Hey everyone an update! I quickly want to clarify something. If anything were to happen between Slade and Dick it would not have happened until Dick was Nightwing and an adult. So no worries about Slade making moves on Robin!


There is something to be said about reaching the end of a long adored book. You had spent so much time immersed in its world and clung to it's pages with near desperation even when you knew that the pages were coming to an end. With each page flip, more time with the book is soon lost and when you finally reach that last page, you almost don't want to turn it. You don't want to read those final words because once you do, the book is over. Once the book is over you would have to find something else. A new book to take hold of and a new book to immerse yourself in. With the end of one saga comes the beginning of another. As Jason Todd finished his chapter as Red X, he placed it on the shelf with his previous chapters. Chapters of him as Jason Todd the son, Jason Todd the orphan, Jason Todd the ward of Bruce Wayne and then as Robin the second sidekick of the Batman. That book had ended quickly and the hiatus that followed had been like a blank period until he became Red X. But, with Red X now finished it was time to put that book aside and begin a new one. There was no title for this book quite yet.

So as Jason went to begin his new book, Dick Grayson had reached the end of his. Like Jason, he had his own story with his own beginnings and end. As a Flying Grayson, as the ward of Bruce Wayne and as the original Robin. All things had to end but Dick had never been one to let go easily. It wasn't in his nature. It was high time he put his book down and started another. It was time that he let Robin go.

Several months passed without much incident. Seasons changed and the Teen Titans continued to watch over Jump City. Red X had vanished and curiously enough, Slade had as well. Villains came and went, but the real challenge had left with Slade. Dick had always been the type to enjoy a challenge and now he found himself almost missing Slade. Sure, he was glad that the city was safer and that his friends and teammates were in less danger than before, but he had fought the likes of the Joker and Poison Ivy. Control Freak and Fang just seemed to pale in comparison.

But just like everything else in Dick's life, change was fast approaching and the beginning of it came in the form of a twelve year old boy. The boy had taken several city buses and had managed to lose his sweater during the trip from Gotham to Jump City. He wasn't an imposing boy by any means. He was on the shorter side and rather scrawny with a thin nose and grey blue eyes that were vastly intelligent.

The boy stood on the edge of the harbor and stared at the giant t on the island, putting his weight from one foot to the other as he went over his plan in his head. He just needed to hold it together and get across the water. Tim Drake had spent weeks preparing himself for this trip and now was not the time for him to be second guessing himself. He squared his shoulders and walked onto the docks.

In all honesty, Tim hadn't been sure what to expect when he approached the tower. He half expected lasers to be pointed at his head. That was hardly logical though. The Teen Titans didn't kill. Robin didn't kill. But that didn't stop the boy from nervously making his way forward, trying to force himself to remain calm. Would Robin even be here? Or would he be doing all this for nothing?

Before Tim could even start overthinking anything, the base door of the tower slid open and a familiar looking teenager stepped out. "Hi." Was all Tim could think of saying, lifting a hand for a small wave as the first Robin looked him over with narrowed eyes. It was the first Robin of course. Tim knew him anywhere…except…it was no longer Robin.

It was the same boy of course, but now he was dressed in a black body suit with a blue bird spread across his chest. The suit was formfitting and the mask the first Robin wore was a different design than the one he used to wear.

"Can I help you?" The first Robin finally asked, looking half concerned by the state of the boy and Tim nodded, squaring his shoulders.

"My name's Tim Drake," Tim greeted with a nod, feeling like his heart was racing far too loudly. "I was hoping I'd be able to talk to you." The former Robin inclined his head and Tim shifted. "It might be a better idea to talk privately." He advised and Robin studied him for a long moment. Tim could sense the difference. This was not the cackling and flamboyant boy from Gotham. Something had happened. Something had forced the first Robin to hide. The original Robin seemed to come to a decision because he stepped back to met Tim enter the tower. It was like God himself had decided to allow a mortal to have a day trip to Heaven.

The tower was impressive and spacious. Tim spotted one of Robin's teammates down the hall. Raven, Tim recalled. She glanced over her shoulder, looking at the former Robin who lifted a hand in greeting.

"Everything okay?" She asked, voice level, but suspicious. She was protective of the first against some scrawny little boy. The former Robin smiled at her and Tim knew that smile. He had seen it many times before on paper and grainy video feeds. The first Robin nodded his head.

"Yeah, we're cool Rae." He waved his hand to her and she finally nodded, pulling her hood back up over her head and casting her face in shadows.

"If you say so." She glided off down the hall and out of sight, leaving the two boys staring after her. The former Robin looked away from the spot she had once stood to study Tim.

"Come on." He nodded to a closed door down the hall and Tim was quick to follow him, glancing over his shoulder but not seeing another one of Robin's teammates in the area. Robin led Tim to a large room that the boy recognized as a training area. It was empty save for the two of them. The first Robin closed the door and fixed Tim with a long stare.

"Okay, what is it?" Tim shifted, face heating up. The first Robin had allowed him this far and he didn't want to mess it up now.

"I wanted to talk to you about Batman," He watched the first Robin's eyes narrow behind his mask. "Maybe I should start at the beginning. I know everything about you…and Batman. I mean who you are. Your identities and all that." He spoke all of this in a rush and the first Robin stared at the boy in obvious shock. Then his expression closed off and he studied the boy, looking for the sign of lies. Looking for a weakness that Tim refused to show.

"Do you really?" The first Robin's voice was skeptical and Tim nodded once. He looked around the training room, trying to find his words and not sound like some idiot kid. He only had one shot at this and he was on thin ice.

"We've met actually. Years ago when you…well at the circus. It's one of my earliest memories. I was three and my parents brought me to Haly's circus." He watched the first Robin's body stiffen slightly and pressed on. "I remember you were there and you saw me. You were in your uniform, matching your parents and you smiled at me and said hello." Tim could feel the older boy's eyes fixed on him, barely breathing. Tim swallowed. "My dad took a picture of us together. You told me to have fun tonight and that the fired dough was really good. I could barely breathe. It was like a dream. Richard Grayson the youngest of the Flying Graysons' had said hello to me."

Dick Grayson closed his eyes, half in horror and half in confusion. He didn't know what to do with this. Tim had effectively outed him and that thought scared him. Tim looked at him, expression morphing from hopeful to frightened. He didn't dare speak again. He couldn't risk Bruce's identity at this point.

Tim continued to study the older boy. "I know that Bruce Wayne is the Batman and I know there is only one human left in the world that can do a quadruple somersault was taken in by Bruce Wayne after losing his family and months later, Robin appeared with Batman and could perform a quadruple somersault. Then there was another after you but…" Tim's voice trailed off. Dick could barely breathe.

So it had happened. Someone had managed to find out who Batman and Robin were. Someone had discovered their secret.

"And what exactly are your plans with this knowledge?" Dick managed to ask, voice lighter than he had expected. Tim's expression suddenly morphed into horror.

"Nothing! I won't tell anyone! I just had to meet you. I wanted to offer you help. Batman is alone in Gotham. Batman needs a Robin." Tim gently explained. Dick walked around the room, movements graceful and fluid.

"I can't be that for him anymore." Dick quietly replied and Tim nodded. He understood that. He didn't know exactly what had happened between the first Robin and Batman, but he knew there was hurt. He had seen the video feed the Joker had released of him murdering the second Robin. He had heard Dick Grayson's responding scream when Jason Todd had died.

"I know. You want to move on from the past…If you…if I could have your approval and blessing, I'd like to become Robin. Batman can't defend Gotham alone. I could help him." The offer was hopeful and Dick stared at the boy for a long moment. All he could think of in that moment was Jason. The Robin that had been lost. He should be the final Robin. It should have died with him. Bruce had managed to set off on his own again, but Dick had avoided news about him. Dick had not seen Bruce since he confronted him about Jason's death. That had been what, two years now? Three?

"Shouldn't you be offering this to Batman?" Dick finally managed to ask.

"You're the original Robin. If anyone should have say in who succeeds his title I figured it should be you."

"I'm not him anymore." It sounded so sad. Like Dick was lost and Tim couldn't think of anything to say in comfort.

"But you were. You were Robin even when Batman brought in another kid…I'm surprised that you've given it up." Tim murmured and Dick looked away, staring at the training equipment for a long moment.

"Robin was my childhood. If I ever wanted to get out of Batman's shadow and move on from Jason's…" Dick's voice trailed off for a moment and Tim watched as he struggle to find the right words. Finally the older boy nodded his head. "I just needed to be able to let go."

It had been very recent. In the weeks after Slade and Red X had left the city. Dick had finally decided that it was time to let go of Robin and let it rest. There were too many ghosts attached to the name. His mother's falling figure plummeting to the earth and Jason's detached acceptance as the timer ran out.

"I know," Tim replied softly. "And I'd like to help." Dick looked back to Tim, taking him in and considering a the boy fought to stand tall.

"It is not an easy life." Dick began.

"I know."

"You would be in constant danger and you would have to keep your identity a secret at all times. No one could know about you or any of us."

"I know." Tim repeated and Dick released a weary sigh, finally seeming to come to a decision.

If you can reach Batman and persuade him to accept you, I see no reason to why you can't up the mantle." He concluded and watched as the boy started to smile but he lifted a hand to continue. "Batman lost our last Robin so I am not even sure he will accept you. You have to work hard to gain any favor from him. Prove to him that you have what it takes. If he even considers it, it would take months before he would allow you on the streets with him." Tim began nodding his head vigorously, eyes suddenly brightening with hope.

"I won't let him, or you down." He vowed solemnly and Dick offered the boy a weak smile. This wasn't Jason. He would never be Jason, but perhaps Bruce would be able to heal with Tim at his side. Maybe with someone as bright and observing as Tim, Batman would find it in himself to move on.


Jason Todd was an enigma. Talia often found herself in awe of the raw strength the boy presented. He was filled with such pain and anger and he utilized it so beautifully. He was growing from that gangly child he had been and at fifteen years old he was finally forming into a capable young man. She found herself highly amused at this. He was fire to Bruce's ice and his rage would consume the world. Talia was looking forward to watch it all smolder. Her beloved however…he always had too soft a heart. Soften even more by that boy he had taken in. The little gypsy had managed to wrap Batman and Bruce Wayne around one of his filthy fingers and had nearly succeeded with her darling Jason as well. She would have to ensure the brat never had that chance again. Her Damian would put an end to it.

Her own son, the child of her beloved Bruce and herself would soon grow into his own potential. He was young still, only six, but given time he would be able to harness the talent he held and finally meet his father. He already had the correct mindset. He was perfect. Her mouth and sharp jawline and Bruce's eyes and nose and hair. With their looks came their talents and her son was quickly rising. He had yet to meet Jason and she had no plans for that to happen while she was training the young man. She had such plans for both of them. Her father didn't understand. He held no such fondness for Jason, deeming him unworthy of the Pits, but what he didn't see Talia did.

She smiled from her perch as she watched Jason train in the courtyard below. "Your attacks need to be sharper." She called out and Jason effortlessly managed to kick the next target as she instructed. Talia slowly smiled. At her side, Ra's al Ghul watched the boy.

"He holds far too much anger." He chided coolly. "His rage is too consuming."

"And I shall harness it." Talia replied without looking at her father. Ra's did not respond to this, continuing to watch Jason with his dark eyes. Jason leaped back as one of the assassins aimed his knife for his throat. The boy's leg shot forward, lifting and hooking around the assassin and using the momentum to throw the assassin over his head and harshly onto their back.

"You think he will serve you with loyalty?" Ra's questioned and Talia clasped her hands behind her back, posture confident.

"I have no doubt that he will. Batman trained him as best he could and now with me, Jason shall flourish." Jason's hits were heavy and accurate, his eyes narrowed in concentration. Ra's finally relented and stepped back.

"See that he does, Talia. I would hate for this all to have been a waste of time." Jason's hand darted out, grasping the next attacking assassin and twisting them around until he had them pinned beneath his knee, his grip tightened and there was a pop as the target's arm was wrenched back. Talia barely heard her father. She had such plans.


Tim's in and soon we're back with Young Justice Season Two! So, I pictured Talia as being creepily fond of Jason and despising Dick as some sort of locust who stole Bruce away from her and who had latched onto Jason. She's going to be so happy when Damian and Dick meet.