Teen Titans – Epilogue Arc – Prologue: Rewind

by Inkblot24

The Epilogue arc's reign was cut short - so this is the rated T version! Robin is in the worst place in his fifteen - going - on - sixteen - year - old career. Not only has the JLA been ransacked by one mad man and his evil plans, Robin has become or is about to become the biggest Martyr in the DC universe. Look forward to how he escapes from his apprenticeship, or will he?

20. Chapter 20

Teen Titans; Epilogue Story – Prologue; Rewind – Chapter 20: A Quaint Introduction

/

As Alfred tended to his master's guests up above the Bat cave, the man of the home down below, took to his unconscious ward's health and the boy's magically inclined team member. Thanks to Constantine's magic, Robin's case had all but stabilized, while Raven had risen much sooner than the catatonic boy wonder lying on the second medical table beside her.

Bruce took over in the lab; analyzing blood samples, small clues that would lead him to a solution, but nothing came up except the reminder of HOW his ward was trapped in a costume that only Dick could willingly take off by the power of forced suggestion.

No, it had to all mean something. Magic didn't make the suit, science from another planet had.

But…The boy's blood was forever tainted by Deathstroke's "Midas" touch. Even he couldn't fix what he had done, and he didn't want to. No. This was revenge enough for Bruce as Slade knew he'd had to pay for getting in his way. Robin was a weakness among many, and he'd gone for the heart. The mind? Dick's had been led to suffer while under the Nano's previous control. They were gone, swept under the rug for good…

Raven shooed away her own guilt for not having fought hard enough to escape, but she stopped herself in time to speak to John Constantine, who had returned to see to the fellow sorceress being in better health.

/

"Will he be able to come to without…going on the offense like before?" John had a desire to take a smoke break, but decided against it for now. Raven looked forlornly at the unmoving body of her leader.

"Slade was the one who tricked him into changing into "Martyr." She said. "If he didn't just decide to put on the suit….I wasn't able to sense a difference before. Maybe, this is magic that is mask –

"Maybe, and if we can just analyze the sample of the material he has on now," Bruce nodded by his microscopes – all in a row. "Then we can find out if that suit is really just a ruse to get at me, again. Under Bruce Wayne's skin…" He eyed the sample closely as light flickered over his unmasked ones. "I want to find the cause and get him back into knowing how to, be himself. At least he won't be considered a threat, but it will take time. He will be with me and Doctor Leslie."

"You are full of surprises, no doubt." Shrugged the British magi as he paced about the cave where he'd not wander too far from the bat's eye.

"The kid wasn't able to fight off Slade that well, and Trigon had him with reason to use caution. I don't know if beastie in this time wa… -

Bruce stopped the man. "Wait. Did you say, in this time?"

John and Raven both looked up at the dark knight. Then at one another, John returned a stare the bat's way.

"Why do you ask?"

"Slade said something when we fought down in the Gotham City sewers." Bruce pulled his eyes up from the flickering red beams that left him to blink away the microscope's feature. Discontent, he nearly pushed the thing away with a low grunt. Infrared or not, it was too much to take for a common man, but not a trained crime fighter. No sir. He'd not stop until he was sure there was a match.

"He, tried to make himself sound assured of his victory, even when I'd had him cornered. He said unless…in another time, if I could travel through it."

"Ha…Maybe…."

Raven looked to both men with concern in her eyes. "What?" She begged to know. "What does that mean? Is Slade not from this time? Was he –

"Another…maybe he knows."

"Don't" John put up a hand. "We can have the suit off of your son's back. We can even drag him to therapy session after session – but time magic, Mate?? You'd best turn elsewhere for your one true answer; Slade is just making talk. He won't save anyone, not even that kid on the table."

"Even so." Raven went to walk up to the bat and brought her hood down. "I still think if all else does fail, we can try. Slade could have gotten the desire to have Trigon's help with another alternate self…But, this was not the time that Trigon should be here."

"You know what time that is." Bruce looked over the girl as she nodded up to him. "I do. It won't be soon. It, will be when Dick is still our leader. Still, Robin. And when I come of age, I'll be forced to do Trigon's bidding…"

/

"We should let the League know then." John nodded to the bat. "When your team can be made better aware, you tell them for us. Okay, lov?" He seemed to understand hell blazing and the like, but Raven somehow wanted to keep her trust in these people. But, not today.

"I'm going to forget about him very soon." She stated; "I was never supposed to have this happen. Dick and Slade were not supposed to know who or what my father, what he's going to do when he does find a way to our world."

"Your home is here as well." John brought a hand to his neck and felt awkward with being so, good hearted to the child. He had sensed her magic was still in its earlier stages, but that could only last for so long.

"Then help Robin here in this time, and then we can all move on."

Raven nodded to Batman's request. No, more a command.

"I will. He's still my friend and I want to help save him in any way that I can."

"Good answer." Bruce returned to his work as Raven went to try and get through to Robin by their bond.

~ Robin...Richard, can you hear me? I'm here to help -

/

Hours; as time had passed them by, and Raven had dived down deep into Robin's memories to finally meet "this" Richard Grayson. As for the time she had to accomplish any rewiring of her team leader's old past, it was nearly coming soon.

She'd seen his past, his pain, his eternal bruises and his tears. All of it, but she did not open up too much about her own painful past in order to protect his future. As a Titan, and as a hero, she finally saw his eyes bat open softly at hers as Batman readied a reliable method to keep the suit from clinging back onto his ward's skin. Still, Dick fought it, but his will was simply strong enough as they had all suspected it might be. Slade even had known it too, which was a bittersweet loss to their current gain; Dick had the super serum healing him now, and a few scrapes here were the result of months gone on with an array of needles left under his skin just to test Wilson's theory out.

And as any, the tactician was brilliant as he was ruthless. Bruce respected and hated him, but that was besides the point now that Dick was back in his custody. The teen wanted to be a hero, and to be independent. If only he could turn back to the events BEFORE all of this, yet as John had said; Time travel wasn't just an ego trip, it was highly dangerous.

/

As the sun set on their fabled yesterday, Robin's eyes had opened to a future he could look forward to. Stepping onto the floor from his bed, Dick Grayson stretched some month and a half later to see the sun moving across the sky as day had broken outside of Wayne Manor. Getting on his robe, he rushed for the stairs to see if his friends had left any mail to the manor's faithful butler. Ever better, he was pleased to find a video mail on the teen's laptop from the Titans, wishing him a speedy recovery. They were gathered in the main roo of the tower, all by the computer and making it impossible to fit on that tiny box's face. All of their faces looked as one whole, all glad to see him.

~ Hope you stayed in shape, string bean! ~ Cy put up a thumbs' up as Bb bounced over to chirp in the older teen's ear.

~Yeah, dude! Raven is like a drill sergeant without you around – I can't even sleep past seven anymore! When are you coming back to take over again as leader?~

Finding the question to dig at his reason for staying, Alfred put a stray hand onto his master's son's shoulder. Dick breathed out and saw another face by the screen pop into view.

~ Yeah….what he said. I don't get paid enough to babysit these….side – kicks…. –

BB snapped at Raven's comment with a glare. She might hav withheld a hidden smirk. ~ Way uncool, dude! I'm way more experienced than you are, mama -

Raven pushed B away from the screen with a hard shove, smiling at the annoying runt she was pushing…Even as a leader, it never got old.

~Anyway!! We are waitin' to see you walk through that door. Starfire even –

~I have decided to not "do of the moping" while your "recovering" is happening in the city of the Bat – man. We trust you and only wish to see you again very soon, friend Robin…Please give us a sign that all is well. ~

~We can't have a single real mission without you. It doesn't feel…the same… ~ Raven blushed, making Dick turn his head to the side. Did, did she mean that?

Bb's ear drooped. ~ And Raven is bringin' me down more than you usually do –

~And this is why we would most gratefully benefit from having your leadership since…. Robin was and is never without his good friends to share his troubles with, and we wish to know that your "marteier" is taking care of your health as well as you are…We do not feel badly of you; Slade is mostly to blame and, we are just glad that you will one day return…. ~

~ So, get well, soon. ~

Raven's face returned beside the Tameranean's, but never a smile on it was to be seen. She was very good about masking her emotions.

Dick chuckled under a free hand. His eyes suddenly felt slightly moist.

~ And talk to Cy about the curfew here! I can't go out and party with you 'kill joys cramping my style… At least Robin knew how to do the Macarena... ~ He pouted at that last part with a bitterly spat mutter off- screen.

Bb…Always the life of the party when the Titans needed a pick – me - up, emotionally.

~ We could use a team player; you always know how ta' make a lasting impression, and the Jump city villains can't say jack about it. We always need you, man. ~ Cy looked sympathetically towards the boy wonder, now less as a big brother figure more…a friend in need. He really cared, but Robin was a symbol. To him, to Batman….

An impression?

~ So, get your scrawny butt back to the tower an' we'll all celebrate. No fighting for a whole month, scout's honor. And Raven gets all your dish privileges for a ….as long as you want? Really? Oh, a month. Oookay... ~ Cy's was in disbelief as Raven nodded a firm "yes" from the side of the screen, making the boy wonder sniffle under his own hand. A palm across his lips and a shuddering movement made Al grasp the young master's shoulder in a more reassuring squeeze.

~ See ya real soon, boy wonder! ~

~ Yeah! We can whoop bad guy butt like the good ole' times! I'll even let you get in the first hit! ~ BB beamed at his generous proclamation

~ And don't start crying, please…It's just…too embarrassing…. ~ Raven couldn't finish as she ducked under her hood. Robin choked back a small sob as well. She really was worried about him too…even after Trigon…

~ Be strong and know that we are always here for you, dear friend Robin …. we will await your return with "the arms' opened widest of all…. ~

They all waved to him as the video message was shut off, and Dick was let to mop his own tears before Bruce came fetch him for another "therapy" session. He'd learned to keep his "abilities" down to near impossible to guess – even if that gift could heal from nearly every affliction. Here in the manor, Slade couldn't touch him or he hadn't…Al believed that it was because the Justice League and Batman had shooed away that noisy rat…

However, Dick did…think Slade had gone easier on him than he'd wanted to. There was no doubt that the man had held back. Yet, was it not a test but a way to push Bruce out of his life…. or was he just, testing himself by challenging his own limitations? The great Deathstroke's could be, do, and have anything or anyone he wished to associate or waste his time on. He loved to be in control. He could out class and out master any supervillain and had taken on the JLA with his arms tied behind his back – but to subject the dark knight's family to such humiliating circumstances?

"Dick?" In popped Bruce as he held one hand to the door handle, watching as Dick's expression solely belonged to another topic…worrying if some bitter reminder had again resurfaced. Ah, so the timing had been rough.

"Are you ok?"

"I'm…. I just saw my team, on a video email." The hero tried to rub his blue eyes messily, as his tears had already dried from plain sight.

"Master Dick was viewing his computer screen; was it again, a video – mail you said, Master Richard?"

Bruce knew Al; he didn't want the bat jumping at every chance he could to keep the kid from his life as a hero. He'd still kept training here at the cave and in the gym, he never stopped with his routine but as Robin…. could he?

"I wanted to ask Richard a very important question, Alfred." Bruce came through the door and swung it away, softly. "If that's alright. This can't really wait."

The room was filled with a pause, long and arduous. Dick looked to the man who had raised him, and the other who had been there when Bruce could not. "I'm fine, Al. You can trust me."

The butler nodded and addressed the young master with a serious expression. "I do hope you will make a wise decision for yourself, is all I truly want. Whatever you decide, be strong. Master Richard. Remember who you are." With a last grasp, Dick was let go and Bruce took over; the room with an aura masking a touch of doubt but never dishonesty in what he had to say, the billionaire had something new to bring to the table.

/

Bruce sat on a side chair almost awkwardly as Dick walked over to eye a poster on his bedroom wall. His licked his lips and readied his speech. As Bruce had said, this couldn't wait until tomorrow.

"You know," He began "When I first lost my parents, you saw something in me that I never would have seen in myself back then…"

Recalling that tragic night didn't leave the same impression as before. Dick's mind was abuzz with the memory of that rise of his persona; the boy wonder. He was older, but it was nearly lacking of emotion. His voice was too steady, and it sounded too…. unclear to Bruce who watched every motion pass by his eyes.

Bruce didn't speak, he simply let Dick find the words he needed to heal.

"After all of the adventures; the crimes we stopped as un - average "partners," I thought things could only last for so long…I grew up, or thought I did. Then, Slade…" His eyes fell to the floor at that one first name. That title of his entrapment.

"He saw something in me too, to use and to mold as he wanted but not for me…To hurt you. That's what I thought anyway."

"Dick."

"Wait, Bruce. I'm not done." The hero didn't even lift his head to remind the bat.

"Focused, serious, determined. He said we were alike. That I was, something else…but…Why then did it feel like it wasn't really, real to me? Why did I just feel like a was following him –

"Dick –

"NO. I have to get this out, Bruce. If I don't…. He wanted us ripped apart; he could do it again…. I let him in, I let you get hurt and my friends…. I needed help and rejected it from them. Got caught. And Slade…. He ate at me every waking hour." The boy's eyes narrowed at the floor.

"He took away my reason to be Robin…and I want it back…" Dick shook his head. "I want it back sooo…badly Bruce! You have no idea how much it hurts…. When everyone shouts at you to be something you –

"Then don't be Robin, anymore." Richard froze at those words. "I…. can't. They trust him, me. Whatever I was, I have to keep fighting…. But Bruce…what I'm afraid of more than anything right now…Is not knowing how to face him." (Talking into Haunted here! Wow.)

"We made sure to bury his face, his name so you could have your life back –

"What if I do become the boy wonder and return to being a Jump City icon? Huh?" Dick stopped the man. He was aware of the scars Slade had left to mark his ward. He didn't want Dick to come to pieces.

"I think it's about time I told you…" Bruce didn't stop, he rose from the chair and pulled out a cell from his breast jacket pocket. "Hello? Alfred? Yes. I want them to meet. Ok, thanks." Bruce put the cell away as Dick looked blankly up at his mentor. Former, mentor. "What? Who are we going to meet now? Am I really a disappointment to you –

"Never." Bruce's gruff tone was defensive. "No. When you left, I had a run in with a thief stealing hubcaps off of the Bat Mobile."

"Wha? And…. wait, how? That thing is impossible to tear apart without –

"He was that skilled and all alone. No mother, or if he had one, she wasn't able to care for him like a real mother should. Let's go. Down in the cave." Bruce directed. "He's been kept away with a friend for a bit. I want to be sure that you finally get the chance to meet before making a final decision."

/

The cave. It spooked him a bit to think that there was someone else who'd had Bruce's attention in the months he'd been dealing with the boy blunder. As if he could ever be replaced, but Dick had to wonder.

How long was this secret being kept from him, and did anyone else know?

"He was kept out of any missions so far and was sent to train in order to work efficiently in the field."

"Bruce…" Dick rubbed the back of his neck. "Are you sure…that I should even…"

"You're family, Richard." Bruce looked behind him as they'd gotten to the elevator just fine. (2004 reference is cooler.)

"If anything should happen to me, we always know that he won't be alone. I want you to try and understand –

"You…replaced me."

"Dick, this wasn't –

"It's ok…" Richard shook his head, denying his true feelings. This had already happened. People came and went here, in the cave. Barb was now on her own half the time. He was sixteen and his life also was starting to….

"You didn't have to not tell me…I would have congratulated the new cadet." The boy wonder forced himself to smile, even when it was too painful to be reminded of his failures.

"Even so, I had to wait until you were ready." Dick nodded at the bat's comment. Out from another corner, popped Alfred who was busy reeling in the attention of a younger version of the bird in the flesh. Though, he wasn't in costume and he was no more that fourteen going on fifteen, he wasn't young at all…! As if this had been in that year Robin had left to form the Titans for good.

How long…

"Richard? This is Jason Todd. He is unofficially the newest "Robin" in Gotham. And, your brother. I've adopted him for close to a year now. He is still a bit rough around the edges, so I thought before you decide if you want to return to being a Titan or not, you'd show him the ropes of what it means to you to work in "your" shoes."

Dick saw a copy; dark hair, green eyes and a snorting, rude little boy who had trouble opening up to Bruce's odd – ball family due to his own past circumstances.

" Yo. Are you like…. done being a hero, or what?"

Dick didn't speak yet, but he saw how sharp the kid's wit was. Oh, yes. Bruce never let anyone down.

"Never am. It's what we do. And I hope you're doing alright in that cape." Chuckled the sixteen-year-old prodigy.

The green-eyed new Robin snickered back. "I'm a bit more ambitious than you. But hey, not to brag… I even got to train with monks and stuff!" Jason threw a judo style punch as Dick easily blocked it. "Yeah, but you'll be learning all about the criminals we took on too here in Gotham. Don't be so sure you'll get to beat up old guys in robes, all the time." Richard raised a brow as if to say "well, you got the look, but can you take on the very first?"

"You wanna spar, then??" The kid's eyes lit up, and Dick couldn't help but grin back in earnest.

"Bring it! I'm no old timer, so don't bother going too easy on me."

Yep. This was a shocking development that for some reason, he wasn't sure if he could be mad at Bruce just yet. Maybe over desert tonight. Yeah, he'd really lay down a couple of ground rules for the new Boy wonder.

/