The Beginning of Everything
Surrounded by doctors, a small family gathers together on the night of December 1, 1996. Not mourning a loss, but celebrating a new addition. John Grayson sits in a plastic chair next to the bed where Mary Grayson lies. Both their eyes focused on the small newborn child in her arms.
John looks up to meet Mary's smiling eyes. "What do you want to name her?"
Mary gazes down at her daughter as she blinks open bright blue eyes. "Raven. Raven Grayson."
...9 years later...
A young girl runs between the many people gathering on the circus grounds. She giggles as she looks back at her cousin John as he chases her, weaving between the tents being set up. Her shoulder-length black hair waving from the wind blowing past her face as she sprints. Large cerulean blue eyes blink up at the people passing by.
"Ray, come back here!" Her Cousin John's voice rings out as he calls to her.
"Catch me if you can!" She yells back at him. As she runs, the little girl passes the tent where the acrobatic supplies are. She slows down as she sees a man kneeling by a box. She furrows her brows as she recognizes him as being the man Uncle Haly* had been talking to earlier. She is pretty sure his name is Mr. Zucco.
Pounding footsteps distract her as she speeds up just in time to avoid her cousin's arms as he reaches out to grab her. She laughs, and continues running. "Too late, slow poke!" she exclaims.
"Come on, Raven, we have to go help set up for the show tonight!" John tells her as he races after her.
Raven changes direction suddenly, shouting "Race ya to our trailer!"
John sighs in exasperation before speeding up after her, their figures disappearing into the crowd.
...Later that night...
Hundreds of people gather in a large red and white tent, cheering at the performers in the center ring. The ringleader shouts into a megaphone as the end of the show draws near.
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! For our last event tonight, please draw your attention to the trapeze platforms. The Flying Grayson's are going to show you their special routine- performed without a net! Before you start worrying, folks, rest assured that they have done this many times before, but the youngest little lady, Raven, is going to be sitting out for this one."
Little Raven Grayson watches as her family start their act. Midway through, much to everyone's horror, the trapeze ropes break, and many scream in terror as the family fall to their deaths.
Raven screams as she watches them fall, oblivious to panicking people running out of the tent. "Nu! Mamă, Tată! Tanti, Unchi, Văr!" (No! Mother, Father! Aunt, Uncle, Cousin!"
She rushes down the ladder connecting the platform to the ground. She has eyes only for her family, not noticing the richly dressed man running towards her, grabbing her and turning her away.
"Nu! Nu, familia mea! Trebuie să le văd!" (No! No, my family! I need to see them!) She sobs, tears running down her face as she struggles against the man holding her. She collapses, weeping, as tears soak into the man's shirt.
He tries to sooth her, "I'm sorry, but they're gone, shh, I'll take care of you."
"Ele nu pot fi plecat!" (They cannot be gone!)
…A few months later…
Raven "Ray" Grayson looks up at the large mansion before her. She turns back to the man who had adopted her, Bruce Wayne.
He smiles encouragingly at her and gestures toward the front door.
She faces forward and takes a deep breath. 'New life, here I come…' She thinks as she steps forward through the doorway.
…2 weeks later…
"You're Batman."
"Yes."
…
"Can you train me?"
"Why?"
…
"I want to help others, so they do not feel the loss I have felt. I want to bring justice to those who deserve it. I want… no- I need to do this. For them."
…
"What will you be called?"
Her eyes are set in determination. "I will be known as… Robin."
…A Tale Retold…
*I figure that growing up in a circus, everyone's close and takes part in raising the younger generation.
