A/N: First off the usual disclaimer I don't own the Teen Titans or any other of the characters in the story with the exception of Robin's six friends.
Chapter 3: Now that's a shinny rock.
The next Morning
It's 05:00 hours; the transport for the northwest continent doesn't leave till 07:30 hours. The nights have become sleepless and tiring to Richard, looking around his room he notices how Spartan his room looks. All he has in his quarters only contained a dresser with his Jedi training robes, in the middle he has his bed and to the right of the door to the hall is his bathroom which contains only a shower and a toilet.
Still looking at how baron his room is Richard decides to maybe add some candles when he comes back from his trip. Feeling giddy about finally getting the chance to finish his light saber wakes him up better than a pot of black coffee and he starts to pack for his trip. Finally finishing the packing there's a knock at his door. Quickly glancing to the clock only 05:30 ' who could it be at this hour ' he thought, ' its not another half hour till morning wake up call so who could it be. ' Another knock at the door and he opened it to find Yaegashi leaning against his door frame, " Can I come in Richard?" she asked
With a small look of confusion he ushered her into his room, " so what did you want to talk about Yaegi?" Richard said
" How did you know that I wanted to talk Richard," she said slightly puzzled, " how do you know I just don't want to be with you till you leave?"
" I just know things, like the fact that you could just as easily spend time with me at the docking platform and there is a look in your eyes when you want to talk in private and when you want to talk in public, just call it a gift." He said with a grin.
" Well you 'gift' could border on telepathy you know." She said joyfully
" No just very observant of peoples behavior."
" Well since you already know why I'm here lets just cut to the chase shall we. I'm finding it troubling to understand our relationship Richard."
" Well I admire your bluntness, but you caught me off guard with that, as for our relationship we've only been going together for a week so what do you mean on understanding the relationship?" he asked
" Well what I mean are we going out or not, I know it's only been a week and I really like you so are we or aren't we?" she said raising an eyebrow.
" You have to bring this up when I'm going to leave in a few hours, I mean I understand that you want an answer but right now doesn't seem like a good time to be discussing this dose it?" he said.
" Okay so you're undecided I can understand that but since you'll probably be back tonight I was thinking that we should talk about it now before the others were around. But if you need more time to figure it out I'll just have to wait till later than I guess." She pouted.
" I guess you will, I promise that I will see you as soon as we'll finish this chat when I get back," after saying that Richard had another flash, this one was the clearest yet. He saw himself in the pod he crashed in but it was a part of a bigger ship and he was in the cloths that he found himself in, also he was having a conversation on a head set and monitor with someone, he couldn't quite make out the image when the flash ended. Grasping his head in pain he fell to his knees he howled, " fuck these things are going to kill me I swear it!"
" Oh my god Richard are you ok, you had another vision didn't you? Please tell me what this one was about you know it helps to talk about them." She said with concern
As Richard quickly told Yaegi about the memory and the pounding in his head started to subside he glanced at the clock. 07:00 hours 'crap only 30 minutes to get to the departure bay' " I've got to head out Yaegi, please tell the other I said to keep at there work you know James will start to slack off if I'm not there to kick him in the ass every now and then." He smiled and headed out the door.
Departure Bay
" Now Richard I want you to know this journey is not just the means to finishing you saber but a test of you body and spirit, and remember what I said to you after our session let the force guide you to your stone don't force yourself on a stone for time sake. I have the feeling that your crystal will not be an easy thing to reach young one." Master Skywalker said
" I promise master that I will let the force guide me and I will pass any test that comes my way." Richard said confidently.
" Well with that said I wish you good luck and may the force be with you."
" And my the force be with you as well master." Richard replied.
After a brief good bye to his friends at which Kong gave him a bone-crunching hug, Richard boarded the transport to the continent.
Earth: Titans Tower
Raven is in her room meditating, chanting her three words and finding her center. After a few hours of peaceful meditation she heard a knock at her door. Pressing the button the door slides open to revel Starfire holding her right arm with her left with a questioning look on her face. " Yes Star what can I do for you?" Raven asks.
" I was just remembering something about 'that day'." (Everyone knew that that day is referring to when Robin disappeared) she whispered.
" What is it that you wanted to know Starfire you know you can ask me anything."
" Well…. I was wondering what you and friend Ro-Robin were talking about in private before the mission and all the badness.' Star chocked out.
" It's of a personal nature Star and I would rather not discuss it, but I will tell you that if Robin wanted everyone to know he would of said it to us all."
" So my Robin was keeping more secrets for me?"
At the 'my Robin' Jealousy started to rage in Raven ' her Robin, HER ROBIN who does she think she is. Her Robin, ha' ' quiet down jealousy she only thinks hat because of all the time that she bent with him, so just cool down she's our friend remember that.'
" Robin is keeping secrets from all of us Star it's the way he is and I'm sure he'll tell us when he gets back, I'm sure of it." Raven said.
" Thank you Raven and I will ask him when he comes back." She smiled and left her room.
" Any time Star and don't worry he'll come back you'll see." Raven said before Star left her room. ' I know he'll be back Star I know it'
Northwestern Continent
At coordinates 732-589 Richard find himself at a cave entrance about 10 feet tall and 10 feet across, " Okay here we go" he said entering the cavern.
Feeling his way through the cave he started to encounter forks in the tunnel using the force senses he felt which direction to go, right, two lefts, and another right. Seems like hours later he started to see a glow from a cavern up ahead. Another 100 yards of so and he found a sight to behold his eyes. The cavern was bigger than the Super Dome and was lined with crystals of every color, shape and size. There were a few holes of light coming into the gigantic cavern from the surface, the walls looked like a living rainbow going from deep reds to blue, to green, to even violet. Stretching his feelings out to cover as much of the cavern as possible he sat in the middle almost meditating to have the force show him the crystal for him. Lost in the feeling of majesty of the rainbow cavern to him it seemed like only hours until he felt himself being pulled to a small tunnel to his right. The tunnel was very small, he barley managed to fit in it crawling on his hands and knees. Crawling in the diminutive tunnel, after crawling for an hour or so Richard reached a second cavern. This cavern is far different from the first one. The first cavern was shaped in a hemisphere; this new one was more like a large tunnel that had razor stalagmite and stalactite formations everywhere and from what little light was in there they had gems in the tips of some. It was these crystals that were calling to him. Getting to the crystals was a different matter though; the path through the tunnel was almost imposable to get through without being cut to ribbons.
Sitting down Richard viewed his options, the razor maze he could deal with only minor difficulty, but when it came to retrieving the crystal would come the difficulty, that and he still didn't know which crystal the force was guiding him to. So weighing his priorities he decided to try and feel out the crystal and then make the attempt to reach it. Using the same method he used in the previous cavern he slowly waited for the force to guide him. More and more hours of meditation and reaching out with the force he sees one gem in his mind and as he pulls himself out of the trance was like rushing backwards to his body. Suddenly opening his eyes he sees the path to the stone, carefully grabbing the stalactites but not enough to cut himself he leaps from one to the other, as he slowly makes his was around the cavern. Slipping occasionally and cutting him on a particularly sharp stalactite, cursing loudly, he finally reached the one stalagmite the envisioned but something was different, in his vision the crystal was in plain view, but knows he couldn't see it. At first he thought he was at the wrong one but his feelings told him otherwise so he lightly tapped the stalagmite and it broke away reveling a white glow before his eyes. Staring at it he felt some how complete, quickly he picked it out of the stalagmite and slowly made his way back through the minuscule tunnel, back through the super dome of light and color, and finally up the tunnel that's miles long. Feeling the best he has in the last three weeks, a feeling of accomplishment, of completion as he put the finger sized crystal into the saber handle he turned on his newly completed light saber a brilliant three foot silver blade erupted form the end of the hilt. A feeling of righteousness filled Richard up while he stared into the energy blade, he read that a Jedi's light saber was his life, his most guarded possession, now he realized why Master Skywalker was so adamant about letting the force guide him to the crystal, it's all about having a part of yourself in and outside yourself and to fight together as one.
As he arrived at the transport bay the 'conductor' for lack of a better term greeted him saying," Well morning young master Grayson haven't seen you in a week how did your trip go?"
Richard looked shocked at him, " A week…you sure that I arrived here last week. It didn't seem that long ago. But I will be going back to the academy as soon as possible please." Richard said.
" Why yes of course in fact I have a transport heading to the academy and 14:30 hours today so, my god that's right now hurry it's on pad C."
Running as fast as he can Richard leaped onto the equipment transport and fell asleep on the ride back to the academy. As he slept Richard was dreaming of what he would say to Yaegi when he returned today. Picturing what her response would be, would she quick hug him and tell him she missed him, would she kiss him, would she slap him for him taking so long to complete this task, or would it be all of the above. As thinking about what his friends would do and say upon his return he had another flash. He was standing in a dark hallway in the cloths he woke up in but he wasn't alone he was talking to a girl, she was around 5'6" tall wearing a dark blue cloak that had a hood but it wasn't up. This girl also had violet hair and white skin, but the face was cloudy and he couldn't make it out when all of a sudden he grabbed her by the shoulders and kissed her deeply. Shocked at this and very confused, why was he having a dream like this when he had a beautiful young women waiting for him at the academy waiting for him to come back. It just didn't make sense to him, when the transport rattled as the landing gear woke him up and he readjusted himself and straightened up his cloths when the doors opened and he walked out and back to his new home.
Yaegashi's Room
There's a knock at Yaegashi's door waking her up, it's 22:00 hours and she's wondering who the hell it is at this hour. As she opened the door to find Richard standing there leaning against her doorway holding his head in pain. " Oh my god Richard your back, why didn't you tell me it was you," she said slapping him," what took you so long I was worried," she pulled him into her room giving him a hug and a peck on the cheek.
" Hi Yaegi good to see you too," he said weakly, " I had another flash and my head is killing me."
" Okay talk to me what happened in it, you know confession is good for the soul."
" Well…" and he went into a description of what happened but didn't tell her about the last bit of the flash.
" This just means that you're that much closer to the truth of your past Richard" she said cheerfully.
" I don't know it just seems like I'm loosing my grip it's harder and harder to sleep and meditate. I think that I need a break from the academy for a while." He said with sorrow.
" No, the way your talking it sounds like you won't come back and I can't take that after you were gone a week. That's all the time I want to have apart Richard, I think I'm falling for you." She stated.
At that point she wrapped her arms around him and dragged him into a deep passionate kiss. Richard could feel the warmth from her lips spread all the way to his to his toes and let him be swept away in the moment, wrapping his arms around her and pushing himself to her increasing the passion even more. They sat on her bed kissing each other for minutes on hand when he finally broke the kiss, looking into her eyes, both of them taking deep breaths. " So is this your way of telling me you don't want me to go any were again," he chuckled.
" Maybe it is, " she whispered. At that Richard got a feeling of De cha vu that stopped him for a moment, " so what color is it?" she asked.
" Check for yourself," Richard said turning on his light saber. The silver blade shot out the end as he watched her eyes widen at the sight.
" Silver, that's one of the rarest colored stones you can find, only Jedi with a very strong bond with the force have been said to even find them." She said amazed.
" I know, and I think that Master Skywalker knew it to having told me to be really careful to pay attention to where the force was guiding me." He said.
" I'm sure of that now let me go to sleep now we have class tomorrow, unless you want to spend the night here," she smirked.
" Nah I think I'll let you get a good nights sleep now that you know I'm back safe and sound," he said arrogantly.
Earth: Titans Tower
Raven has been having more and more dreams about Robin over the last month. But this last one she had two of them and it wasn't a dream as much as a memory of Robin's birthday party when she was talking to him in the hallway and then it switched to when he grabbed her and kissed he. At remembering it she still felt the warmth of his lips on hers at times, but she was just so confused why was she having these dreams now, it had been a month and she was still so caught up on Robin.
Nothing seemed to make sense anymore, the crime rate was declining on its own, there was no word on Slade, and the brief fights with the H.I.V.E. have been going very well and it looks like we were close to beating them once and for all. It just didn't seem right without Robin. Still remembering what he told her at the party, the fact that he didn't want to celebrate because he felt that they hadn't made a difference that they hadn't stopped the H.I.V.E., Slade, or anything else, all he said they stopped was some minor criminals. ' I wonder what he would say if he were here now?' she thought, ' probably great job, or good work, something along those lines' it's just the way he was. And then it hit her; in this last week they stopped the remorse and started to act like a team again even if it was without the one that started it. Cyborg was starting to lead well, BB took the job more seriously, and Star toned down a bit on the happiness but became more focused in combat, she however felt that she didn't change at all, so she decided that from now on she was going to master herself, every power and emotions would be hers to control and when he came back he would look at them and say 'fantastic job guys I'm so proud' and everything would be all right again and things would go back to normal. Thinking that to herself she drifted back to sleep having new hope and determination in her grasp.
A/N: Just a quick note all references to time will now take place as from the point that Robin disappeared in the anomaly. Thank you and on with the story.
Jedi Academy Three years
Graduation day was a long and anticipated day for all the graduates, a time of remembrance and a day to look forward to the future. For one student in particularly it was a huge achievement for in three years he went from no memory to six friends that he would not be able to forget (one of them more than the others) Richard and Yaegashi got closer over the years to become a very serious item in the school.
At the graduation ceremony Master Skywalker would call their names up, they would walk up in front of the entire Jedi academy and be presented the rank of completing Jedi training. For Richard Grayson, in the three years since he crashed at the academy had progressed farther that any student in the academy, he would also graduate with the rank of full Jedi Knight. In a year and a half of completing his light saber he mastered the fighting technique and incorporated it in with is mobile fighting style of unarmed combat, which no one could beat him in, he even surpassed Master Skywalker in unarmed combat.
Also his studies never lessened in fact he made it a point to learn as many languages as possible, and with his efforts no longer needs the universal translator to assist him. Yep life was good and nothing seemed to bother him at all. Except he was still getting the flashes, some were about being in a large T shaped building, others were about being on rooftops along side a older man that had a mask with pointed ears coming from the top of his head, but he still couldn't understand them. He knew that they were his memories but he couldn't understand them, it's like doing a jigsaw puzzle and you have no edge or corner pieces for a starting point.
After the graduations ceremony Richard, Yaegashi, and the others headed into the town that was on the outskirts of the academy's campus to have a drink. Stepping into the bar it was plain to see that this was going to be the party location for the graduates today. There are Jedi graduates everywhere they were hard pressed to find a table. So when they found one they ordered there drinks and started to talk about what they would do from now on since they didn't have classes anymore when Kong stood up and bellowed, " To Richard Grayson the first Jedi Knight of the newly graduated class, here here" it seemed the whole bar shouted at the short speech and a wave of embarrassment swept over Richard as he blushed.
" Alright quit it Kong. So what are you guys doing after this, I mean were graduates what's left?" Richard asked.
" Well I think the rest of us are going to continue training to become Knights but since you already have that rank what are you going to do?" Fong asked
" Straight to the point as usual Fong, well Master Skywalker hasn't said what my options are, so I really don't know." Richard answered honestly.
" Well whatever you end up doing your going to do great at it as we all know." Yaegi said smilingly.
They sat there discussing what future plans would be, joke, and sat there lessening to a Bith band play on stage (just so you know the Bith are the same race in the Moss Isles Cantina) when last call came the seven strolled out of the bar on their way back to campus.
The next morning Richard woke up and made his way to the dining hall for some breakfast, after breakfast he decided to go to see Master Skywalker and talk about what his choice were now that he graduated.
Knocking on the door he asked, " Master Skywalker my I speak with you."
" Yes come in Master Grayson come in," Luke said, " I know you have questions for me about the future so I'm going to cut to the chase. How would you like to stay here and help train the students at this academy?"
This caught Richard by surprise, " You want me to teach, why you have enough teacher that have years of experience, I only just graduated?" he remarked.
" That is true but I feel that you still have some things that you need to work out, like for example the flashes of memories that you still have." He answered.
" How did you know that, you said it yourself I have closed off my mind to external invasion?" Richard questioned.
" I didn't see through you, your friend Yaegashi told me. She's very worried about you, you know."
" Figures, yes the flashes have continued but I've gotten some control over the pain that accompanies them. So there's nothing to worry about."
" Still I think it would be best if you stay at the academy for a while. So do you except my offer?"
" Yes, I will accept your offer, thank you."
" One last thing, seeing as you were my pad wan I feel that since you have graduated you disserve a small token for your accomplishments," clicking the com panel on his desk he spoke," R4 please come in." at that a little astrodroid glided into the room. It looked just like Master Skywalker's R2 unit only it was silver and green instead of silver and blue.
" I am commissioning this droid to you Master Grayson, his cereal number is R4-D5."
" Thank you very much Master Skywalker I don't know what else to say. You've don't so much for me already, this is too much."
" Think nothing of it. Also being a Jedi Knight I need you to pick a personal transport incase you must go off world, but I'm afraid that all we have are some very old fighters in need of retrofitting in the old landing bay."
" That would be fine I don't mind have to retrofit a ship, it wouldn't bother me at all since I have R4 now," turns to R4, " you want to get to work fixing a ship with me buddy."
The small droid whistles and clicks in response. " That settles it then, you'll stay and teach while you repair your ship." Luke said, " Now all that is left is what you will instruct."
" I think I might have a suggestions on that sir. If you will allow me I would like to teach unarmed combat, it seems to be my best subject after all."
" Then it's decided you will start teaching, but due remember to take it easy on them it will take time for them to learn what you have to teach them."
" As I remember you didn't always take it easy on me, especially in saber training." And then Richard left to start working on his new ship when Master Skywalker stopped him.
" Oh and would you tell your friends that they will continue training directly under the teachers as pad wan students. I'm sure they're curious about that."
" Yes sir." And then he left.
Running to the common room (it's were most of the students hag out in there spare time) to tell them the good news.
" Were going to what?' Garack asked
" You're going to train as pad wan right under the teacher. And that's not even the good news." Richard said.
" Well spit it out would you." Zer said.
" Master Skywalker has made me the teacher for unarmed combat and commissioned me an R4 droid, and told me to fix up a fighter for myself."
" Well you lucky bastard I knew you would get a teaching job but a ship to wow." Fong said.
" Yeah I was just as shocked as you guys but have you seen the ships in the old bay. It's going to take a lot of work to get them flying again."
" Have you picked one out yet?" Yaegashi asked.
" Nope I was actually wondering if you guys wanted to help me out with that right now?" he asked.
" Sure now lets find him the biggest pick of shit we can find shall we." James said and we all headed to the old landing bay.
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A/N; well that's finally done, well I hope you guys like this chapter since I stated up till 3 in the morning writing it you ungrateful bastards. Sorry just a little tired. Well please write and give me your opinion.