In the wildlands of Bastion, the sound of angry beasts resounded. Two figures could be seen deep within a towering jungle, battling large animals together. More and more dangerous predators entered the fray.
"Why are there so many hostile creatures on this planet?" A feminine voice complained.
She was a tall woman, well endowed with orange skin and hair. Her eyes and sclera were a bright green. Wearing purple battle armor that didn't truly cover that much, she fought utilizing a spear and her psionic abilities.
Covering her back was a massive green gorilla, tussling with the native carnivores. It would switch between animal forms without effort, whatever worked to gain the advantage. Whenever there was a lull in the fight, he would revert back to human. His skin was green.
"It's not too bad. Just gotta clean up the ecosystem a bit. Once it's all done, there won't be an imbalance." He said.
A blue feline beast the size of a small house rushed the two fighters. Starfire broke the charge, piercing its side with the heavy thrust of her spear. A howl of pain was the response. In a fit of rage, its jaws snapped down toward the tamaranean. A powerful blast of psionic energy blew its face away.
Beast Boy immediately assisted, an oversized gorilla fist slamming into the feline's side. The force of the blow knocked it off its feet. With incredible teamwork, the two were able to eventually dispatch the beast.
"Are we done for today?" He asked.
Kori (Starfire) surveyed the surroundings first. Dead predators littered the expanse. As part of the Expansionary Forces, their job was to 'clean up' the natural ecosystem in order to make life less deadly for humans.
Every now and then, they'd need to resolidify territorial borders, informing predators what could and couldn't be trespassed. Only if the line was crossed would they be culled.
It shouldn't take more than a few years before the natural cycle adapted to the arrival of humans. Actions like these wouldn't be needed for much longer. Right now, Bastion was still acclimating to mankind.
"That should be enough for today." She finally spoke.
Waving her spear, the blood flew off the blade. Once again it was pristine. Her expression seemed to be one of contemplation. Beast Boy noticed quickly.
"What's wrong, Kori?"
"I…have a question." She stated. The young man waited for her to continue. "Why didn't Raven join us? Why didn't she enlist in the Expansionary Forces?"
Beast Boy thought for a moment. Putting a hand on her shoulder, he shrugged. It seems like they both had an idea but wanted to voice it.
"Well, you know how she is. Maybe she didn't want to use her powers for no reason." He suggested. Koriand'r shook her head.
"You don't believe that for a second, Garfield." She stated. He smiled in response.
"Well if we're being frank…maybe it's because Raven is scared of herself. She sees her abilities as a danger to others. Not because she can't control it, but because of who might notice."
"Trigon?" Kori muttered.
"Probably."
"But…she said that Trigon had suddenly lost interest in Earth. What is holding her back now?"
"...I don't know." Garfield finally admitted. Starfire sighed in frustration.
"That's it. Next time we have a few days off, we're taking flight to Earth and talking some sense into her."
As the two conversed, they casually made their return to the closest military base. A human guard blocked her path before they could enter the establishment. His hand raised for pause.
"Private Kori! You've been summoned by General Coz-Vor! Please return to the capital city." He exclaimed.
Starfire's eyes widened in surprise. The leader of the esteemed Kryptonian Guards was calling for her? What for? She was a nobody in the grand scheme of things.
"Understood. May I ask what awaits me?" She asked. The guard put his fist to his chest.
"The Father has arrived on Bastion! You will secure his meeting with the Cathexis!"
"Wha- no way!" Beast Boy's eyes almost popped out of its sockets.
Kori was going to meet such a legendary figure! A surge of jealousy flooded his brain. He kept it in check of course, military protocols and such.
"I'll head over now." She declared before striding toward the warp gate.
…
…
…
Koriand'r frowned slightly upon seeing the Cathexis. They possessed long martian-like heads, the upper half of their body a humanoid visage. Below the waist was a large carapace, four bug legs to stand. This species crawled more than walked.
The upper half of their bodies were covered in sleek armor of unknown material. The craftsmanship alone told a tale of technological prowess. They did not seem to be a weak race.
An intelligent race of bugs, twitching and undulating, their bodies reacting to shifts in the air current. Starfire was not prejudiced but she couldn't help but admit that this species left her on edge.
Still…it was worth it. Just to catch a glimpse of The Father…it was worth it. The perimeter had been secured. There was no chance of danger unless it came from these aliens. At this moment a loud voice exclaimed.
"Presenting! The Father! Presenting! The Messenger!"
The doors opened, and an entourage stepped inside. Surrounded by the Kryptonian Guard, Val-Ul and Kara Dru-Zod arrived with casual grace. Koriand'r couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
The Shepherd. The one who ushered humanity toward the stars. The Father. His presence was like a celestial body in human form. With a molten crown that shined with splendor, and a royal mantle that portrayed his majesty, his tall figure dwarfed the room.
Starfire was tall, but she barely reached his chest. Val's figure radiated power. It was as if a planet was hidden beneath his skin. His expression was casual…calm. It was peaceful.
His curly brown hair that stopped before his eyes. Golden and shimmering like pools of honey. Val's gaze narrowed as he scanned the room. His sight paused on Starfire for only a moment…then continued on.
The Father stopped in front of the largest Cathexan. His armor was the most decorated after all. A robotic voice echoed from the bug's armor.
"Greetings, ruler of mankind. Your presence humbles me." It said. Val titled his head with a slight smile.
"I'm no ruler. Not anymore."
"Is that so? Either way, thank you for coming on such short notice. I am Indax."
"Your gratitude is noted. While it is nice to meet another race for the first time, I must inquire. Why do you contact us?" Val asked. Indax lowered his head.
"I come to you today on behalf of my world, seeking refuge. We are under threat of extinction."
"Extinction…who is culling your people?"
"We call them the bloodline parasites. They burrow into your body, absorb your genes, duplicating it for the rest of their race. They are a hive mind and possess extremely powerful exoskeletons."
"You're asking me to go to war for you." Val concluded. He was uninterested. It could be heard in his tone. Indax immediately perked up.
"I do not come empty handed! My people are willing to serve and fulfil your needs and purposes! Not only that, we are a race focused on technology and architecture. Help us, and all of our resources are yours! We'll build anything you need."
"I already have great technology. There doesn't seem to be anything you can offer."
"I disagree. As a means to escape, we've looked deeply into quantum physics. Our entire life's work is currently dedicated to developing a universal warp gate. Something to help us explore other universes! We only need time…time that we don't have."
"Then…are you offering my people a means to explore the multiverse? That is indeed something worth fighting for." Val muttered with a slight smile.
"Does this mean you accept?" Indax questioned with burning hope.
Val-Ul glanced at everyone else in the room. Their faces were red with excitement, doing their best to appear neutral. Multiversal traveling…such a thought made everyone's hands itchy. The Father inclined his head.
"So be it. Let's begin the process of resource distribution. You may speak with Coz-Vor regarding these matters. When the time comes for war plans…I'll be there."