Teen Titans: Season Six, Episode 4
"Origin Story Part 1: Robin" Part 1 of 7
Interior: Beast Boy's room, night.
Beast Boy is asleep in bed. A voice echoes in the distance.
Terra: Beast Boy…Beast Boy…
Beast Boy awakens and gets out of bed. He rubs his eyes and sees Terra floating on a rock outside his bed room window.
Beast Boy: Terra…TERRA!?
Terra: Hey Beast Boy.
Beast Boy: Terra you remember how to use your powers, it has to be you, you have to be the real you, right.
Terra holds out her hand.
Terra: The one and only.
Beast Boy is hesitant to reach for her hand.
Beast Boy: I don't know Terra; my friends say you're not real, that I only imagined that you had your powers back.
Terra: Beast Boy…Do you trust me?
Beast Boy: More than anyone I've ever met.
Beast Boy steps up on the window sill and reaches for Terra's hand, the hand fades away and Beast Boy falls through nothing as Terra disappears. He falls down to the rocks below and then wakes up in bed in the morning covered in sweat and breathing heavily.
Theme Song.
Interior: Beast Boy's room, morning.
Beast Boy is still sitting up in bed and drenched in sweat.
Beast Boy: (In his mind) The same dream…the same dream every night for days…days. Every time I think fly man fly, but nothing, and it always feels so real
Beast Boy looks at old pictures of him and Terra near his bed.
Beast Boy: (In his mind) I don't need you back Terra, I just want to know you're okay, that's all, that's all I ask for. Well, if I'm up I might as well start the day.
Beast Boy gets out of bed and the camera shows a montage of quick shots of: the alarm clock changing from 6:59 to 7am, a stream of urine in a toilet bowel, a shower head turning on, a close up of Beast Boy's teeth being brushed, Beast Boy putting on his gloves, shoes and zipping up his uniform. Ready for the day he walks over to the calendar in his room.
Beast Boy: All set for the day, now what's the plan for the day, umm what day is it? Oh my God how could I forget, oh man, I can't wait.
Beast Boy joyfully struts out his room and down the hallway, he sees Cyborg coming his way.
Beast Boy: (In his mind) Bestest Bro, he should know.
Cyborg: Hey BB.
Beast Boy: Hey Cyborg, hey doing anything tonight?
Cyborg: No, why, are you making that vegetarian chilli for diner? Because if you are, I won't have any plans at all, if you catch my drift.
Cyborg walks past Beast Boy and down the hall.
Beast Boy: (In his mind) That's okay, nobodies perfect, even I forgot.
Starfire and Robin walk down the hallway toward Beast Boy. Starfire is talking to Robin.
Starfire: And so I said…
Beast Boy: Hey do you guys know what today is?
Robin: Umm, Friday?
Starfire: Today is Rekenflorg, the Tamareanian day of brutal honesty. Beast Boy your teeth are misshapen and are sometimes unpleasant to look at, Robin your buttocks looks terrible in those tights.
Robin: Maybe we should go and have a little chat about Rekenflorg.
Robin and Starfire walk down the hallway past Beast Boy.
Starfire: But it is only one day of the year.
Raven exits her room and walks down the hallway.
Beast Boy: Morning Raven.
Raven: Morning.
Beast Boy: Do you know what day it is?
Raven: No, shh, coffee then talk, coffee first.
Raven then walks past Beast Boy and down the hall.
Beast Boy: Oookay then.
Kid Flash runs past Beast Boy.
Beast Boy: Hey KF!
Kid Flash stops so fast he slips and falls back. He stands up and stretches in embarrassment.
Kid Flash: Ouf, these are really clean floors, hehe. Yeah what's up Beast Dude?
Beast Boy: Sorry about making you bail.
Kid Flash: Oh it's alright, I was just running for breakfast, what you need man?
Beast Boy: Oh, umm… I just wanted to know the date?
Kid Flash: Oh, that's it, it's the fifteenth of July, I think?
Beast Boy: Yeah thanks dude.
Kid Flash: Alright, see ya.
Kid Flash zooms down the hall
Beast Boy: (In his mind) Well I didn't think he would know, but every one else is clueless. How could they all forget my birthday, I'm the life of the party around here.
Beast Boy continues down the hallway and then enters the living room.
Beast Boy: (In his mind) Like what is this, sixteen candles?
Everyone: Surprise, happy birthday!
Kid Flash is already eating a piece of cake while saying surprise. Beast Boy is genuinely surprised.
Beast Boy: You guys were only pretending, you really remembered my birthday?
Cyborg: Of course man, you always remember ours, were not gonna forget yours.
Starfire: And I have baked you a cake with the milk of soy and tofu eggs.
The cake looks very strange and bizarre.
Kid Flash: (Eating cake) Don't worry it's edible.
Beast Boy: Thanks guys, it's all awesome.
Robin: Oh it doesn't end there, thanks to the lull in crime recently we decided to let you choose what to do for your birthday. We can go anywhere.
Beast Boy: Anywhere, like say the movies?
Raven: Yeah.
Beast Boy: Or the arcade?
Cyborg: I'm listening.
Beast Boy: Or the amusement park?
Starfire: Oooh that sounds wondrous.
Beast Boy: Or laser tag?
Robin: Yeah or…wait what about lasers?
Beast Boy: Or maybe the all you can eat buffet?
Kid Flash: Buffet? I know what I'm voting for.
Beast Boy: No, I know, I've got a great idea.
Everyone: Yeah?
Beast Boy: The best idea so far, something we've never done together.
Everyone: Yeah?!
Beast Boy: We should go…CAMPING!
Everyone: (Disappointed) Camping?
Beast Boy: What, you guys have never gone camping before?
All the Titans look around embarrassed.
Kid Flash: I've been camping, not a big fan.
Flashback to Wally West camping as a toddler, bad stuff happens.
Beast Boy: What?! Camping is so totally cool, sitting by the fire, basking in the moonlight under the stars, enjoying the wide open wilderness. And you're all saying you've never been.
Robin: Well when I was younger I worked in a tent and lived in a trailer, but that wasn't camping. I worked for the circus.
Cyborg: The circus, really, what did you used to do?
Robin: I've never told you I was an acrobat in the circus? How do you think I can do such amazing jumps and flips?
Cyborg: I thought Batman taught you that stuff.
Beast Boy: Me too.
Kid Flash: Me three.
Raven: The only thing we know about your past is that you went solo from Batman, with reasons that are still a mystery today.
Robin: Umm so camping sounds great, lets start packing.
Beast Boy: Yeah let's load up the T-car, c'mon everybody.
Cyborg: Okay, okay I guess were going camping this weekend.
Interior: Titans Tower Garage, day.
Beast Boy: I call shotgun.
Robin: Hey I wanted shotgun.
Beast Boy: You snooze; you lose, and besides it's my birthday remember.
Kid Flash: Hey Robin, is it alright if I sit this one out, I have some bad camping experiences.
Flashback to young Wally West camping as a small boy, even worse stuff happens.
Kid Flash: I was wondering if I could watch over the tower while you were gone. I want to be ready in case the Brotherhood rears its ugly head around here again.
Robin: That's actually a good idea, sure, the city needs someone to protect it and you've worked alone plenty of times.
Kid Flash: Then I won't let you down.
Robin: Oh and one more thing, don't touch anybody's stuff, we had a bad experience with our last inductee.
Kid Flash: Whoa what happened…?
Beast Boy: C'mon Robin, let's hit the road.
Robin: I'll tell you another time, don't worry I trust you. See you in a few days, and keep safe.
Kid Flash: Will do.
The Titans drive out of the garage.
Exterior: Jump City, day.
Cyborg is driving the T-car through the streets of the city, Beast Boy is sitting shotgun.
Beast Boy: So Cy, I'm eighteen now, that means I'm an adult. Could you ever let me drive the T-car?
Cyborg: Not even in a million years B, you're the youngest remember.
Beast Boy: C'mon dude it's my birthday.
Cyborg: Hmm…maybe when we leave the city.
Exterior: Highway, day.
Beast Boy: could I drive now?
Cyborg: Maybe when we get out to the country.
Exterior: Farm Country, day.
Beast Boy: How about now?
Cyborg: The road's still pretty busy, maybe when were in the middle of nowhere.
Exterior: Desert road, day.
Beast Boy: NOW!?
Cyborg: I don't know…
Beast Boy: What, but were more than halfway now.
Cyborg: Well, maybe you can drive on the way back.
Beast Boy: But…
Raven: Enough whining, can't you find something better to do?
Beast Boy: It's this drive, it's so long, and it's killing me. I'm just so bored.
Raven: Well Robin.
Robin swallows a hard gulp.
Raven: Why don't you enlighten us about your life in the circus?
Robin: Umm well…
Starfire: That sounds like a most enjoyable way to waste the time.
Beast Boy: Yeah, let's hear it, I'm already interested.
Robin: I don't know it's kind of personnel.
Beast Boy: Okay if you tell us the story I'll tell you how I became green, and I know you're gonna want to hear it.
Beast Boy wiggles his pointy ears.
Starfire: Please Robin, I've always wished to hear the origin of a hero as mighty as you.
Robin: Hmm…ughh…okay, but I told you before its…personal, here goes.
Flashbacks show visions of Robin's life while he narrates.
Robin: (Narrated) My Parents were legendary trapeze artists; they taught me everything they knew and I took to acrobatics like a fish takes to water. I loved soaring in the air like a bird, and because of my small size and weight I could do manoeuvres veteran performers wouldn't even dare try.
Interior: Circus, flashback, day.
Circus Performer: A quadruple somersault, huh amazing.
Robin: (Narrated) I studied with my parents since I was five and then finally when I was eight they let me perform in their show, but I had been ready to perform since I was six. My parents didn't want me to perform with them at all, they were more than professionals, they were daredevils. They would do their high flying act without a net, my dad would always say to me.
John Grayson: It puts the butts in the seats son, that's what we live on.
Robin: (Narrated) When I looked down I was scared at first, but after years of training I was ready. My first performance went off without a hitch, everything I ever learned led up to that moment and it was perfect. My skills were so impressive all the papers donned me "The Boy Wonder".
Everyone in the car: Wow!
Robin: (Narrated) Sadly this is when the story turns sour. I had been performing with my parents nonstop for months, we had everything down perfect, we were completely in sync, we never made any mistakes but then something terrible happened. One of the ropes broke and they both…both fell. I closed my eyes, I hoped that the whole thing was just a bad dream, but as my eyes opened I knew that my life would never be the same. The Police stated that their deaths were accidents, but I knew that wasn't true. I remembered later something my dad told me.
Dick Grayson: Daddy I'm scared.
John Grayson: Don't be scared son, here look at this Richard, you see this rope?
Dick Grayson: Yeah.
John Grayson: Well this is a special rope, it's strong, it can't be cut by knifes and it can withstand heavy loads. So the rope can hold me even if I eat too many peanuts.
Dick Grayson laughs.
Robin: (Narrated) I knew that the rope couldn't break by accident, so I snuck out of the foster home that night and headed for the circus. As I was searching for clues I saw him for the first time.
Interior: Circus, flashback, night.
Dick Grayson: Batman?!
Batman: What are you…wait, you're the son.
Dick Grayson: You know?
Batman: Yes…I saw the whole thing.
Dick Grayson: Then you know that it wasn't their fault, someone wanted them to fall.
Batman: Yes that's true, but the polymer in this rope is resistant to damage, it wasn't cut.
Dick: Then how did it break?
Batman: It was burned, with acid, but why?
Suddenly two thugs appear.
Thug 1: Hey you!
Thug 2: This place is under our protection now, buddy.
Thug 1: We'll show you the price for trespassing…oh crap it's the bat!
One of the Thugs draws a gun and Batman quickly disarms him with a batarang. The other Thug comes at Batman with a pair of brass knuckles, Batman swiftly dodges each punch, the Thug loses energy from over punching and Batman knocks him out with a skilful combo. While Batman was fighting, the other Thug was able to pick up his gun, when Batman knocked out the first thug he aims the gun at him. Then Dick grabs the Thug and tries to wrestle the gun out of his hands.
Dick: No, I won't let you shoot Batman!
Thug: Get off me you little bastard.
The Thug is able to throw Dick off of him. He panics because he can't see Batman.
Thug: Now where's the Bat?
Batman fires the bat claw at the Thugs feet from behind. The claw pulls him to the ground then lifts him up and dangles him off the floor, the crash on the floor made him drop his gun. Batman helps Dick up.
Batman: Are you okay?
Dick: Yeah.
Batman: Good, now to deal with you. Who sent you!?
Thug: I ain't saying nothing, you can't make me talk.
Batman: Those are brave words for a giant piñata, brave and stupid.
Batman cracks his knuckles, the Thug is instantly intimidated.
Thug: Zucco, Zucco, that's all I know okay, his name is Zucco.
Batman: Zucco.
Robin: (Narrated) Batman shut down the entire protection ring that night, I saw the man who killed my parents sent to prison, I should have been happy but I knew there was nothing that could bring them back.
Exterior: Gotham city, flashback, night
Batman: That was a pretty risky stunt you pulled back there.
Dick: I was born to pull risky stunts.
Batman: Well you are defiantly tenacious. What's you're name?
Dick: Dick, Dick Grayson.
Batman: Tell me Dick, do you have any family, anyone to take care of you now that your parents are gone.
Dick shakes his head no and tears start to form in his eyes. Batman opens the door to the batmoblie.
Batman: Its okay, you don't have to be afraid anymore.
Robin: (Narrated) Batman brought me to the batcave and told me all about his parents and why he started fighting crime. He told me that he sympathised with my story, and then later he asked me if I wanted to stay.
Interior: Batcave, flashback, night
Dick: Here in the Batcave?
Batman removes his mask.
Bruce: No in my mansion.
Dick: Aren't you Bruce Wayne, the millionaire.
Bruce: Billionaire to be specific.
Robin: (Narrated) Batman started to train me, just like my parents he taught me everything he knew. From the age of eight I trained in all aspects of crime fighting: hand to hand combat, detective skills and weapons training.
Batman throws a Batarang at a target, the Batarang hits with perfect accuracy.
Batman: See just like that, now you try.
Dick throws the Batarang and it falls to the floor.
Batman: Hmm, try again.
Dick throws another but it hits the ground again.
Batman: I see, the Batarang is too heavy for you, I'll see if I could modify one smaller.
Robin: (Narrated) He even taught me how to drive.
Exterior: Dirt bike track, flashback, day.
Bruce and Dick are driving dirt bikes.
Dick: Yeehah!
Interior: Dick's room, flashback, day.
Alfred walks in with a platter of food and Dick is reading.
Alfred: Master Richard would you like some lunch? My word, are you reading?
Dick: Yeah, there was nothing good on TV and you had a lot books.
Alfred: Well then what are you reading?
Dick: Robin Hood.
Alfred: Ah yes, one of Master Bruce's favourites.
Interior: Batcave, flashback, day.
Dick throws a Birdarang with good accuracy and then two more.
Batman: Good, good, you're getting the hang of it. With a little more training Dick you'll be able to join one of my night patrols.
Dick: Really!?
Batman: Yeah, but you're going to need a new persona, a secret identity to protect yourself from your enemies, any ideas?
Robin: (Narrated) After two years of training I was finally ready, Alfred helped make my uniform and helped me come up with the name. As we stood up on that building and I stared down at the city, I felt just like how I felt during my first performance. But I didn't feel scared, I felt alive, I missed flying like a bird. From that day on I was "Robin, Boy Wonder".
Young Robin and Batman soar through the air across Gotham using their grappling guns.
Robin: (Narrated) Together Batman and I fought some of the biggest and baddest criminals in Gotham City: The Penguin, The Riddler, Scarecrow, Mad Hatter and dozens of other big names.
The 60's Batman music plays and a montage shows Batman and Robin punching the Rouge's gallery with captions like: BAM, KAPOW, WHAAM, and ZANG. Then Batman and Robin shake hands and pose dramatically.
Robin: (Narrated) From age ten to just before my fourteenth birthday everything was going smoothly. Until one day we were investigating leads that led us to Two-Face's hideout. It was an amateur mistake; we walked right into a trap.
Interior: Two-Face's warehouse, night.
The warehouse fills with knock out gas.
Batman: Quick Robin, put your gas mask!
Young Robin reaches for his mask too quickly and nervously, he drops the mask and it lands near Batman's feet. Batman picks up the mask and goes to hand it to Robin.
Robin: (Narrated) Another rookie slip up.
As Robin puts on his mask he sees The Joker appear out of the smoke behind Batman wearing a gas mask. The Joker clubs the back of Batman's head with a crowbar and he hits the ground out cold.
Joker: Don't you know Bat's; you're supposed to adjust your own air mask before assisting a child. HA HA HA! Grab the kid.
Two Henchmen in gas masks grab Robin by each arm, The Joker walks over and forcibly removes Robin's gas mask.
Young Robin: No, let go of me!
Before the mask comes off Robin takes a big breathe full of air and holds it.
Joker: Nice try Bird Brain.
Joker punches Robin in the gut and he exhales. After breathing in the gas for a few seconds he is incapacitated and the screen goes dark.
Robin: (Narrated) That was the first time I met The Joker, it felt like a nightmare, but actually, it was much worse.
A close up shot of Young Robin's face, he opens his eyes, looks around a bit and the lights turn on. The camera pulls back to reveal Robin is shackled to a chair; he looks up and sees Batman on an upper catwalk platform. Two-Face is pointing a gun at Batman as he is handcuffed to a chair as well.
Two-Face: Ah good the brat is awake, now things can get interesting. Here's the deal I was talking about Bat, if you hand over your mask I'll let the kid go, but if you decline.
A door in the warehouse opens and The Joker walks out and over to Robin holding a baseball bat.
Two-Face: I'll let Joker have his sick and twisted idea of fun. But don't worry, I'll let the kid defend himself, I'm not an animal, not like someone I know.
Joker: Oh I think my ears are burning. HA HA HA!
Two-Face: What's it gonna be Bat's.
Batman: I know that if I give you my mask you'll kill whoever is underneath it, you feel Batman has wronged you and that you deserve revenge. But if I die, I won't know if Robin is safe.
Two-Face: You're god damn right! You bet your ass I want you dead! The real question is…You or…Him!?
Young Robin: Don't worry Batman, I can take him!
Joker: I'm going to make you eat those words kid.
Batman pulls as hard as he can on the handcuffs without alerting Two-Face, the chain in the cuffs start to bend but Batman's wrists turn bloody.
Two-Face: If you don't decide now I'll decide for you, I'll put everything on the line… in a coin toss.
Batman: Robin! Remember everything I taught you, use your training and don't be afraid.
Two-Face: So that's how it's going to be, you better say bye to him now bird boy.
Two-Face hits a switch and Robin's shackles are opened. The Joker approaches him with the bat; Robin goes for a weapon but sees he doesn't have his utility belt. Two-Face holds both belts in one hand.
Young Robin: Oh no, my belt!
Two-Face: Looking for these?
Batman continues to force open the cuffs. The Joker swings the bat at Robin and he back flips backward and lands on the back of the chair. Joker swings the bat downward and Robin jumps over him, kicking him in the back of the head while he smashes the chair with the bat. Joker rubs his head in pain and continues to attack Robin as he dodges.
Two-Face: Damn it, this is taking too long, I should just shoot you while I have you now.
Harvey Dent: But that isn't right, there's no justice in that.
Two-Face: Let's leave it up to fate.
Two-Face pulls out his signature coin and goes to flip it in the air. Batman in an explosion of rage breaks free from the handcuffs and attacks Dent while he is flipping the coin. Distracted, Two-Face fires and misses Batman completely; Batman stuns him with a hook to the face. While stunned Batman breaks Dents finger and disarms him. Robin and Joker are still fighting; Robin can't get close enough to him to hit him because he's constantly swinging the bat.
Young Robin: (In his head) I have to get that bat away from him.
As Joker pulls back for a big swing Robin grabs the handle of the bat and the two wrestle for control. Joker kicks Robin in the chest so hard he let's go and is unable to move out of the way, Joker swings the bat and Robin can only lift his arm to protect his head. The bat collides with Robin's arm and shatters his elbow. Robin yells out in agony as Joker pulls back again.
Joker: Nighty night, Boy Blunder!
Batman throws Two-Face off the catwalk and he falls on top of Joker just in time. Batman then grabs the utility belts left on the handrail and jumps down to help Robin and subdues the two criminals. When Batman approaches, Joker reveals to be awake.
Joker: You think you're the only one who knows how to use a smoke grenade!
The Joker throws down a smoke pellet, Batman tries to clear the smoke with his cape but the dynamic duo were only able to find Two-Face. Joker's laugh echoed through the warehouse as it was filled with smoke.
Robin: (Narrated) Joker had shattered my elbow that night, after it healed Batman refused to bring me on missions; he felt it was too dangerous, that I was too much of a target. I begged and pleaded with him but he told me I needed more training. After many arguments he finally admitted that he didn't want me on missions because if I was to die, he would blame himself for my death. I was tired of him treating me like a child, so I ran away. Batman found me that night and saw how desperate I was to fight crime, he remembered all the times I saved his butt, all the times I was able to defend myself, he could see that I had become an adult and he decided it was time I fly solo. He told me that his friend the Flash was having trouble with an up-and-coming city near Keystone. The city was beginning to get a bad crime problem and there weren't enough heroes on the west coast to help, Batman thought that I could get my independence by being the protector of my own city.
Interior: Airport, flashback, day.
Bruce: I want you to have this Dick; I call it a bat-communicator, if you ever need my help don't hesitate to call.
Robin: The next day I was on a plane to Jump City and the rest is history.
Interior: T-Car, sun is setting.
Starfire: Wonderful Robin, I did not know your life story was so remarkable.
Robin: Oh thanks Star, it actually means a lot to hear that, it takes a lot out of me to tell such personal stories.
Cyborg: Well your story ended just in time, were here!
Beast Boy: What! Were here already, but you didn't let me drive.
Cyborg: I told you, you can drive on the way back.
Raven: It's getting dark, we should set up camp.
Robin: That's a good idea, you guys set-up tents and I'll start the fire.
The Titans all exit the T-Car.
Starfire: Oh Robin, could you please regale us with another tale of your adventures with the Batman?
Beast Boy: Yeah man quit holding out, I know you got a million.
Robin: Okay, how about the one when Batman and I went up against Clayface…
The camera goes from the Titans setting up camp and pans up to the sun setting on the horizon.
To be continued…
The Titans return in... "Origin Story Part 2: Beast Boy"
Author's note to the readers:
I Demand more reveiws! What do you like about my writing, what do you want to see in my next chapters? I want to know.