin then spotted a fiery piece of wood dangling from a burning building. Just as Starfire moved beneath it fell and hit off the side of the head. She fell to the ground unconscious.
"STARFIRE!" Robin could only fight a futile battle against the impenetrable rabble before him. A few passers by spotted Starfire and one man picked her up. Robin vaguely heard something about getting her out of there. The man hoisted Starfire over his shoulder and her head rolled about limply. "STARRRRFIRE!" Robin pushed, shoved, and punched his way past three people only to be blocked each time by another five. Robin stretched his arm out to her as she moved further and further away. Soon his screaming her name was muffled out completely by the screams and shouts of others. Just before Robin was pushed down into the subway the man carrying Starfire rounded a corner and she was gone.
BACK TO THE PRESENT………………..
Robin and Cyborg traveled as covertly as they possibly could only a refugee transport sailing across the ocean. His head was covered by a hood and he closed his coat around himself to block out the cold air. Looking about to make sure no snooping eyes were about Robin removed a worn and faded picture of the alien red head from those years ago.
"I'm gonna find you Starfire. If it's the last thing I ever do."
Againg if your confused about any of this, don't worry all will be explained at some point in the near future. Well I don't know about everyone else but I'm pretty happy with the way that started. I am a slow writer, I mean I thought of this story months ago and only just now got around to it. Well if you liked it I hope you stick with it. Laters!