A Tameranean's Raven

Crisis At Home (Part 1)

It wasn't difficult to repair the relationship on Raven's end, Starfire was a very forgiving person, but it still took time. In a way it was nice. It was like going on first dates all over again without any of the awkward moments that had happened. There weren't any long pauses filled with silence that neither of them knew how to break.
Instead, silence was comfortable now and Starfire didn't have to talk for Raven to know what was on her mind. She could sense the Tamereanean's anxiety. It hung around the taller girl like a blooming cloud of rain.
"You've been talking about your home a lot," Raven noted, as they walked hand in hand down the city streets. "Do you miss it?"
"Yes," Starfire nodded, her face scrunching up in thought for a moment. Her lips parted as if she wanted to say more, before she gave a firm swallow and kept quiet.
"You know you can tell me anything right?  I mean, I was a weird demon lady based on one of the seven deadly sins for a solid couple of days. I don't think anything you say can be worse than that," Raven teased, nudging her partner and earning a tiny smile.
"I've been having strange dreams lately," Starfire admitted, her green eyes taking on a distant look.
"About what?" Raven frowned. She knew the boys didn't put much thought behind dreams, but she knew the power they possessed. Dreams were a form of communication that'd existed from the beginning of time. There were always elements of truth to them you just had to figure out what that truth was.
"My home planet being in danger. We are not the only ones to exist outside of the earthly solar system. Other people do not cherish my family's rule and seek to break alliances for political gain. Others take us as weak for our more peaceful nature. We draw in aggressive forces." Starfire slowed her pace in their walk, and Raven changed up her stride to keep pace. "There is war when I do the dreaming."
"Is it Drethnax again? I swear, that whole thing was such a headache. Don't even get me started on your sister," Raven sighed, her features shifting into a frown.
"No it is not Drethnax or the Gordanians, thankfully. My people expelled them and kept them away thanks to Galfore's diligence. It is something different. Someone I do not recognize," Starfire explained, biting anxiously at her thumbnail as her brilliant green eyes dulled in color. The hand that held Raven's tightened ever so slightly.
"Can you contact Galfore?" Raven inquired, aware of the tears pricking at the edges of Starfire's eyes.
"I have tried and he has not answered. I fear something awful has happened to him," Starfire admitted, her voice soft and fragile, nearly lost in the sound of city traffic.
"Then go home. Check on things. Make sure everything is as it should be. The boys will understand. We can manage without you," Raven assured, tucking a stray peace of hair behind Starfire's ear. "If there is something wrong you can reach us and we'll come help."
"I cannot ask that of y-"
"You're not asking, I'm telling," Raven winked, earning a tiny smile in return. "Go on. I can make it back to the tower on my own. Just, try not to be too obvious about the flying."
"Have I not told you that you are the best?" Starfire asked, a sigh of relief escaping her before she firmly kissed the half demon and ran off out of sight. Rolling her eyes, Raven tucked her hands in her pockets and ventured back to the tower alone.
The boys were reasonably confused about Starfire's absence until Raven explained the situation. Once they understood the reasoning behind Starfire's absence they returned to their activities. Gar was playing some sort of game centered on Batman much to Dick's chagrin.
"Dude it's literally right there!" Dick cried out, pointing irritatedly at the large tv screen.
"What are you talking about?" Gar asked, moving his computer generated version of Batman around the screen. "There's now way out of here. There's no vent."
"Yes there is. Look up!" Dick sighed, looking like he wanted to snatch the controller away from Gar the moment he wasn't looking.
"I'm looking up! I don't see anything!"
"Let me see the controller."
"No! I'm gonna find it on my own."
"Look, Gar, you can't be this dumb. Are you blind? IT'S RIGHT THERE!"
After ten more minutes of arguing, the secret vent was finally found where Dick had spotted it ages before.
"Oooooh! That vent," Gar laughed, grappling up to it.
"You mean you saw it this whole time?" Cyborg asked, his expression dumbfounded.
"Yeah, but it didn't look big enough for me to fit through. Batman isn't thin. He's a beefcake of a man!" Gar noted, leaning back on the couch and kicking up his feet.
"Please, never say that about my dad again," Dick winced.
Raven sat watching them argue with quite a bit of amusement. Despite how long they'd all been friends not much had changed. They were still the same people at their core. It was comforting to know.
"Gar, it's a stealth mission. Read the bottom right," Raven warned, watching as Gar barreled out of the vent only to be shot by a million guns at once.
"Why would they make it such small font? How is anyone supposed to read that?" Gar asked, his frown only worsening with the death screen's appearance.
"Raven read it and she's halfway to the kitchen," Cyborg laughed, running a hand down his face. "Jesus man, how do you have any sort of high score on our games?"
"Because I'm fantastic at street fighter." Gar winked, restarting the mission.
The boys continued to play their game for the rest of the night with Raven offering occasional advice that usually proved to be helpful. She had a knack for noticing hidden items and equipment. The boys claimed her real super power was expert eyesight but she'd actually just taken a liking to 'I Spy' books when she was younger and could get ahold of them.
Things were quite simple up until everyone was away in their rooms and sound asleep. Raven only stirred when an annoying beep alerted her to the circular yellow and black communication device on her nightstand. With a groan, she took it and sat up in bed.
"Dick, I swear you better not have just called me when you can knock on my-"
"Raven?" The moment Starfire's voice cut through on the other end, Raven stopped talking. "Can you hear me? I do not know if the radio of waves will reach-"
"Yeah I hear you," Raven interrupted.
"Oh how splendid," Starfire sighed, her voice dropping in pitch. "I need you to do the research for me."
"Sure, what on? Is everything okay?" Raven frowned, flicking on her bedroom light and venturing to her bookcase. She didn't have a lot to do with Aliens but maybe she'd get lucky and have what Starfire needed.
"No, everything is not okay. My people are in danger. Galfore has been imprisoned and there is a strange enemy gathering at the perimeters of my planet. I was hoping you could tell me who they are," Starfire pleaded, a bit of fear hidden in her voice.
"Yeah I can do that. Tell me what you need." Raven listened intently as Starfire described the strange alien race that had touched down on her planet. The other species was shorter in size, with large bat like ears, long tongues, fangs, yellowish orange skin, and shovel sized hands. Flicking through a series of books, Raven flinched at the sound of something loud sounding in the background. "It looks like they're a sub species of Kroloteans. Their technology is really advanced based on what's been documented. There's a good chance that whatever weapons they have can wipe your planet out in a heartbeat."
"Oh...that is comforting," Starfire winced.
"You'll have time though. Large weapons take a while to draw energy. Let me wake the boys and we'll be on our way," Raven promised, snapping the book shut and placing it in its designated location.
"You will not be able to enter the atmosphere going unnoticed. Cyborg's cloaking technology is no-"
"I can help with that. Trust me. Figure out where Galfore is in the meantime. I love you, be safe." With that, Raven ended the call and made her way to each of the boys' rooms to wake them up. At first they were quite upset until everyone was gathered in the hallway and she explained the situation. Immediately any sort of irritation vanished.
"Why does everyone hate Tamaran?" Gar asked, grabbing his suit and racing to the elevator to get to the landing pad on the roof.
"Hell if I know," Dick shrugged, following close behind.
"Cy, just so you know, the cloaking for the ship isn't going to be strong enough to hide us on the Krolotean's radar. I'll have to help when we get close enough. I can phase us in. Just tell me when," Raven warned, phasing through the floor and leaving Cyborg behind.
Once everyone was situated on the space ship, they entered the atmosphere with relative ease. Robin informed Titans East that they would be in charge of all Jump City for the time being. It would be a lot of work, but Starfire was important. Thankfully, Aqualad understood and promised to up his patrols.
"So, who exactly are the aliens we're supposed to fight?" Gar asked, adjusting his headset.
"From what I know, which isn't a lot, they target planets for test subjects. The Kroloteans do research both biological, biochemical, and more. It aids their conquests. They send out expeditionary forces to locate planets they can capture and experiment on. Unfortunately, they located Tamaran," Raven explained, keeping her eyes on the dark horizon.
"What about Galfore?" Dick asked, "He was Grand Ruler last time we were here."
"Star said he's been imprisoned somewhere. I told her to figure out where and we can help." Silence settled over the group for a moment.
"Look, I hate to be that guy, but what if Galfore isn't alive anymore?" Cyborg asked.
"We better hope he is," Dick frowned, "or we're going to have a lot to deal with once we get Star back. There's no way she'll let her sister take the throne after last time. Maybe Blackfire's on a good streak right now but I doubt that'll last. If we win and Galfore's gone, she's the only one who can rightfully rule over Tamaran."
"Sheesh that would suck for you wouldn't it Raven?" Gar asked before realizing what he'd said and muttering an apology.
"You called Batman a beef cake Gar, Galfore is at least four beef cakes combined. He'll be fine," Cyborg assured.
— — —
Eventually, the familiar white and red planet of Tamaran came into view just as Cyborg activated their cloaking technology. Framing the perimeter of the planet were hundreds of spaceships looking like piranhas waiting on prey.
"Alright Rae, phase us in when you're ready," Cyborg sighed, keeping his eyes glued to the radar. Nodding, Raven closed her eyes and reached out with her powers. She searched for the most inactive spot possible. The less emotional energy in an area the better their chances of remaining unspotted.
At last, she found a decent enough location, and with her usual muttered incantation, the ship vanished from sight only to reappear just above the ground. Activating landing protocols, Cyborg slowly lowered the ship onto red dusty ground.
"Nice work guys," Dick praised, stepping out of the ship to look around. Unlike before, lush vegetation was finally beginning to reappear on Tamaran. Plants of purple, blue, and pinks crept along rock faces giving the once dreary planet a bit of color.
"Let's give our lovely little princess a call." Cyborg pulled out his T-Comm and pinged the one belonging to Starfire. For a moment nothing happened before the other end crackled to life. "Is this Starfire?"
"Cyborg! Oh it is lovely to hear your voice. Did all of you do the safe landing?" Starfire asked.
"Yep, your girl helped us get in nice and safe. What's up with you and Galfore?" Cyborg asked, a small smile gracing his features.
"I have found where he is being kept. It is in the old prison sector of Tamaran. It is heavily guarded. We will not get in easy," Starfire worried.
"If you get me close enough I can run recon," Cyborg decided, "I can scan the layout of the building and get us in and out quicker than you can say pizza."
"Oh that would be quite fast," Starfire agreed. "Where have you landed?"
"Uh, I don't know," Cyborg winced.
"There's a rock face shaped like half of a hand. We have lots of short vegetation around us in pinks and blues," Dick explained, "does that help?"
"Ah, you are by the old river bed!" Starfire explained. "I shall be there shortly."
Satisfied, Cyborg cancelled the connection and leaned back against the frame of the ship. "The princess is on her way."
It didn't take long for Starfire to find her friends, and once she did she excitedly embraced each of them in turn. She was quick to explain the situation, having learned more about her planet's predicament since arriving.
"You mean your sister is here too?" Dick asked, somewhat nervous by the idea.
"She promised to return home upon leaving the tower all those months ago. She kept her promise. She has been helping Galfore to make up for her past transgressions. When the invasion happened Galfore protected her. She is determined to get him back as am I," Starfire informed.
"I'll admit, I'm surprised she's helping but...good for her," Raven shrugged.
"As long as you trust her intentions then we'll be okay with her teaming up with us," Dick decided.
"Thank you," Starfire smiled. "Now, to retrieve Galfore. Follow me."
Starfire took the lead, walking quickly back the way she had come. In the distance carefully constructed terraces holding large metallic white buildings refracted dying light. From afar Tamaran was beautiful, but it's history was a dark and bloody one.
Nearing the streets that webbed through the lower city, Starfire made a sharp right taking a path that extended beyond the large cluster of homes. It was unnerving to see the streets deserted and windows carefully boarded shut. An aura of fear dripped from the people hiding away inside. It was strong enough to tug at Raven's consciousness sparking her powers.
"Are you alright? You're fritzing out," Gar worried, setting a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Yeah, I'm okay. They're just really scared. I wasn't expecting the atmosphere to be so strong," Raven explained, sparing Gar a thankful look.
"We'll help them. Don't worry," he smiled, offering a wink before racing ahead to catch up with the others as Raven trailed behind.
As the path continued to wind, it led the group of friends to a large walled quadrant on the outskirts of the surrounding area. It was constructed of an intricate and strange metal similar to what Starfire's armor was made of.
"Is this it?" Cyborg asked, peeking around the corner to see strange slouched yellow creatures marching back and forth with glowing spears. "I take that as a yes."
"This is designed to hold the strongest of Tamaran citizens. I cannot use my powers on it. The metal absorbs and refracts heat. We will need another way in," Starfire explained, nervously eyeing the Kroloteans. "I worry that they have done something irreparable to Galfore."
"We'll help him as best as we can," Dick assured, giving Starfire's hand a light squeeze.
Silence settled over the group as Cyborg settled his metallic hand against the metal husk of the prison. Closing his eyes, the circuits which ran from his hand up his arm and to his head began to glow. Waiting patiently, a series of minutes passed by before a small smile flashed across his face.
"I know our way in. If we can cut through here we can drop down through the vents onto the lower levels. Raven, you can phase through and take care of the guards. Deal?" Cyborg asked, looking at each of his friends in turn.
"Step back," Raven warned, hands glowing black. With a few carefully placed strikes she managed to slice an awkward rectangle into the metal. "See you at Galfore's cell."
The others filed into the prison as Raven phased through the floor. It took a bit of extra effort to make it through the strange metal before managing to locate Galfore's specific location. Eyes snapping open, Raven approached the first floor and it's guards. In seconds she incapacitated them, but her powers seemed to have triggered some sort of alarm system. Her guess was that sensors detected any sort of strange anomaly of energy in case a Tamaranean was trying to escape.
"Raven!" Dick called.
"Don't Raven me, I didn't know I couldn't use my powers in here!" Raven scoffed, venturing to the second floor with a new plan as feet pounded overhead. Shifting, she let her bones crack and break moving into new positions until she was quite a bit taller, red skinned with sharp teeth, had four eyes, and was adorned with horns.
The look on the armored Kroloteans' faces were quite hilarious when they spotted a demon marching towards them. Of course, Pride didn't exist as a separate person anymore, Raven had carefully fused that personality trait with the others she possessed, but the Kroloteans fear only enticed her.
Catching one by the neck she shattered its esophagus with relative ease before tearing into the others. Leaving a path of bodies and carnage behind, she made it quite easily to Galfore's cell and ripped the door clean off its hinges just in time for the others to meet her. Of course, they had enemies trailing them, but it wasn't anything they couldn't handle together.
"Galfore!" Starfire cried, rushing into the cell. The air was damp and moldy with water dripping down the walls. Galfore lay hunched over in a heap, his single green eye glowing faintly in the dark. Igniting her hand, Starfire gasped at the sight of how battered he was. His nose was swollen, his lips bloodied, his cheeks discolored, and one of his ears was torn. "Oh Galfore, what have they done to you?"
"Am I dreaming?" He rasped, his good eye finding it difficult to focus on Starfire as she gently cupped his cheeks.
"No, I'm here to help. I sensed something was wrong. I should have come sooner. You should have told me," she insisted, examining the plethora of chains that bound Galfore to the walls.
"And put you in danger? I could never," Galfore sighed, shaking his head. "No matter, you're here now. You brought your friends?"
"Of course, man!" Gar smiled, dodging a punch as Raven ripped the last Krolotean in half and haphazardly discarded the body. It landed with a thump that would have been comical under different circumstances.
"Who is the red one?" Galfore asked, squinting.
"That is Raven," Starfire informed, as Raven gave a bashful wave and slowly morphed back into her more comfortable form.
"Has she always been able to do that?" He asked, eyes wide.
"It's a newer development," Raven drawled, offering a shrug. She moved into the cell and with very delicate precision sliced through the cuffs containing Galfore. The large warrior rubbed at his swollen wrists as Starfire helped him to his feet.
"Thank you, but they will know I'm gone quite soon after we leave. They will likely initiate a full scale attack upon noticing my disappearance," Galfore warned.
"About that," Cyborg winked, opening a panel on his wrist. "I got you covered."
Pressing a button, a blue light scanned Galfore's hulking frame, and with a flick of the wrist, Cyborg tossed a small disc back into the cell where a realistic hologram of the giant alien man came to life.
"Impressive," Dick smiled, clapping Cyborg on the back, "Now, let's go."
"Can you not phase us all through?" Galfore asked, eyeing Raven.
"I barely got myself through in one peace. That metal is tricky and the sensors in here pick up on my powers. Unless we want other Kroloteans messing things up we have to take the long route back." With that, Raven took the lead as the others followed in single file behind her. Once outside, Raven agreed to phase everyone back to the spaceship for the time being.
"We need a plan," Dick decided, the moment everyone successfully reappeared by the ship.
"Let us take it easy. Galfore needs rest," Starfire worried, holding Galfore's hand as if she were a child again.
"I'm alright. It takes a lot more to break me down than a bit of poking and prodding. They want weapons, that's all. They intended to keep me alive," Galfore explained, running a bruised hand through his beard. "We must find your sister. She is with the rebellion."
"So you plan to fight?" Dick asked. "What are your numbers?"
"Your boyfriend asks a lot of questions," Galfore sighed, looking pointedly at Starfire.
"About that..."Starfire winced.
"I'm not her boyfriend sir. Not anymore. Things didn't work out between us but that's okay. I'm here to help because I care about her and your planet. We all do. What's happening is wrong and I intend to fix it, hence my questions," Dick explained.
"I see," Galfore nodded, "well, our forces are small. We have maybe a couple hundred to their couple thousand."
"Yeah, but you've got me. I'm at least like ten people," Gar grinned, puffing out his chest.
"Eh, I'd say the witch is more like ten people and you're maybe two," Galfore snorted. Gar's expression of pride quickly turned into one of a deep offended nature as Raven tried to hide her laughter.
"That's not funny Rae, you're supposed to back me up," Gar pouted.
"Whatever the case, I think your arrival will help boost the morale of the rebels. I will take you to them. From there we will prepare to fight." Galfore looked at each of Starfire's friends in search of any doubt, but they all stood strong and ready to help. Giving a firm nod, the giant man made his way towards the large rock face that Dick had described earlier.
It was time to meet the rebels.