Prologue:
A/N: I am back baby back baby back!
If you are a first time reader of this story, this is a sequel. There won't be a ton of context provided (because I wrote this assuming you, the reader, had context), so if you haven't already, please read the first story "Falling Apart"
I can't figure out how to post a link to my Story (*shrugs*), so I'll guess I can post it on my page.
Also, this is rated T. For questionable elements of course that did not fit into the Summary. Things like Language, definitely Violence, maybe some Blood, the occasional implication of other stuff. Unless something changes, it stays T
Once more, I have milked my brain cells for story material, and guess what? I'm still about as clueless as when I started, but hey, I have a general idea. Not the same thing as knowing exactly what I'm doing, but I have to stay pliable in case new inspiration strikes. I did read some sweet/cool stories in the meantime. Also, found out what Fanfic "Lemon" means... that was an interesting day.
So, my apartment room is freezing as I send this (no heat, no heater, no insulation); just a stove, soup, and good old-fashion friction... the non-lemon kind). I look forward to reading you guys again, so... yeah. Read, Review (particularly in that order). And hit me with you're guys Questions, Comments, and Concerns (affectionately known as QCC).
Oh, and a prompt... I guess. READ DILIGENTLY. I await your questions and realizations.
If it's too big of a realization for you to comfortably post, Private Message me. I'll get to your message as quickly as time, energy, and focus allows.
Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Titans...
What? Were you expecting something else, slightly or benignly humorous right here? When I can remember what humor is, I'll post it.
Without further adieu. *Que the dimming of the lights* - (heheh! I'm still keeping this)
The Proposition:
Prologue:
One Week Following the End of Falling Apart -
One bare hand stood out in front of the other, both palms open in preparation. He stood dressed in a sparring robe; his weapons, gadgets, and his uniform left behind. Even his shoes weren't spared their abandonment, the soles of his feet padding coldly against stone. The only personal affect he retained was his mask, which framed his closed eyes, his mind attempting to clear as it reached out. Even without his eyes closed it was pitch-black, but the subconscious need to cut off distraction made his lids remain shut.
He inhaled softly, attempting to be quieter than the anticipating beat in his chest.
"Terrible," a deep, gruff voice echoed in the caves around him. "You are too tense. Loosen your core, but do not release it. Keep yourself centered, and your feet firm."
He dodged, feeling something swipe past his face in the nick of time. He followed with a side step as something large bound past him, hiding once more in the darkness. He adjusted his stance, allowing his feet to flatten evenly against the ground as he centered himself, drawing a mild tension to his gut as he distributed his weight evenly. He followed the instructions perfectly.
"Your mind isss dissstracted," another voice rasped deeply. "Your heart beatsss like a frightened moussse. You're trusssting your sssensssesss far too much. You mussst sssenssse without sssensssing. Be one with all, yet individual."
He flipped backwards, hearing something slide under where his feet had been. As soon as he landed, he attempted to clear his thoughts, only to be startled forward by hands covering over his dark-blind eyes as a weight settled on his back.
"Ah-oo-oo! Guess who?" another chattered, it's high pitch hoarse. "Footing is off. Makes you unbalanced. No tail for balance. You must let body relax. Do not let limbs become ridged."
Before he could apply the instructions, a pain to his chin sent him airborne, scales racking his face. The weight on his back left with a shriek, but not before something small and wet wiggled in his ear. As he prepared to roll with his landing, a fuzzy, heavy weight pinned his body down, knocking the wind out of him as he slammed into the ground.
"You have improved little warrior," the weight on top of him complimented, "but you still have much to learn." He felt his lungs inhaled greedily as his back lightened, followed by a heavier sigh as he pushed to his feet, trying bitterly to wipe out whatever had been lathered in his ear. His chest still heaving, he bowed courteously, prepared to go another round.
Two claps sounded, an array of candles lighting up the dark from around a squat figure. "That is enough training for now. I swear, you youngsters do not know the meaning of respect. You are supposed to greet your elders before engaging in mindless combat."
The stones of the rocky cave glowed with the yellowish light, revealing the owners of the voices in question. The hulking form of an armored bear, a dark hood covered over the pale scales of a milky-eyed serpent, an armored white-furred monkey, and a homo sapien with a dark head of over-gelled spiky hair and a stare that made a porcupine look friendly.
All figures present turned to the figure, a short elderly woman of oriental origin standing with staff in hand, and bowler hat situated on her head. One might think she was just a harmless old lady; not that her wizen face, slight slouch, leaning into her staff for support, or twin braided white hair had anything to do with it. Few if any would suspect she was a master of martial arts, going on an undisclosed age… and still young.
"Yes, Master!" four voices chorused, heads bowing respectfully.
"Really? Robin comes to visit, and you three immediately start sparing with him. Where are your manners? I thought I taught you better," the elder scolded, walking over until she stood in front of the only other human in their midst. "How was your journey?"
Head still bowed, he answered, "Long, but eventful. The climb was pleasant too."
A loud Whack! startled the animal martial artists, their eyes flinching closed in reflex. The boy wonder now sported a nasty bump on his head, holding in how much it smarted.
"You do not visit for over a year, and you stop by for the climb?!" she exclaimed, chastising him. She gave a soft knowing smile the next moment. "I see you are troubled to have made such a long journey. Come. We will talk." She turned to her Guardians, her smile disappearing. "You are thee older students. But you are still students. Behave as such."
"Yes! Master!" they chorused, bowing lower… if that was even possible.
The True Master began walking away, and Robin hastened to follow before his fellow "students" decided to initiate another impromptu sparring session. But he still couldn't prevent the small smile that adorned his face. It was good to be back.
It wasn't until they reached the top of the mountain, the dojo and abode of the True Master, that Robin relaxed. Something about the multi-storied traditional Chinese architecture, a Lóu he believed it was called, seemed to authenticate his growth as a martial artist, accentuating his path as a hero.
But even heroes could be troubled.
Resting in the kneeling posture with his hands over his knees in the open-aired waiting room, he felt a well of apprehension rise up in him. He wasn't used to talking about things like this. Or asking for help. He had long since learned to take care of things on his own; but this time, he had no idea where to start.
Breathing apprehensively, he turned to look out at the firm mountain earth. He spied the stairs carved windingly into the mountain, its path adorned with colored trees that grew stubbornly from the mountainside. He smiled when he saw the cherry blossom tree growing to not far from the path, it's limbs bare, but it was a new addition to the scenery he found welcoming. Despite the chill in the air, it was a comforting sight.
"So what has drawn you back to the mountain 'little bird'?" the True Master asked, kneeling in front of him, her face the epiphany of calm.
'I really need a new nickname,' he thought, his eyebrows drawing together in reluctant acceptance. It had been his designated pet name since becoming one of the True Master's students. Not many people called him that, the first of whom had been his mother. At that thought, his face quickly drew out into a familiar seriousness that came to him naturally. "I came to ask for your advice, Master Chu-hui."
"Hmm," she scoffed, her head nodding slightly in feigned interest. "All this way for advice? I would despair to think what you have been doing without my advice back at your tower."
'Oof,' he thought, taking the blow to his pride with a grain of salt. And maybe some lemon juice. "I… don't know what to do. I'm just… lost."
"You will have to be more specific. There are many ways to be lost," she stated, holding up a hand for a moment of pause. She stood up, walking into another adjoined room. A couple of moments passed, and she returned, a gently steaming porcelain kettle in one hand, and an old shoulder bag in the other. She sat back down, pulling two wooden cups out of the satchel, setting one in front of him and the other in front of herself. With a gesture, she encouraged him to continue.
"Recently, something… happened. And now, I'm trying to… change," he stated, unsure of how to divulge his feelings on the subject matter at hand, ambiguity almost reflexively arising to the surface of his speech. "I want to be better, but I don't know how."
She closed her eyes for a moment, a look of serene and calm bestowed upon her visage before she opened them again. "One of your members has disappeared, gone into the wind. And you think it you are partially responsible?"
Robin raised startled eyebrows. "How did you know?"
"I divined it from the universe," she answered as if it were obvious, pouring the heated liquid into both cups. The color was like wet foliage, but the scent was something the reminded him vaguely of home… when he entered the Commons early in the mornings to find Raven already sipping on a cup of tea. It was a ritual he had come to miss. "You should not be surprised that I know. I keep an ear out for my students. Even when they are not present with me."
He smiled, accepting her offer of a cup graciously. He thumbed the side of it as warmth seeped into his palms, staring at his murky reflection in thought. "I want to change. The path I want to take is different from the path set before me. I need to make my own way, but I don't know how.
"I've been so busy living by someone else's standard, I forgot what it was to think for myself. I… I've been a rock, stuck to the side of a stream," he said with a sense of forlorn. "Unyielding. Unchanging.
"I'm grateful to my mentor, and I don't want to forget everything he's done for me, but I need to change into someone that isn't a reflection of him. I need to see me when I look in the mirror. I… I have people that rely on my ability to make the decisions, but also take their feelings into account as well. I work with a team. I don't work alone… and I haven't for a long time. And I need to be the kind of person that can appreciate that… before it's gone. Can you help me?"
"Hmm," she responded thoughtfully, setting the kettle down before taking a sip of her own tea. "Bruce always was a serious child with strong convictions and deadly obsessions. Unfortunately, it seems he has a tendency to force those traits into his students, without room for err."
Robin did his best to hide his surprise but failed miserably. "You know Bruce?"
"How could I not? The infamous 'Batman'," she said with a distant look in her eye. "I met Bruce when he was still finding his way; back before his fists sought justice." Another sip. "He was one of the few who did not need to fight his way up my mountain. After he defeated the Bear, he deduced my identity on his own."
"Wow," he whispered, still staring into his cup. "He was amazing even back then, huh?"
"Perhaps. But he was far too angry," she responded, with a dejected shake to her head. "Brilliant, driven, and angry should never be kneaded together lightly. I trained him for a time, but my way was not his. He sought other masters, and such was his choice. It is sad to know that his anger still burns brightly beneath that cold mask of his. All the same, I am glad that he found a good path, even if it is not a healthy one. But it is a shame he is a terrible teacher, and a questionable father."
Robin's eyes shot up, wide with fright as he tried waving off her statement. "Oh no! I'm not trying to come across as ungrateful or anything!" He took a deep breath to calm himself. "We just don't share the same path. I admire his convictions, but I can't be like him and let the villains consume my life. If I do that, I'll forget what makes life worth living for day-to-day."
Behind his closed eyes, he saw red. Red hair strands that had developed a wave to them over the years. Tangerine skin that glowed a range of bronze to gold in the morning sun, like a deity descended to his humble planet. Mmm, and green. Green eyes that could easily consume him when they sought his attentions… if he paid any consideration when he was expended in his work. That was why he needed to change. Not just for his team, but because he wanted a life beyond being a hero. He didn't want to be cooped up in his 'Cave', negligent to someone who made his life twice as bright as it could be dark.
"Mmm," the True Master, Chu-hui, exclaimed with a mild interest that genuinely touched in her voice. "So there is a girl involved. The 'little bird' is trying to build a nest to settle down in."
His eyes shot open. "Doh, Rei… Mee, Fah, Soh… Lah, Tee!" Robin stuttered, his face turning a shade of red brighter than the cherry blossoms planted outside would be, come late spring.
"You will have to sing better than that 'little bird'," she chastised with a smug smile that Robin took an instant dislike to. "Otherwise, your lady friend might find a different 'rooster' to nest with."
Robin's hand instantly shot to his growing hair, slowly pushing it down as he realized he had fallen right into her cleverly woven trap of wordplay. Removing his hand in resignation, the top of his head bristled back to its original comb without any tease necessary, save for her words.
She chuckled; a warm, elderly chuckle that let him know it was all in good spirit. "Perhaps you can bring her by sometime in the near future. I would like to meet the young woman that consumes so much of my student's time that he forgets to visit his poor, poor master."
Despite the mountain cool, Robin could feel the heat trail down from his face, crawl around his neck, and nestled onto his back. He would rather face the cold the mountainous altitude provided; rather than the prickly warmth his embarrassment had in surpluses.
"Yeah," he forced out weakly, unable to formulate any additional responses within his cognition. He shook his head as a small amount of reason clawed its way into place. "But you live halfway around the world," he rationalized. "Of course I don't visit often."
"The same could be said for me," she reasoned back. "I may not be as busy as a fancy suppa-hero like you, but I don't have a machine to fly over to visit like you do. And it would be such a long walk if I went to your home."
"Um, there's an ocean in the way," he pointed out, keeping his tone as humble as possible lest he receive a reprimand.
"Oh!" she exclaimed miserably. "So you would make this old woman swim just to see her student?!"
He slapped a palm to his face with an exasperated sigh. That was not what he had meant, and her words only made him feel worse.
"Fine," he muttered, his face-palm dragging down so just his mask was visible, his mouth still covered. "I'll bring her by sometime, but it might be a while until things calm down in Jump City. I can only afford a day or two here as is."
"Splendid," she said jovially, turning to a stern demeanor almost instantly a moment later. "If you seek a path your own, it is a journey you must make, just like your first time up the mountain.
"You seek to be a better leader? A better friend? Then you must treat your wards the same way you treat your Tangyuan: with kindness, patience, and respect."
'Kindness, Patience, and Respect. Hmm.' He stopped short as he replayed his teacher's words over in his head. "Um, what's a Tangyuan?" Robin understood some degree of Mandarin, courtesy of his linguistic training hammered into him by Batman; but for some reason, Tangyuan was coming up blank.
"It is a 'sweet dumpling'," she answered innocently.
No wonder he didn't know what it meant; treats and crime-fighting only came together in tv shows and novels, so Batman would never have assumed he would need to know.
'My 'sweet dumpling'?' he mulled. One moment. Two moments. Three mo- His cheeks began to heat anew as he turned rigidly to his master. "And just what are implying," he demanded softly, unable to adopt a threatening tone despite his best efforts.
"Nothing that hasn't already crossed your foolish young mind," she prodded stoically, sipping her tea once again, unabashed. "Now do not interrupt. You are being rude."
Sighing in defeat, he straightened his slouch. "Yes, master." He followed her example and quickly took a sip of his tea. He wished he had drank it steadily, now only a tepid liquid soothing his throat.
"All the same, I wish you good luck."
"Good luck?" Robin asked, blinking a couple of times in confusion, his cup still poised for another drink. "What for?"
"Oh, not much," Master Chu-hui replied with a sly smile. "Just something else I divined." Cryptic as always.
"Now," she stated, cutting off his inquiry sharply as she began to rise. "My Guardians say you have improved."
He opened his mouth to argue, only for his eyes to cross as the butt of her walking stick shot toward his face. His prowess kicked in, a hand freeing itself from his cup as he stopped the improvised weapon a mere inch from his nose. The liquid in his hand slushed around the utensil edge, drops threatening to spill over. He swirled it gently with his wrist, the stray drops rolling around the brim before falling placidly back into the cup.
He nonchalantly downed his tea before setting the cup down, keeping his face passive while his heart skipped a few beats. That had been close. Too close.
"Now who's being rude?" he retorted, a small smirk lining his face as he rose to his feet, stick in hand. "You would make a guest tea only to have them spill it?"
"If you had spilled it, I would think you have not been training enough," she replied in kind, also standing, not even meeting half of Robin's height. "Are you ready?"
He bowed respectfully, drawing into stance. He held the stick at height with his chest, with a clear line-of-fall to the ground. Smiling, he dropped it.
His excitement peaked, the world seemed to move at a crawl, waiting for the sharp sound of the stick against the floor to signal the start of sparring.
His eyes narrowed at his master's, and hers to his, as they stared each other down. Patient, waiting. Time was slowed, painstakingly inching forward as muscles tightened in anticipation.
Bum-bum. Gentle. Bum-bum. Calm. Bum-bum. Serene. Bum-bu-
Clack!
Master and student leapt for each other before the sound had finished trekking through their ears. The True Master flew high, arms extended, and foot aimed like the diving of a swooping hawk. Robin rolled from his leap over the dojo floor, crouching as his leg shot up, attempting to strike. The True Master landed gracefully on her student's heel, pushing off as they traded sides from their starting positions.
But they didn't pause, Robin immediately going on the offensive with a flurry of strikes and kicks that struck air as Chu-hui twisted and danced through them like a leaf in the wind. Changing tactics, she crouched on Robin's extended arm, reaching out to flick Robin on the nose.
Robin was thrown off balance by the weight to his arm and he fell forward, recovering by landing on his hands as though he were attempting push-ups. The True Master had ejected beforehand, now balancing flawlessly with one leg on Robin's empty tea cup, the other crossed as though she were preparing to meditate.
"Hmm," she scrutinized, looking him over as he flipped forward and over, landing in a crouch to face her. He held his amphibian-like stance, one brow raising in question. "Good. Now focus. Calm your mind. Think of something that makes you feel at peace."
Robin didn't argue as he inhaled deeply, closing his eyes to do as instructed. Once more, Robin saw the red of his girlfriend's hair. He could feel his muscles relaxing, despite the tension that one naturally encountered in a fight –The joy that lit up her smile– His breath calmed, the soft sensation of breath rolling through his chest and abdomen as he inhaled –The gentle caress of her callused warrior hands against his cheek– The hairs on his arm bristled as if brushed by cold air –The almost chaste way they kissed that continued to linger on the lips even after they separated– His skin buzzed, as if conducting an incredibly small electrical current.
He sensed it long before he should have: a change in the air that felt hostile. He rolled to the side, surrendering to the current as he felt his body move outside his volition, avoiding something he couldn't see, but felt.
His body was fluid, moving like liquid as he flipped backwards. His body felt light, springing with ease as he continued about his undetermined path. Just as he was prepared to stop again, he felt the sensation of hostility again.
He didn't have time to move as he took the hit square between the shoulders, knocked him out of his euphoric movements and thoughts. He hit the ground with a grunt, sliding slightly with a squeak from the clean dojo floor. A groan escaped his mouth as he attempted to roll over and sit up, only to be pushed back to ground with a huff. Master Chu-hui sat in the lotus position on his back, the beginnings of a hand-woven basket in her lap as she began to weave with a swift, practiced pace.
"Good," she affirmed, her hands working of their own accord as she glanced at Robin. "You have improved. That technique; practice it. You must practice being at peace, so even when in the midst of a battle, you will be calm. Strategy will only work so often. You must be able to anticipate your opponent and fight fluidly, with no form.
"It will be difficult training," she stated firmly. "You have been trained to harness your anger and resentment into the fire that lights your way. If you wish for a new path, you must extinguish that fire, and learn the trust the blind touch of calm and tranquillity. To be at peace."
"Really?" he hissed, his irritation overshadowing the calm he had felt just moments before. It didn't help that she was sitting right where she had kicked him between the shoulders. "I'm supposed to find inner peace? How am I supposed to remain calm in the middle of a fight?"
"Do not argue with your master," she commanded, her walking stick mysteriously back in her hands as she whopped him gently on the head. "You have only begun to improve, but you are still at the bottom of the mountain. You need persistence. Structure. Discipline. Now, push-ups!"
Growling, and muttering under his breath, Robin spaced both hands evenly on the ground, preparing to comply. Internally though, he truly wondered if he had improved. It didn't feel like it when compared to someone as skilled as the True Master. He certainly hoped he had. With that in mind, he pressed firmly against the ground, pushing himself up, making himself stronger.
If calm was the beginning of his new path, then he'd strive for it. For his team's sake.
But for some reason, he knew it wouldn't be so easy as that.
*Que Theme Song
A/N: Whacha guys thinking? Too much? Too little? Just enough to satiate you over? Honestly, I can say it's Great to be back.
Once again, this is a Rough Draft, so if there is anything that needs edited, or is connecting in a weird way for you guys, let me know and I'll try to clean up the text. I do accept grammar and spelling errors too. (A copy and paste, but hey, some things are worth repeating for you fine folk)
As always (and I'll just keep posting this because its true), keep posting your constructive criticisms, as they will help me know what to look for in my future writings, and for the days I decide to do a hard edit. A writer should never stop growing, and I have no intention of stopping now.
I thought about how I was going to introduce Robin's change-to-fame, and I realized that a mentor figure was needed. As much as Robin wants to change for his team, having one of the Titan's more-or-less coach that into him kinda degraded his status as team leader (to me anyway). So I pulled from his mentor list, and so far, the True Master was as close to a fine balance between discipline and affection as I could think. From what I understand about all his other mentors, they were kind of... psychologically questionable.
Master Chu-hui (as officially named in the Teen Titans credits) was a perfect mix of grandmother/mentor, hence some of her wit and banter with Robin. And seeing as how Batman traveled all over the world to train in martial arts, it struck me that he would have at least met her as a prospective master (you know, from a connected Universe standpoint). Though Robin looks up to Batman as his mentor and as a father-figure, I think in the process of explaining some of his views is what prompted me to give Robin a differing path then that of his former-mentor in favor of his current one.
Just to give a time frame, it should be about mid- to late-July in the story (I know, contrary to the freezing cold right now).
Fun Scientific Facts: From what I could find and deduce, Cherry Blossoms bloom at higher altitudes approximately during Early-April to Early-May, generally lasting only a few weeks. Given the True Master's location being narrowed to mountainous China, this was an approximate time, as I have no foreknowledge about this.
And yes, Tangyuan is a Sweet Dumpling (or a Rice Dumpling). I've only had Americanized versions, but they were tasty none-the-less. Still... nothing like authenticity.
I hope you guys enjoyed this new beginning, so please Read and Review, even if other people Review. The more, the merrier. Tis the season, and all that. Please indulge my curiosity, and let me know what parts you liked, what parts need work, and overall what you guys think about it :D
Reminder: I'll be responding directly to Reviews on the Review page. Just want to test it out, and see how that goes.
Heads-up:I'm not sure how often I'll be posting these yet, so I'm not going to outright say "one chapter every week", or "every two weeks". I'm exploring with some environmental factors in my writing, so I don't have a definitive-absolute or -maybe yet. I'll try to keep you guys posted
Read. Enjoy. And I'll read you guys next time with The Proposition - Chapter 1