The construction of the Tower of Titans was nearing completion. So was our agreement with Robin to work together. Although, right now, he seemed to be preoccupied with something else entirely... considering where his eyes were wandering and the soft smile he was giving Starfire. Maybe it wasn't love at first sight, but it was definitely lust. A small bridge led to the tiny island where they had settled. Against the backdrop of the city, right by the ocean, you could see their tower in the shape of the letter "T." They were training together now, as crime in the city had decreased significantly thanks to me and the Titans. Okay, okay, mostly thanks to me.
It was funny to watch the Young Titans team experience the difference in strength levels firsthand. Starfire was very strong and fast, and her skin could withstand a shot from a regular firearm at point-blank range without any serious consequences. Among her special abilities, she could fly and release green pulses or waves from her body using the sun's energy. She's not as strong as Superman when he's holding back, losing to him by about half. That is, her strength and agility ratings were around four hundred. Exactly the same as Asta's. However, even taking this into account, I don't think she could defeat Asta. The difference in abilities and experience is too great. But that's not the point right now.
Interesting fact. The bodies of the aliens were taken away by unknown men in black jackets and black glasses. Apparently, some organisation decided to take an interest in this race and their technology at my expense. I decided not to touch them because I didn't want to attract unnecessary attention. Besides, they weren't getting in my way. I already got the device that, in theory, opens a rift to the planet Tamaran, as stated in the device description, and that's something worth having...
I decided to let them know I was there. I came out of invisibility and raised my hand in a friendly gesture with a slight smile.
"Cory, hello! Are you having a good time?"
"Huh? Oh, Alex!" Starfire replied cheerfully, greeting me with surprise and a happy smile as she closed the distance between us. "Yes, it's quite fun here. How are you?"
"Me? Nothing special. Just decided to check in on you and your friends." Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the tension among the Young Titans and Robin's obvious discontent. Apparently, he clearly didn't want me spending time with his "future girlfriend."
"There's so much to see here! It's not like Tamaran at all." With a kind and infectious smile, she said, jumping slightly and hovering in the air, her gaze fixed on the distant ocean.
"How is it on Tamaran?
"The climate is different. It's very hot. And there's much more wildlife. I haven't had a chance to get to know all the creatures on your planet yet, but from what I can tell, most of them don't pose much of a threat to humans.
"So, the creatures there are very dangerous?
"Well... our race has learned to resist most of them, but some are quite dangerous," she replied with a slightly sad smile, evasively. Apparently, she didn't want to go into too much detail about her home because of recent events. Realising that it wasn't worth pursuing the subject of her home, I decided to change the subject. "Are you training?"
"I would call it more of a routine check of my abilities. I'm still afraid of hurting my new friends.
"I understand. What about me?"
"Alex, I don't want to sound rude, but I don't think you could hurt me. With a sad smile, she shrugged her shoulders. "But I could...
"Don't underestimate me. You've already seen me in action, haven't you? I helped you get rid of your pursuers and wasn't hurt at all.
"Yes... but... there were some strange warriors you summoned.
"Ah! I get it!" I hit my fist against my palm and pretended to be really surprised. "You think I'm very weak without them?"
"Um... yes?
"You know, Cory..." I almost stumbled over her full name. "Argh! Let's do this! It's pretty hard for me and your friends to call you that. You already know that in this world, some people give themselves nicknames, aliases, new names... Maybe you could choose one for yourself?
"Mmm. How about 'Starfire'?
That's pretty standard, right?
"Star Fire? That's a beautiful name. I like it." I smiled kindly with the corners of my lips, which elicited a response from her in the form of a sidelong glance. For just a couple of seconds, I thought I saw a hint of embarrassment on her orange skin. Probably just my imagination, but I'll keep it in mind.
"So, Starfire! Will you do me the honour of fighting me, or are you too cowardly to accept my challenge? I struck an inviting "aristocratic" pose.
"You accuse me of cowardice?! You'll regret this!
She accepted the challenge, judging by her haughty smile and cunning glance, and took up a standard fighting stance. In a blue haze, Talos recreated his dagger in reality and, in the next instant, swung it vertically with acceleration. She blocked the blow with her arm... or at least she tried, because the metal couldn't protect her from injury. Only thanks to her reaction and speed did she manage to throw her arm aside in surprise. The gesture was more like someone who had been burned.
"That's a warning. As a polite 'gentleman' or clichéd hero, I decided to engage in a little dialogue during sparring. I playfully spun my spectral dagger around the ring of the hilt with my index finger. "Don't worry, my abilities include healing all kinds of wounds and injuries sustained in battle, so try not to hold back. After all, it would be very embarrassing to lose without showing all your abilities...
I deliberately provoked her because I noticed a simple title in her status, "Warrior of Tamaran." I don't know what kind of warriors she has, but I figured that no real warrior would allow themselves to be mocked.
This time, she decided to start playing seriously with me, using all her abilities in this sparring match. She created a spherical green sphere from which a powerful beam of light emerged. I walked calmly towards her, simultaneously using the "Shift" ability, which allowed me to pass her attack through me and get closer. When I got close enough, an exact copy of me came out of my body with the "Record" ability, trying to reach her with a dagger thrust. This time, she realised that I was a threat to her in close combat and struck the ground with her fist, causing a spherical green sphere with sparks of electricity to appear for a second, dispelling my double, but that was only the beginning of my next act. Invisibly, I playfully passed by her, leaving small cuts and wounds. Her attempts to catch me at such moments were futile. After all, she could neither see nor feel me. She seemed to have good experience in hand-to-hand combat. If I were a typical power-type hand-to-hand fighter, I could have staged a "beautiful" battle between two titans, but alas, my tactics, methods, and style of fighting are not very pretty. Striking from the shadows, hitting weak spots, summoning immortal warriors who cannot die while I simply watch from the sidelines. That's me.
"Looks like this round is mine." At that moment, when she was exhausted, wounded and unable to continue this... "battle" normally, I was able to sneak up behind her unseen and put the blade of my dagger to her neck.
"Yeah, I had this feeling like I was fighting someone who wasn't there. Creepy," she rubbed her neck uncertainly.
"Well, that's one of my many little secrets," I shrugged and put away my dagger.
"You fought dirty...! That's not how real warriors or heroes fight in sparring!" Naive Beast Boy exclaimed indignantly, while Dick Grayson remained tense, his hands clenched into fists. I couldn't help but smile at the scene and decided to respond to the boy after all. And Corey seemed to want to add his two cents as well...
"Actually, I acted like a true warrior who respects his opponent. If I were a sentimental and naive fool who couldn't hit a woman, I would have stopped the sparring match as you saw it end, but instead I gave her the necessary 'experience' that will likely help her in the future to understand her mistake and come up with a countermeasure against such an opponent. Adaptation is the key to self-development, haven't you heard of that?
I call on Maria to heal Starfire's wounds.
"Um... Beastboy, right? I'm sorry, of course, but "Friend-Al" is right here. We Tamarians love fighting strong opponents. Some alien races that have contact with us in space consider us savages because of this trait, but unfortunately, without it, we would hardly have been able to adapt to the conditions of our planet. I don't feel any anger or hatred for losing this sparring match. After all, as Al said, we learn from our defeats and become better.
Argh...! She's so cute and pure! I could just kiss that naive, bright head! It's so nice to know that you can be understood so easily without any words. And yet... I couldn't resist and, when she finished speaking, I managed to hug her from behind without her noticing and rubbed my cheek against hers.
"Ooooh! Starfire, you're so good...! If you find a way to find me while I'm invisible, be sure to let me know! I want to test you more!
"Of course, and that gesture you're making now... is that part of your culture?
"Of course! It's an expression of joy and kindness towards someone you consider worthy of your attention!" I said as if it were self-evident and winked at Robin, whose veins bulged at his temples, but when he noticed my gesture, he first expressed confusion with his mask, and then realisation. I gave him a very important and obvious hint. I am more than sure that he will find a way to use her inexperience with the local culture to his advantage. Become friends first, and then...Although, despite Princess Tamarana's seemingly innocent and pure image, Starfire's status line indicates that she was married to three men from Tamarana and the status of their relationships suggests that they were all dead. Perhaps she was a very flighty person who fell in love easily? Perhaps it was because of her status as a princess that she was forced to marry them for political reasons, and as a result, these same husbands were killed one after the other, or...? In short, there are many theories. I just voiced the most likely ones. I would never dare to ask her about it, because I don't want to touch on such a personal topic. If she wants to, she will tell her friends or me about this part of her life herself.
A whole month passed in this peaceful manner after Starfire's arrival in Jump City. Cory became a pleasant living symbol of the team's heavy artillery and delicate flower. A strange combination, if you think about it, but some people sometimes looked at her not just as an alien from another planet, but as a pleasant female person. Starfire saw these glances and didn't think much of them. Most likely because only someone "strong," "kind," and "worthy" of her attention could touch her as... a woman. I also noticed that she could really use her naive, kind mask for her own needs. The twenty-year-old girl knew her worth and pretended to be stupid. I realised this when, as a true and responsible hero, I decided to take a well-deserved rest on the beach.
There you are, lying in a comfortable beach chair under dark glasses, enjoying the cool breeze, listening to the pleasant sounds of the ocean waves, when suddenly, levitating in the air, Starfire appears in an impressive purple swimsuit that leaves little to the imagination and naively asks:
"How's it going, Al?
"Um... fine? What are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be patrolling the city with your friends. I lowered my dark rectangular sunglasses slightly, because with my slanted eyes, no one could tell where I was looking.
"Well... Robin said that he and his team need to learn how to fight criminals without my help. After all, there may be situations where I can't be there to help.
"Ah, I see. They're learning to be independent, but you still haven't answered my question. Let me guess: you're bored?
"No, not at all!" I could have easily believed you if you hadn't stumbled over the first word and puffed out your cheeks like a real child. "I just wanted to see what the ritual of this simple action was all about! Hmph! That's right!
"Are you trying to convince me or yourself?" I ask myself, not expecting an answer, because everything was already clear.
"Okay, okay, you're very mature and responsible, and you didn't come here because you were bored. It was all for scientific interest, to better understand human culture," I say with obvious sarcasm.
"Yes! Exactly...!" — and she proudly places her hands on her waist, her impressive breasts swaying slightly. Okay, focus, even with my slanted eyes, it's not hard to guess where my attention is focused. "Stop!" — she guesses, frowning. "Are you mocking me right now?!"
"What are you...! I would never...!" — and unable to resist, I began to laugh lightly at the situation. Starfire couldn't keep her frown for long and also laughed a little at this silly situation. "You just wanted to take a break from all the hustle and bustle, right? After all, it's been a month since...
"Yes, time flies," she interrupted me mid-sentence, and I didn't dare say another word. The childlike and light-hearted atmosphere was immediately dispelled by my reminder of her home. "I really like this planet. Here, I feel like I can be at home. There are things I don't quite understand yet, but it's only a matter of time before I understand everything and adapt.
"Maybe. I carefully chose my words and decided to share my point of view on her situation. "You know, in this world there are people who live in constant motion. They may be called by different names, but the essence is that they live where their own path leads them. Despite this, these people still have their families and their original 'home' to which they can return. People simply choose for themselves whether they want to return or not. Or they cannot return for one reason or another.
"Like... for example... Alex?
"Fear of being rejected? Fear that they won't be welcome there, that they'll be unwanted. My truth is that this is all complete nonsense. - Starfire stared in surprise, not understanding. "If the home where you were born and raised, which loved and nurtured you as part of their family, then they will never in their lives be unhappy to see you return.
"Do you have a family, Alex...?
"I had one.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...My answer clearly upset her, and she had to awkwardly turn her head away. She probably thought she had touched on a very personal and unpleasant subject. I need to give a slightly vague explanation. The truth will only lead to a bunch of questions that I don't want to answer.
"It's okay. It wasn't a terrible tragedy. I just didn't have much of a choice. I had to either accept this life or accept the unknown." I shrugged.
"Thanks, Al. You helped me realise something important...
"Let me guess. Now you're going to go back home alone?
"How... how did you know that?!
"All this talk about family and home. You really think I can't put two and two together?
"Um... isn't it obvious? It'll be obvious, Four.
"It was just a comparison, Star. I meant it was predictable.
"Ugh...! I don't want to be predictable! It makes me look stupid...!
"There's a little," I reply sarcastically in my mind.
"But no less cute. - I shrug and, at the same time as the words leave my mouth, materialise a device for opening a portal to the planet Tamaran. It resembles a black wristband with a rectangular screen.
"That's...!
"Yeah, the thing that will literally take you home in a couple of minutes, where you will of course be welcomed with open arms...
I didn't hide my sarcasm, and this time Starfire immediately sensed it.
"Before you do what you're planning, I have just one question for you. What will you do when you get back home?
"...I don't want to endanger my new friends. I don't want this to have terrible consequences. I... was happy to meet you and everyone else, but I just have to give up." A sad smile scraped unpleasantly at her heart.
"Haah... I'm so disappointed, Koriander, princess of the planet Tamaran and rightful heir to the throne. Where is your feisty warrior spirit? Where is your honour? Are you really willing to give up just because you're afraid of the consequences? Then forget about me giving you this device. The only way you'll get it is by taking it from my cold hands.
"Then what do you suggest?! The entire planet considers me a murderer...!
"Everyone...?" Even those who considered you a friend and family? Do you think they believed your sister's lies so easily? You were so devastated by your father's death that you couldn't see the simple truth. If you're not guilty of anything, then there's no reason for you to be punished or die for it.
"When I entered his chambers, there were witnesses...
"And so...? You yourself said that it was your sister who usurped the throne. She was the one who accused you. So what do we need? Right, we need to somehow obtain proof of your innocence and her conspiracy.
"How?!
"Argh!!! So many stupid questions, Star! If I'm talking to you about this, doesn't that mean I have a plan? Would I just keep something like this and show it to you without having a plan in mind?
Actually, I only came up with it yesterday, but she doesn't need to know that.
"Will you... help me?
"Didn't I say I would help you before? I don't go back on my word. That's the kind of person I am." I shrugged.
"Okay, Alex, I believe you." She smiled kindly, walked around me and kissed me on the cheek in a friendly manner. "You know... if you really can help me with... all this, I'll repay you with something much greater.
Relationship with Corian'd/Starfire - +150 [Total: 200] (Not indifferent)
New Event Thread Launched! "Civil War on Tamaran"
On the planet Tamaran, there has been a usurpation of the throne, during which Koriand'r/Starfire became an outcast and a traitor. Help the heroine clear her name and regain her rightful throne!
Reward: "Mana Core" - A rare artefact capable of storing up to 10,000 mana. Can be used to enhance spells. Mana regeneration/transfer. You can discover the other abilities for yourself. Your reputation with Starfire will always remain positive. The only exceptions will be actions that contradict Starfire's morals.
Failure: The rulers of Tamaran will declare war on the traitor's accomplices, which will lead to a planetary war.
These are unpleasant consequences, of course, but entirely expected. After all, if we really fail to expose the true traitor, the Tamaran will have no choice but to declare war on Earth. The main thing is not to mention this to Starfire out loud. Although, she probably already knows...
"I'm not helping you because you're pretty. — I clearly lied here. — I'm just bored.
"Oh...? So staging a civil coup on the planet Tamaran is nothing to you? Like eating a breakfast of Kar'Sun'Dar meat?
"If your 'Kar'Sun'Dar' is some kind of dangerous predator, then you can think of it that way. Instead of waiting for trouble to find me, I just go looking for it.
"That's... a rather carefree attitude to life."What's the point of living in constant fear and doubt?
"Although, when you look at it that way. Even though you look my age, you sometimes seem much older to me.
"No, unfortunately, I'm younger than you. I just successfully pretend that I'm older, wiser and smarter than some adults..." I replied to her again in my mind and just smiled at her words.
"I think if you really want to solve this 'big' problem, we'll need all the help we can get." I noticed that she was about to object to this, and without letting her get a word in, I raised my hand. It was a simple gesture to let me finish. "I understand that it's quite dangerous, but the two of us may not be enough.
Here I lied again. I was a Man Army and could use my spirit knights, mages, and heroes to wreak havoc in the capital city of Tamaran, but I didn't want it to happen that way, because my actions would be seen as an open declaration of war. Violence cannot always solve all problems. Some might say that the strong have the right to change everything, but in this situation, brute force alone would not be enough. Political intrigues and Starfire's position as a traitor and renegade already make us villains in the eyes of the inhabitants of the planet Tamaran. My open hostilities would only confirm their fears. That is precisely why I must play the game and create an image of myself as a minor figure. In the end, I will be the one who reveals all the cards.
"We will give your friends a choice. If any of them doubt your story, if anyone is unwilling to risk their life for you and help resolve this... terrible injustice, we will not force them, and we will indeed go only as a trio.
"You promise...?
"About what?
I don't quite understand what she's talking about.
"You promise you won't force them?
"Stop, stop, stop! When did I suddenly become a terrible evil demon?!
"Well... Robin said you killed people and that you can't be trusted.
"Ah! 'Robin' said. How sweet of him! So what? Does that mean I'm capable of killing someone for no good reason?
"Even though you did help me back then, I still don't know you very well. Are you offended? I am a warrior of my planet, and because of that, our people sometimes have... disagreements that don't always end well.
"Is that how it is...? So Tamaranka has already killed someone. Most likely, she was attacked by murderers as a child. After all, I learned from her that their civilisation is a version of our Middle Ages. Only the swords are plasma swords, and flying machines replace horses.
"No, I am grateful to you for your revelation and do not hold a grudge for suspecting my... intentions. All you need to know about my work is that these people deserve it. Sometimes there are things I cannot forgive. I cannot accept. This is how I break the vicious cycle. Don't worry, I won't touch your sister, because that is your right.
"Yes... I... I need to talk to her.
"What if she doesn't want to listen?
"Then... I'll do what needs to be done. For Tamaran.
"No, Starfire, you're not doing this for your home, you're doing this for yourself. Be honest with your feelings.
"You said 'the three of us'. Has anyone else agreed to come with us...?
"Yes, I have a friend who probably won't refuse to get out of the house. Especially now that she doesn't have much to do. She's busy with some 'contract' or other. After all, the best she can do is kill 'bad' guys for money.
I had been secretly following Rose Wilson's movements. I was worried and concerned about her fate because I cared about her due to our similarities. One of the League of Shadows' informants gave me the latest information that she had returned from her last contract and was now somewhere in Canada. I think I should send her a message. I'm sure it will do her good...
Interlude.
"Rose Wilson... Who are you really?" the girl asked herself in the bathroom, completely naked in front of the mirror, lightly touching her face near the vertical scar where her left eye used to be. So much time had passed since the day she decided to stop chasing her father's shadow. True, even though she had stopped chasing him, it seemed to her that he was always with her. Inside her. His... legacy.
She didn't take Alex's words to heart and didn't try to create a new life for herself. She simply decided to return to her original job, not because she wanted to be like her father, Defstrok, but for herself. She felt it in her heart, that feeling... of rightness. If before she had pursued an unattainable dream and the illusion of her father's comfort, now she protected those who asked for it, killed those who killed without remorse, and sometimes even tortured those who disgusted her with a smile on her lips...
A flash.The remains of an eight-year-old girl's body were scattered across the floor. Gnawed down to the bare bones. Photographs of the girl were everywhere in the basement of this deranged stalker, and in this basement. He was caught just as he was cleaning up the "bones." The rapist had done his job and decided to "hide" the evidence by destroying it with his own two adult, hungry Dobermans.
If only she had been there sooner! She would have saved her! She would have killed that bastard in a matter of seconds! She would have given her the chance to live the life she never had!!!
Rose tied him to a chair in the very basement where he had committed his serial murders. She taped his mouth shut because she didn't want to hear a word out of him. She held the blades of two double-edged swords to his throat, and all she needed was a moment to end his miserable life and carry out his well-deserved punishment.
"No, it's too easy for you..." she said quietly and calmly.
The blades of the swords returned to their sheaths behind her back. She kicked his chair, and his body fell to the floor like a sack. She walked slowly towards the exit, took a standard Beretta pistol with a silencer from her belt and fired two precise shots at the locks of his own dogs' cages. They initially rushed forward aggressively to punish the intruder, but she simply closed the door behind her. And she waited until his dogs devoured him in his own basement. She wanted him to remember every last moment of his life, to feel fear and helplessness before his "loyal" dogs tore him to pieces. Just as they had done to his victims.
She only interrupted herself occasionally to watch his television, raid his food supplies, or just sit on the sofa staring blankly at the ceiling. She wasn't worried about the neighbours or anyone who knew her target, as she had obtained detailed information about his crimes. Every time he took a holiday, he cut himself off from the outside world. Rose Wilson couldn't sleep. She didn't want to miss the moment when it happened...
She waited patiently for forty-nine hours and forty-three minutes in his apartment and finally, with her heightened hearing, she could hear the slurping, splashing and tearing of flesh. Slowly, she quietly opened the basement door a crack and saw... the toothy jaws of dogs tearing the rapist to pieces.
"Is this justice...?"
She was brought back to reality by the sound of a voice message on her phone. In it, Alex invited her to visit some planet to help a princess. It sounded very silly and abnormal, but despite this, she listened calmly and decided to go right away. Just in case, she put a folding sniper rifle with a silencer and a couple of magazines, a pistol, a knife and swords into a large bag. She put on a black jacket with a white skull on the back, matching trousers and boots, and tied her ash-coloured hair into a long ponytail. She slung the heavy bag over her shoulder and headed to a friend in the Organisation to be taken to the meeting point.
Still, she really couldn't wait to see him again after so much time apart. She didn't care what the reason was or under what circumstances it would happen. She was ready to follow him even to hell itself if he asked her to. After all, he was the man who had helped her find her own way in this world. He had taught her to choose and live the way she wanted to. Isn't that enough to feel such a sense of duty and loyalty...?
***
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