Some of you may have noticed that my story, Home Is Where the Hurt Is, is no longer posted. The reason for that is simply that I deleted it.
Please don't hurt me; just hear me out.
So, I was having this incredibly bad case of writer's block. Everytime I went back to write a new chapter for the story, I couldn't come up with a single thing. So I took a step back and looked at it from all angles and then I realized that the reason I was having so much trouble with it was because it wasn't the story I wanted to tell.
I'm a fan of plot. Real plot. It's something I expect from all the stories I read. And I especially expect it from all the stories I write and the plot for "Home" just wasn't gelling for me. And after some intense thought (and some unproductive navel gazing), I decided to scrap the story and start afresh.
This new story is already half-way finished. I waited on posting it because I had to make sure that this was, in fact, the story I wanted to tell. It's not finished but I couldn't wait any longer to post what is finished for the simple reason that I thrive on reviews and have a hard time staying motivated to write without them!
Rest assured, there will be a sequel in which Dick will come back. But when he does come back, there's going to be more to the story than what was there before.
Anywho, that's my speil. I hope y'all enjoy the new story!
Prologue
"What he needs is Robin," Superman stated. He and the rest of the Justice League, with one very important exception, were gathered around a large table in the Watchtower. They were all there to talk about their missing member.
"Well Robin's gone," Green Arrow said.
"And we have no right to tear him away from his new life, simply to rein Batman in," Diana said coolly.
"She's right," Green Lantern said. "Batman's a superhero. He was before Robin even came into the picture. And if he can't get his act together just because the kid split, then maybe we ought to consider-"
"Consider what?" Superman interrupted, frustrated at where this was headed. "Consider kicking him out of the League? Labelling him rogue?"
"You're all acting like he's a rabid dog on the loose. He hasn't done anything terrible yet," The Flash pointed out quietly.
"But he might," Black Canary said. "He will," she amended. "It's only a matter of time. He's… he's losing it. We can all see that!"
"Look, it's not easy to lose a sidekick," Green Arrow interjected. "Believe me, I know. He just needs some time to get over it."
"This is different," Martian Manhunter said. "Robin was more than just his sidekick."
"Yeah, he was like a son, I know," Oliver continued. "It's not like I didn't raise Roy either."
"You don't get it, GA," Superman said quietly. "Yes, Robin was like his son. But he was more than that. He was his moral compass. The thing that grounded him. The light in all the darkness." Superman shook his head. "I know Batman was a hero before Robin, but I don't think he can be one now without him. He needs that balance. That optimism."
"It doesn't sound like you have a lot of faith in him," Aquaman said. Superman just kept silent.
"Well it's not like we can just go to Sidekicks-R-Us and get him a new Robin, can we?" Green Lantern said.
"The problem is he's in denial," Black Canary said. "It's like he's expecting Robin to come back and every day that he doesn't just pushes him closer to the edge."
"He needs to accept that he is gone," Wonder Woman added.
"And just how do you expect him to do that?" Barry asked.
"Well, for one thing, he can stop parading the Martian girl around posing as Dick," Oliver said. "He's using her as a safety valve, so that if Robin does come back, there's no need for an awkward explanation as to where he's been."
"That's a problem in and of itself. Dick Grayson is too high-profile to simply disappear," Barry said.
"That might be difficult for Bruce Wayne to explain away," Green Arrow agreed.
"So we come up with a plausible explanation. A car accident or something," Green Lantern suggested
"Don't be so cavalier about it," Barry warned, balling a fist, ready to speed across the table to punch the other hero.
Green Lantern had the grace to look sheepish. "Yeah, sorry. But the thing is we can't let Bats keep this delusion. The world already thinks Robin is dead. Maybe it's time for Dick Grayson to join him."
"Callous though it may sound, I believe that could be an appropriate solution," Diana said. "Then perhaps Batman can move on."
"I don't like it," Superman stated.
"Then what are we supposed to do? We can't let him keep going down this path," Diana argued.
Superman sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "I know, I know. But… he… Batman needs Robin," he finished quietly.
"That's not a possibility," Martian Manhunter said ruefully. "Green Lantern's suggestion may be a painful solution, but I feel it is the best."
"I agree."
"Me too."
Most of the others sounded their agreement. Superman sighed in defeat and finally nodded. "Okay."
"Yeah, okay, but I don't think Batman is going to react too well at the idea of 'killing off' his son," Barry said. "Who exactly are you going to get to pitch this idea?"
The heroes all shared a glance, each wary or downright terrified of the idea of being the one to present the idea to Batman. "Supes?"
"I don't like the idea," was all he replied.
"We'll settle this the old-fashioned way," Green Lantern said. He held out his fist and suddenly a bunch of glowing green straws appeared in his grasp. "Short one loses."