Young Knights: The Afterword.

So, we've come to the end of the road, or I guess a more apt metaphor is the next set of lights, another intersection, and any other clichés relating to driving as a way of talking about a midpoint in something.

For those of you who don't know, my screen name is Rennick, due to privacy laws I'm going to forgo my real name, wouldn't want to take this down after I worked so long on it.

I would like to thank you all for reading my work, whether you are new to this story with our latest installment, have been with me for the ride since I started Young Knights, or came in somewhere in between, I owe you thanks. I write for enjoyment but the most enjoyment I get is seeing people's feedback on my work and that they're enjoying it. For those of you who did, I'd like to say thank you for taking the time to read this story, and I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as I did. For those of you who wish it wasn't over, don't worry; there's more on the way. But I'll talk more about that later.

So I'll admit that now that I'm writing this, I'm at somewhat of a loss. I suppose the beginning of the story is as good of a place as any. The concept of Young Knights, or Youthful Knights as it was originally called, was my own answer to things happening in the DCU I didn't like concerning my favorite boy wonder. Specifically I'm talking about Stephanie Brown taking the mantle from Tim, and then at about the time of chapter 2's creation, the death of Jack Drake. Now please don't misunderstand me, DC has done some fantastic things with their characters since this story started, but at the time, this was the reasoning behind Young Knights. Later on it would be suggested to me in a reader review that I make this in to my own alternate universe. I liked the idea, it fit in with the basic concept of what Young Knights was, and at the time I was thick in to the potato-verse stories written by Smittywing, so the idea stuck.

To make this easier for you guys, I'm going to snap off the questions I'd like to answer, and then my replies.

What was the original concept for Young Knights, and why did you change the ending of Issue #2.

Young Knights was originally going to be an ongoing series chronicling the adventures of Robin, with Batgirl as a co-star and Nightwing, Batman and the rest acting as supporting characters. The fic was also originally planned to have a romantic sub plot between Tim and Cassandra. An idea that has since been flip flopped a few times.

Now, about the change I made to issue #2's ending. This was a really hard decision as I hate re-writing something after it has been published, however the original story very quickly became one I didn't want to tell for two reasons. The first being I wanted a more grim and down to earth "Batman style" story for my first foray into this world. The 2nd being it was complicated to the point of absurdity.

What was the original story?

The concept was still the same, Tim's return to Robin and how things developed from there. However Oni was originally Cassandra Cain's brother, not Tim's. The story then had her kidnapped and Tim going to Japan to train in order to save her. The plot was convoluted, involved too many plot points to reasonably control (Hell, this version still does) So I rethought and re-tooled the entire storyline. You need to understand that Young Knights didn't come into existence because I had a great story to tell, it came into existence because in the comics at the time, Tim had just been fired as Robin.

Are you happy with the story as is, or will you be revisiting your old ideas or maybe new ones.

I'll get to the new ideas in a bit, as for the first two questions, the answers are: Yes I'm happy with how Young Knights turned out, and: I'm not sure. I'd like to do a story of Tim going off and training like Bruce did, but not to save Cassandra. At the very least because I'm not sure who I want to be Tim's romantic interest.

Who are the choices?

It really depends which character I'm enjoying at the moment. Supergirl is one option, and this is/will be hinted at in The Legends of the Young Knights Arc. The other two, who have yet to be hinted at in the storyline, are Wonder Girl and Stargirl. I like both of these options because they would be able to relate to Tim as a normal kid as well as a hero. I have strengths and weaknesses about all four of these relations and at the moment am undecided on who I would like Tim to end up with. And keep in mind that even when I do, Tim is still a teenager, those rarely last forever.

So what about other relationships in the Series? Will someone melt Batman's heart, and what's going on with Nightwing and Babs?

Wow, now there's a messed up circle. The Babs/Dick thingy… Basically I was taking a page from the then-current run of Nightwing, in that the two of them get together for comfort sex. I love this pairing and have plans for them, but at the moment they are both single. Bruce will most likely end up with Diana, and to be honest it'll probably just happen, as I have no major story to tell with it.

Any hints on what's next?

Well I'll give a rundown of upcoming stories in a moment, but I'd like to finish the Robin/Supergirl arc in Legends, and I have a new story that I will be starting soon. Currently flagged as a three parter, it focuses on the Green Lantern Corps, and where they are in this world. Another Story I would like to do involves the Teen Titans and the return of the Scarecrow. "Surf Sand and Superheroes was a fun issue to write, and it was always meant as a lighthearted romp to give a bit of sun before the storm that followed. That said, the Scarecrow can be a truly terrifying villain and I'd like to show that as he takes out his revenge on the Titans.

So that's about it, nothing left now except the solicitations. Please note that as I have a real life I do need to attend to, I can make no promises as to when these will come to realization. And all titles given are subject to change.

One last note: I can not say if these will come out in this order, as really I will write what is fun for me to write.

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In Brightest Day and Blackest Night: Kyle Rayner is one of the most renowned and well loved Green Lanterns in the entire Corps. When no one else could, he carried the flame. He helped bring the prodigal son of the Corps, Hal Jordan back in to the light. And now as the Torchbearer he continues to serve as The Guardians personal Lantern, duties that have currently included the induction and training of neophyte Lanterns. But now Kyle has gone missing, And it's up to Hal Jordan, John Stewart and a firebrand rookie to find Kyle, and bring him home. But what happens when the trail leads them straight to Apokalips?

The Search for Spoiler: The assassin Oni used Stephanie Brown to get to Robin. Now with Oni behind bars Tim begins the quest to find his friend. With the help of Nightwing Robin will be lead across the ocean for the sake of his lost friend and former lover.

Quoth the Robin "Nevermore": Last summer Jonathan Crane, the villain known as the Scarecrow suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Teen Titans. Since then Crane has bid his time and waited for the perfect moment to strike back at the upstart children, that time is now.

The Crisis: War is upon us! The tyrant Darkseid has besieged earth. But Darkseid will not be happy with one planet, or for that matter one universe. With his armies being led by mysterious new Generals who are eerily familiar, Darkseid begins a plan that will tear the very fabric of reality apart. And the signs have already begun to show in our world as four Robins race to save Gotham.

Reforging the swords: The Crisis has ended and the world is safe again. How long before a new threat rises? This is a threat that plagues the heroes of the world and so they prepare. A collections of one shots that detail the reforming of the Justice League, the Teen Titans, the Outsiders and the Justice Society of America. Completed by two bookend issues.

The Storm: Bringing Family Ties back to its roots, and into its darkest chapter yet. A storm has come to Gotham, bringing with it the largest and longest downpour that the city has ever seen. And in the midst of the storm, The Dark knights oldest foe returns, and brings with him a pain like none other for Tim Drake. When the clouds finally part and the rain subsides, Robin the boy wonder will be no more.

The Mantle of the Bat: The last planned chapter of Family Ties. Almost a decade has passed since we last looked upon Gotham, and the years have not been kind. Batman disappeared from the rooftops years ago and crime and corruption have festered their way through the infrastructures of Gotham, going all the way to mayor's office itself. Against this tidal wave of evil stands Police Commissioner Maggie Sawyer, but in a sea this black, it takes all one has just to stay afloat. This is the city that Tim Drake returns to. Years after he hung up the mantle of Robin, Tim is brought back to Gotham because of the murder of his Father Jack Drake who was CEO Wayne-Drake Enterprises. As the mystery of his father's death grows darker, Tim is confronted by the outcry of this innocents of Gotham. Will Tim be able to put his demons to rest and rise to become Gotham's next Guardian?