Teen Titans; Epilogue Story – Prologue; Rewind – Chapter 21: A Difficult Decision and A Future to Look Forward To
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The drills, tests, and constant battle for Bruce's attention continued for a solid week and a half. Finally, the time had come as Dick went up to his room to see what else there was left to pack. Up the stairs bounding after the sixteen-year-old was Jason Todd, the new Robin. He seemed to want to say something by how his pose was sloppy, his arm on the banister like a kid prankster.
"What's shakin' hero?" His cocky smile reminded Dick of the real "Robin" trademark. A poster boy aesthetic …
"I'm getting my things ready for tomorrow." Dick didn't keep any secrets here. He had to be frank. However, Jason had grown pretty fond of his company – or so Alfred had deduced in so short a time. The only reason he was busy now and pestering the older boy wonder, was because last week, Dick had finally come to a faithful decision.
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After supper that night that he'd been introduced to Jason Todd, Dick called over Bruce to have his ear. His heart was restless, and what it wanted more than ever was to roam free. The two men went to the cave for some privacy. And that was when Richard's hopes were supposedly dashed by Bruce's response to his ward's plea.
"I want to try over, to see my friends and to be a hero like I swore to uphold under our oath –
"That was as Robin when you were with me." Bruce started to imply, "That is an oath of a hero, but you have a choice after what you've just had to overcome."
"And I don't want to be held back." Dick pressed on the topic of his debate. "I know I can still do this, be Robin or…even if I decide not to, a hero is what I am." Dick stated this to Bruce Wayne as he didn't forget. None of them ever could.
"What about the experiments; what about if Slade ever decides to –
"I'm more afraid than you on that one…" Dick slouched and sat deeper into one of the room's chairs. "Slade is a threat, and I won't be alone. I can count on my team. They got to me in time back when Slade almost won. They won't be far, and I need them right now as much as they need my leadership."
"You can't be easily replaced to them." Bruce nodded with his strong arms crossed over his chest. "They are still young and you need to not forget what a leader should do. Or, what you can learn from your experiences so they won't hold you back." He was afraid of the patterns of violence in the last few months and the constant defeatist rants. Dick needed to trust them, and he still didn't always trust himself. He was, upset and might never get over that. Bruce never did and he was anything but warm and fuzzy because of that same encroaching paranoia.
"It'll be like a trial run. If I pass, I get to keep my position. If I don't show any progress –
"Leslie will see that you do. You worked hard to push away that black cloud; I don't want to make you feel inferior to anyone. And Jason needed the support, just like you did."
"I know…He's an odd kid at times. I noticed." Dick chuckled.
"He's kind of like you, always looking to stay in the public's eye no matter what I say." Bruce looked sincere by that, and maybe worried. If Jason caught the attention of someone as bad as, Joker? That would be terrifying.
And Bruce was fully aware, that right now regardless, he had two sons to look out for.
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"Making a promise like that ta' Mr. Wayne isn't too smart, you know." Jason frowned and seemed to tut – tut the first boy wonder outside the teen's bedroom door. "You had better keep fighting; this guy, the one who made y –
"Just, drop it. S…he's not going to win against the Titans. I made a promise." Dick reached for the knob to his door and bit his cheek. Still, even without Slade in months being spotted he felt like he was just waiting for the inevitable to arise.
"You should just be glad that you're not being constantly watched by some domineering psych –
"You mean, dad?" Dick raised a brow to ask, plainly. As the nose on his own smug face, Dick applauded the mini – quip. "Bruce isn't evil. He's not selfish like the Titans' nemesis was, and I don't care how you feel about it either. I'll be going back to Jump City in the morning. My team is coming to see me outside the city limits, we…have a ship."
"Cool, I guess?" Jason shrugged.
"Do you want a medal or something, because I don't do jokes very well if ya' didn't notice..."
"You can be as serious as you want to, then." Jason pointed with his chin to the manor hallway. "If, you don't go right away…we just got to hang out. And, you are who I'm gonna be someday."
"Jay…. I'm not going to be away forever. But I have a home, another one that has as many people who…. I don't want them to forget my face is all I'm saying." Dick rubbed his neck and knew that hadn't sounded very convincing. He was still not the greatest at being a people person like before.
"Then hang out, one last day. We can do whatever you want but…When I get that mask and have to go out there…what if I end up losing? What if we don't come back." Jason's body slumped as his lip might have wobbled just a little out of place for Richard to notice it. He was crying for help. He really trusted…. his brother that much…
Richard moved from his doorway to place his hands onto Jason Todd's shuddering shoulder blades.
"Jay…. you're going to be fine, you'll do great... Bruce cares a lot about us, about you right now more than me. He never let me down, and you can make sure to do the same for him. You're his partner now." Dick smiled at his sniffling tween brother. "I know you'll be just fine if you stay by his side. And one day, some day? Heck, who knows. We'll have you enrolled as an official Teen Titan once I'm sure you can handle it."
Jason perked up and sniffled again. "Y- yeah…I want to see Jump City too, some day. Make my dad and mom real jealous…." They were dead, so all he could do was make others by his side now, proud. He had a family, and that was what stung the most.
He had a brother who was so determined to be someone else. He would protect people who cared for others, just like Robin. Just like his father, Batman.
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~ Jump City: 2004 – Xenothium Plant, downtown ~
Skipping ahead past the tears and years of pain, the heroes known as the Titans had fought Slade and had nearly lost a friend; Terra. Another victim of Slade's cruel twisted fanaticisms of power – playing the heroes into a brick wall, only a few weeks later, Dick Grayson had returned to Gotham to participate in the burying of one more hero.
Jason Todd. He'd not needed to go after Joker. He'd not needed to go off the grid. He…had worried about losing his life, while Richard fulfilled his promise to his other family in Jump.
Coming back to Jump City was a reality he'd bravely faced with the Titans' love and support. Family was everything, and Grayson had lost one of his long ago…now, he was losing even more of those he cared about.
Atop the roof of a Xenothium warehouse downtown, Robin scanned the area for any crooked thieves marked by his watchful glance. He was glad Slade had left them alone, but he could never be to sure.
Slade was elusive as a serpent. He almost didn't seem human at all, and it was true too. He was never really what Robin had expected to unmask. He knew the man's face thanks to Bruce, and Slade had not even left a last tip or farewell. He'd just, forever become a bitter reminder of all the Titans had fought for. For Terra, for Robin. For the world.
And this city was too quiet. The cool night air brushed alongside his polymer cape. The wind was restless, and he needed to –
A blur shot by in the dark. Robin gasped and looked out to see a figure atop the tallest building he could spot through his mask's eye holes.
It was…
A thief that had him hold back.
"Evening, Chuckles." The teen or man beneath HIS Red X suit's frame was…very convincing that he'd not only lost it, but that this was something he'd just had to tap into again.
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Jump city – one year later
X's face was still a mystery, and he was still no hero…
A year after facing Slade and Trigon with his team, Dick decided to step out and enjoy a sky top stroll just like he had in Gotham City.
He took his grappler hook and pressed on. His head felt light as air as he took to the sky without feeling afraid. The spotlight. Slade had taken nothing from him. He was still here. Still breathing in the –
Dick dropped himself to land on the sidewalk below. There at the corner of "fifth and main," was a serious, unmasked face coming out from the shadowy back streets. A long trench and a devilish gaze that reminded him of…
" Stop !" Slipping into his hero role, Dick got close enough to the perp to have him pinned. To his shock, the face looking back was one with dark brown hair and two somewhat perturbed blue eyes. One eye was covered by his shoulder kempt locks, giving the impression that this creeper was more deadly than he let on. He was a year younger, but his mass was quite supportive of this fact that he wasn't a fan of hand-to-hand combat.
Dick was an acrobat so his slender build was absolutely fine, but the man here, his arms probably held more than throwing stars and batons. He held up devices that Dick had tried to keep at a distance from, unless there was reason to "not" want to throw in the towel too early.
Guns.
" HAAAAAH…. Let….me…."
" No. Not until you give me a reason what you are doing out here right now." Dick shoved the teen's face into the sidewalk. He withheld some force, just so he'd not be reminded of the abilities he had to keep the perp down and on the floor. He never wanted to use them. They weren't worth what he had already lost.
Robin revealed the boy's plans with a gasp, as the man let his coat fall away, while below the trench lay a slew of solid steel weapons shining back at them.
The blue eyed stranger scowled, narrowing his gaze at the crime fighter above him. Arms pinned, but his mouth could still move, plenty.
"I'm not here to fight, Titan…. I'm on an important job… Hah!…. Can…you just… cut –
"NO. It's a serious crime to carry and conceal dangerous weapons, and…. you're just a kid…"
"I am…. with my dad…"
"This late? And with a fire – arms' license at sixteen?" Dick wasn't buying the act. He only pressed harder as the blue-eyed criminal didn't press back with his fists. He had to get out without making a fuss. The boss wouldn't be too pleased.
"I'm not…... nn…. from around here, and my job…requires –
"Then why are you here in my city?"
The boy felt like this was a bother and twisted a bit to gain some extra "give" while in his current position.
This hero was a loser. What a hot - head….
"I'll ask this again, only once; why are you here, and who do you work for."
The boy below Richard's mass snickered. "You know, he won't stop going on about how you two really made waves in hell together."
Dick's eyes widened; his arms grew slack enough to lose his one nerve to the boy's words. In that moment, the boy below him dragged his arms out to shrug the slightly dazed hero back – making this a sloppy getaway in the process.
"Hah? Hey! Wait! Halt –
"No thanks, hero!" The boy shot out and Dick dodged the kid's laser sized blast. "Go back to your tower. I belong in the shadows, pretty boy…not, y – o – u." And with a last smoke bomb barrage, it was as if Dick were facing the man of his nightmares all over again.
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It was late at night and the sun wouldn't be up for hours before the next plane would take the kid from this city of heroes. The beeping machinery in the background broke his concentration as the shadow clad mastermind grumbled and put down what he'd been working on. "Did you secure the target this time?"
Looking to the door, bots of various features lined the wall. The one to join the mastermind tonight had only shrugged and dropped his gun back to its holster.
"Sorry, pop. We hit a snag but I finally made Tony squeal for ya."
"Good boy…but, you were still apprehended." Slade coldly reminded the teen. The boy flinched at his master's reprimand. One fearsome eye glared back from the dark of their haunt.
The rest would come later. The teen shrugged and tapped his hip mockingly. "Should I get a clean smack on my –
" Don't test me tonight." The older figure finally stepped out from the shadows to reveal itself in its new armor, though mask – free while within its own domain.
"Ah… ehem… and he sort of…knew you too. Like you said." The boy messily blurted out. That always scared him no matter how many times…
"Did…you two –
"He's a former associate; now, no longer."
Grant gawked. How it hit him as he realized the dynamic.
Slade. Ah! That Slade? That made perfect sense.
The boy wiped his brow in sheer relief as the bots soon dispersed. " Phew! I knew he was as bad as me on a good day, but you were right about his speed, pops. I almost got held back – oh! But Old Tony is a goner." The blue-eyed teen reassured with a grin.
"Excellent. And what about the others? Did they manage to spot you."
"I, don't think any of those nosy heroes had a clue. So no, pops."
"So very sure of yourself…aren't, you Grant? In our line of work, one can never be too careful."
Slade came to the boy's side. His white hair and eye patch were visible under the dim light spread inside and along the walls of the haunt.
"I made contact with Wintergreen and we have a possible new recruit to see after –
"Are you…. Wait. What about my training?"
"She's just as much work as you, but she has something that you…lack." Slade put his hands behind his back and paced a few steps. He stopped early, hoping to grab Grant Wilson's full attention. "She's related to me, and has powers like your brother that mirror my own." He spoke. "Her name is Rose, and she is already becoming aware of what I want with her."
"You want her to join us, become a killer too?" Grant scratched his head. "Are you sure she won't be as bad as…"
"Terra was unstable to begin with. I just exploited her weaknesses and a few mis – steps had to be handled…. In the end, Trigon was also a gamble. You survived, so be grateful that I'm still here to see to your attitude."
"Sorry, sir…but I was just wondering…If she does the same thing..."
"She won't, not unless she knows how to fight like a Titan. She's too powerful to be left alone, otherwise." Slade was lost in deep thought as he spoke his plans t his only ally left, besides Wintergreen.
Grant blinked up at the man. He was, caring? Slade? No. He wanted to keep her close, just like how Grant had begged to be an apprentice to his nutty pops. And, well…He was this close to getting his wish.
"You'll need to keep your distance, Grant."
"Yes, sir."
"Robin knows you are in this city, and he suspects that you are dangerous. He found out too much; you should have not said anything to give away your position or mine like that. It was, careless." Slade's walls came down a bit, his speech became more overwhelmed, more concerned for his son underneath the pomp and circumstance. All the smoke and mirrors just masked the man's true loneliness.
"Sorry, sir…" Grant sighed, frustrated with this lesson in being a soldier – or one, without half a brain.
He was Slade's little mini -merc. How that made it all better, he must have not been worrying about an early time in the slammer with Daddy to bail him out.
"Question. What is Robin, to you –
"I'd rather we keep things in the present." Slade cut off the boy's words. "Let's just say that he was a failed, experiment at one time or another."
"Oh. Ah, so…. can I destroy the heroes like you one day?"
"If you'd rather have an early grave marked by them, then maybe."
As dark as it was, it was a warning. The Titans; no matter how bubbly they appeared in the headlines, they were a force to be reckoned as much as Deathstroke had been for years as a Justice League A -lister.
Grant let out a breath and finally had his word in enough. All to go to sleep for hours after this mental beat down was through. He'd gone to military school as a kid when his dad had been "at large" and out of his life. After the end of the world, he'd decided to start over…only to realize that his dad needed him as much as he needed a father to look up to. In a way, they were both never really alone. Grant did a militaristic salute and made sure that the man behind that masked expression knew that he'd be just as great one day – maybe he'd even get powers too! With a lasting smile that could break your heart to realize how tragic Icarus's fall could be, the boy left his last bow that night to be something his dad could count on.
"Yes, sir!" He nodded to his teacher. "Whatever you say, Deathstroke. Cause' I'm not going anywhere anytime soon."
END
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End! So, I'm thinking Red X into this more what ifs to go. Maybe play with the Easter eggs in this series until they crack? Naw, but this was a fun ride. What did you think? T rated so feel free to review it! Read on for more stories and stay curious!
And Grant running into Robin??? I think I changed it from Red X to Grant since those two will forever torment our brilliant leader. Might do a spin off of the chapter and epilogue it up! Rose had better watch her back, Death in this case comes on swift wings!