Another chapter! And this one is huge! Anyways we all know how Dick became Robin so knowing it isn't entirely how it actually happened just let it go. I was just too lazy to read through my comic to get it right. Either way for the most part it's all there...sigh...
Well anyway here's another update technically for me in the same day woot woot. Next chapter is going to go back to the present for a little while I think, I'm not entirely sure yet but after that we get back to Wally! YAY :D Anyway enjoy.
Shortly before Dick's 9th birthday Batman received word of a fire at his school. He rushed over to find that all the children had made it out safely except one. Dick had saved a girl in his class but in doing so managed to trap himself.
He rushed into the building listening closely for any signs of Dick nearby. All was silent except for the sounds of the school burning and rooms caving in. It wouldn't last much longer. "Dick!" He yelled running as fast as he could.
"Help!" Finally a sign!
He followed Dick's voice and found him. He was curled in the corner on the ground in a classroom. He was coughing badly and trying to keep conscious. Dick needed to get out now before he inhaled too much smoke.
Batman snatched him up whispering words of comfort in his ear, "Don't be scared, I've got you."
"I'm not scared." He responded.
Looking at his face he almost believed him but by the way he was clinging to him and shaking he knew better. The boy was terrified but acted well under the pressure.
Getting in had been the easy part, getting out was proving to be difficult. He searched for an exit but everything was either blocked or being blocked as the roof started caving in. Thinking fast he threw one of his exploding batarangs at the wall creating a hole. They jumped through it just as the rest of the building came crashing down behind them. It was a close call and one Batman wouldn't enjoy trying again if he had to.
He handed Dick off to the paramedics and disappeared so that Bruce Wayne could make his appearance.
Bruce rushed to the boy sitting by an ambulance and scooped him into a tight embrace, "Are you ok?" He asked setting the boy back down.
Dick beamed up at him excitement radiating off him, "Bruce I saved one of the girls in my class! She was stuck and I helped her get free but then I got stuck and Batman had to come and save me! Batman is so cool!"
He breathed a sigh of relief. In the two years he'd taken Dick in he'd become very fond of the child, he couldn't help but think of him as his own in some ways. He was just glad to see his boy safe. "When they told me you were inside I rushed right over. Don't ever scare me like that again!"
Dick looked down deflated, "Yes sir."
He scooped him up into his arms carrying him to the car, Alfred was waiting for them. "That was very brave of you."
The smile returned to Dick's face. All was well.
"So tell me more about Batman."
"He was so cool! He burst through the door and told me not to be scared; I wasn't scared though so it was a waste of his time. Oh and he knew my name! Wait till I tell Wally about this he's going to be so jealous!"
"Isn't he a big Flash fan?"
"Who cares Batman is way cooler!"
Bruce smiled to himself; he was way cooler than the Flash.
Too much excitement for the day had Dick asleep long before they reached the manor. Bruce carried him up to his room and tucked him into bed. There were newspaper clippings of batman covering his desk, since when had he taken such a liking to Batman and why hadn't he noticed before?
Sketched of different costumes were scattered across the floor. They were all very similar to the flying Grayson costume Dick still had hanging in his closet He knew that he still practiced his acrobatics but he hadn't known the boy still wanted to return to the circus. "Robin the Boy Wonder" was plastered on each picture. He chuckled to himself, big dreams for a little guy.
Dick was the first awake for once, he nimbly made his way down the stairs jumping onto he banister and flipping off the last few steps. With Wally's encouragement he'd taken practicing his acrobatics up to and everyday routine for an hour or two. He knew that Bruce was aware he was still doing it but he was unsure of how serious Bruce knew he took it. Whether he kept it up to go back to the circus he didn't know yet, for now it was a cool trick to show off when the need arose.
He opened the front door and reached for the newspaper but catching sight of the heading halted him "Zucco escaped convict seen in Gotham."
He was horrified. How had he escaped? How could anyone let him escape? Why wasn't he informed he was loose? Horror soon turned to rage.
He had a plan. If no one else was going to keep track of Zucco Dick was going to change that. He waited for nightfall and snuck out. He wasn't stupid, it had taken him a few days but he'd managed to track him down.
He left after dark when he thought everyone was sleeping. He rode his bike, like the big crime fighter he felt like. Who was he kidding; he looked like a joke riding down the street in his flying Grayson tights with a crowbar strapped to his back. Either way he was going to make sure that Zucco would never be able to tear apart another family again.
With his awesome skills he managed to get into the warehouse undetected. What a predictable hiding spot, a warehouse. Dick couldn't help but be embarrassed for the guy. He snuck down and thankfully Zucco was by himself. A few quick bashes to the head and Dick was standing over him ready to finish it off. He froze. Looking into the eyes of his parents killer and froze up.
It was all the time needed for Zucco to turn the tables and have Dick on the floor with a crowbar dangling in front of his face, "You wanna know how it feels kid?" He threatened winding up. He got one good crack across his chest before a dark figure had jumped on him. Seconds passed and Batman was standing over Dick with Zucco tied up behind him.
"What do you think you were trying to do?" He snarled at him.
"H-he killed my parents." He mumbled trying to seem brave. At the very least he wasn't cowering like he secretly really wanted to do.
Batman thought for a moment and looked between the two. It seemed that Dick had his own plans for justice and he was curious to see which path he would choose. He handed him the crowbar and stepped back, "If that's what you want to do then I won't stop you." Of course he would if he actually tried but he had faith in Dick, "But keep in mind that it'll change you forever."
Dick looked from Zucco back to Batman. It was a hard decision to make. He could seek the revenge for his parents he wanted but it wouldn't change anything. It wouldn't bring them back. He dropped the crowbar and turned away, "He's not worth it." He whispered.
Batman sucked in a big breath of relief and kicked Zucco before pulling him close, "Listen very closely. If I hear even a tiny whisper that you're near that boy I will hunt you down like the dog that you are and nothing will save you from me." He watched the fear wash over the criminals face and threw him to the ground. The police would be there shortly, it was time to get Dick home.
He found him trying to climb back on his bike and snatched him up. "Get off me!" He screamed struggling.
"Calm down I won't hurt you."
He stopped struggling and seemed to relax, "It's just you Batman." He seemed relieved.
"Let's get you home."
He walked him over to the batmobile and motioned for him to get in. "But my bike."
"Already inside."
"I'm not supposed to go off with strangers?"
Well he couldn't be mad at that one. None the less he waited patiently for the boy to start squirming and eventually cave to his demands. Dick climbed into the batmobile without any more fight.
Bruce had been toying with the idea of letting Dick in on his secret. He could handle himself well under pressure and he was loyal, both excellent traits for someone to keep a secret.
"I've been doing some thinking lately Batman. I think you could use a partner." He said breaking the silence.
"Do you? And I supposed you know exactly who I should be considering too?"
"Of course, I'd be perfect."
"Not going to happen."
"But I got all the way here and inside without anyone knowing. I'm super sneaky and I know you need someone watching your back."
Is this why he'd been designing costumes and putting so much more into his acrobatics? To attempt to become Batman's partner?
"It's not going to happen." He felt himself considering the idea. He handled himself well under pressure, he's loyal, a quick learner and filled with so much anger. With proper training he could almost picture it. What was he thinking? No it wasn't going to happen.
"You don't know what it's like. Seeing people getting away with murder, losing your parents. I could do this."
Hadn't he taken Dick in because he saw himself in the boy? Who was he to deny him his right to do just what he himself had done. But that was crazy and irresponsible. What would his parents think if they heard he was even considering putting their child, his child, in that kind of danger? It wasn't going to happen.
"You'd be surprised what I know. It's still not going to happen."
"How would you know anything?" He snapped tears started sliding down his face.
He hated when Dick cried. It broke his heart and he wanted nothing more than to make everything better no matter what it took. But he would not consider putting him in that kind of danger. He pulled his cowl back revealing his identity, "I know more than you would ever think."
"Bruce?"
He stayed quiet letting him process the new information. "How...when...what?"
"Yes Dick I am Batman and as both Batman and your care giver I will not put you in that kind of danger."
He badgered him daily; almost hourly he made hints that he would be the best side kick in the world. He didn't notice when he started picturing it, even considering it. The idea stuck and the next thing he knew he had the perfect birthday present for Dick.
It was Dick's ninth birthday and Bruce had stayed home all day to celebrate. All his favourite foods were made; they watched movies, played basketball. It was just the perfect day to Dick he got to spend all of it with his favourite person. He'd stopped begging to be Batman's side kick by then, he hadn't forgotten just understood that if he was trying to convince Bruce he was mature enough for the job then acting like a child to get it probably wasn't the best way.
There was cake for desert and Bruce thought it the perfect time to give him his first present. Dick ripped the wrapping paper off to find a similar outfit to the one hanging in his closet. It was in fact based off one of the drawings he'd made of his Robin costume. There were green tights, a red vest and a very colourful yellow cape with an R patched onto the chest. He loved it. "Does this mean?"
"I'm not promising anything. I will train you; we will have to see where things go from there."
So there were no guarantees that Robin was going to happen but Bruce was willing to give him a chance to prove himself.
And prove himself he did. He met all of Bruce's expectations and proved that he was willing to do whatever it took to be Robin. At 9 years old Dick Grayson was the first sidekick/partner and the youngest superhero in the world.
I just wanted to again thank everyone for all your lovely reviews and favorites and such. I'm always happy to see the users I recognize reviewing every chapter. you all know who you are and I am eternally grateful to see you there chapter after chapter. I really appreciate all my readers for taking the time blah blah blah you know the deal. Seriously though thank you everyone. I'll update as soon as possible. Oh and before I forget I did my math wrong when Wally and Dick met they weren't 7 and 10 they were 7 and 9 I'm gonna fix that right away. I knew something was off but it took me a while to figure out what.
