Disclaimer: Don't own characters. DC does. I just own the plot. Don't sue.
This story is in Dick's POV and is a tie-in to my other story 'Teen Titans: Year 1.'
ABC=Dick's POV
ABC=Flashback
Chapter One
June 15, 2004
Somewhere in Northern China
Have you ever wondered who you are? Why you're here? What your purpose is?
I have. A lot.
My name is Richard Grayson, and for a while I knew the answer to those questions.
Now I don't.
When my parents died, Richard John Grayson died, and in exchange for those three deaths, someone was born.
Robin was born.
Up until a few weeks ago, I was Robin.
The Boy Wonder.
Batman's protégé.
I passed the mantle. I gave it to my new brother, Tim Drake. He has a lot of potential and it would be better applied with the Titans than Batman.
That'll be his contribution to the Titans. At least that's what Bruce said, but if you ask me, Tim is the reason the Titans are even being formed.
Nine Months Earlier
Gotham City
Rooftop over the river
"It's getting dangerous out there, Batman," Robin told Batman while looking over the street below.
"The city is fine, Robin," Batman replied his voice strong, and daring Robin to try to continue the conversation.
"It's more than we can handle," Robin spoke again in the same tone. He had spent years training under Batman and knew when he should continue to speak or not.
Batmans' eyes became slits. "We have Batgirl and Catwoman helping us out now. It's not just you and me anymore. Gotham will be fine."
The eyes of Robins' mask became slits as well as he turned and looked up at Batman. "Even with their help it's not enough. Catwoman's even admitted she needs help in the East End. That's not even a quarter of the city."
Batman turned and straightened up so he was towering over Robin. "Gotham is protected Robin. It doesn't need more heroes."
By the tone in Batmans' voice, Robin knew not to continue the conversation.
They continued their watch over Gotham in silence for a half hour before police sirens were heard. They both shot out their grappling hooks and took off after the police cars. Gunfire soon erupted from the armored car in front and the police cars were forced to stop.
The armored car shot off and went to the left.
"It's a dead end!" Robin shouted to Batman over the noise, of the city streets. Batman gave a short nod before jumping to the corner building and silently watching, the car below. Robin followed, only seconds behind.
"Hurry up and move the cash, scumbags!" Yelled a gruff voice from the front of the car.
The door soon opened and a tall man, in a unique half white half green with black striped suit, stepped out. His face was hidden by shadows and before he could step into the light, Batman and Robin knew who he was.
"Two-Face," Batman and Robin said at the same time.
They both jumped off the roof corner and onto the ground below. Before Two-Faces' thugs knew what was happening, the two of them were knocked out.
Another thug jumped out the back of the armored car and onto Robins' back. The unexpected weight of the thug had Robin kneeling so he was almost touching the ground, but he quickly recovered and ran backwards into the nearest wall hard enough to knock the thug out.
After he knocked the thug out, he saw Two-Face retreating from the fight.
Robin flipped off the wall, into the air and onto the car. He jumped from the car over the fence and took off after Two-Face.
After running for a few moments he came to the end of the alley and onto the sidewalk. He looked around trying to figure out which direction Two-Face went.
Right when he was about to head off to the left he heard a gunshot in the same direction followed shortly after by the screeching of wheels.
His eyes widened as he took off after the sound. It started to rain lightly and he soon heard the faint sound of crying. He took off down an alley across the street and saw a boy, not much younger than the hero himself, with midnight black hair and royal blue eyes, covered in blood and holding a man.
The boy looked up at Robin and his sobs only increased.
Robin took off his cape and covered the boy with it.
"The police will be here soon," He stated before shooting off his grappling hook and taking off.
He landed on the building and turned around looking at a slightly wide eyed Batman.
"Yeah, we can protect the entire city."
After Tim's dad was killed, Bruce and I went after Two-Face and caught him before he could even make it to his hide out.
Then we changed and went to get Tim. We both felt bad about what happened and told him immediately who we were. He and Babs got off … okay, and while they were hanging out Bruce, Alfred, and I found the Teen Titans.
We had to sneak into the school files and pick. Out of 3,000 eligible teenagers across the U.S. only 350 freshmen would get into Gotham Tech, a boarding technical high school. Only 200 soon-to-be eighth graders would be allowed early admission.
The people we picked to be Titans would have to be accepted into the school.
Luckily, they were, and to make it easier, for us and them, Bruce had it set up so they could all live at the manor. That way, if they said yes, they wouldn't have to come up with idiotic excuses to leave their guardians house or about where they were most of the night.
The five teenagers we picked were the best.
Korina Anders was picked to be Starfire. She grew up on the streets, like me, and is a third degree black belt in half a dozen styles of martial arts.
Karen Beecher was picked to be Bumblebee. According to her file she was great with electricity and had a brown belt.
Garfield Logan was chosen to be Beast Boy. His file said that he lived in Africa for a long time and had an extended knowledge of animals. He was also a very good runner.
Rachel Roth was a good choice for Raven. She was big into meditation which would help control her powers.
Victor Stone would be Stone. He was very athletic and, according to his file, was a technological genius.
They all seemed like good choices and I hope they accept. Bruce even said he would call in Selina to help him train them. I think Tim's dad's death really got to him. It's always going to be another one he couldn't stop. Another one I couldn't stop.
Guilt.
It's something that I've grown used to since my parents died.
After they died and Bruce offered to adopt me, I took a good look at what Richard Grayson's life used to be like.
Walking down the streets of Rockwell for most of my child hood.
Fighting to survive.
Now, I've gotta help the Teen Titans survive.
I…I've got a lot of training to do.
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Thanks for reading! Please review.
