Fan Fiction ❯ Anything, Anytime, Anywhere, For You ❯ The Trials of Tamaran Part I ( Chapter 19 )

Anything, Anytime, Anywhere, For You

 

Chapter Nineteen

“The Trials of Tamaran (Pt. I)”

 

 

IllegalDayNightSnappingIguana: Well it makes me feel good to know you liked the last chapter. Laughing is good. ^^ Anytime you can laugh you should; even if you don't know why you're doing it. Mmm, sorry about the little mini-cliffhanger at the end with Robin and Star; I tried not to make a cliffie but it happened anyway. You mean the part where Starfire kisses Robin to learn English? Nope, I can't take credit for that one. Long, annoying funny reviews are great; and I do appreciate getting them from you. They always make me smile. Although I'll take anything. Well, I get a little upset when people flame me; but I haven't actually gotten any flames on this story. Which now that I think about it is shocking considering how many I used to get. Hmm. Oh well, I'll NEVER complain about a lack-of-flames. Anyway, hope you enjoy today's chapter; and sorry in advance for the cliffie.

 

Mocey Hearth: Thank you very much. ^^

Stop writing? I wouldn't dream of it. I know, it feels like the ending because the Trials are finally here; but believe me; this story is NOT over yet. Ah, yep, you caught me! Another FFX-2 reference. Eh, what can I say; I like referencing stuff. ^_^ Enjoy this chapter, and keep your eyes open; I threw in another reference just for fun.

 

scathac's warrior: Mmm. Yeah, I know the feeling. Fanfic villains need to be destroyed sometime. There's an irritating witch in a fanfic I'm reading who I'd simply love to bash with a shovel. Although I'm glad you have such a distaste for Vladim'r; it means I made him good and evil. Well, not “Good and Evil”, but you know what I mean. Heh. Hope you enjoy this chapter.

 

Dramaelfie: Thank you very much. ^^ I'm glad to hear you thought so.

 

Pickles12: I'm delighted to hear you're enjoying it; and I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint.

 

---- ---- ---- ---- ----

 

The TMV was floating over the desert surface; and the Teen Titans had reunited inside. This TMV was reserved just for them; it did not have the task of transporting former slaves back to the campsite Galfore had set up for them. Taro and Hana had said their goodbyes, thanked Starfire and Beast Boy many times, and then bid the Titans farewell when they had left. Starfire had assured them both that she would come and see them again sometime; and the youths had departed looking in high spirits.

Now the team sat in the inside of the TMV. It was roomy, for a tank. There were benches that the team took to sitting on. Raven and Beast Boy occupied the bench on the left; while Starfire and Robin had taken the one of the right. Cyborg had elected to rid up front with the drivers - partially to allow the couples their privacy, and in part because he was hoping to get a chance behind the wheel.

 

None of them spoke. None of them had too. Robin was leaning against Starfire, a small, expecting grin plastered on his face. In his gloved hand, he held the odd coral reef like ball they had selected as their keepsake what seemed like ages ago. Robin still remembered picking the odd alien ball out to remind him of the day he had first met his odd little alien; Starfire. He still had no clue what the reef-like ball really was, or how it had gotten to Earth in the first place.

Starfire had her head leaned against Robin; and together the two of them formed a small slump as they used one another for support. Neither was worn-out from the recent events; but they both thought it wise to rest up before the Trials. After all, the Trials were supposed to be a grueling test of physical, mental and emotional commitment. It would take endurance and strength; as well, as love, to overcome them.

 

“Hey you two.” Beast Boy broke the silence. Robin and Starfire looked across the room as the silence died; Raven turned her head to the side as well. “Good luck.”

 

“Thanks.” Robin responded; and he meant it. Everything that had happened since Shady had shown up in the middle of the night had been leading Starfire and him towards the Trials; and now they had arrived. He did not know quite what to expect; but he knew it they could use some luck.

 

“And don't take too long.” Raven added; but her tone was playful. Robin and Starfire grinned at her in return and Beast Boy opened his mouth to speak; but he never got a chance to say what was on his mind.

 

At that moment, the door that separated them from the pilot's room swung open; and Cyborg looked out at his friends. A second later, the TMV began to slow down, and then finally stop. Cyborg looked at the four who had been sitting so quietly for so long.

“We're here.” He informed them.

 

The “Traditional” Trials of Tamaran involve building a gigantic stadium and then submitting those undergoing them to a series of personalized tests designed by their friends and family. The tests are made to see if the couple is as devoted to one another as they say. If they are in love, as they claim to be, then they must work together to overcome the various physical, mental and emotional challenges.

Of course, Robin and Starfire were not undergoing the “Traditional” Trials. They had long ago decided to go through the “Trials of Old”, which were very different. Instead of a gigantic stadium, the older, more arcane trials take place in a cavern; and the subterranean catacombs beneath it. The cavern is located in “Ochu Nador”, a patch of desert more commonly known as “Ochu's Dancing Ground”.

 

In this brand of Trials, the lovers would select a keepsake. Something small that held a deep personal value to one or both of them - in this case, the odd coral-ball Robin had found. That keepsake would then be dropped inside a small crack in the roof of the cavern; the crack would lead it down through the caves and into the catacombs. Next, the couple must simply enter the cavern through the front entrance and seek out their keepsake. If they could find and retrieve it, they would be successful. If they never found it - or died while looking, they would fail.

 

Robin and Starfire were aware of the dangers. These caves and the catacombs beneath them were home to some of the most dangerous creatures on Tamaran. Everything from wild-eyed gregnoffs to sharp-fanged Snorkacks could be lurking in the deep, dark catacombs. Still, the danger did not faze them. They were heroes; danger was their job. They'd been stuck on an alien spaceship with matter-reduction bombs in the engine room, they'd been attacked by a strange near-invincible assassins, they'd been lured into just about every kind of trap known to man-kind, they'd been kidnapped by a crazy pack of cultists; and all the while they'd had to deal with Slade Wilson and Trigon the Terrible. Whatever was inside that cave was nothing compared to what they had already been through; right?

 

“We're here.” Robin echoed Cyborg, looking at Starfire. She had gotten the same look of excitement in her eyes that she had whenever there was good news. It was a little frightening, since Robin usually wound up getting a backbreaking hug after he saw that look; but not now. For now, Starfire sat quietly, though she was quite obviously excited.

 

The five teens exited the Tamaranian Military Vehicle and headed to their right. The entire area, as far as they could see, was an endless desert. The wind was blowing and the sand flew along with it in a small dust storm. Robin and Raven's capes fluttered behind them. The only thing they could see aside from empty wastelands was a single cavern sticking out of the ground; the Cavern of the Trials. It was much more menacing than any of them had expected. The cavern looked daunting as the sand blew by its front; and there seemed to be a feeling of foreboding in the air.

 

“Be careful in there.” Cyborg said, clapping Robin on the shoulder as he stared at the ominous sight.

 

“We will be.” Robin replied. “Starfire, are you ready?” He then asked, turning to the redhead beside him and taking one last look at her. This was it. They were going to undergo the Trials. It was . . . strange. The entire point of the Trials was to confirm or deny true love; though Robin knew, he loved her. It seemed like the whole issue was pointless, but at the same time it seemed more important than anything else he had ever done.

 

“I am, Robin.” Starfire replied softly. She was happy; he could tell.

Robin stepped forward and walked until he reached the edge of the cavern. Then he began to climb up the rock wall. Starfire floated up next to him, and while she flew the entire way, she stayed right at his side instead of going straight to the top. It did not take long, soon the two teens were on top of the cavern and they had located the infamous cracks. Robin reached into his utility belt and withdrew the keepsake.

 

“Go ahead Star.” He handed it to her, and Starfire paused for a moment.

 

This was it. She had heard of the Trials as a youth, before she ever went to Earth or met Robin. She had been dreaming of the day when she, accompanied by her true love, would undergo the ancient rituals. That day had come. That moment had come. Her true love had come. It seemed too perfect to be real. She was not thinking of all the hell she had been through to reach this point; she was thinking only of the sweet bliss that was sure to come when things ended.

 

Starfire dropped the keepsake into the cracks. They heard it fall and eventually the soft sound of a plop drifted up to their ears. It was time.

 

“That's our cue.” Robin grinned.

 

“Then let us get to it!”

 

Robin leapt off the cavern roof and landed on the ground beneath the entrance. Starfire was at his side in a second; and after that, the two youths vanished into the daunting blackness of the cavern entrance. Raven, Beast Boy and Cyborg could only watch in silence as their friends ventured on into something that would either changer their lives; or end them.

 

The Titans had been so preoccupied looking at the ominous caverns that they failed to notice something. The desert was not quite as empty as it appeared. Aside from the cavern, there was one other obstruction to the emptiness; Trigon the Terrible. He stood as the sand blew against his body and the winds ruffled his hair, watching the Titans disappear into the darkness. Once they did, once he knew they were going after the keepsake; Trigon clapped his massive hands together.

 

The enchantment he had placed on the keepsake back in the infirmary took effect. The trap was now set. If the dark things that lurked inside the catacombs did not kill Robin and Starfire; Slade most certainly would. Trigon's malicious face twisted into a smug smile as he thought of what was coming next. Two little titans had just signed their death warrant; and the remaining three would follow them in their one-way trip to the grave soon enough.

 

Well, the remaining three would not be the only ones. Slade, the Royals; and everyone else on the planet Tamaran would all be following them into the clammy clutches of death.

 

---- ---- ---- ---- ----

 

Starfire and Robin had gotten about three feet into the cave when they reached their first real problem. There were no visible pathways inside, and there was no light. Starfire had solved the problem of light by illuminating the world around her with her green-glowing fist. Robin had retrieved a flashlight from his belt. That had been a simple problem; this new one was complicated. They traveled few feet deeper into the cave and they reached a fork in the road. They could go to the right, where there seemed to be no sign of life or light, or to the left where it appeared to be just as dark and despondent.

 

“Well, which way looks better to you?” Robin asked.

“I do not think I can tell a difference.” Starfire replied.

 

“Yeah, me neither. Want to go to the right then?” Had they been on Earth, searching for a villain, he would have suggested they split up and search both pathways; but not now. Now they had to stay together and work together; that was the entire point. Robin would not leave her side and he would not allow her to leave his.

 

“Yes.” Starfire responded excitedly. Robin smiled to himself and the two set off down the path to the right. They only got a few feet before they ran into trouble. They had made their first mistake; and it was only by chance they survived it. Starfire had been holding her fist up above her head to illuminate the area around herself and Robin; while Robin had used been using his flashlight to shine on the ground in front of them. The flashlight beam stopped on a small pile of what appeared to be rocks and very old bones.

 

“Hold it.” Robin held out his hand to stop Starfire from advancing; she noticed the pile of rocks and bones and let out a small squeak. Robin's eyebrow raised a tad. “What is it?”

 

“A nest.” Starfire responded. “Robin that is a necrofly nest!”

 

Robin was spared from asking what a necro-fly was; although that isn't a good thing. Something began to crawl out of the empty-eye socket of one of the skulls used to build the next. That something looked like a large black butterfly with silver-trimmed wings. The necrofly was at least three times bigger than any Earth butterfly; and it had sharp, short claws on the end of each of its legs and a mouth full of teeth that resembled a thousand tiny knives.

 

The necrofly crawled to the top of the nest and then unfolded its wings; displaying silver patters against the black. The patters were almost skull-like in shape, and it added to the horrific look of the flying omen. Starfire was shaking behind him; and Robin realized quickly he would have to deal with this devil by himself.

 

In a split second the necrofly hissed and jetted off into the air; flying directly at Robin. Robin was quicker and he threw a bird-a-rang first. The necrofly collided with the bird-a-rang and wound up severed neatly in two. Robin blinked behind his mask. The monstrous looking Tamaran butterfly-beast had been killed just as easily as, well, a butterfly.

 

“That was . . . simple.” Robin acknowledged; but Starfire seemed distressed. Robin felt her take a huge step backwards from him and when he turned to see what was wrong he noticed the appalled look on her face. “What is it Starfire?”

 

“R-Robin. That was a necrofly. A-according to Tamaranian legend; they are an omen of death.”

 

Robin hesitated. “What do you mean?”

 

Starfire continued slowly, her voice shaking and her eyes wide with fright. “They are a death omen Robin. If you see a necrofly and it leaves you alone; it means there is no death in your future. However, if it attacks you and you kill it, it means that you will be exposed to death in the near future.”

 

Robin did not believe in signs and omens; not most of the time anyway. “Starfire, if I hadn't have killed it, it would have killed the both of us.”

 

Starfire nodded. “Yes, I know Robin; but still . . . someone will die because of you now.” She spoke the words quietly and full of remorse. Robin was not sure quite what she meant by `someone', whether she was implying herself or not, but he was sure that she genuinely believed what she was saying.

 

She was right; it would not be long before someone died because of Robin.

 

---- ---- ---- ---- ----

 

“How do you think they're doing?” Beast Boy asked.

 

The remaining Titans were back inside the TMV. The sandstorm had picked up a bit and none of them felt like waiting outside. Cyborg would have been fated to pick sand from his body for ages if he had stayed in he storm; and Raven and Beast Boy agreed they did not need all those loose pebbles in their hair. Now the three friends sat on the benches once again. Beast Boy was trying his luck with a Tamaranian MRE (Meal-Ready-To-Eat), but once he had peeled off the tin foil he'd found that the food was anything but his definition of a meal. Raven sat beside him silently looking out the window at the cavern; while Cyborg sat across from them eyeing the door that separated them from the pilot's room. The two Tamaranian's who were driving the tank had stepped out to relieve themselves and Cyborg couldn't help but feel temped to go play around while they were gone.

 

“They're fine.” Raven responded to Beast Boy. “Robin and Starfire can take care of themselves.”

 

Beast Boy seemed fidgety. “I don't know Rae. I have a feeling like something big is going to happen.”

 

“Why do you say that?” Cyborg asked. “Not everything is a trap, you know.”

 

“Yeah but, think about it. This whole thing, everything that's happened to us; it all started with Shady talking about the Trials. Now we're here, at the Trials. It's like . . . this is it. This is what everything was building up too. It feels almost like . . . the end.”

 

Raven laughed. The boys turned to her. “Why? This might have started simply enough, with the Trials, but it's become much more complicated. This isn't just about the Trials, or about Robin and Starfire; not anymore. Whatever happens in that cave, I don't think we'll see an `ending' anytime soon.”

 

“I'm cool with that.” Beast Boy responded. “This hasn't been too bad. You know, aside from all the traps, and people trying to kill us.”

 

---- ---- ---- ---- ----

 

The King had not been kidding; these Trials were dangerous.

 

After the necrofly incident, Robin and Starfire had continued down the right passageway until they reached a second fork in the road. This time they decided to flip a coin; and wound up heading left. Once again danger had been present; this time in the form of a one-eyed Jokrow (a strange green beast with two heads and many sharp teeth). Starfire had managed to defeat the Jokrow without injury with a series of starbolts; and Robin had smacked it with his bo-staff just to be safe.

 

Then they had pressed on even deeper. It seemed it would be the same thing; for a while. They would reach a dead end, be attacked by some bizarre creature, and continue on their quest. Occasionally they would backtrack, or disagree on which way they should proceed; but it stayed pretty simple and routine.

 

Until they reached the Catacombs.

 

At last, they had found the entrance to the underground Catacombs. Starfire squealed in joy when she realized what it was and Robin's face split into a delighted grin. The keepsake was somewhere down there; they were getting closer and closer to their goal. Unbeknownst to them, they were also getting closer and closer to danger; real danger.

 

“Robin we are doing it!” Starfire laughed. “We are almost there!”

 

“Yeah, it's exciting.” Robin responded. “But let's hold off on the celebration till we actually find the keepsake.”

 

“I do not think I can!” Starfire replied; she was now flying around him in circles with a huge grin on her face and sparkles in her eyes. Robin was trying hard not to laugh at the sight of her. She really was happy about all of this; and it made Robin feel great. Sure, the Trials were not over yet. Slade and Trigon were unaccounted for, and a million things could still go wrong - but right now things were good.

 

“Move it along Star, or I'll just have to head down there without you.” Robin teased as he moved towards the passageway. The ground sloped downwards into the darkness at the entrance to the catacombs, and the underground path looked even more dangerous than the one they'd entered the cavern from.

 

“No you shall not!” Starfire responded, her tone as playful as his. She landed at his side and the two set off down into the deepest, darkest place on Tamaran; although between the light being given off from Starfire's hands, Robin's flashlight, and the good-vibes they were feeling it didn't seem so bad.

 

The good feeling was short-lived, however. Mere seconds after they arrived in the catacombs, something roared. A second later, a large black creature came hurtling at them, its mouth open and its teeth bared. The creature was about as large as a bear, though it was black and looked reptilian. Robin saw the beast illuminated by Starfire's hands; it jumped into the air. Robin grabbed Starfire by the waist and pulled her off to the right - seconds later the beast smashed into the ground where they had been.

Starfire rolled off Robin and began firing Starbolts into the darkness; they illuminated the entire cavern and made several explosions. The beast was visible now, thanks to the light show, and he made an easy target for both Titans. Robin hurled an explosive disc and Starfire continued to pound the monster relentlessly with her righteous fury.

 

Finally, when the cloud of dust had become so big, they could not even see the creature anymore; the Titans stopped. The flames were still burning and the Titans could see just fine now.

 

“Starfire, what was -”

“I do not know what that was Robin; but I have no desire in meeting another one.” Starfire replied before he could finish the question.

“Me neither Star; let's find the keepsake and get out of here.”

 

“Agreed.”

 

The lovers took one last look at the strange creature and then proceeded through the catacombs. Their good mood had been replaced by the utmost caution. They knew they were in real danger now.

 

What they did not know was that Beast Boy, Raven and Cyborg were in even worse danger just outside.

 

---- ---- ---- ---- ----

 

Beast Boy opened his mouth to pose another question; but no one ever heard it.

 

A loud, piercing scream drowned out any sound coming from Beast Boy's mouth. The Titans quickly scrambled out of the TMV and looked towards the Cavern - but the scream had not come from inside the dark caves. It had come from the other direction entirely. The Titans realized this quickly and began looking for the source of the commotion - and to their dismay, they found it.

 

One of the pilots of the TMV was flying towards them, his face twisted in horror and blood falling on the ground from his wounds as he flew. One of his massive hands was clamped around his shoulder. The white uniform he was wearing was smeared with bloodstains; and they were fresh. Behind him flew his attacker, a familiar face for the Titans by now, Trigon the Terrible.

 

Trigon was not much larger than an average Tamaranian male, at least right now, he was not, but he flew much faster. The demon narrowed his four-eyes and fired a blast of his rainbow-colored death beams at the solider. The titans watched helplessly as the beams collided with the pilot's back and tore straight through and out his front. The pilot hit the ground, dead and bleeding, and Trigon pulled up in his flight and landed beside the body with a satisfied smirk. Then he looked towards the Titans.

 

Raven stood in the middle, her eyes narrowed and anger bubbling through her veins. Beast Boy was at her right, he was nervous but he did not let it show. Cyborg was on the left, already aiming his arm-cannon and charging a shot. Trigon watched them assume the battle stance, but he ignored it. Instead of attacking them, he turned and looked at the Cavern of Trials.

 

“You're all so very predictable. You never really change it up, do you?” Trigon asked in a passive voice; rather than his usual thunderous roar.

 

“All you do is kill, rape and eat; talk about predictable.” Raven snapped back.

 

“Hmm. Good point little Raven, good point.” Her father admitted, turning his face to the Titans and displaying his satisfied smile for them to see. “I did fall into a rather routine existence, didn't I? I would just sit around at my palace, killing my followers, making babies and devouring the occasional planet. Then you came along; and you've been a thorn in my side ever since. Of all my children, only one has ever managed to piss me off more than you Raven. Pity you'll never get a chance to meet him.”

 

A ball of fire suddenly sprang to life inside Trigon's right hand; the flames swirled around his claws in anticipation. The Titans maintained their battle poses and kept their eyes locked on their enemy.

 

It was time for a showdown.

 

---- ---- ---- ---- ----

 

A/N: Given the title of this chapter, and the general history of this story; you should have been expecting this cliffhanger. Well, never fear, “The Trials of Tamaran (Pt. II)” is coming soon. Will Robin and Starfire find the keepsake? Can Trigon the Terrible be defeated once and for all? Where the heck is Slade?
The answers to these and other questions in Chapter Twenty; coming soon!

 

-cough- reviews may make it come even sooner -cough-

- Golden-sama (Brandon)