So I have managed to finish up this weird little story I thought of. Took me a while, and I had planned to have more. But I figured it might be better to finish this story off here, otherwise it might never be complete.

Chapter 12: The End of the Beginning

"Have you come up with costume and name ideas?" Bruce asked me on the morning of my birthday as we ran. Bruce had thought I would want to take the morning off since it was my birthday, but I didn't want to take any days off now that I was going to be able to do something with my training. "If you tell me what you want, I can get you a well made costume with the quality strong and light materials that I have."

"I have thought a little about what I want it to look like," I said slowly. "I want mostly black, with a little dark purple, and some grey. Or actually silver. But I want to be able to blend into the darkness. And-"I cut off, not sure how to continue.

"What is it?" Bruce asked, looking at me closely as he ran.

"I kinda want the silver part to be a similar shape, size, and location as my burn scar," I finally said quietly, putting my hand on my chest. "Is that really stupid? Can I do that?"

"Of course," Bruce said. "So you want that triangle shape?"

"Yeah," I said, happy Bruce hadn't been upset by the request. I knew it was a mark of when I had almost been killed, but to me it was also a mark from something that had made me stronger. I wanted that symbolic mark of strength to be visible on the outside to others.

"How about a name?" He asked.

"Uh, I haven't thought of anything good yet," I admitted.

"Don't worry, you have a lot of time."

Bruce wasn't lying about having time either. He had told me I would have to spend time learning and perfecting the use of weapons. I had to be able to aim, catch, swing across buildings, and distract with various ones. Besides that, Bruce wanted me stronger, faster, and even stealthier to prepare for the various dangers. When we weren't training, he would challenge my mind with different scenarios of "what would you do". But I was generally pretty good with those. All of this was going to take a lot of time even with my increased focus and motivation.

Dick showed up for my birthday after dinner that night, and I was very excited to share the news of my present, since I hadn't seen him since I was told by Bruce the week before. After our ritual of big lifts, throws, flips, catches, balances, and Bruce complaining, we all sat down while Alfred served some cake.

"Guess what?" I said excitedly to Dick. When he only looked at me calmly, I figured it was the best response I was going to get. "I'm going to get to fight alongside Batman one day after I train for it. Didn't I tell you I would get to one day?"

"Congratulations on convincing the stubborn mule," Dick smiled, seeming truly happy for me. But somehow he didn't seem quite as surprised as I thought he should be.

"You didn't always think you would have my permission," Bruce growled. "Otherwise you would have always worked harder in your training."

"What if I was purposely getting lazy because I knew you would give me this opportunity to get me more motivated like you did," I said cheekily.

"You didn't," Bruce said firmly. But he didn't sound quite as sure of himself as I knew he could be. "Otherwise you wouldn't have been so surprised when I told you."

"I was surprised, only because you gave me the permission so soon. I thought I would have to wait a while longer," I said truthfully and smugly.

"Yeah, Bruce. I think she did trick you into giving her the permission a little. She's pretty clever," Dick cut into our argument. "That's why she is a nightmare. The name suited you so well, aren't you going to reuse it?" he teased.

"No," I said shortly. "It was a stupid name."

"Well, unfortunately for you, you're always going to be a nightmare to me now."

"Well, unfortunately for you, you're always going to be a jerk to me now," I shot back.

"Great comeback. I would have thought you could come up with something better," he said smugly.

"I'll show you a comeback," I said quietly with a grin. I suddenly sprang to my feet and tackled him. We began wrestling on the sitting room floor, both laughing and pinning each other down. Unfortunately Dick was winning, but I was still holding my own.

"I'm going to get a coffee," Bruce muttered, obviously deciding there was no point in telling us to stop. I wasn't sure if it was my birthday, or because Dick was here that Bruce was being a lot more lenient on rules. He normally would have never let me act quite this crazy inside.

Overall it had been a great birthday. I was sad to see Dick go, since he was going to leave the city for a little while again. It would probably be another few weeks before he would return again.

By the end of the school year, I decided I would quit gymnastics, since it was no longer helping. I wasn't challenged by practices anymore, and I figured I could spend the time better on my own by practicing my speed with the skills and reaction time. I wouldn't forget the fundamental strength and agility the sport had helped me with last year.

The day I came home from my last day of school, I came home to the surprise of my new costume. I tried it on right away, excited about how it would look on me. The form fitting material took some getting used to, since I always wore baggy clothes, even most of my past gymnastics experience hadn't been in a leotard to my coaches annoyance. But as I did a few backhand springs to get used to the movement the formfitting material made it much easier to move, and the cape was really going to take getting used to.

Overall the colors of the costume were a little brighter than what I had been expecting, but the outside of my cape was black, so I could still conceal myself in a black costume. My boots were light weight and pitch black. The leggings were a deep dark shade of purple, and I had a belt to hold my weapons that was yellow to match the one in Bruce's costume. My top was black with a very light silver marking that matched my scar as I had asked for. Long purple sleeve came out from the black top, and I had black gloves to go over my hands.

My mask was black, and covered about half of my face. It almost seemed too big, but it suited me. I could hardly recognize myself. "What do you think?" I asked Bruce, after I had finished examining the functionality of the costume.

"I think it makes you look stronger and faster," he said looking me over. "Your baggy clothes make you look so tiny, it's nice to see how you really look."

I made a muscle and looked at my arm. It was true that I did have some muscle. I hadn't even noticed with the huge t-shirts I always wore to train. I had found there were wrist loops in my cape, and I could use them to keep it closed without having to hold it. I compared the effect of having my colors show and wrapping myself up in black.

"I also wanted you to try this for your hair," Bruce said, holding out a small hair band.

I took it uncertainly. I always kept my hair in a ponytail. But I pulled out the hair tie and slipped the band on around the mask. I immediately loved the effect. The hair band kept my hair out of my face, and my short dark whispy hair nicely added to the look of the mask. Bruce was looking at me, and I smiled and nodded. "I love the costume," I said happily. "I think it all looks really good."

Bruce smiled gently as well. "Good, I think it looks very nice on you as well. Now that you have it, you may begin coming on some patrols with me."

I gaped at him, and then hugged him. "Thanks so much!" I squealed.

"Just remember you are not helping me fight and you won't be coming every night. You are only coming to observe and learn. If you abuse this privilege, you will be in trouble and I will take away the costume until your next birthday," Bruce said firmly.

"I won't, I promise," I said. I had no intention of having to wait longer for the opportunities I was finally getting, and I knew Bruce would follow through on his warning if he felt he had to.

Over my summer break I got to go along with Bruce at night several times to watch him from the batmobile. It made me remember the first time I came with him and got in trouble for it. I saw him in action take down petty criminals, and we always left before the police came. I knew I had the ability to help him, but he was still too overprotective, and I wasn't going to complain. I already had been given a lot just to be able to come and watch.

Since I was going out on patrol some nights my summer schedule had changed a lot. I wouldn't go to bed until the early morning hours after training at the usual time, and I would wake up sometime late in the afternoon. I liked this nocturnal schedule better. It was another reason I wanted to give up on school and just become Batman's full partner. But I also knew I needed to get a career in something when I grew up and lived on my own.

"I still don't know if I like my decision," Bruce said suddenly. We were in the batmobile, speeding through the city toward the bank where there was a rumor of a robbery. It was a cool night for late summer, and my last week of vacation. It was also probably my last time coming along on patrol for a while, since school would get in the way.

"What do you mean?" I asked. The statement had come from nowhere.

"I mean I have regrets about bringing you along with me over the summer," he said quietly.

I felt a little hurt. "But I've really worked hard to listen to you, and I've been training really hard. I thought I was doing a good job." I looked at my black gloves and played with the edge of my cape.

"It's not that," Bruce's voice was suddenly gentler. "You've been listening wonderfully, and your training has sky rocketed. I just mean I've been putting you in danger so much. I promised you I would keep you safe. You haven't even been able to have a normal sleep schedule."

I looked up, and saw the regret, even through his cowl. "You have been keeping me safe," I insisted. "And I promise I can handle myself. Especially when I'm working with you. The change in my sleep schedule isn't a big deal."

The batmobile stopped, and everything seemed very quiet. "Would you like to come with me and help me stop this robbery?" he asked very quietly.

I wasn't sure if I heard him correctly. I nodded, feeling a bit stunned. "Yes, I've been ready for this for a long time."

"Alright, then let's go," Batman's voice said. It was a huge contrast to the voice he was using before.

I took this as my cue to let go of Jayden completely, and become Batman's sidekick. I let go of my emotions and followed him into the bank through the window. It was dark, quiet, and apparently empty inside. But I could tell there was someone nearby, and I was sure Batman noticed it as well. We both hid in the shadows and waited for our next move. I covered myself in my cape, and was satisfied to have my first practical use for it. I could feel Batman's steady calm slight presence next to me, which helped ground me from the unreal feeling I was experiencing from actually coming into this closed dark building to stop a massive robbery.

Batman and I didn't even have to look at each other, we moved in at the same time, both noticing the man walking to the registers among the shadows. As if time stood still for a moment, I knew something was very wrong a split second before it happened. A small but strong explosion erupted directly between me and Batman. In the moments I struggled to regain my balance I felt a hand clamp over my mouth and an arm drag me away. By the time I recovered my balance, regained my senses, and pulled away, I was in a small office with a closed door. I spun around to see my mother watching me coldly.

I was careful not to show any emotion as I wordlessly attacked. My mother was always a master at evasion, and she dodged each one. On the other hand, I was able to avoid all of her attacks as well.

"Jayden, how about we stop this," she said smoothly and coldly.

I stopped and glared at her, while secretly feeling nervous and shocked on the inside. I knew I should never underestimate her, but I had been hoping she wouldn't discover it was me behind the mask. I didn't even bother to ask how she knew.

"Your father wants you dead," she continued, so quietly it was almost a whisper. She took a step closer, "But I don't. Please join us so you can live. It is your last chance. I'm your mother, and I do love you. I don't want to see your father kill you in the end."

I stood my ground. "You don't love me," I said just as quietly. "I am only loyal to Batman, and I will never work with you or father again." I knew she was trying to trick me. My mother had never shown me any form of love. It was true she was gentler than my father, but that was because she always let him do the dirty work.

"Batman won't be around much longer," she whispered now, the first small smile I had ever seen creeping over her face. "Spartan will see that he is killed."

Knowing my father, I was sure the entire building was covered in bombs. My best bet was to keep her talking and distracted. I knew I could since her pleasure at my situation was so great she was actually showing some of her own emotion. "Batman is stronger than you think," I hissed, letting out some of my own feelings. "If you plan to blow us up tonight, it won't work. We are both stronger than that. I just wish I could figure out how you managed to trick him into thinking this was a petty robbery."

"It was going to be a robbery," she purred, smiling even more. "See for yourself. They're over there," she pointed into the darkness.

I looked, and the sight I saw almost shocked me out of my glare and tough protective emotionless shield. About a half a dozen boddies were piled in the shadows of the desk at the other end of the room. I could see the gruesome burn marks covering their bodies. But I couldn't let this shake me. I glared back at my mother, "You will not get to me," I said tonelessly.

"But we will kill you, along with Batman," she said confidently. "You're right, there is a large bomb set to explode in two minutes. I planned to knock you out and leave you to turn to dust along with this place, after we took all the money we could get. But I see you've been learning too much from that bat. Instead I'm going to let you in on a secret. Two of those people over there," she pointed to the pile of gang members, "are actually hostages we found, burned, and left alive. You wouldn't want them to be left would you?"

I stared at the pile of charred and blackened bodies. A lot of thoughts were running through my mind. Did I care about innocent living people being killed in this explosion to risk my own life? Was Bruce alright? Should I just escape the building now? Then I knew I had to try to save those people, it was the only way Bruce would want it. But before I moved in to investigate bodies I suddenly realized the trap for what it was. It was my mother trying to use what she saw as a weakness in me. I sharply turned my attention to my mother, who was swiftly on her way to escaping.

Batman broke the door down and ran in. He didn't even ask if I was alright, even though I saw he wanted to. There wasn't time for such questions. I could see the edge of his cape was fringed from the fight with my father. "We have to catch my mother and get out of here," I said calmly. I was even impressing myself at this point, by keeping my thoughts and head together.

He nodded, and we wordlessly moved in to catch her. Batman ran ahead and I moved in to stop her if she turned the other way. As I expected, she dodged Batman and I was able to grab her from behind. Batman moved in and quickly had her tied before she could get away from me.

She furiously glared at us. "I'm not stupid, and I can see when both Spartan and I have lost," she spat.

I starred; my confusion actually completely wiped away my emotionless mask. My mother had never shown her emotions like this. I had to check carefully to make sure it was still her.

She turned her attention to me. "Jayden, I wasn't lying even though you think I was. I do love you. Leave now, before you have to die. I never did want to see my only child killed," a single tear ran down her face. "Leave this place now. The bomb is going to explode," she sounded breathless and anxious.

I was still in too much shock to react as bombs began to explode in the lobby. I felt Batman's arm around me, and I watched my mother get caught in one. It was if things were moving in slow motion and without sound. We were soon out the window my mother had tried to escape from and in the streets of Gotham as the entire bank erupted in flames and smoke.

I continued to only watch the burning building even after I was set back on my feet. "Come," Bruce's voice said gently, as he placed a hand on my shoulder. "The police and fire department will be here soon. They can take care of this."

With difficulty I tore my eyes from the sight and followed him to the Batmobile. The doors were shut, and Bruce removed his cowl and turned to me. "Are you alright?" he asked softly, concern visible all over his face.

I nodded, and looked away as the silent tears began to fall from behind my mask. Bruce didn't question me further during the short quick trip back. Once we were parked, the doors were opened, but neither of us stepped out.

"Did you get hurt at all," Bruce finally asked quietly.

I had thankfully regained my self control by now, and looked at him. "No, I'm fine," I said calmly. I looked back at my feet. "Did she actually love me?" I whispered. "I'm so confused now. It wasn't like her to say those things."

"Jayden, I don't know if either you or I could ever completely understand you mother," Bruce said, looking intently at his own fist. "But I personally believe she was telling some truth. She didn't love you the way or as strongly as every mother should love a child, but there was some love there. After she saw her lover was defeated with no time for survival, I think she broke down and let more of her true self show."

"But my father never loved me," my voice shook slightly. It wasn't even a question.

"No, I agree with you about that," Bruce said hesitantly, turning his head to look at me.

"Can I still come with you and help you?" I asked hopefully. "I still promise I'm not lying when I say I can handle it."

Again Bruce hesitated. "Yes, but only on the weekends," he said finally. "You did very well tonight, even in the most extreme circumstances."

I gave him a small smile, and looked down at my costume. I looked at the silver mark on my chest, knowing the same mark was showing under the costume and even inside me. It made me strong inside and out. My parents did deserve the credit for my being on this planet as well as a chunk of my abilities. Even with all the wrong they had done, I had to give them that much.

I felt like a huge chapter of my life had finally ended along with the end of my parents. I could now leave my story's beginning behind me. The next part of my life would be next to Batman, and having the opportunity to work toward being the person I really wanted to be someday.

"Spartan and Hidden Arrow," I muttered quietly. I looked up quickly, a sudden thought coming to me. "Bruce, I just thought of a name for myself," I said quickly. It would honor both my parents slightly, and stick to the flying animals theme that Batman and the Robins had always followed. It was small, quick, and would be a name to lead others to underestimate me.

"What would that be?" Bruce asked as we finally stepped out of the batmobile. I waited until we both entered the mansion to get some much deserved sleep.

"Sparrow," I said shortly. With a smile I left Bruce with his look of comprehension of the meaning of the name.