Prologue

1

Six years after the birth of Robin, Dick Grayson turned in his mask.

While the move shocked the other Titans, Dick had actually been planning for the better part of a year. He had served the side of justice since before puberty, and now he had determined that society owed him. It was time for Dick Grayson to serve himself. With that confidence burning in him, he had enrolled in the criminal justice program at Gotham University.

For Dick, it wasn't a mere change of attire. Over the years, the Boy Wonder had become more than a diminutive. Whenever he slipped that mask over his eyes, Dick Grayson felt as though an actual transformation took place, as if the crime fighter inside him burst forth to create a whole new entity. And, eventually, Dick had become consumed by Robin, just as the man who had taken him as his ward had been consumed by the darkness that had created Gotham City's Batman.

Standing in his room at Titans Tower, Dick watched the clean-shaven, handsome face in the mirror over his empty dresser. He swallowed; not for the first time, he felt naked without his mask. Somehow, he felt he was no more than an intruder in this place. He was no longer the young warrior that had come into this place three years ago to lead a young team of ragtag super-teens.

In retrospect, Dick realized he was coming away with a wealth of knowledge and an experience that he would never regret. Here, he had not only grown as an individual, but he had forged a friendship with each of his teammates that was deservedly strong, four friendships that he would cherish to the end of his days.

Each of his four friends—Gar Logan, the youngest of the Teen Titans, was a wisecracking changeling who was as fiercely loyal to his friends as he was to the freedom he had sworn to protect; Raven, the mysterious witch from another plane of existence, had proven herself time and again a devoted servant to steadfast uniformity, and in a sense, acceptance from her teammates had brought her accept them without question; Vic Stone, part-man, part-machine, the systematic brains of the team, had proven that despite the fact that most of his flesh and blood had been replaced by high-tech machinery, his heart and soul were still one hundred percent human; and last but not least, Koriand'r, the kindhearted Tamaranian princess, was sweet, generous, loyal, everything he desired in a friend and then some. They were a part of him, bringing him new-found respect for the call to duty. They had all helped to mold him into the young man he had become over the past three years, and he had tried to do the same for them.

In the end, he felt a little guilty. While he knew them as Beast Boy, Raven, Cyborg, and Starfire, he had also come to know them as individuals—the people within the heroes—though he had never once revealed to them the man behind the mask. To them, he was Robin. The Boy Wonder.

At least, he had been until today.

Behind him, a familiar set of footsteps approached. Quickly, he turned to the suitcase on the neatly made bed and shut it. He leaned there for a moment, his hands resting against soft black leather, as he heard her step into his open doorway.

"Robin, I was wondering–"

"Dick," he corrected, turning to her with a smile.

Her face twisted into that of confusion, and then hurt as she lowered her eyes from his. "Oh, yes. I apologize."

He had to force his smile to remain to conceal his heartache at her expression. If he was doing what he thought was best for Dick Grayson, why the hell did he feel like such an ass right now? "Don't apologize, Starfire. I…I might not be the man you remember, but I am still and will always be your friend. Forever, Star. Just like I promised you from the very beginning."

Tearful, emerald eyes blinked slowly. "But why are you leaving us?"

Slowly, he took her hand. "Star, I'm not leaving you. I've been doing this for a good portion of my life. It's just, I've finally come to a crossroads in my life. I don't feel that Robin can grow any further in this world. Dick Grayson has obligations."

The girl cradled her arms close to her stomach, staring to the ground as though she had lost her way. Dick ached for her.

"What will become of the Teen Titans?"

He approached and scooped her up into his arms, holding her delicate frame to his own. Comforting her. "Starfire," he whispered, "the Titans will become exactly what they are meant to become. I've been here for each of you three years now. I've watched you all grow with each other and I know what you can do together if you set your minds to it. Individually, you are the bravest people I have ever known. Rock solid. Jump City is in good hands, I guarantee it."

"It still feels like you are leaving us," she said quietly. Slowly, she lifted her eyes. Her disheveled, fiery-red hair had fallen into her face, though he could still hear her fighting through the tears pouring from her eyes. "Why wait so long to tell us your decision?"

He held her loosely for a moment, his frown deepening. It seemed he would not be able to convince Star that his decision hadn't been intended as betrayal. The intent had been growth, for the Titans as well for himself. He hadn't expected to hurt her, or any of his friends, but he supposed he could understand. After all, he had been thinking about this eight months now. She had only just learned his decision within the past hour. It must seem a cruel turn of events to her, though he had never meant it as such.

Still, this was Dick Grayson's life. To involve anyone else in this decision would have only cheapened it, in his mind. He hadn't even contacted Bruce on the matter. He had already collected his thoughts and considered his options, and he was prepared to set off on his own. Now, he was forced to do the hardest part. Good-byes were never his strong suit, after all. Robin's fallout with Batman proved that. His one personal goal, while in Gotham, next to getting the best education that he possibly could, was for Dick Grayson to become reacquainted with the man who had taken him in when he was only ten years old. He was certain Bruce would allow that much. After all, even if Batman and Robin were no longer a team, Bruce had always been there for Dick.

"Whatever you believe, Starfire," he said gently, parting from her long enough to brush her bangs gently from her emerald eyes, "is your right."

They stood there, neither wanting the other to leave.

Still, they both knew it was only a matter of time.