Read series through to the beginning to the bitter end, the story that never ends!
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/A/ Chapter: 18: My Name is My Own
There was laughter...
A dark cloak that was musty smelling and warm.
~Bruce...~
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The scent reminded Richard of the closeness he'd felt for many homes, past and present. Titans Tower, Wayne manor, and of course with Haley's circus. This new feel of fabric wrapped tightly around him didn't really remind him of them at all, it felt ancient. He could feel a warm glow pass through his body and through the room around him.
But why... Robin pictured a closely knit family. A girl with wavy blond hair in a white dress and a woman next to her. She was taller than both she and one more exception to the family. A boy in a mellow stance. He looked similar to the boy from the dream Richard had envisioned a while back when he'd escaped the spirit castle in the west. The spirit world...
That's right! Hsari had been on his tail- e hem, trail ever since the last few captures. When the glass mirror had aided in his escape.
All was a mystery ever since. Robin gave the Titans a reason to kneel over him as he woke from this strange feeling.
" Are you alright?"
star...? As improper as he made himself sound, Richard brought a hand to his eyes; he brought hands to his masked face.
"Richard..." there was that laughter again! So small yet he could hear a single chuckle. Above? Searching for her- for it, with a groan and covered eyes the teen lifted a hand up to that unpleasant light on the ceiling. His view was fuzzy and his hand swung back and forth without proper instruction to where it needed to be. It waved as a figure within that light made him try to smile...so warm-
His eyes were opening a bit more now, trying to take in the clearest picture of all. From the look of it his one eye scanned the room as his hand fell to his side.
Released by the barrier of his dark insecurities his other eye was still shut a moment to soon to realize what the other was up to. The room was red! Like infrared lights and skeletal figures all around. His other eye shot out to the world as it relinquished the fight to hide the soul within it's vessel self. Richard
was eyeballing the ceiling as he had soon realized, when the red had disappeared his eyelid had fallen back.
"His second sight..." A person. Yep. Surely, one person had whispered out. Blinking away a few stars Dick realized just too soon what the heck had happened.
The past had shown itself to him inside of his tower walls. Red X had fought him in the infirmary. Hurting-
"Was that your right or your left?" The voice with the chuckle! Robin's head swung around to his left. His heart beating straight into his ears he thought that he'd have some sort of vivid reaction to it. Mouth slightly agape the boy squinted to get a better view of the...two. Sitting up straight the teen had learned where he was at long last.
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A bed chamber on the bed that seemed to resemble the exact replica of one he'd fallen to sleep in once before! Before Slade had attempted the murder of the king or shah and had made Seth mighty ruler of the sands of an old kingdom.
The room had a balcony in which one with no hope of escape could watch the king's people outside the castle. Was this a castle? It certainly looked big enough to be a castle bedroom, with it's walls of molded tile and shining wooden and stone floors. The doors were well crafted two halved shapes that fit together like a puzzle's pieces. The teen remembered to greet guests with the utmost kindness-
"Where...Where's Star-
The man sat over his bedside in a manner most unpleasant for the boy to gaze up at. Though he just sat there calmly and interrupted the teen with a sigh. And with a chuckling, shaking head.
"You don't remember me? Ah, yet there are questions you have for your old man I suppose?" he wasn't taller than many heroes but whoa! This guy was definitely hiding his strength underneath his positive-
OLD MAN?
Richard cleared his throat shakily.
"You're, Roku...?" he asked; hoping to have not made the guy upset with his second guesses.
Scrunching back the man had his hand up in the air. Here it comes...
*Pat Pat. The man was patting Dick's head, like an animal! No sudden movements...
"Angela, could you show this young master to the baths for me? He'll need to rinse off, he's sweltering all over your clean handiwork.".
The maiden was of regular height in a dark blue dress and wore a crown of the dream figment hair that looked as Alice's still did...
"This way, up up young one!"
"HUH? oh..." sheets were pulled, no. Stripped clean as a new beginning from the frame of the fixture.
"I'll see you once you've finished, later you may join me for supper." The god was first to leave the two. As he finished instructing the maiden Angela Robin guessed he'd find the way to get his mind cleared soon.
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It was large with many rooms housing many open pools of bathwater areas. When Robin wanted to alert himself of the current danger occupying the halls, Richard refused to pitch in. He just needed rest.
Once through with the bath of choice that he desired; a towel held round his waist and a robe around his shoulders and back allowed him to wander around aimlessly. Curiosity came from the hero and Richard Grayson, Roku was sleeping sound yet- remembered much from his dreaming. Within the hero was a former god. Backing up this mysterious place ten fold. The only thing that kept him cool was the memory of home.
At the end of the hall Angela stood with sad eyes holding a new set of clothes for her new charge.
Her body was covered in a blue embroidered cloak that made her feel safe, he guessed. No one really was with Slade-
Where was Slade? Had the real Slade come back, was he in hiding somewhere? And who was the strange tall man in reds and black. Not to mention, Robin looked back. He had the strangest gaze of all...Red eyes with black pupils. Like a dragon...
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"Here we are." The new set of clothing that she had provided for him was different from the ones he'd first tried on when going to the spirit world, while being spirited away far from the beginning.
The sleeves were shortened by the shoulders. His neckline was loose and deep. The set of pants were too big as he got ready to jump into them. When he was handed a sash it made the world seem a bit more convenient. Tying that around his waist Richard felt the cloth soon flop halfway around, drooping to his side sluggishly.
The maiden smiled while adjusting the band for her prince-
She paused. How was he a prince; when did he learn their ways so quickly?
"All finished, you may move about, if you'll follow me please." Her shifting away from him made the world go dark suddenly. She held him up to help this poor soul so much with such kindness, he had to say something!
"Thank you..." he worded out loud across the dark hallway. Around she turned with her shock that of gratefulness for fate bringing her closer to the all known-
He was barely in with the cheerfulness and out with gloom. Was he homesick?
"Do not lose it...your, name that is..." He looked up at her whom looked down at the ground. "We cannot be broken..." Those words from him were everything to him. She thought, "Thank you." she whispered.
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The table had been set. They were late. Roku stood with arms crossed tapping his foot. The floor was all tiles of gold and brass color. When they'd arrived to open the doors to the dining room, guards opened it for them. Why guards? They did not realize time had passed. Was he going to do what Slade had done to HIS servants? Robin would fight till the last breath for Angela whom had shown him kindness. She was more than a tool. So was he. Defiance in Robin was not fried, just lowered to calm observation.
"Come, your food will be cold before long." he looked stressed, Roku was worrying? No, he always had ways of finding a way...this time.
Angela helped the teen slide into his chair. He'd already eaten that night, so wait...Why was it night in the spirit's world too?
"Tell me this, child..." Roku was settled thanks to two attendants. "What did your old teacher call you by?"
Robin looked across from the spread out delights and surprises in front of the two. Across to Roku's side of the table. Old, teacher...Slade...Batman?
"My, my name...?" Angela had heard him through the doorway while leaving. The trial was here. At this setting.
"O-or, my hero identity?"
Close call.
Roku listened and waited as he knelt forwards into the table, across from the teen. "Yes, either one will do. Tell me, what do they call you?" Making a close call once more Robin stood up proudly. "You can't have it, I've made my choice. YOU can call me Robin."
/B
"Wonderful! Simply, wonderful!" Roku said this with a grin on his face, that was quieted by Robin and Richard's impatience.
"What's wonderful! I don't get this! Just send me home, I don't belong here!"
The chuckle ended from the older man and lord dragon. "Oh, I think you're sadly mistaken, you do in fact belong in this world. To this world... "His tone was slightly calmer, creepily he crept in with his dark presence.
"If, I'm such a bad guy," he said coolly cutting off the snarling teen's breathing. Then why didn't you fight me? You ALLOWED me to bring you home-
NO!" Now the emotions flared rapidly off course.
"THEN WHY?" hissed the god. He could spit fire from his tongue at any given time. "Tell him or die? Hmm...so many choices!" the god rubbed his chin in thought.
"Wha-!" The god mocked him now, Robin turned fiery red. "But...a monster sleeps-
OK!" Robin shouted making the attendants jump.
"I...thought...I- thought that you were someone else!"Holding up his fists Robin waited for the coming blow. The god huffed with a grin."That was all? ALL you had to say?"
"...Yes...that's all..."
The god leaned back into his armchair, fingers properly interlaced in front of him.
"Good. It seems learning respect for me and my showing it will all be smooth sailing, don't you agree...Richard?"
"I said my name was-
Was. You will have a new name after this all falls into place. One that shall prove itself loyal to MY world." Cyborg's words traveled to the child's brain at full speed. He was going to use the real Dick Grayson unless there was a way out...bingo.
Robin decided his fate. He was going to fight the lord dragon ruler. Even if it cost him everything in return...
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Let me see...Robin looked up. He hoped and wished to get better without lifting a finger, better during battle. "I'll give it all I've got,"
"Hum?" The demon lord was about to serve himself supper on a large plate. Looking up and out he saw the fire, that defiance would soon wither to dust at his hands. With hands shaking by his mark there would be no will left but the god's own.
"To defeat you!" Cried the teen out loud as he struck a blow to the king's armchair. A steak knife felt its blade against the wood and paint of the king's throne. Not much was good for just throwing one, so the god rebounded- with lightening.
BOOM
Crashing with a sizzle and a crackling jolt of energy the chair at Robin's end exploded into splinters on fire to the floor. About the side wall Robin hung by clinging for dear life. Now the god had turned on his own homemade smoke storm. Separating the attendants, Angela whom used what power she could encased herself inside of a mage's bubble of strong blue light.
"Look out!" Lightening blocked the two from contacting or reviving their energies. Separated and coughing up the dust Robin could not make a sound as he gasped at the wreck he had caused.
"Stop! You're hurting them!-
Guh!" Roku towered above the teen as he was not happy this time. With a tug the boy was hoisted into the air by an arm of steel. The gloved hand was cutting off his breathing little by little.
"This was all your own." He hissed. "Apologizing will be the only way out for your serva-
The-they're NOT!" Protested the teen anxiously as he watched the smoke clear. Keeping kinder eyes away from looking into the dragon ones. "They are free! You can't hurt anyone...not while I'm around..." he growled hoarsely. The god's grip only worsened as it became a tightening death grip.
Now the dragon king was staring him in the face. "Aren't you just special? In this world the only heroes are those that do not run from mistakes, you've a sin dear child. How far will you go to save them all?" He watched on from aside as the gasses cleared a bit more at a time. His illusion implanted unto the cursed boy was to much to ask. Thankful for the goddess and lady to the side for making this all possible he only grew in strength, the kid could fight it now. But when he defied his lord and master the boy would learn. A curse is a curse no matter what.
It could not be helped, Robin whimpered in a small voice before fall weak again. "i-i-I'm sorry..." it was for them, for the Titans for this maniac's people. For his own...
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In his new dream he was waking to water in the air, the sky below him as he walked on the water. The mist cleared and a woman of godlike responsibility arose from the fog.
"Where is this place?" he paused. "Where's Roku, he-
The woman shook her head slowly. Purple straight hair, in the attire of a goddess, he guessed. "Is, is this heaven-
"Again you ask me what your world has come to becoming." She rose through the steamy wisps of air with such majestic levitation powers that he seemed small compared to her stance. She didn't look to old... As Richard's heart beat softly the light turned to rain; not even able to touch he or the strange girl.
A rainbow lifted the child across from him into the water and sky puddles. A portal! That made sense. She could fly, control the weather, sorta. So she was a magic using goddess spirit-
"I no longer exist on this plane, you must face my killer...the one who vanquished my purest soul."
The fire was soon a flicker within him. Roku? Murder? "I would...I... My energy here is still weak, they use false things to fight control...Many have been lost to this dark dragon of prophecy, he is as you humans say. Evil." The girl pushed her hair back. Then started to vanished. The next thing Robin saw was a mountain cave covered in snow and ice. High up someplace in the past. The view transgressed to the sight inside the cave. A woman sleeping in green crystal, peacefully? No, first something had to be done about the demon king. He can't control one's that he knows will soon defeat him. When the time comes, fight and find a way home-
"I'm trying...he can control but," The teen gulped. Sighing the good goddess whispered a secret that even a human could hear clearly. "The crystal, when you break him once he will give it to you- or... find the dragon earth spirit, in the west he is sleeping. You will find his knowledge of good to help with your spirit's revival.
"Farewell, my son..."She waved to him as she sunk into the mist. Robin was shaking from the cold as he sleep talked some more. Above and before him she was going to leave him away to the monster Rokuro!
"Wait! Come back! Don't leave me!" He was on his knees begging her to never leave along with the good, gentle, love and light she carried. As he woke sputtering the name of his fears the maiden helped him back to the castle grounds. A light rested on top of his forehead. The nursemaid...a nanny? "NO!"
He was shrugging off that light full of uncertain things. "Why? Why won't he let me go home?" Crying into the sheets, that's what reduced him to this. The last cry he would have until the end. He had a job to do.
"Young lord? Ri-
It wasn't poor Angela. She was also a magician of her own making, just like Alice-
He was hazy eyed, raggedly in pj's that fit wrong. Crying soothed by the objective. "No more of this..."
Picking up the first thing that was, the sheets were able to be pulled off with a snap. "Good, no one's stopping me." he left the door opened to alert the team of staff that he was off. More the merrier? No. That was for chumps. He just was in it for the good fight. What better way to practice. That, of course or Rokuro was awake!
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This is far from the end. My my...Roku looked at the same grandfather clock he'd displayed a few months ago for the titans to see. Time's up. Must go and greet our guest, it would be wrong if you didn't. Shadow's done the job right for now," he idly twirled a piece of the green crystal in his hand.
"Let him go for now, i'll explain everything Lord Roku." A blue eyed character in shadow proclaimed to his lord proudly-
No. Like I said." The dragon lord smiled evilly. "The dragon earth will soon die by his powers of the west. He should now know better than to follow me where I lie in order to save his, e-hem... friends..."
That made the little voice character frown from the shadows. "If...I divert them away, will you promise to free me?" The boy stepped out of the shadows with some of the dark still covering his right eye. Pure blond locks of hair stayed in front of it so that his sight was strengthened for a time. He wore the attire of this world to the west's warrior assassin. A gray cloak fell over him too. Fists pounded the air. He was younger than Robin, transformed by sheer complex notions of fate.
With a grunt he left for his mission.
The dragon relieved him with a wave. "Good luck...Slade."
The boy turned back to the king with a frown. "I don't need any of your luck." He spat out to the guy and left.
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Will Robin make it in time to help the weary dragon, Earth? Will the Titans get back on their feet in time to stop Slade the boy assassin? What did he, Roku mean by freeing Slade? And who was the woman goddess in the mist, was she really real enough to help Rob? Stay tuned next for chapters of
A new beginning!