Disclaimer:
I don't own the Teen Titans, though I wish I did.
Summary:
Where did these kids come from?! How did they get their incredible powers?! How did they come together?! All this and more answered in 'Secret Origins'! See the individual origins of Robin, Starfire, Cyborg, Beastboy and Raven! Then see them come together to become the force that fights for truth, justice, and the last slice of pizza! Be forewarned, this story is not completely in-tune with either comic or DC animated continuity (by this I mean any DC show other than the actual Titans themselves (Batman TAS, Superman TAS, Justice League, etc.)), but borrows elements of each. Hopefully fanatical fans won't crucify me for this. Obviously takes place far prior to the events of 'Final Exam.' Rated PG-13 just to be on the safe side.
Bats chattered and fluttered on the ceiling of the great cave, but after so many years living and working in it, Dick scarcely noticed them anymore. But tonight they seemed especially agitated, as if they could sense what he was about to do.
So it was that the Boy Wonder made his way down the steps to find his mentor, the great and feared Batman. Sitting before the Batcomputer, his cowl off for the moment, he was working on a case, analyzing even the tiniest of details in a way that only the World's Greatest Detective was capable, working every conceivable angle to find their quarry and bring them to justice. And all likely before dawn crept up over the gloomy city that was Gotham.
"Bruce?" he said, interrupting the silence.
"What is it?" he asked, not bothering to turn around in his seat, his fingers not even ceasing their typing.
"I want to talk."
"So talk," he replied, again not turning around.
"I was thinking..." he started to say, his voice trailing off. Then, steeling himself, Dick said it all at once. "That I want to leave."
Silence filled the cave after that remark, broken only by the tapping of keys and the chittering of bats. Batman did not reply. Dick, unprepared for this particular scenario, ventured forward hesitantly.
"Bruce? Did you hear?"
"My hearing is in perfect condition," he replied, still not turning around. "If you want to go out and patrol feel free. I've got work to do."
"That's not what I meant!" said Dick angrily. "I mean I want to leave Gotham!"
Now it was Bruce who was unprepared, and turned his seat around, facing Dick at last. His face was the usual chunk of granite that it always was, not showing any emotion, lips drawn downwards in a frown. One eyebrow was raised, as if asking Dick to continue.
"I'm tired of living in your shadow Bruce," he said quietly, calmly, speaking the words without stammering over them. "Listen I know you've done a lot for me, and I'm grateful. I know you took me in when my parents died. That you helped me become Robin even though I knew you didn't want anyone to share your burden. I know you trained me and helped me become who I am, and I'm grateful."
"Then why do you feel a need to leave?" asked Batman. Not Bruce anymore. Batman. Inwardly, Dick felt a chill, but stubbornly ignored it.
"Because I'm tired of living in your shadow. Of never being anything but your side-kick. I want to make a name for my own. I want Robin to be just as well respected and feared as Batman is."
"I see," replied Batman, after a moment's thought. "Where'll you go then? What'll you do?"
Again Robin stumbled, not expecting Batman to cave so easily. But he'd had his answers ready in advance, was prepared to make an argument for himself. "Jump City," he said. "I'm almost sixteen, with some work I can pass for eighteen and get myself a job. Rent is cheap in Jump City, it's a growing new metropolis they'll have plenty of opportunities."
"And plenty of work for your alter-ego," remarked Batman, seeing where Robin was going with this. Jump City was a shining new beacon of the future, but it was also rife with dishonest and even dangerous people, criminals and super-villains had started migrating there... away from Metropolis and Central City and Gotham City. Believing themselves to be slightly safer from the superheroes who lived in those respective towns and protected them. "You've thought this through, haven't you?" he asked quietly, his Batman persona breaking away to show Bruce Wayne underneath.
"Yes," replied Robin resolutely.
"Then go," said Batman. "I'll transfer the appropriate funds into a small account for you. That'll get you started."
"Batm, er.. Bruce, I mean," he said, finally stumbling at the consideration his mentor was showing him. He didn't smile, he didn't offer encouragement, but if you'd lived with him as long as Dick had, you got to knew that sometimes it wasn't what he said, but what he didn't say.
"Thank you."
Nothing further needed to be said.
Robin was up in his room later that night, packing what meager possessions he had. He'd managed to fit most of his wardrobe into a single suitcase, and apart from that (and a bright green, red and yellow costume hidden in the lining of the case) he didn't really have much to bring. He'd left everything behind with Batman and, in a sense, with his former life. He could re-make everything once he had a job in Jump City, he knew how to craft the necessary materials into batarangs and grapples and such without being conspicuous (even considering he was only sixteen years old). He'd even be able to customize them with his own designs. Birds and robins, give them a personal touch just like his mentor did.
"Master Bruce is waiting for you in the front hallway," came a voice from the doorway. Dick didn't need to turn around to see that it was. Alfred was the only other person who lived with them in the big empty manor, after all.
Well, and the ghosts. Not scary ghosts, friendly ghosts. Martha and Thomas Wayne. Even Dick, who'd never known them, could feel their presence in the old place. It was comforting, in a way. But in another it was stifling, like living with grandparents. Having Bruce as his guardian was bad enough. He needed some freedom.
He needed to stretch his wings and fly.
"Thanks Alfred. I'll be down in a bit," he said, pushing down the suitcase and snapping it shut.
"Very good Master Grayson."
So it was that Dick walked solemnly down the stairs where Alfred and Bruce were waiting for him. He didn't slide down the banister, as he might be tempted to do only a few days ago. They both noticed it too. He'd changed a lot from the scared boy who'd lost his parents, only to be rescued by the Batman. But superhero or not he was a teenager, and some things couldn't be provided by Bruce and Alfred. Like proper experience living on his own. So he needed to move out on his own. And, as he'd said himself, step out of the Batman's shadow and become just Robin. Maybe even find some friends. Being sidekick to the Batman didn't give you much opportunity for him to make friends his own age. It was kinda difficult when you had to juggle schooling and grappling over rooftops in the middle of the night.
Bidding one last farewell to Bruce, Alfred, Wayne Manor, and Gotham City in general, Robin slipped on his helmet, revved his motorcycle's engine, and zoomed out of Gotham, closing that chapter of his life and beginning a new one. Where he could just be Robin, and not part of Batman and Robin.
Just Robin.
Author's Notes:
Let's see, comic and cartoon references. Hmmm. Robin's doesn't have much of either actually, since I the animated Titan's Robin seems much more... carefree and innocent than the one from the comics. Thus I presume he was spared much of the grief concerning Two-Face and such. And perhaps, while leaving for the same reasons as Nightwing (whom we known the Titan Robin later becomes, based on "How Long is Forever" and "Fractured") that he isn't quite as bitter towards Batman as he was comically either. Hence the slightly more civil conversation between the bird and the bat before parting ways. Next time, the origins of Starfire and Beastboy.