DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Robin or the X-men and any other comic related characters, places or themes that appear in this story. This is a work of Fan Fiction and is for the purpose of the Readers enjoyment. This story is published free of charge and the author receives no royalties of payment of any kind. And please Disney and Warner Bros…don't sue me!
Note to the reader: This story is set in modern error, in a world where the Marvel Universe and DC Comics world exist on the same plan of reality. There will be characters and Villains from both worlds mixing together. Also, I will do my best to stay true to each individual character but will change backgrounds and characters if it benefits the story. PLEASE REVIEW AND LEAVE FEED BACK and I'm always open for suggestions. I will try to add an issue weekly as time permits.
ROBIN AND THE TEEN X-MEN
ISSUE # 0 – A FORESHADOW OF THINGS TO COME
:::::Somewhere between Gotham City and Upper New York State:::::
I know this isn't supposed to be a punishment, but it sure as hell feels like it.
The sleek black roadster barreled down the highway at near 80 mph. Bruce had offered Tim the option of radio but since Tim hadn't responded they rode in silence. They were an hour into the drive and maybe only 20 words had been spoke between one another, most coming from Bruce. Tim gazed out the passenger window as the trees zoomed by so fast that they turned into one big green blur. His thoughts wondered back to his father.
It had been two months since his dad had died. The Joker had violently murdered Tim's father by beating him with a crow bar, the same as he had done to Jason, the second Robin, four years earlier. Tim, the third and current Robin had not arrived in time to save his father. The Joker had escaped and not been seen since. Tim vowed to avenge his father which must be why Bruce is shipping of to some prep school two hours away from Gotham.
I will get him. Bruce can't protect that villain anymore. He is mine.
The exterior of the school reminded him a lot of Wayne Manor. It was a sprawling Victorian mansion, reminiscent of an English palace. Tim could hear kids playing and laughing in the distance and basketballs dribbling, with grunts and shouts coming from some other unknown recreational activity. Tim moved to the trunk to grab his bags. Bruce met him there.
"Tim, you know this is only temporary and if you are needed, you're only two hours away." Bruce said sounding softer than usual. More human and less Dark Knight-ish. Bruce was the world's greatest detective. He was Batman. But today he was trying really hard to be Bruce Wayne. Tim did appreciate the effort, but not the results. It seemed fake and forced. Bruce did not do emotion well.
"I still don't get it. I should be in Gotham hunting down the Joker. Not up here pretending to be a normal teen. Gotham needs me and like it or not, you need me too." Tim gave one last effort change Bruce's mind.
"It's not forever, just a little while. And I don't think you'll find these other teens as what most would consider normal." Bruce smirked. Tim did not know what he meant and really didn't care. He was too angry to play along with Bruce's jests. "Think of this as a well-deserved vacation."
"Because high school courses so rock? I love learning things that I already know over and over again." Tim had always been a self-taught learner and way advanced for his age. His detective skills were off the charts and he loved research and investigation. On his own at age 11, he had figured out who Batman's secret identity and then confronted Bruce demanding to be the next Robin. Reluctantly Bruce agreed. That was four years ago.
"You'd be surprised what you can learn when keep an open mind." Bruce said.
At the top of the drive, three people had come out to greet them. The first on the left was a tall lean black lady with ghost white hair and a brilliant green pendant draped around her neck. She appeared almost to take no notice of them as they approached, keeping her eyes on the distant clouds on the horizon. To the right, stood a muscular guy wearing a leather jacket and the reddest glasses that Tim had ever seen. Even though Tim couldn't see his eyes, he could tell those eyes were staring at him, measuring. In the middle sat a man in a wheelchair. He was older, 50s maybe. His head shaved clean. A thin friendly smiled pursed on his lips as he wheeled forward to greet them.
"Hello Tim. My name is Charles Xavier."
:::::Xavier's School For The Gifted:::::
Wow, this place is immaculate! I think it'd even pass Alfred's white glove inspection. Tim thought while taking a seat in in Charles Xavier's office.
Tim's eyes couldn't help but wonder around the room. There were pictures, statues, books, antiques and trinkets lying about all in perfect order. All the furniture was dark cherry, black or chrome steel and matched and complimented each other simple but exquisite simplicity.
The suit that Professor Xavier wore was eloquent and expensive. Tim not only recognized that Professor Xavier had money but he was born into it. Like Bruce, he had a distinguished mannerism that cannot be learned but must be bred. He had a gentleman's English demeanor. And although everything on the surface screamed, "stuffy-old-British-guy", just below the surface, Tim could almost feel a humbleness and sincerity waiting to exude itself. When Professor Xavier addressed you, he looked directly at you, eye to eye. Tim got the feeling that his kind, friendly eyes, could see into your soul.
"Tim. I am very glad that you are here." Xavier said. "But I sense that you are not as excited to be here at Xavier's School for the Gifted."
This guy is a mind reader. Tim mused.
"Well I just think that I could be of more use elsewhere." Tim admitted.
"Professor X. I know who you are and what you can do so by now you must know who we are too." Bruce said leaning forward in his seat. "I'd prefer to continue this conversation in private." Looking at Professor Summers and Storm (just Storm), as the two teachers had introduced themselves with Professor Xavier when they had greeted Bruce and Tim at the driveway.
"Scott, that's our queue." Storm said to Professor Summers, her voice thick with a south-African accent. As she passed Tim she put a gentle reassuring hand on his shoulder.
Did I just miss something? Tim thought.
"Professor, I don't…" Professor Summers began.
"Scott it's okay. I am in no danger here. Mr Wayne would just like to talk privately. No harm in that." Professor Xavier.
"Bruce, what's going on here?" Tim asked.
Bruce remained silent until the teachers, with the exception of Professor Xavier, had left the room.
"Um Bruce, do ya mind clueing me in on what is going on here?" Tim asked.
"While he is here, no one can know his true identity." Bruce said.
"I agree. " Professor Xavier retorted.
Has Bruce lost it? Tim jaw almost dropped to the floor.
"So what we're saying is that no one can know that I am Tim Drake, right?" Tim asked, putting extra emphases on the word "right", staring straight at Bruce.
"No. No one can know that you are Robin" said Bruce.
Tim jumped straight to his feet. He just said it! I can't believe he just said it!
"Tim please sit down." Professor Xavier said in a calm manor, while motioning with hands. "Perhaps an explanation is in order" looking to Bruce.
Bruce turned to Tim, "Professor X is a mutant and has uncanny psychic abilities. He knows who you are and who I am. And I believe that he can be trusted."
"A little heads up would have been nice." Tim said sitting back down.
The door opened and Professor Summers walked back in and rejoined Professor X, standing to his left.
"I invited Scott back in. He is my most trusted ally and is aware of Tim's need for anonymity. "
"I would have preferred that only you knew Tim's identity." Bruce scowled.
"As you have investigated and discovered all of our identities, I didn't see the problem in Scott knowing. I think it's only fair really" replied Professor X.
OMG! These guys are The Xmen! Professor Summers is Cyclops! He was right there in front of my face. How could I have been so blind? Tim thought that he must be losing it.
"You're not losing Tim." Professor X said reassuringly.
"No. He's just distracted." Bruce added, like he knew exactly what Professor X meant.
Distracted? Tim's blood boiled at Bruce's comment. So that's why I'm here, because I'm distracted. He thinks that I'm going to get myself hurt!
"Might I be frank here?" Cyclops asked. "Tim you seem like a nice enough young man but I have some reservations. This is a school for mutants and you're not a mutant. "
"Correction Scott, this is Xavier's School for the Gifted, says so right on the sign. A young man with Tim's capabilities is highly gifted in my opinion." Xavier said never breaking eye contact with Tim.
"Yes but all of the other students here are mutants. He's won't fit in." Scott pleaded.
"Scott, if we were to exclude a student from our school based solely on the fact that that individual was not a mutant, then we would be going against everything that we're struggling to overcome. Remember Scott, equality is just that, equal. Here we will always offer equality for mutant and human alike."
"I'm sorry Tim, I just worry that your father has ulterior motives." Cyclops admitted.
Tim was still angry with Bruce and snapped, "He's not my father. I'm just his ward!" It came out much nastier then Tim meant. Bruce's face turned to stone. Tim could see it transforming to Batman, just without the cowl. Tim wanted to apologize but wasn't sure what to say.
"Tim is welcome here. For your stay you'll go by the alias of Tim Gordon and of course have no mention your alter id." Professor X said. "If that satisfies everyone's concerns, then Scott will show you to your room and Storm will arrange a tour of the school."
"This way Tim" Scott said.
Tim stood to leave, paused and turned to Bruce, "Bruce I. . ." The words failed him. He knew that he had hurt Bruce bad.
"Tim I know that you'll do well here and I just ask that you please keep an open mind and I'm sure that you'll find this experience enlightening." Professor X said.
Tim turned and followed Cyclops out the door.
A/N: I hope you've enjoyed this brief introduction into the new world of Robin and the Teen X-men! Whereas Issue 0 was more of a prologue then a true full issue. Issue # 1 will include more introductions as Tim is amerced into the X-men world and will find that making friends at a school full of mutants when you're the only normal human can be more difficult then he might have first imagined. He will also get his first taste of some of the classes that he will be taking, like Professor Logan's hand to hand self-preservation should be a good time. Please review. All feedback is welcomed. And thanks for reading True Believers! - Bloatman