Summary: Troia meets the new Batman and Robin.
Love, Fate, and the Multiverse
By Syl Francis
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Gotham City
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Dick knew that she had returned. Remembering her death at the hands of the Superman android, Batman lashed out with a vicious 360 spin-back roundhouse kick, taking out several of Yellow Wasp's two-bit henchmen. They toppled like ten pins, their ridiculous wings and antennae twisted and broken.
He wasn't sure how he should feel. After the horrors of Blackest Night, when the dead literally rose from their graves, and their re-animated corpses terrorized the living, Dick knew that some things were sacred and should not be meddled with.
On the other hand, if there was one constant in his crazy existence, it was that there were no absolutes. The dead seemed to have a tendency not to stay dead. This had been proven true with Jason, Ollie, Clark, Ra's al Ghul…
And now, Donna.
Apparently, her death had been less of a death and more of being recalled by the Titans of old to their home on New Cronos. And Donna, having forgotten her previous life on Earth, had assumed the role of the goddess of the moon, replacing the Titan Selene.
But Dick hadn't had a chance to see her since her return, as he himself was dealing with his own loss, the death of his mentor and second father, Bruce Wayne.
Meantime, Batman and Robin fought Yellow Wasp and his drones, showing them—as only the Dynamic Duo could—why it was a bad idea to set up shop in Gotham City. To punctuate his main point, the new Batman punched the second-rate villain, much as he might squash a bug.
Sensing a familiar presence behind him, Batman's lips twitched in a half-smile, an unconscious echo of his mentor. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw one of Yellow Wasp's drones reach for a discarded handgun. Acquiring and throwing a batarang in an eye-blink, Batman watched in horror as the two-bit henchman managed to fire at Robin before the batarang found its mark.
"Robin!"he cried in warning.
He need not have worried. The familiar sound of a bullet striking a metal bracelet sang in the night. At the same time, the drone cried out in pain as the batarang imbedded itself in his wrist. The next instant Robin came flying out of the shadows, landing a knockout kick to the gunman's right temple. This being the new Robin, he then struck the unconscious man on the left temple for the coup de grace.
When Batman saw that Robin was about to land yet another blow, he called out a different type of warning. "Robin, remember the 'no excessive violence' rule. You don't want me to report you Alfred, do you? The last time I did, I think he made you spit shine the dinosaur, didn't he?"
Robin glared balefully at his mentor. Batman wordlessly withstood the onslaught, enclosed in his cape, a forbidding and intimidating figure. Robin looked away first.
"Wrap 'em up for the GCPD," Batman rasped.
"T-t," Robin grumbled, but proceeded to zip-tie the unconscious, wannabe super-villains.
Keeping an eye on his junior charge, Batman was proud to see that Robin wasn't tying the prisoners' wrists and ankles too tightly. Satisfied that the villains weren't going to lose a hand or foot due to lack of circulation, he at last acknowledged the newcomer without turning around.
"I see you still prefer bullets and bracelets to playing with dolls." He turned his head just enough so that she could see the slight smirk. "Thanks by the way…and welcome back, D."
An exasperated sigh was his answer.
"Hi, yourself…'Batman'."
Facing her fully, the new Dark Knight held his hands out in mock hurt. "I heard those air quotes, D. I felt a sharp pain…right here." He splayed his hands dramatically against his heart.
Troia laughed out loud and literally flew into his arms. "Oh, Robbie—! I think I missed you the most." Batman swung her around in delight.
A throat being cleared disapprovingly brought their happy reunion to an abrupt halt. "Grayson, I am certain that my father would never behave in such an infantile manner while in uniform!"
"Robin, what part of 'no real IDs while in uniform' did you not understand?" Batman asked.
"The wasps are all unconscious. I've made sure." Robin said with an arrogant shrug. "You would know that if you weren't busy being a disgrace to the entire Batman legacy. As I have said before, I am the only one worthy of the name—!"
The tilt of the Dark Knight's head let Robin know that his mentor was rolling his eyes at him. "Yeah, yeah, Little D…I've heard it all before. Arkham will crumble; Gotham will be annihilated; the Joker will blow up the world. Been there, done that. Blah, blah, blah. You've gotta learn to loosen up, kid…have some fun! That's what being Robin is all about."
"~T-t!~"
"Batman…who's the new kid?" Troia interrupted.
"Don't call me kid, you harlot!" At Robin's vehement rejoinder, Batman and Troia shared amused glances. Noting that his mentor's arm was still resting lightly around her waist, Robin turned a dark shade of purple and appeared ready to explode. "Grayson, who is this harlot?" He then pointed accusingly at her. "Who are you? How do hold such sway in his heart? Are you some kind of witch?"
"A bit dramatic there, don't you think, Little D?" Batman teased gently. "Or should I say… DQ for drama queen?" He held his hand up to forestall any further protests from his young partner. Turning to his oldest and dearest friend, Batman added, "I think what he meant to say was, 'Thank you, Troia, for saving my life'."
"In that case, the only appropriate response is, 'You're welcome'." Her face softened into a smile as she gazed on the young boy before her, so reminiscent of another in a similar bright costume. "It is a great pleasure to meet you, Robin. That name and costume represent a great legacy, one I know you must be proud to carry on."
"It is but a mere stepping stone for me," Robin replied haughtily.
Batman leaned into Troia and spoke sotto voce. "The only reason he thinks he's not Batman yet is because he's too short to fit the uniform. But as soon as he reaches his full height, he fully intends to tear it off me."
"You know, I can hear everything you're saying, Grayson."
"I'm sorry, Little D…I didn't mean to hurt your sensitive, junior-sidekick feelings. Go on and sulk in the car. Let the grownups talk."
"We've been through this before," Robin growled. "I'm not a sidekick…I'm an equal partner!" With that, he stomped off in a huff.
"Oh, and speaking of DQ…if you're good, Little D," Batman called after him good-naturedly, "we'll stop for ice cream on the way home. I even promise to order plain vanilla…and no sprinkles this time." He winked at Troia. "He thinks sprinkles aren't good for Batman's image."
"Perhaps not Batman's image," Troia nodded in understanding. "But definitely yours."
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Without a backward glance, Robin climbed into the Batmobile and slammed the passenger door loud enough to make a point. Unseen by the others, he then proceeded to sulk, just as his senior partner—older brother, guardian, and irritating thorn on his side—had recommended. Still, ice cream sounded good. He supposed he'd have to make an effort to rein in his temper. He crossed his arms in annoyance.
"~T-t~!"
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Batman and Troia barely held their suppressed laughter until the annoyed Boy Wonder disappeared into the car.
"You two looked pretty tight when you were taking down the bad guys," Troia said. "But he seems a bit—" She stopped, biting her bottom lip.
"Yeah, he's good. Probably better than I was at his age. And, yeah, he's a bit of a handful. But, considering his family background, he comes by it honestly. Anyway, he's not me at that age, that's for sure." Batman's lips quirked slightly.
"Oh, no? I seem to remember a certain Boy Wonder who pulled my ponytail a few times without any provocation."
"Hey, it was only that one time! And I had it on good authority that girls had cooties," Batman said in self-defense. He crossed his arms and gave her a mock Bat-glare.
Troia smiled fondly. "I remember."
Gazing at his beautiful friend, Batman suddenly felt a funny tightening in his stomach and a catch in his throat. Stepping up to her, he took her tenderly in his arms and held her close.
"I've missed you, D," he rasped fiercely. "You don't know how much. Without you, the world has been a much darker place. I was so happy to hear that you were back, but…" He stopped, unable to go on.
"But you were busy being all dark and broody and trying to fill that big, black cape," Troia said knowingly. "Dick, no one deserves the mantle of the Bat more than you, but please don't lose yourself to its darkness." She placed her hand on his arm.
"You were raised in the shadow of the Bat, but despite that your soul has always shone the brightest. You've been my beacon in uncertain times…a safe harbor in which to seek shelter from a storm-tossed sea. You gave me away on my wedding day. You were there on the birth of my son. You were my anchor during my divorce and custody battles, and my strength when I had to bury my child." Troia slid her hands down until she was holding his hands in hers.
"It's my turn now," she said. "Let me be here for you in your time of mourning. When you feel yourself being pulled toward the abyss, let me be your light." As she spoke, her tears began to flow freely. She stepped into his arms, as she had on her wedding day.
"You are brave, unselfish, and utterly kind—how could I not fall in love with that strength and that smile? I'm so blessed that you are a part of my life, Dick. I could never wish or hope for a better friend."
Batman leaned down and kissed her softly on the forehead. "I love you, too, D…" He held her tightly to himself for a brief moment, reveling in the feeling of rightness in having her in his arms. Before long, he remembered himself and took a step back, releasing her. His expression stoic, he drank her in, seeing her again as if for the first time.
As always he marveled at her beauty, knowing that it was but an outward reflection of her inner self. However, no matter his jumbled emotions when it came to her, Dick knew that he was destined to play the role of best friend and teammate in her life. It was time to get down to business. "But…you came here for a reason, Troia."
As his arms fell away from her, Donna felt a bit lost and not a little confused at his sudden change in demeanor. Seeing the telltale hardening of his jawline, she realized that Dick had been replaced by the Batman. It was the Dark Knight who spoke now.
"Judging from your appearance and tone of voice," he rasped, "I suspect that you want me in the Justice League."
Donna looked momentarily nonplussed and impressed. "That's amazing! You deduced all that just from my appearance?"
"Yes…also, Vic called me this morning and told me you were coming." Unable to maintain the Bat façade, Dick broke out in most un-Batman-like grin and held his fist out to her. Shaking her head in wry amusement, Donna bumped her fist against his.
The two lifelong friends were together again. Like a favorite pair of old jeans, worn from countless wearings and washings, their friendship had undergone some battle scars, but it was still a comfortable fit.
End of Part 3
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Acknowledgements: Some dialogue and story ideas borrowed from the following: The New Teen Titans #38; Tales of the Teen Titans #50; Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day #1-3; The Return of Donna Troy #1-4; Blackest Night: Batman #1-3; Justice League of America #41; Flashpoint: Deadman and the Flying Graysons #1-3; The New 52: Batman and Robin #10
Copyright: February 2013