(Titans Tower)
The morning sun began to shine across Jump City as the light reflected off the windows of Titans Tower. The people began to wake up and do their usual morning routines while the Titans were doing the usual routines. For some of them, the Titans were in the training room, while the others were either waking up or, in Beast Boy's case, still passed out.
"Okay, start!" Riku instructed as Starfire and Cyborg clashed their keyblades together, the two sparring with each other while he, Raven and Stitch watched from the side. The two duelers broke out of the blade lock while Starfire followed up with a combination of starbolts and Thunder spells, all of which were blocked by Cyborg turning his keyblade into a huge shield. He then quickly turned his shield into a big sonic turret and began firing at her while she flew above him and blocking the projectiles.
"Looks like they picked things up fast," Raven said, making riku and Stitch smile.
"They sure have. I'm glad that I've been able to help them with their training so far. It definitely isn't easy when you get the keyblade for the first time," riku said, resting his hands behind his head.
"You should know, huh?" Raven asked, with a smirk.
"Yep. I didn't really have a master when I first got it and just got some training from my friends. It was a long time until I went through the Mark of Mastery, where I received some training from Yen Sid. I never thought I would be helping others learn," riku said.
"The future sure can surprise us," Raven replied, leaning her head against riku's shoulder. They continued to watch the two spar until eventually they stood in front of each other exhausted.
"I think we can call it for now, guys," riku said, while Stitch handed the combatants a towel and a water bottle.
"What do you think, Friend riku?" Starfire asked, landing next to her current teacher.
"I think you guys are doing great though Cyborg I think you should lessen the use of the transformations," riku said.
"What why? Have you seen the crazy things I can make with this?" Cyborg asked, turning his keyblade into a giant fist attached to his left hand. The weight soon turned against the wielder, as Cyborg fell to the ground with a crash, making the floor shake. "A little help?" He said, making everyone chuckle while Starfire helped him up.
"I know but I just don't want you to forget the basics. It's been a few weeks since Brother Blood and your making more progress in transforming than I am," riku said.
"Oh, I see. Your jealous of my transformations," Cyborg said with a smirk, flustering Sora.
"What?! No, I-I just don't want you to forget your basics and magic!" Riku replied nervously. Suddenly, Cyborg laughed, making the others chuckle as well.
"I'm just kidding, riku. I get your point," Cyborg said, making the spikey haired boy relax.
"riku?" Starfire asked, catching his attention. "If Cyborg's keyblade is already doing the transforming, then how long do you think it will take mine to do so?" Starfire asked. Riku crossed his arms in thought at the question.
"Well, that book did say that keyblade transformations happen after a good amount of training, though I think Cyborg got a head start on us since he can transform parts of his body already," riku said.
"Hehe sorry," Cyborg replied with an innocent shrug.
"It's fine Cy. And it took me a long time until I was able to transform mine. Hopefully, it doesn't take yours too long to transform, Star and don't worry, I'll be you with every step of the way," riku said, smiling. Starfire smiled as well in response.
"Thank you, riku," Starfire replied.
"Ok, next up for the training room is me and Raven and then…one of us will have to go wake up Beast Boy, huh?" Riku realized.
"Yep," Raven said. Everyone shared a look as a single thought quickly crossed their minds.
"Not it!" Riku quickly said.
"Not it," Raven said.
"I am not it," Starfire said happily.
"Not Stitch!" Stitch quickly said.
"Not-ugh darn it. Fine, I'll go get him. But if I get bit again, he'll be training with me", Cyborg said, stomping towards the door as it opened and closed behind him.
"Hopefully, Beast Boy isn't a dog this time," Sora replied.
"Ready to go?" Raven asked, putting her hood up.
"Yup, let's start," riku said, about to summon his keyblade when suddenly Rose walked in with a worried look on her face. "Oh hey Rose. What's wrong?" Riku asked, noticing the look.
"You remember what happened last night?" Rose asked them.
"You mean that criminal who broke into the Oriental Shop? I thought Robin said he took care of it," Raven asked.
"Well, it looks like he didn't and now he's packing up his stuff and getting ready to leave," Rose said, shocking everyone, especially Starfire.
"WHAT?!" Everyone yelled at once, even Stitch.
"Yeah, I tried to talk him out of it but you know how he his. I was hoping we could do it together," Rose said.
"Of course, let us go," Starfire said, quickly flying out of the room with Rose right behind her, leaving riku, Raven, and Stitch.
"Wonder what's up with damian this time," Raven said.
"Well, we're gonna find out. Stitch can you go get Cyborg and Beast Boy?" Riku asked the blue alien.
"Ye! Be right back," Stitch said, jumping off of riku's shoulder and crawled out of the room. "Let's go," Sora said, holding Raven's hand as the two walked out of the training room.
Later, in damian's Room
Everyone was soon gathered in damian's room, the walls were painted yellow, a clean bed and a closet filled with his equipment and outfits. Everyone was happy for the state of the room but was worried about why they were standing in there as their leader packed more equipment into his signature knapsack.
"damian, you are leaving us?" Nightwing asked to confirm everyone's worry.
"I have to," The new boy wonder confirmed.
"Dude, you got your butt kicked. It happens," Beast Boy said, trying to be reassuring.
"Happens to some of us more than others," Raven cracked, making riku and Rose laugh while Beast Boy gave a disgruntled look.
"Anyway, it doesn't mean you have to quit," Rose replied.
"Yes, we will soon locate this Katarou and then it will be you who is kicking the butt," nightwing said, walking closer to Robin.
"relax brother I'm not quitting the team," Robin said, making everyone let out a sigh of relief. "But my fight with Katarou showed me how much I still have to learn about martial arts," Robin said.
"No problem. I can help you train. I got a new computer-simulated fight sequence in the gym," Cyborg said, striking a few fight poses.
"Yeah, and while I don't know much about martial arts, I can help out with your staff or sword fighting," riku said.
"I've already trained with the best and apparently it wasn't enough," robin said, while walking past riku and Cyborg, shutting them both down in the process. "There's only one person who can help me," Robin said, stopping at the door.
"You mean the True Master?" Rose asked and Robin nodded in confirmation.
"You wish to learn from this person of whom the villain spoke of?" Starfire asked worried.
"I'm not coming back until I find him," Robin declared, surprising everyone.
"What!? Aw, come on, man! How do you know this True Master is even a good guy ? How are you gonna find him? Do you even know where you're going?" Cyborg asked all at once.
"I'm not sure," Robin admitted.
"Great plan," Raven replied sarcastically though damian didn't seem to mind.
"According to legend, the True Master lives in the mountains on the other side of the world, and can be found only by the most serious of students," Robin said. The Titans stood in silence at the legend until Beast Boy spoke up.
"I'm in! When do we leave? What should I pack? Will I need shots? This is gonna be so cool!" Beast Boy exclaimed but he was silenced by a shake of his head.
"I have to go alone," damian replied.
"Are you sure, damian? For all we know, this could just be one big goose chase or something. At least take Stitch with you," riku offered, with Stitch nodding excitedly. damian smiled and placed a comforting hand on riku shoulders.
"I'm sure. But thanks guys. Riku, you're in charge until I get back alright?" Robin asked and the keyblade wielder nodded in understanding. With one last nod, Robin turned and walked out of the room, leaving the rest of the Titans in his room.
"That guy takes himself way too seriously," Cyborg responded after a beat of silence.
"Hopefully, he will be safe," Starfire said., with everyone following her worried look.
"C'mon guys, this is damian we're talking about. The only person who could stop him is himself or batman. He'll be just fine and if he needs help, then he knows who to call," riku said. The team smiled and nodded at his statement as they faceted his room.
A Few Days Later, on the Other Side of the World.
After a long and grueling travel across the world, Robin eventually found himself walking into a small village at the bottom of a mountain.
He stops in front of a red tori gate, resembling the entrance to a Japanese entrance and admires the craftmanship put in to it before walking in to the small town. He tried talking to some residents but none paid him any mind as they went about their business. Feeling dejected, the new Boy Wonder wanders around the town until he comes upon a statue of a warrior standing tall with a sword raised above his head.
He continues to admire it when he looks to see a figure stooped in one of the vegetable fields next to another tori gate that leads towards the mountains. He walked up to the woman without her noticing.
"Hello?" Robin asked her.
"Go away!" The woman yelled, suddenly throwing a turnip at him without her even looking but robin easily catches it in his hand.
"Um, sorry to bother you but I have come to train with the True Master," robin said, pointing at the statue behind him. The woman stands up and grabs a nearby wooden cane, while turning to face him, revealing her gray, braided hair, and bright black eyes.
"Of course you have. Boys like you always want to train with the True Master. Why would you be here in the middle of nowhere?" The woman said as she hobbled over to him.
"So, do you know where I can find him?" Robin asked her.
"He cannot train you," The woman bluntly said.
"I've come a long way. If you don't mind, I'd like the True Master to tell me that himself," Robin replied. The woman stopped at the gate at the response.
"If you want to find the True Master you must get to the top of the mountain before night falls," She stated, pointing to the peak of the mountain before them.
"Thanks," Robin and began to walk towards the gate until the woman stopped him with her cane.
"The route to the top is very challenging. Many have tried. Many have failed," The woman warned him but damian simply pushed her cane away.
"I can handle it I climb a mountain when since i four years old," Robin said, walking down the path.
"You are not dressed properly for such a journey! The True Master will only see you if you leave everything from your world behind!" The woman said, throwing a simple white robe and pants to Robin, who stopped and caught them, looking at them in surprise. He let out a sigh and goes behind a nearby fence while leaving his knapsack with the woman.
She dumps out all the contents on the floor and replaced with turnips while Robin comes back around now dressed in the white outfit while his belt was still around his waist.
"The hood stays," Robin declared.
"Very well," The woman said, shouldering the pack while damian noticed all his weapons on the ground.
"I've did well with weapons before!" Robin said.
"The True Master will not teach you with them," The woman replied, pointing towards the belt. Robin reluctantly nodded and walked up to the statue while removing his belt. He takes a breath and places the belt onto the pedestal and bows to it in respect before straightening up and releasing the breath.
"Can I go now?" Robin asked, ready to go. The woman nodded and began walking down the path.
"Come. I'll show you where the path begins," The woman replied as Robin followed her down the road. As soon as they were gone, an unknown figured grabbed Robin's belt from the statue. After a good walk, the woman leaves Robin as he continues towards the path until he reaches another tori gate with a platform on one end, a big river in the middle and another gate on the other side.
Okay, I'll just swim across," He said to himself when suddenly a large shadow appears behind him.
"Are you always so confident?" A deep voice says behind him and he turns bewildered to see a giant muscular bear wearing samurai armor with a paw print on the chest standing behind him.
"Are you…talking..to me?" Robin asked.
"Do you see anyone else on the bridge?" The bear remarked as it walked on its hind legs in front of him. "I am the Guardian of the River. If you wish to get to the mountaintop…you must first get past me," The Guardian replied.
"Okay," Robin, making a break for the end of the platform but the bear surprisingly beat him to it before kicking him away.
"I don't really wish to fight you, little warrior. Perhaps you have not noticed. I, uh *scoffs* am quite large," The Guardian remarked.
"I've beaten guys much bigger than you just like my father and grandfather ," Robin said.
"Very well," The Guardian stated, getting into a proper stance. Robin goes to kick it but the bear easily catches him and slams him onto the planks before jumping on top of Robin, crushing him under its weight. "Are you still so certain you can win?" The Guardian remarked.
Meanwhile, back at the Tower.
Things were pretty quiet back home after damian left, no criminals were active, no aliens appeared out of the sky and no other Titans needed help with anything, which left the team with nothing to do other than their usual antics. Riku and Raven were walking down one of the hallways leading to the Ops Center and holding hands while Stitch trailed behind them.
"So, everything is taken care of and there are no criminals. I think we finally have some free time," riku said.
"You're right. I think I heard of a new bookstore opened up in the city," Raven replied happily. Riku smiled in response.
"Hhm, we should go check it out then. Might have something you like," riku suggested. Raven smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder as they entered the Ops Room. She suddenly feels riku stop while Stitch caught up to them and she looked over to see Starfire slumped onto the couch with a blank look in her eyes. "Oh no," riku said as they practically see the black storm clouds hovering over her.
"She's been like this since Robin left," Raven said.
"I know. I've tried to talk to her but she won't snap out of it," riku said, worried. The Tamaranean heaves herself up from the couch and floats out of the room and down the hall. The two Titans and small alien followed her as she drifted through the empty hall and passes by Robin's empty room.
"Hhm if only there was a way to brighten her spirits back up," riku said, crossing his arms in thought.
Suddenly, the entire Tower shakes and the lights flicker as something big just impacted the building.
"What was that?!" Riku asked when suddenly the intercoms blared on.
"Guys, get to the Ops Center! Quickly!" Cyborg yelled through it before shutting off. The three flyers got into the air in response.
"Let's go!" Nightwing yelled as he flew out with Starfire,riku,Raven and Stitch following him They quickly made it to the Ops Center with Beast Boy right behind them as they saw Cyborg and Ravager waiting for them. The window to the Center was smashed open from the outside and there was dust everywhere. "What happened?!" Nightwing asked Rose.
"That!" She said, pointing to a figure standing in the dust. Riku quickly shot an Aero spell at the dust, making it part and revealing the boy who caused the damage. He had short, wavy, black hair, blue eyes, and was wearing a full body white jumpsuit with a red S on his chest.
"Hey, doesn't he look familiar?" Rose asked, with the other Titans shrugging in response. Raven took a look at the stranger's face and noted his bewildered expression.
"He looks confused," Raven told the others. Riku nodded and put his keyblade away.
"Power down. Let me talk to him," nightwing whispered to the others. They nodded and put their powers and weapons away as riku walked up to the stranger, who twitched in response as if getting ready for an attack. Riku quickly put his hands up in a gesture of peace. "Woah, it's okay, we're not gonna hurt you. Uh, hi my name is riku and we're the Teen Titans. Uh, you sorta smashed through our window so I just wanted to get to know you. What's you're name?" Riku said, holding his hand out for a handshake.
The stranger stared at his hand for a second before suddenly cradling his head in pain. "Hey, are you alright?" Riku asked but the stranger quickly looked back at him with wide eyes before quickly tackling into riku and crashing into the wall behind the Titans, shocking them.
"RIKU!" Everyone yelled, as the stranger began laying punch after punch onto the keyblade wielder, though he defended himself with his Reflect shield.
"Did I say something wrong?" Riku asked, through every devastating punch. Eventually, the shield shot back, pushing the stranger away from him. The boy was about to charge at Riku again when suddenly, a grappling hook and Cyborg's hand shot out and wrapped around his arm stopping him and he looked to see Ravager and Cyborg struggling to hold him.
Raven then floated over and created a ball of magic around the boy. He snarled in response and grabbed hold of the two ropes on his arm, swinging Ravager and Cyborg around and crash into Raven, making them all smash through a wall.
"Stop please!" Starfire said, flying up to the boy. The stranger gritted his teeth and fly straight at her but she managed to hold him off in an arm wrestle. The two struggled more and more, with Starfire's eyes glowing green but the stranger eventually overpowered her and fired a green blast trapping her in green crystal and tossing her into the other Titans. Riku quickly jumped onto the stranger's back, trying to restrain him while Beast Boy turned into a snake and restrained his feet.
"Stop. We're only trying to talk to you," riku yelled. The boy gritted his teeth in anger before suddenly flying up and crashing riku into the ceiling a few times, making Sora let go and fall to the ground. The boy then grabbed Beast Boy in a choke hold and tossed him away into the others. The boy then turned around and kicked riku in the chest, sending him flying through a wall and buried under some debris. The boy released a breath before clutching his head again in pain and jumping back out of the window. Everyone groaned in pain and began to pick themselves up while inspecting the damage.
"Well that was quite the introduction," Ravager said, rubbing her wrist.
"riku!" Raven called out until she saw riku's hand poking out of some rock. She quickly flew over and moved some of the rocks away, revealing the battered keyblade wielder. "You all right?" She said, helping him up.
"Ah, I'm fine. Man, he hits hard," riku groaned.
"Yeah but why did he attack us? Riku was just talking to him," Beast Boy asked, rubbing his throat.
"I do not know but if he did this much damage to our home, then we must go after him before he damages the city," Starfire replied, staring out of the window.
"Agreed, maybe we can figure out what's wrong with him," Cyborg said.
"Let's go then. Stitch, we'll be right back," riku said as he and the team leaped out of the window and after the strange boy. The small blue alien nodded before looking around at the damage left behind, making him groan in response.
Meanwhile, back with Robin.
After defeating the Guardian of the River by tossing him into said river, Robin began making his way up the mountain pass. The sun continued to shine through the two cliffs as he raced through the dirt road until he came upon a patch of jagged rocks, making him hop and stumble through it as he held his foot in pain.
"The next time an old woman tells you to leave your shoes behind take them anyway," Robin said to himself, finding a clear spot to take the fragments out. Suddenly, he heard some humming nearby and he runs further up the path to see the woman from earlier walking ahead of him while carrying two buckets of water on a pole across her back. "How did you get past the bear?" Robin asked her.
"The same way you did. I walked," She replied, continuing at her normal pace. Robin tried to get around her but the buckets stopped him.
"Uh, excuse me but I'm kind of in a hurry," He said to her. Suddenly, she turned around while Robin had to move back so the swinging buckets wouldn't hit his head.
"You are very rude, you know," The woman said back. Robin looked at her confused as she continued. "You're in such a hurry, you do not have time to help an old woman with a heavy burden," She said, referencing the buckets. Robin looked at her in stunned confusion before slumping his shoulders.
"May I help you?" Robin asked her. Smiling, the woman hands him the pole which Robin nearly drops onto his feet but he quickly balances it out and places it on his back. The woman continues ahead as he catches up. "How far until I reach the True Master?" He asked her.
"That all depends on you. You will see the True Master when you are ready," She replies.
"And how far do you want me to carry these?" Robin asked about the buckets, making the woman stop.
"Just far enough for an old woman to rest her back. Now, since you are in such a hurry, there is your path," She said, pointing to a nearby cave that had a tori gate planted at the entrance, indicating the right path. After holding the buckets for a little longer, Robin continued onwards into the dark cave, the silence and emptiness keeping him on edge until he saw a single burning candle in the middle of the cave. He looked around in the light for an exit but couldn't spot a single opening except for the entrance.
"What path? There's no way out," Robin said.
"None that you can see," A hissing voice suddenly spoking out. Robin looked back at the candle to see something thick and snakelike coiled around the light as suddenly a hooded, tall and thin figure appeared from the darkness. "I am the Guardian of the Cave. To continue your journey to the top… you must first get passsst me," The guardian said whist removing its hood, revealing it to a huge albino snake. Robin looked over the snake when he saw the pupils of its eyes were clouded by cataracts.
"You're blind. I won't fight you. It wouldn't be fair," Robin retorted. The snake's simple response was to put out the candle, sinking the entire cave into darkness.
"Now the fight is even. Neither of us can see," The Guardian replied, sinking back into the darkness. Robin backed away on edge for any possible movement when he heard a noise behind him, making him spin around for a roundhouse kick, hitting only a stalagmite. He then heard another hissing, making him throw a punch that only breaks more rock and hurting his hand. "It seems that I have an advantage," The snake hissed from the dark.
"I've defeated the bear, and I will defeat you," Robin replied. He hears it move again and he goes for another strike but misses.
"Not if you cannot see me. You only see what is right in front of you. If you want to find me, you must go beyond what you see. You cannot trust your eyes," The Guardian stated.
Robin continues to look around the cave when he suddenly hears the snake charge at him from behind. He quickly dodges out of the way and unleashes a flurry of blows, all which miss due to the snake's agility and it manages to hit him into a wall with its head.
Robin groans as he picks himself off the floor and sees that the snake disappeared again. "You cannot trust your earssss. I could be anywhere," The snake hissed. Robin began to panic until he closed his eyes and took a breath, calming himself. Suddenly, all the noises began to fade away as he focused on one single noise, that of the snake slithering right towards him. Robin quickly puts his hand out as he grabs the snake, stopping it.
"Gotcha!" Robin said, opening his eyes and smiling as the snake let out a surprised hiss. Suddenly, the candle lit back up on its own as the Guardian backed away.
"Very well. You may proceed," The Guardian replied, placing his hood back on and slithers away. Suddenly, one of the walls opens up, revealing the light from outside.
Robin walks to the exit while wrapping his hurt hand in a strip of cloth. He looks down the path to see more tori gates ahead.
"At this rate, I'll never get anywhere," Robin said, flexing his hand a little before running down the path, not even aware of the bald figure tailing him.
Meanwhile, back at Jump City.
The boy in white landed in one of the roads of the city, leaving a crater in his wake before taking another huge leap, heading further into town while the team chased after him, with riku, Raven,nightwing,Starfire, and Beast Boy flying, with the latter being a pterodactyl, and Cyborg and Ravager following in the T-Car, the vehicle swerving past the other cars and the craters left behind.
"Raven, go ahead. Everyone else, stay on him," nightwing said through the communicator. Raven nodded before teleporting away while everyone else followed after the boy. The unknown man stopped and easily pulled out a huge piece of rock and hurled it at them. Riku quickly cut it in half while Starfire fired some starbolts at him, making the boy leap across the building in a single bound.
"Don't shoot! We don't want an enemy out of this guy!" Cyborg said into his communicator.
"Go around the building. I'll stay with him," Ravager said, opening her door and jumping out before firing her grappling hook at the roof, reeling her up as riku and the others followed. The boy landed in a narrow alley and continued to run when suddenly a black wall appeared in front of him. He gritted his teeth in anger as Raven appeared behind him from a portal.
"Please stop running. We don't want to fight you. We just want to talk," Raven said, getting his attention. She held up her hands in surrender while looking into his eyes, allowing her a glance into his mind. She gritted her teeth as she found herself being blocked out by another force. She held her head in pain from the blockage as the boy glared at her before punching one of the walls next to him, creating an opening as he ran away. "Great," She said to herself.
"Raven, you okay?" Riku asked, through the communicator.
"I'm fine, riku but he got away. I think there's something wrong with his mind," She replied.
"What? Like he's crazy or something. Yeah, we kinda figured when he attacked riku!" Beast Boy yelled.
"No, I couldn't read his mind. Something stopped me. If we can restrain him, I might be able to unlock it," Raven said.
"Let us first try to lead away from the city, yes?" Starfire asked.
"Agreed, regroup with us, Raven then let's lead him to the forest. We can stop him there," riku said. Raven nodded before looking up to see the people in the building looking at her in shock.
"Uh, sorry," Raven said, before fixing the wall and flying away.
Meanwhile, with Robin.
The Boy Wonder was currently climbing up the side of the mountain in order to make better time before eventually stopping on a small rock slab to rest his feet.
"You couldn't just take a class or train with your team. You had to travel around the world. There has to be an easier way up this mountain," Robin said to himself.
"There is an easy up this hill and a right way. Which do you choose?" a familiar voice says above him, surprising him as he looked up to see the old woman from before sitting there, while making a basket from scratch.
"How did you get up there?" He asked her.
"Same as you. I climbed," She simply replied. Robin shook his head as he climbed up to her level.
"How much farther is it until I reach the mountaintop?" Robin asked.
"Such a journey cannot be measured in steps taken, young warrior," She replied. Robin narrowed his brow in confusion.
"Look. I just want to know if we're talking feet, yards, or miles," Robin stated.
"If you keep stopping to chat, you will never make it up the mountain before sunset," The old woman replied, making Robin sigh in annoyance.
"Thanks for your help," Robin said, fuming smoke from his nose as he continued climbing back up. He kept climbing as the sun slowly began to descend before he finally reached the top and he saw a few more sets of tori gates ahead of him. He continues pass the gates until he reaches a huge gorge full of slender bamboo stalks and thick fog at the bottom.
He looks past the gorge to see the peak just on the other side and he began to walk towards the gorge when suddenly a small, white monkey pokes its head out from the treetops next to him. The monkey darts back into trees before moving up and onto the tori gate. Robin looks to see that the monkey was wearing a small set of samurai armor. He walked closer as the monkey chuckled in his face.
"I am the Guardian of the Trees," The monkey said in a high voice. Robin sighed in response, knowing what's coming.
"And if I want to get up the mountain, I must first defeat you," Robin replied. The surprised monkey dropped to the ground in response.
"How did you know I was going to say that? Do you know what I am going to say next?" The Guardian asked.
"No," Robin simply replied.
"Me neither," The monkey said before leap across the gorges and landing on one of the poles. "Been a while since anyone's gotten this far up the mountain. You must be a good warrior to have defeated the bear and the snake," He said. Robin, getting tired of the conversation, walked across the bamboo, keeping balance easily as he stopped.
"Let's get this over with," Robin stated.
"No, no, no, no, no,. We do not need to fight so soon. Would you like some tea?" The Guardian offered.
"I just want to fight you so I can get to the top," Robin stated, readying himself.
"Yes, I see. We are very serious. Yuusu, let's go!" The Guardian said in a menacing tone before bounding towards Robin while The Boy Wonder charged as well, each stepping lightly from one pole to the next. Suddenly, the Guardian bended one of the poles back and used it a springboard to leap into the air and land on Robin's face before jumping off and leaping further away. "Monkey see, monkey do," The Guardian yipped as it jumped onto Robin's face again and ripping off both the sleeves to his robes, making him fall into the gorge, though he stops himself by getting his hands and feet on the poles.
"Monkey just made a fool of you! Unless you can quickly grow a tail it appears you are at a disadvantage!" The Guardian mocked from above the poles. Robin smiles to himself as he quickly jumps back up as the monkey leaps away with a screech, the two trading blows across the poles.
The Guardian tries to jump back onto Robin's head but he quickly drops from his perch while grabbing the top of the pole and bending it back. The Guardian, in mid-leap, widens his eyes in shock.
"Monkey see, monkey do!" Robin retorted, letting go of the pole as it bent back and nailed the Guardian directly in the face as it sent him flying all the way to the start of the gorge.
"HAHAHAHAHA. Very well," The Guardian laughed, snapping his fingers and making the rest of the poles rise, leading directly to the summit. Robin nodded in thanks before walking up the path.
Meanwhile, with the Teen Titans.
It was nighttime as the T-Car pulls up to the beginning of the forest while riku, Starfire, and Beast Boy land on the ground, while Cyborg,nightwing and Ravager step out of the vehicle.
"This is the best place to restrain him without any collateral damage," Ravager said.
"Well, let's hope he doesn't suddenly fly or do something else crazy," Beast Boy said.
"Raven, you all set?" Riku asked through his communicator.
"Yep, ready to go," Raven answered.
"Good, just wait on the say, okay?" Riku said.
"Got it. Be safe," Raven replied.
"We will," riku said, closing his communicator. "Ok, let's try to talk to him one more time. If he attacks, then try to restrain him," riku told the team when suddenly the ground shook.
"He is here," Starfire said, as the boy landed in front of them. He looked around in anger until his eyes turned to the team.
"Hi again. Look uh, we're not trying to hurt you okay. We're just trying to figure out why you're doing this. Alright, so please just listen to us," riku pleaded. The boy gritted his teeth again before grabbing a nearby tree, ripping it out of the ground and throwing it at them.
Riku quickly summoned his keyblade and bashed it away. "Remember, restrain don't hurt! Titans go!" Nightwing said. The boy suddenly jumped into the air and slammed into the ground, making everyone stumble around. The boy then charged towards Ravager and tried to hit her but she quickly moved out of the way while firing a grappling hook at his wrist. Glaring at her, the boy yanked on the rope but before she was pulled, she pulled out her sword and cut it.
"Beast Boy, goes for his legs," nightwing said.
"Got it," The changeling said as he turned into an armadillo and rolled towards the boy's feet before turning into a snake and wrapping around his feet, nearly making him fall over. Starfire flew in and grab both of his arms, restraining them as riki fired a blast of ice at them, freezing them in place.
"Raven, now!" Riku yelled. Quick as a flash, Raven appeared in a portal in front of the boy and placed both of her hands on his head as she entered his mind. Both of their eyes began to glow as Raven saw visions of the boy laying on a lab table as people in lab coats experimented with his body and making him perform tests such as him punching robots or leaping across blocks in a field.
The last vision she saw was of him breaking out of the lab before suddenly things went blank. She let out a gasp as she released his head while falling to the ground, luckily riku was there to grab her. Everyone turned their eyes to the boy as he let out multiple breaths before looking up at them with a clearer expression in his eyes.
"W-What happened? W-where am I?" The boy asked, while Beast Boy let go of his feet and turned back to a human.
"You're in Jump City. You showed up at our home and just attacked us," riku answered as he helped Raven up. The boy looked down as he got to his feet but struggled a little since his arms were bound in ice.
"I'm…sorry. I can't recall that. They must've done something to my mind when I escaped," The boy said.
"They? They who?" Beast Boy asked.
"Escaped?" Cyborg asked.
"You mean the lab, right. From where you were born?" Raven asked, surprising everyone, even more shocked when the boy nodded in confirmation.
"My whole life I was raised in the lab, doing whatever they said but whenever I asked to go outside they said…so I just left but then everything goes blank after that. I can't remember how I got here or what I've done. W-who are you guys?" The boy asked.
"We're the Teen Titans," Ravager said.
"And please, what is your name?" Starfire said, burning the ice on his arms away. The rubbed his arms in comfort as he stared at them.
"I…didn't have a name. But they did call me by my codename…Superboy," Superboy revealed.
"Well, that explains the S on your chest," riku said, making everyone chuckle a little.
"Do you mean your, ya know?" Ravager asked, pointing up to the sky.
"From what I understand, I'm more of a clone but yeah," Superboy said.
"Have you…ever met him?" Ravager asked.
"No, never. I hope so someday," Superboy replied.
"Whoever you guys are talking about, I think you will but for now, I think we should focus on cleaning everything up," Cyborg said, turning towards the city, where there was small plumes of smoke rising.
"Uh sorry again," Superboy said, rubbing his head nervously.
"Don't worry, we'll fix everything soon, then we can finally get some grub," Beast Boy said.
"Grub?" Superboy asked, confused.
"It's food, he means food," Raven said, floating away as everyone began to walk back to the city.
Meanwhile, with Robin
The sun was nearly set as Robin finally reached the staircase of the True Master's temple.
"Finally," He said to himself as he started running up the stairs towards the temple when he suddenly heard one of his grappling hooks be fired behind him and he turned to see the hook wrap around his body and pull him back down.
He followed the line to see a familiar criminal that he fought earlier holding the line launcher, the staff that he held that started this whole thing, which was gold and has red gems studded into the pole and Robin's belt on his shoulder. He was bald and wore a red and black fighting garb with a high wing collar. This was Katarou.
"Your journey to find the True Master ends now," Katarou said, pulling Robin to his feet with the line.
"Katarou! Why are you here?" Robin yelled.
"To train with the True Master, of course," Katarou revealed.
"You said you'd already trained with him!" Robin said, confused.
"That's what I wanted you to think. I knew if I told you, you would go and seek the True Master, and all I had to do was follow you up the mountain," Katarou replied.
"Why did you need me?" Robin said, quietly working his hand behind him so he can work the hook free.
"I could have come up without you, but then I would be tired from fighting all the challenges, like you are," Katarou said.
"I'm not too tired to finish what I started!" Robin said, freeing himself from the hook and charging at the thief. Katarou charges as well and the two collide in the air before landing back on the ground. "You don't deserve to train with the True Master! You haven't earned it!" Robin growled.
"I deserve it more than you!" Katarou said, charging and jabbing at Robin, who narrowly dodges. "I am the better fighter i was trained by the league of assassins!" He continued. Robin eventually, jumps onto the end of the pole before somersault down the length and kicks Katarou directly in the face, sending him back down the steps while the staff clatters down to the rocks.
"You aren't so tough without your weapons," Robin remarked. Katarou picked himself up from the ground and pulled out one of Robin's bo staffs.
"I still have your weapons!" He said charging at Robin, quickly dodging the first strike but left himself open to get kicked in the back and was sent tumbling down the staircase while Katarou continued up. Robin eventually reaches the bottom, leaving him panting and sweating. Suddenly, the old woman from before walked up to him and began poking him with her cane.
"Rise, young warrior. You must get up. Your journey is not over," She said to him.
"*pant* *pant* I cam fight him. Even when he has all my weapons," Robin said.
"When you began your journey, you were determined. Nothing could stop you. And now that you are so close, are you willing to give up so easily?" The woman replied.
"It was easier at the beginning," Robin stated.
"Beginnings are often easier. But think of all that you have accomplished along your journey what you have learned from your battles with the bear, the snake, the monkey," The woman listed.
"What's the point of fighting my way up the mountain when someone else is just going to come up the easy way?" The new Boy Wonder asked.
"There is always going to be someone who does things the easy way. But that should no stop you from doing things the right way/ It is your journey, young warrior. Only you decide when it ends," The woman replied. Robin looked back up at her and back at the temple with determination radiating from his eyes.
He suddenly took off into a sprint up the staircase as the woman smiled watching him go. She began her journey up as Robin eventually got to the top where Katarou was standing in front of the entrance to the temple.
"True Master! I am ready to train!" Katarou yelled.
"You'll see the True master when you are ready," Robin replied, getting the criminal's attention. The woman walks up next to Robin while Katarou spins Robin's staff around.
"Heh! Give up! You cannot defeat me," Katarou states.
"I've beaten guys much bigger than you and i was trained by my grandfather ra's al ghul leader of league of assassins," Robin said, quickly launching a flying kick that passes by the staff and nails the criminal in the face, knocking him back. The new Boy Wonder lands bakcon the ground before bringing his palms together in front of him, a stance that the woman recognizes.
"Claws of the Iron Bear!" She proclaims as Robin lunges forward in a palm strike, nailing Katarou in the chest and driving him to the ground.
"How are you going to beat me if you cannot even see me?" The thief replied, pulling out a handful of discs from Robin's belt and throws them at the original owner, making clouds of smoke appear around him.
"I don't need to see you," Robin said, closing his eyes and blocking out all other details, focusing only on the charging Katarou.
"Strike of the Flying Serpent!" The woman yells again as Robin charges through the smoke and kicks the criminal to the ground, dispersing the smoke in the process.
"I see you are serious about winning. So am I!" Katarou said, leaping onto a set of bars behind him. Robin smiles to himself as he begins to make monkey cries.
"Duel of the Leaping Monkey!" The woman said, as Robin begins bounding back and forth like a human monkey before jumping onto the bars in a single leap. The furious criminal tries to strike at him but Robin dodges each and every strike as they both jump back onto the ground.
Katarou plants one end of the staff into the ground and tires to swing kick Robin again but the new Boy Wonder easily jumps out of the way and lands on the other side of the staff, balancing perfectly before bending it back and sending it right back into Katarou's face, sending the criminal flying off the summit and back down, leaving the staff.
"There's an easy way and a hard way down this hill. Looks like you're taking the hard way," Robin remarked before walking back to the temple.
"NO!" Robin heard behind and he turned around to see Katarou leaping for him with the gold staff in hand with nothing but fury in his eyes. "The True Master must train me!" He yelled as he whips the staff towards Robin's head. The son of Batman and talia al ghul put his hands up to defend himself when he suddenly feels a weight in his hands and he hears a loud clang echo across the mountain. He opened his eyes to see the staff being blocked by a keyblade, his own keyblade.
"What?" Robin asked, inspecting it. The blade was a red version of his sword, the teeth was a small robin bird on one side while a bat was on the other, the handle looked like one of his birdarangs, but altered to be held like a blade and the keychain was his own symbol.
"What? What is this weapon?!" Katarou asked confused and Robin uses the opportunity to send the gold staff flying out of his hands and into the hands of the old woman, who walks past Robin and right into the thief's face.
"You did not make it up the mountain on your own skills! You tried before on your own but could not make it!" She said, while using her cane to take Robin's belt off of Katarou and return it to its rightful owner, while also handing the gold staff to the boy as well. "You are a thief and a cheater! The True Master will not train you! Not now, not ever!" The woman decreed, walking away from him.
"But-" Katarou begged but she wasn't listening.
"Take him off my mountain!" The woman yelled, making Robin's eyes widened in shock at the statement. Suddenly the Guardians of the River and Trees appear out of nowhere to escort Katarou off the mountain. The woman, now the True Master, walks up to Robin as he plants his keyblade in the ground before bowing and presenting the gold staff to her.
"Consider this a gift for showing me the way," Robin said. She gladly takes it as he grabs his keyblade. "You're the True Master, but, why didn't you tell me?" He asked.
"You never asked," The True Master said, walking to her temple.
"So why was it so important that I get to the top before sunset?" Robin asked.
"It is much easier to see the path when its not dark," The Master simply said.
"All this time, I thought there was some deep meaning to everything you were saying," Robin replied when suddenly his bo-staff is thrown into his open hands and he looked up to see the Master standing before him with the gold staff at the ready.
"Ah, young warrior. You take things much too seriously," The Master joked. Robin looked down at his bo-staff before turning his eyes to his new keyblade.
"Do you think you might be able to teach me anything about this?" Robin asked.
"I unfortunately no nothing about that weapon. It seems your friends are the only ones who can train you to become better with it," The Master replied. Robin nodded as his keyblade suddenly disappears in a burst of robin feathers.
"I understand. But for now, I am ready to train with you, True Master," Robin said, bowing.
"I believe you are," The Master says as the two trained with bo staffs until the sun eventually set.
Later, back at Titans Tower
After explaining everything to the citizens and police officers about what happened and why Superboy attacked, the Titans began to help clean up the city along with the Tower until everything was put back to normal, except after Stitch yelled at both Riku and Superboy until the keyblade wielder explained everything to the little alien. Now the team was sitting in the Ops Center with Superboy while enjoying a box of pizza at the couch. And in Superboy's case, being introduced to pizza.
"So, what is this made of again?" Superboy asked, holding up a slice in his hand.
"A delicious combination of bread, tomato sauce, cheese and whatever else you love," Cyborg eating a slice in a single bite.
"You must try, friend Superboy. It is very good," Starfire said eating hers. Superboy looked at his slice before taking a bite, Everyone watched in anticipation as he chewed the food until he made a pleased sound.
"HE LIKES IT!" Everyone but Raven shouted in victory.
"Uh, did I miss something?" a voice, shocking everyone as they turned to see damian standing in the doorway with his bag in hand.
"ROBIN!" Everyone yelled again while Starfire zipped over and bearhugged him, though being careful not to crush him. damian' smiled as everyone ran to him until he saw the newcomer.
"Who's he?" Robin asked.
"Uh, ahem, Robin meet Superboy. Superboy meet Robin," nightwing introduced, surprising the Boy Wonder.
"You mean he's-" Robin asked.
"Oh yeah," Raven said. Robin walked up to Superboy and presented a handshake. Superboy awkwardly shook it in response.
"It's um nice to meet you, Robin," Superboy replied.
"Nice to meet you," Robin said.
"So, you gonna be hanging around, Superboy?" Beast Boy asked.
"I don't think so. I have to go learn what I've done and see if I can fix it," Superboy said.
"Well, if you ever need help, you know who to call," Rose said, placing a communicator in the boy's hands. Superboy smiled and nodded in confirmation before walking towards the door and out of the room.
"Well, he definitely left an impression," Raven said.
"Agreed. So, tell us about training, man! How was it?!" Cyborg asked.
"It went great. Took down Katarou and as a bonus," Robin said, holding up his hand as his keyblade appeared in a burst of robin feathers, shocking everyone.
"You got one too?!" Riku asked.
"Man, when I am gonna get mine?!" Beast Boy asked.
"Looks like you got more another student, riku," Raven remarked.
"Huhh, yep," Sora said.
"Sorry, Sora," Robin said.
"No, no, no, no. Don't apologize Robin. I'm happy that you got one. In fact, its actually better since now we can have training duos now," riku said.
"Yee! I choose Robin as my training partner," Starfire quickly chose.
"Figured as much," Rose said, making everyone laugh.
"Then I guess its you and me, Cy," riku said.
"Wouldn't have it any other way, riku," Cyborg said. Robin yawned in response.
"Well, I think I'm head to bed. Been a long trip," He said.
"Agreed, its been a long day," riku said. Everyone began to clean everything up and head to their rooms. Riku and Raven were walking together to their rooms holding hands.
"You okay?" Raven asked.
"Yeah, just a little sore. And I know, I'm gonna be a little tired too," riku said.
"Hey, your doing pretty good with Starfire and Cyborg. I'm sure you're do well with Robin," Raven said, smiling.
"Thanks Raven. Are you okay? From earlier?" Riku asked.
"Yeah, not the first time I went into someone's mind. But his was just so clouded and blank. Hopefully, he will find what he's looking for," Raven said.
"He will. I know it," riku said, smiling. Raven smiled and kissed him on the cheek.
"I'll see you tomorrow," Raven said. Riku returned the kiss in response.
"You got it. Hopefully, we can do something together then," riku said. The two separated to their rooms as the doors closed behind them.