Hey there all you faithful fans! I just watched the new episode 'Humanity' and was freaking about Robin's love interest! So cute! I was practically squealing through the entire episode! But just so you know, this story has nothing to do with that! This story actually came to me (as all good stories come) during school, and I have been procrastinating writing it. It's basically going to follow Mr. Howard (a made-believe science teacher for Dick Grayson) as he stumbles onto the dynamic duo's identity. And, more importantly, what he chooses to do with this new-found knowledge. Did I mention that the Jokers out of Arkem?

Drowning in Secrets

There were some things Mr. Howard never understood about his students. Like how some had to be completely color coordinated, from their hair bands to their pencils, or how others chose to wear pants three sizes too big. However, these were minor things that the middle-aged teacher simply accepted as passing fads. After all, every generation had its quirks. But it wasn't just these things that made his Gotham Academy students confusing, no; there were other things that made those kids completely different from anything else he'd seen; and he'd taught private schools.

Whenever a kid's dad would be running for election, or his mother would be filming for a new movie, everyone seemed to treat him like the most wonderful thing since sliced bread. Unfortunately, if the dad got runner up, or the movie didn't make the best sellers list, the kid was, simply put: dropped. They were still talked to of course, and still invited to parties and the like; but it was more as a front, in case next year his father won, or the next movie his mom was in was a hit. Heaven forbid if the child's parent actually lost their jobs. It didn't happen very often, but occasionally somebody important would become suddenly poor, and then the child was completely ignored. As if they had caught an infectious disease, everyone steered clear of them. It wasn't long until the poor child ended up leaving the prestigious school, although no one seemed to notice their absence.

It wasn't the notion of bettering one's social or political standpoint that Mr. Howard didn't understand; it was the fact that the people doing it were children.

David E. Howard had come from a normal family, living in an ordinary house, and had attended a simple, yet effective school. In fact his life had been so full with average-ness growing up, that he had often wondered if anything of interest was ever going to happen to him. It was this feeling of incompleteness that had led him to Gotham City; one of the most dangerous places in the country.

Upon arriving however, the middle aged teacher had a pang of doubt. Albeit messy, Gotham city had a nice appeal to it. Like all cities, people shoved and pushed through crowded streets, navigating around the sprawling structures with unconscious ease. Storefronts sold anything and everything, from flowers to casual groceries. Overall, nothing threatening or remotely strange was occurring amidst the sea of workers going about their lives. Nonetheless, David had decided to buy a small apartment, at least until bigger accommodations could be found.

Lounging back on his couch, he had let out a quite sigh before flipping on the TV. He still remembered the way it had lit up his small living room, the light bouncing off the walls as he surfed through the channels. Passing a news channel, he had paused, listening to its story of a 'revolutionary man in tights' who occasionally could be seen patrolling the streets of Gotham like some sort of guardian angel. Batman, he had thought to himself, continuing to flick through the channels. What right does he have to take the law into his own hands? Stopping on Event News, he had listened to some reporter ramble on about some huge gala Bruce Wayne was hosting that night. The balding man had watched in interest as the media went berserk, not around the million dollar playboy, but his son.

Richard Grayson had worn a coal black suite, a stick straight tie, and a nervous smile. He had just stepped out of a dark limo alongside his guardian, and had been immediately surrounded by hungry reporters.

"Mr. Grayson, what's it like living with the renowned Prince of Gotham?"

"What do you plan on doing now that you're living with the richest man in Gotham?"

"Tell us what-"

"Are the rumors true about you refusing to be adopted?"

At this last comment Bruce had finally stepped in, having rid himself of his pesky reporters only a few seconds ago.

"No comment." Was all the billionaire had said as he led his ward inside, placing a comforting hand on the harassed looking child, all the while shooting disapproving looks at the reporter.

A week after this introduction to Gotham City and its most famous inhabitants, David had been asked to teach at Gotham Academy, a school for the rich and privileged. It was there that he was to teach science to not only the mayor's daughter and a hundred other important kids, but Dick Grayson himself. When he had inquired why they were giving the job to someone from the backwaters of society, he had been informed simply that there weren't enough teachers willing to teach in Gotham anymore. And so he hadn't complained.

Looking back, if he had said no and gotten out of there sooner, maybe he wouldn't be in this predicament. Maybe if he hadn't taken such an interest in young Grayson and his unorthodox methods, or become concerned with the child's constant bruising, he could have avoided this all together. Or maybe if he hadn't tried to spill the Dark Knights secrets to the world, he would still be around.

Because at that exact moment, he was lying on the cold wet cement in the middle of a ware house. Dead.

And that's a wrap! For this chapter at least! Note that this was an intro to the story, and that the real story is hopefully gonna be a lot cooler! Plus it's not always gonna be from Mr. Howard's perspective. Thanks for reading this, and to all the people out there who have reviewed my stories: THANK YOU SO FREAKING MUCH! You have no idea how happy each and every one of your comments has made me, and I am internally grateful!

However my extreme happiness with the people who reviewed does not excuse those of you who didn't! Want to know a secret? The only reason I post these stories up is to get feedback. Otherwise I would just type them up and throw them away. So please, I know it's selfish, I know you're busy, and yes, I know not all of you can review, but please. Try.

So here's a rhyme that will hopefully convince you to Review! :D

I won't promise you virtual food,

Though I'll update my story.

But if you don't review

Things'll get gory.

(And I don't mean in this fanfiction xD)