Oy. I'm living off lunch meat and PB&J sandwiches; I spend the whole day locked in my house—writing—while everyone else in my family is at work, or school, or whatnot; and I keep freaking myself out with the first chapter of the newest fic I've put out, called "Immortality." …I think it's safe to say that my life has taken a rather pathetic turn.
Alexnandru: Oh yes, I totally agree: Hc had better watch his back…Slade's got a pretty sinister plot this time…in my opinion…which really doesn't matter that much. Oh well. Please send the first chapter by soon—I really want to see what you've been up to! One other problem…err, you and Victor said you wanted a conversation, right? And I'm supposed to go first? Um…that's nice, but I really haven't got a clue about what I'd say. You guys have more experience, so either of you can start and I'll go off that. Cheers!
Insanity 101: Well…I didn't mean to make Bruce that big of a jerk…but on the other hand, there had to be something to make the two of them pissed off at one another. Otherwise, Robin would never have left and met up with a certain masked man…(Good comparison, by the way, with Robin and Bruce, and then Anakin and Yoda.) Out of curiosity, why are you nervous about the upcoming fight scene? …Actually, it is going to be kind of creepy…ugh, I have some major computer time coming up…And the movie club is actually very fun. I'm trying to get as many movie nuts to join as possible, and we have to pick out a new category for July…got any suggestions? BTW: We couldn't watch Secret Window, even though it was late at night because one of my friends flipped when she heard. Apparently, she says she saw it, and said it was freaky…Cool! I'd have watched it anyway. It's another Johnny Depp movie for me and my mom to watch. Yay! (We're enormous fans, if you couldn't tell.) I'll make sure to turn the lights off…heh, heh, heh…I'll try to keep Robin alive too.
Robin: You better. Or I'll—(Whips out bo-staff.)
Rebel: Meep! Okay, okay! (Enjoy the chapter!)
Pickles12: Yeah…most of the stuff I've learned is from other fanfics, but my dad also has a huge stack of Batman comics buried somewhere in the garage. They're really cool, and I sometimes go up in the loft (In the garage of course. Would you believe we need that much room for all our junk? Wow…) with a couple of sodas and some food and I just spend a couple hours up there reading them, while I try to pick out what details I can on character history. And you are VERY great to review from school! (Thank God…I do that too. One more sign that I'm totally obsessed.) D
Azarathangel: Ah-ha! You got it! Well done, J. Ya know, sometimes I think you're one of the few who actually reads my pointless babbling at the beginning of each new chapter. But yeah—the fight scene is going to be so (to borrow a phrase) AWESOME! Hmm…better get working on that right away…Oooh…all these ideas for the fight are creepy…I'm probably going to get nightmares…now, where's my Evanescence CD…?
Sarah Shima: Definitely; You could most definitely call Chapter Fifteen something big…and rather creepy, as I've just been telling my friend, Azarathangel (Above.) Glad that you're still hanging in here with me! Enjoy this chapter!
KaliAnn: Ha! So, I'm not the only one who goes for darkness and evil! LOL. I agree, darker things (like TV shows, books, fanfics, movies…you get the point) are a lot more interesting to watch/read. I think that, although it's not the happiest stuff in the world, it shows a more realistic side of human nature, the blacker part that exists in all our hearts…it just shows a bit less or a bit more in certain people. (Crap, that's a good line, I should put that in one of my chapters…) Anger can also fit into what I said before. Rage is a very interesting emotion. It can give you adrenaline spikes and is a great way to motivate someone…but then look at Raven. If she shows any anger, she unleashes a powerful evil and pretty much destroys all that she cares for. Though it's not exactly as extreme as that, couldn't that be compared to all the rest of us? (Dang it, that's another good line…) Oh well. I'm done being philosophical for the moment. I'm really glad that you reviewed—I love new readers—and I hope you enjoy this next chapter! (BTW: Before I forget, do you read Cirque du Freak?)
Asilla: Oh. That explains it…I guess. Yeah…this is only my first week out of school, so you're lucky. On the other hand, all we did last week was goof around and relax. Well, enjoy the chapter!
Jewel-Gurl73: Oh no, please! I didn't mean to make it sound that way…I just know a lot about the odd superstitions that are floating around out there. It's just a point of interest for me, so please don't be embarrassed! And also: Not all the Titans are learning about his past. One of them is still stuck in the hospital, and as for Starfire…yes, well…you shall see! Now Bruce…there's still a chance for him and Robin to reconcile…I just have to decide whether I want to go with one idea, or another for Chapter Fifteen (the battle scene.) Hmm…Anyway, here's an update, just for you!
Kazzy103: Yes: Slade is doing this, just to punish the apprentice that ran away from him long ago…It really shows how ruthless and evil he is though. Slade doesn't honestly care if he destroys innocent lives, because to him, they're only getting in the way of what he wants. But I agree: It is funny, how Holocaust and Slade's personalities contradict one another. Now the only question is whether Hc will succeed in getting rid of Slade, or if it's the other way around…?
Yes, well…I'm done now.
Chapter Fourteen: Many Encounters
Raven-
"I…I never knew…" Beast Boy muttered, staring at Alfred in awe. Raven nodded her consent as she cradled in head in her hands, reviewing all recent events in her mind. Things were getting so screwed up lately…
Alfred eyed the two teenagers who sat slumped at the table with appraising bafflement, but chose to continue working rather than speak. Beast Boy wearily dropped his gaze to the tablecloth, tracing patterns sullenly with one green finger.
"Well, that's it, then. Robin's secret…or rather, Richard…why couldn't he tell us? Why did he hold back?"
Raven met his gaze and held it solemnly.
"Why do we refuse to talk about our pasts? We may question his actions, but we're not much better if we conceal what has happened to us in previous years. It's not always the darker, or quiet, or more secretive ones that have things to hide, you know…"
Maybe it was just the way she said it, or the manner in which she narrowed her eyes, but Beast Boy had the oddest feeling—if not for just a few seconds—that his friend was somehow getting a glimpse of his mind, seeing what he refused to talk about…then it passed, just as quickly as it had come…still, there were always times where Raven gave him the jitters…the changeling shivered mentally and sank his teeth into one of the pieces of toast that Alfred had placed on the table.
Raven mimicked him, though it took her longer to chew, and even longer to swallow. It was if every bite she took was another way of digesting their current predicament…if only Robin were around. Except when he was caught up in one of his obsessive moods, her friend had the unique talent of thinking logically under pressure, especially in the middle of a tough fight…maybe later on, she could return to her room and meditate, and try to formulate some ideas…then, when Robin came back later, she'd run them by him and see what his opinions were about the whole thing…if he came back at all. Where was he anyway?
Robin-
"Aw, please Mom, can't I go with you this time?"
"No, Richard. It's not safe without the net. You're too young. Maybe next year, when you're a bit older."
"But you always say that!"
Maybe he should have gone with them…then all three of them would still be together, and in a much better place…but they had passed away, leaving him all alone in this cruel world people liked call to Earth, where best friends were always in danger, and fathers couldn't be trusted, and evil stalked you, never failing to trace you and attempt to drag you back—kicking and screaming—into Hell.
It only took a simple nudge for the tall, iron gate to swing open. Last time he had visited, he'd barely been four feet tall, and certainly not as strong. That had been nearly five years ago…that long? He'd sworn he'd come every month…funny, how the things that matter the most to us always seem to get lost in the ongoing rush of everyday life. He hated himself for forgetting…for not bothering to come back, for not looking after his friends… That dumb argument with Batman had changed a lot of things…
Why had he come to Gotham, anyway? Was it to guard his friends from Slade and his sinister accomplice? Or had it been because he was partly hoping to reconcile with Bruce? Fat lot of help that had done; the only thing that had resulted of that was an even bigger explosion, and about much more important things; at least, to Robin. His life was so messed up, it wasn't even funny…
They soared through the air with almost inhuman grace, like leaves gliding upon spirals of wind. Richard watched his mother and father with blazing pride, even if he was slightly disappointed that he wasn't up there with them. He couldn't wait until he was old enough to—A loud, snapping noise broke the spell his parents had woven over the audience with their daring theatrics. Time seemed to freeze for a moment; the audience opened their mouths in surprise, but no sounds came out; his mother seemed caught in mid—flip, his father reaching out for her. And then reality hit, and in under five seconds, his life changed for good.
Screams of horror slashed through the air with more power than a dagger plunging into a human's heart. The smile hadn't quite faded from his face, but Richard's eyes were widening with unbelieving terror, as he watched helplessly, alongside the audience, while the two of them fell to hit the ground with a sickening crack.
Dry leaves broke free from the twisted branches of trees that bore them to land on the ground, crunching under each step that he took. For some odd reason, nobody else seemed to be there that day, aside from the old, slightly battered looking caretaker, who took no notice of him—he seemed too immersed in the task of digging to look around.
In a sense, Robin preferred it that way. As they said, "silence was golden," and he spent most of his time alone anyway…
And yet—
He had the weirdest feeling that someone was watching him.
Batman-
Bruce made his way along the rooftops of his city, torn by emotions; of course he was fuming, but at the same time, he couldn't bring himself to be entirely furious with Richard. Though his son was being annoyingly stubborn, Bruce hadn't been all that understanding either.
He just wished that Dick would listen…
Being a hero was never an easy task. There were strict rules you were required to follow in order to be "flawless": You had to be willing even after you were constantly dragged away from whatever activities you were taking part in to swoop in and rescue the day. You could never fall in love, though if you did, it was always buried deep inside you, while outside you remained apathetic and indifferent. You would always have to take the right path, rather than following your emotions; personal problems were always set aside for the better of the public…not to mention all the migraines, illnesses, injuries, and lack of sleep that you lost…
And then the most important one: Never have personal connections. Bruce, though he had complied with all the other restrictions, had broken the last "law" by taking Richard under his wing, no pun intended. The Justice League hadn't been exactly pleased, but Bruce had been firm about making sure that Robin was brought up properly, and that he had a mentor to look to. Good thing, too, or he could've grown up with a psycho like that guy Slade, who was after him now…Batman, though the whole situation was grim, could possibly understand this "Slade's" thinking: Richard, though he was honorable and brave, and tried as hard as he could to be a hero…well, he didn't like playing by the same rules as he and the League did. Hence, their bitter argument.
Maybe, after this little job was over, he'd try to find Robin and talk it over with him. How hard could it be to find him in this city anyway? …He still didn't get why the description of this Slade sounded so familiar…
Beast Boy-
"We have to find Robin."
The changeling glanced up at Raven from his seat on the couch where he was flipping aimlessly through a thick encyclopedia he'd found lying around on a table. His friend looked stiff with worry, and her eyes were nothing but slits of concern.
"Uh, why?"
"I need to tell him something."
Beast Boy could have smacked himself in the head. Leave it to Raven to get all serious about a stupid thing like that.
"Can't we just wait until Robin comes back? You know he will: The dude doesn't have anywhere else to really go."
Raven shook her head furiously.
"No. By then, it could be too late."
Now he was just getting exasperated. Why did she always have to be cryptic? She couldn't just step forward and spit out whatever the heck she was babbling about.
"We'll never be able to find him," Beast Boy argued, closing the book. "We don't know anything about this place! We'd never—"
Raven silenced him with a sweeping glare.
"If I had it my way, I'd use his communicator to contact him, but I don't think he ever turned it on. Besides: He's our friend. The least we could do is talk to him, just to make sure he doesn't have some crazy, suicidal mission planned."
Beast Boy grumbled incoherently, trying to reason with her. Nothing came to mind though, so…
"Fine," He muttered. "We'll go look for him. But only 'cuz you'd blast me if I said no!"
The faintest shadow of a smile crossed Raven's face.
Bruce-
Great: Just another petty robber, trying to break into a jewelry store. You'd think they'd have learned by now…
The man below was hurriedly piling diamonds into a sack. Odd—the stranger hadn't even bothered to pull a mask on, so as to disguise himself. He had a thin, rat-like face, with watery eyes and a small dusting of facial hair. A gun was strapped around his waist, though the belt was tied carelessly, and the man's hands shook violently. Unnaturally nervous; usually, even guys like these were confident that they'd get away with their little escapade…it was almost like the guy was waiting to get caught…
Donning his typical scowl, Batman jumped from the building above to land silently behind the thief, before he stated calmly:
"You know, scum like you are supposed to rob stores at night—otherwise someone's bound to spot you."
The man gasped in horror and whirled around, eyes traveling up and down as he stared at the Dark Knight.
"D-D-Don't come any closer! I've got—"
"This?" Bruce asked lazily, raising his left hand to reveal the gun that he clutched in his fist. The criminal could only open and close his mouth in astonishment. Batman, however, wasted no time; tossing the weapon to the side, he grabbed the man by the lapels and slammed him against the wall of the store.
"Did you think you could really get away with something as idiotic and obvious as this?" Bruce hissed in disgust…imagine having to waste his valuable time for a numskull like this guy.
But then—
"N-N-No! I wouldn't pull this crap if I wasn't getting p—"
Rat-face went almost immediately pale and clamped his mouth shut. But Bruce was interested now. With another slam, he growled:
"If you weren't what?"
The man shook his head, tears running down his filthy face.
"P-Please, don't hurt m-me! I w-was just told to r-rob a s-store to d-d-distract you! He s-said I w-wouldn't get h-h-hurt!"
Yeah, right.
"Who told you this? Why?"
The man whimpered.
"J-J-Just a m-m-man. He s-said h-he w-w-wanted to make sure y-you were out of the w-way—"
"Because?"
"He-he-he- wouldn't s-say! O-Only b-because of s-s-some k-kid—"
Bruce's stomach twisted into a knot.
"WHAT WAS HIS NAME!" Batman roared, smashing the man so hard that his body left an imprint on the wall.
"It…was…just…S-S-Slade…"
The robber fainted, and Bruce threw him to the ground, trying to steady the panic rising in his chest now.
This is not good…
Robin-
"It wasn't fair," Robin murmured, a warm breeze blowing his spiky black hair this way and that. "You shouldn't have had to go that way. You were better…you deserved more…I—I know I haven't been here in awhile…" His voice cracked, but he pushed on. Though they could not counsel him, it felt like they were the only two left to turn to. It might have been weird to some people, but he didn't care. It made perfect sense to him, and that was all that mattered.
"I wish you were here…" Robin knelt before his parents' graves and laid a few wildflowers on the dark earth, before standing and whispering quietly:
"I wish none of this had ever happened…" He paused, biting his lip, and a tear slipped from behind the mask as he murmured regretfully:
"I wish I had never become a hero…"
"That can be arranged," said a dark, menacing voice from behind him.
To be Continued…
Well, that was…crap. Just a few notes: I don't actually know if Robin's parents are buried in Gotham (does it really matter?) Anyway: I guarantee, next chapter will be much better than this one. And, just a heads up, it's pretty much just a giant fight scene…but it's a good fight scene, and I shall be putting all my heart and soul into it to make it as creepy as it's supposed (and deserves) to be. Please review, and I'll see you all soon! Now…where is that CD…?
Over and Out:
Rebel-Aquarius