FOCUSED

"EXTRA! EXTRA! The Famous Donor Dashwood is no more! Read today's headline, Feet Shattered, Just Like His Dreams!!" The paper boy shouted, waving the freshly printed newspaper in the air wildly to get the rushing pedestrians to notice him.

Many of the people upon hearing this, rushed to the paper boy to get a look at their once number one chance of getting into the championships cripple before their eyes. There was a picture on the headline of the young and handsome Dashwood now resigning in a wheel chair with big fat casts on his legs. Soon after that happened, the once rich family was losing money.

After all, Donor was how the family got the money. None of the other family members were good at anything such as Donor. At least none that would get them the big bucks. Donor had shattered his two feet by doing a triple flip and landed on his ankles, ruining his career. However, Donor kept his head held high for his family, never letting the anger from his old fans get to him.

Many of his competitors tried to wreak his reputation by saying nasty rumors and fake proof. Soon the family was nearly bankrupt. Donor Dashwood was married to a woman named Cecilia and had one son and one daughter.

His son was named Julius and his daughter named Aster. The family managed to get enough money to live in an apartment and continued to go through life. His children were not afraid to say their last names to others. They actually introduced themselves with pride. Years passed and his children had children of their own. By that time, many people had forgotten about Donor Dashwood. Finally the family could be normal and at peace. However, one girl had another goal in mind.

Alisha Dashwood did several backwards extension rolls, needing it to be flawless. She kept going and going until she knew she had it perfect. She stood up and did some more stretches before walking toward the low beam and climbing onto it carefully.

She took a calming deep breath before doing a 180 split leap. She continued to do so until she knew she had that perfect as well. She then jumped off of the beam. She looked at the timer and knew she had to run. She needed to keep up the pace if she needed to be the best. She wanted to be a good runner and a good gymnast. Plus, running relaxed her. It also made her more muscled and disciplined.

Alisha shoved her newly colored highlighter green hair from her face and ran too the track to run 5 miles. As she began to run the track she timed herself every time she began. She always tried to beat her record from the night before. Alisha was at the boarder line of puberty at 12 years old. However Alisha didn't care about her breasts coming in, she didnt care about her hair or face, nor did she even care about boys.

She only had one goal, and that one goal was to take her family to the top once again. To full fill what her grandfather should have been. She knew it was her destiny to become like her grandfather. However, she wouldn't stumble. She would NOT shatter any bones. She would do whatever it takes, and nothing was getting in her way to get what she wants.

Now to the Wayne Mansion...

Richard was having a bad day. He just couldn't get anything right today. It didn't even help that Bruce kept making comments here and there along with Alfred. Alfred kept asking if he needed to rest, or if he needed something to drink or a war towel. No, he didn't want a freaking warm towel, or something to drink, or to rest. He was restless. He just needed to get something right! He had tried to fight off this crook and got knocked out, which meant the crook was set free for the night. This angered Richard to no end. He hated failing a mission. Hell it was practically practice for when the real villains came out to play.

"Richard, get it together." Bruce snapped, seeing Richard in his own world again.

Richard immediately straightened. "Sorry.. I just.."

Bruce sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Just go rest, alright? We can continue practice tomorrow."

Ricchard felt his neck burn with embarrassment and anger. "No, I wont go rest. I am going to continue to work until I know I can do it."

"You have worked for hours. Don't over work yourself."

Richard grit his teeth. "I am not over working myself! I know when I will be tired and I am not even close yet! So-"

"That is an order." Bruce said, giving him his famous glare. "Now GO REST." He said firmly.

Richard was tempted to scream and stomp out of the Bat Cave like a teenage girl, but he just firmly nodded and walked out. He quickly went to his room and put on some sweats. He needed to get out. He just needed to go calm his nerves. Resting would not help him. Hell he wouldn't be able to sleep if he didn't go out. He had heard of this gym that had been shut down for years, just left to decay.

He hoped it would have some supplies. He snuck out of the mansion and got into a bus that stopped near the gym. He wore a hood over his head to hide his face. He got off of the bus and made his way over to the gym. He saw there was a gate chained up heavily with several locks. Richard smirked and started to climb up the gate easily. He soon made it on the other side.

He went to the entrance and noticed that the entrance was unlocked. He raised an eyebrow curiously. He then heard the hard pounding of running inside the gym. He silently went inside the gym, curiosity getting the best of him. He was surprised to see a girl around his age running on a track, however it was hard not to notice her with her bright green hair.

He grew fascinated. What was a girl like her doing here this late at night? Also, she didn't look like a normal girl. The girl was tall, however somewhat stocky with her wide shoulders and muscled thighs, legs and arms. Her bright green hair was long and pulled into a tight pony tail. The girl slowed into a jog, stopping her timer in her hand. The girl squealed and jumped in the air happily.

"I BEAT IT BY A MINUTE! YES! IM ALMOST THERE, GRANDPA! ALMOST THERE!"

Richard just stood there, intrigued. The girl suddenly looked up, her dark eyes meeting his light ones. Her triumphant grin was gone in an instant, her eyes blazing with anger.

"How the heck did you get in here?! This place isn't open! Get out!"

Richard gawked as she began to fast walk towards him.

"I-I didn't mean to I thought this place was-"

"Abandoned?! Yeah well I got news for you, buddy. It ISN'T. Now get OUT."

She was in front off him now, her hands on her hips. Richard didn't move an inch. He wouldn't be intimidated by this girl.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted a place to practice-"

"Then go somewhere else. Go to a normal gym!" She snapped.

Richard held back a grin. Every time the girl scowled her eyes wold squint and her nose scrunched up. Even how she stood when she was angry. She always thought before she acted. Her fists were clenched to her hips still.

"What the heck are you smiling at?! Get the heck out! Now! Before I take you out!"

"On a date? Sorry I just met you."

The girl snarled, "This is my grandpa's gym. Only I can come in here. Now I am going to count to three."

Richard grinned and crossed his arms over his chest. "Okay."

He could tell the girl was about to explode in fury. But he just could not help himself.

"One." She growled.

"Two." He said.

Her face burned red.

"Two." She hissed.

"Three." He sang.

The girl punched him in the gut, making him gasp in surprise. However before she could do any real damage he grabbed her wrists.

"LET GO OF ME YOU FREAK! YOU ARE THE TRESPASSER NOT ME! THIS IS MY FAMILIES' PROPERTY!"

"What do you mean your families' property?"

"My grandpa used to own it when he was popular." The girl said, giving him a death glare. He had to admit, it was a good one.

"Well, then why is it closed-"

She suddenly was out of his grip and sweeped his legs from under him, knocking him down on the floor. She got on top of him and pinned him down, getting in his face.

"Whoa, I think we are going too fast-"

"Shut up! Now it is my turn to ask the questions."

"Fair enough." He said.

"Why are you here?" she demanded.

"Because I needed to relax. Too many things were going on where I live."

"Why here?"

"Because I wanted to be alone." He answered honestly.

"A little late for that." she said, her eyes narrowing.

She got off of him and backed away from him, but kept her eyes firmly on him.

"Are you armed?"

He was, but he didnt want her to think he was a threat. "No." He said.

She raised an eyebrow, "Liar. Your finger twitched toward your pant leg. Give me your weapon."

Richard tensed, not liking at how she was this good at knowing these things. "Are you an assassin?" He asked seriously.

The girl blinked in surprise before snorting. "I may become one tonight."

He relaxed. "Fine. I'll leave."

She crossed her arms over her chest, "Does it honestly take you that long to leave?!"

He smirked, "No. Usually I'm pretty fast and good at hiding my tracks."

"Shoo. I hope I never get to see your face again." She said, rolling her eyes.

"You never know." He said smoothly before exiting the gym silently.

He didn't leave yet however. He heard her let out a sigh of relief. "What a creep..." She muttered. "No wonder mother said never talk to strangers."

He again tried not to grin. In all of his 13 years of living he had never met someone this interesting. He quickly left the property and got back to the mansion without being caught on any of the cameras. He got into his room and showered. He then got into his bed and stared at the ceiling. He smiled to himself. It was rare for him to see someone react in such a way. Bruce never really reacted much. Except in frustration or anger. Sometimes he'd manage a smile, but it always seemed a little forced. Richard found himself falling asleep with a smile on his face.

Alisha continued to train hard the past few days, happily not seeing that odd boy. His light eyes kept glittering with amusement as she expressed her rage toward him. Oh it made her blood boil. She was sure her blood pressure spiked up a little higher than normal that night.

Her parents had asked her why she seemed upset, but she managed to get them off of her back. They would just mutter about how she was already arriving to that stage. What stage?! She brushed her hair aggressively since her mother begged her to look nice today. It was picture day after all.

She put on the dress her mother set down on the bed for her, which to Alisha made her feel itchy. She didn't hate dresses too much. But she didn't understand the reason to dress like this to school. School is where you learn. You don't need to dress to impress. Blow people away with your intelligence she believed. The dress was a light blue that somehow complimented her hair and put on some white flats.

"Are you ready, sweetie?" Her mother called from the other room.

"Let me see my beautiful granddaughter!" Her grandfather called excitedly.

Alisha put on a brave face for her grandpa. She walked into the living room and they all squealed with happiness. "Dashing!" "Beautiful!" "Elegant!

Alisha tried not to roll her eyes. It. Was. Only. A. DRESS. She saw her grandpa hold out his hand toward her from his wheel chair. She smiled and took his hand.

"Twirl for me?"

She couldn't say no to him. She nodded and twirled in a full circle, making him chuckle and clap. She did a bow for effect.

"Time for school, Alisha! Let's go!" Her father said, opening up the door.

She kissed her grandpa on the cheek and rushed outside to the parking lot. They then drove her to school. It was going to be her last year in middle school. She couldn't wait to leave and face the life of High School. It would certainly be a new experience. Also, her 13th birthday was coming up in a few weeks.

As she got closer to her birthday, the more jittery and excited she got. Her grandpa had promised her the present of her dreams. Soon her daydreams had to be cut off when they had arrived to Gotham Middle School.

She saw many other girls in flashy dresses and to her dismay, wearing make up. Her parents kissed both of her cheeks and drove off. The warning bell rang, meaning she had five minutes to get to class on time. She rushed to her first period.

RICHARD'S POV

"Pay attention. Find openings. Good, but hit harder." Batman directed to me as we sparred.

I used my height to by advantage and slid under him before trying to put him into a head lock and throw him down but Batman was already ahead of me. He grabbed my arm and pushed my face into the floor.

I tried to get out of his hold.

"At this rate you wont be able to fight anyone, Robin." Batman said, disapproval in his voice.

I grit my teeth and twisted my body around, kneeing him in the chest hard. Batman groaned, loosening his grip on me slightly. I grabbed his head and kneed him again, knowing my legs were the strongest part of my body. I then threw him onto the floor, lifting his head up, holding a knife to his throat. I could tell his nose was bleeding and I bruised his ribs buy how his breathing was labored, but he didn't let that show.

I lightly dug the knife against his neck. "I win."

I saw his lips twitch into a smirk before he kneed me in the crotch, making me open my mouth to scream. Before I could even blink Batman shoved me off of his body as I grabbed my crotch, wheezing. I felt like throwing up my lunch. Batman brushed himself off, not giving me a glance. I glared at him.

"That was a low move!" I growled, my voice barely audible, but I knew he heard me. Batman shrugged, fixing his cape.

"Any move is a good move. It depends on the measures you need to take. Also the circumstances."

I mumbled under my breath.

Batman turned around and demanded, "Are you going to stay on the floor all day or get up like a man."

I bit my lip and stood up, still covering my crotch. Next time, I thought to myself, I am going to wear a cup.

"Alright. I'm up. Now what?" I asked with a sigh.

Batman looked at me. "Nothing with that attitude. Tell me when you are ready to take this seriously."

I wanted to rip my hair out. I AM trying my hardest! I just.. don't know what he wants from me. It's like he wants me to be perfect, which is impossible. Maybe being Robin isn't for me after all... But I can't give up. It is against my nature, right?

I want to do good for the world. To make Gotham a better place alongside Batman. THE Batman. Why the hell would I pass this opportunity up? I suddenly thought of that girl with the green hair. Whatever that girl was doing, I could tell she had a goal. So set on it. I should be like that. I shouldn't let anything get in my way. I just need to try harder... Just like what Batman said. I can do this. Just get up, and be a man. I stood up and jogged over to Batman.

"Okay. I'll be a man. Let's spar." I said.

Batman immediately spun around, suddenly taking out what looked like his batarang until it suddenly wrapped around me, tying me with rope. I gasped in surprise.

When I looked up, Batman was already walking away. "Get out of that, and we can continue. While waiting I'll go have some breakfast."

I gawked at his retreating figure. "YOU'RE JUST GOING TO LEAVE ME HERE?! HOW WILL I GET OUT OF HERE?!"

He didn't answer.

"BATMAN!" I yelled. "BATMAN!" Still nothing.

"BRUCE!"

And still nothing. I guess I was really left on my own.