Jason reflects on becoming Robin.
Chapter 70: Shortpants
Jason's POV
Batman and Robin were my heroes. I wanted to be Robin more than anything. I always thought Robin was a badass, until I found out he was my older brother. (He was still a badass. But, without the mask, he's an acrobat who loves to hug people. And a sweater loving geek who manages to tap every girl he looks at.)
Then I got adopted by Bruce and I knew that one day I'd be Robin. I learned how to fight and I learned some acrobatics. I trained for what felt like forever. Dick gave me the mantle on my twelfth birthday.
I was so happy. (Except for Dick's lame ass costume! Who the frick picks out panties and pixie boots!) But, at the time I didn't care. I was Robin! I was a hero! I was a badass!
I guess I'd always wanted to be a hero. I knew it was what I wanted the first time I saw the Batsignal illuminating the night sky. I wanted to save people from the bad things and monsters that I dealt with as a kid. No one should have to suffer like I did.
Becoming my hero was a blessing as well as a curse. I grew darker. The things I saw every night impacted my future decision to become the Red Hood. I came to realize that putting the criminals back into Arkham does nothing. Sometimes, taking a life is better than to let the situation get out of hand. (Felipe Garzonas was the first time I questioned Bruce's methods.)
And I did get into trouble a lot. I never listened. I could never keep my mouth shut. (I still can't.) I'd sprang into dangerous situations without thinking. (I still do that, but I've gotten better.) I could have gotten myself killed. I could have gotten others killed. I just wanted to prove that I was worthy, that I was as good as Dick. I just wanted Bruce's approval. I just wanted to show him that I was good enough to stand beside him as his partner.
I never wanted to give the mantle up. Never. I would have stayed by Bruce's side forever if I could. But, I was forced to give it up by a damn clown. The Joker almost murdered me. He was so close. He nearly beat me to death, he almost blew me up. But, Bruce saved me as always. And there are worse ways to die, at least the people of Gotham didn't vote to kill me off or something...
But, I didn't die, I lived. Yet, I was on a hospital bed for six months. I couldn't walk, let alone breathe on my own. Bruce was becoming as dark as I am. I did the only thing I could to save my father. Tim, I passed the mantle to Babybird. I never had a choice. It was too late to save myself, but I could save Bruce.
When I recovered, a part of me wanted to go back to being Robin, but it could never be that way again. Tim was Batman's Robin. I gave it to him; I couldn't just take it back.
Throughout my life, I have many regrets, but becoming Robin and flying with my Father and big brother is not one of them.