Chapter Text
Rain fell over Gotham. The oily scent of the earth mixed with the smoggy skies, allowing no stars to peer on at the city. Quiet nestled uncomfortably inside the Batmobile. Dick Grayson rubbed his wrist. Despite only spraining it half an hour ago, swelling had already begun to form. That sprain had caused the Boy Wonder to trip back on his handstand, allowing a crook to get a good blow in on his eye. Alfred wouldn’t be happy to see Dick come back with both a sprained wrist and a black eye. After daring a glance at Batman, the boy wasn’t so sure his mentor was either.
Reaching back, Dick attempted to take of his mask one handed.
“Keep your mask on.” Batman’s grip tightened on the steering. “You never know who could be watching.”
Dick wondered how anyone could spy on them with the car windows so darkened, but he didn’t want to be in more trouble than he already was.
With a sigh, he shifted back in his seat. He itched to get out of the car, get away from the man’s suffocating quiet. Dick didn’t understand why he was in trouble. Batman got hurt all the time, and the very next night, he would be just fine, wearing a smile for all to see at another Wayne Enterprises gala. So why did he need to freak out every time Robin got a scratch or two?
“You know,” Dick said. “I’m might not be as strong as you, but I can still hold my own.”
Batman didn’t bother a glance. “What’s that’s supposed to mean?”
“I was handling those criminals just fine. You don’t need to worry about me.”
“Your wrist says otherwise.”
“A sprain isn’t going to kill me.”
“Well, what if something did?”
The Batmobile fell silent. Dick frowned while Batman held his stoic expression, gaze fixed on the road. After spending his childhood in the circus, a place filled with bright lights, thumping music, and loud ringleaders, who could stretch a simple sentence into a musical string of enticing poetry, the quiet and dreary lifestyle of Batman made Dick uncomfortable. Batman was short in tone, trying to end every conversation as quickly as it started. The worst part, he was good at it.
“Why do you do this?” Dick spoke up. “Go out and fight crime, I mean.”
With a side glance, Batman paused over his answer. “Well… I told you what happened to my parents, and what happened with yours… We have to make sure that doesn’t happen to anyone else.” His tone grew solemn.
“But it still happens. We go out every night, and even then, we can’t stop the bad guys. If we didn’t go out at all, you wouldn’t have to worry about me getting hurt.” Dick enjoyed fighting crime with Batman, but he sometimes wondered if it would be easier on all their health, physically and mentally, if they didn’t.
“You’d still find ways to hurt yourself.” Batman allowed himself a small smirk. “Besides, it’s not as simple as that. Bad men will always be around. It’s up to good men to stop them. No matter how hard it is. We’re what’s stopping this world from falling into chaos.”
“I’d say it’s already in chaos. I don’t think two people in costumes are making that much of a difference.”
“That nice woman we saved from getting robbed would probably beg to differ.” Reaching over, Batman ruffled Dick’s hair. “Even if you don’t see it, you, Dick, make a difference. You have to keep fighting for what’s right, even if it’s tough.” After a glance at the Batmobile computer, he turned his attention back to the road. “We’re almost home. I’m sure Alfred will know what to do with your hand.”
“Yeah,” Dick said, his mind still on what Batman had said. Keep fighting for what’s right, even if it’s tough… But what if it gets too tough?
Five years later…
The repetitive knocking at the door was going to drive Dick crazy.
“I said I’m coming!” he tried calling over the noise. The short walk from the couch to the apartment door was taking too long, according to the mysterious guest. Rubbing his face tiredly, Dick took hold of the door handle and opened it.
A wide grin greeted him. “So, this is Jump City? For a billionaire’s kid, I would’ve thought Bruce would set you up in something better than an old apartment.” The energetic redhead didn’t wait for a welcome, instead shoving his suitcase into Dick’s chest and moving past into the room.
“Good to see you too, Wally.” After shutting the door, Dick followed his friend.
Wally West was already digging through the kitchen cabinets, standing on his tiptoes to get a better view. “Got any snacks? I had to run all the way over here, and boy, are my legs tired!”
“Bag of chips on the left.”
Barely pausing for a short “thanks,” Wally finally parked himself on the couch, fighting the bag open.
No wonder Bruce never let him come over to the mansion. Dick took the spot next to Wally. Taking the bag, Dick popped it open before passing it back.
“So, how are things going? Saw you on the news on the way here. Only a few months in, and you’re already back into the superhero biz, I see.” Wally shoved a fistful of chips into his mouth, waiting for a response to his question.
Dick took a moment to process everything Wally had said, as he spoke three times as fast as any normal person. “There’s not as much crime here as in Gotham, but there’s enough.”
“Remember the good ol’ days when we were just sidekicks to Uncle Flash and the Bat? But now we’re all grown up, fighting bad guys on our own.” Wally only paused to swallow. Taking another handful, he continued to speak with his mouth full. “I’m sure it killed Mr. Wayne to see his baby bird go.”
Dick sank into the cushions. “Yeah…” He frowned. “Batman and I aren’t on good terms right now.”
Wally’s mouth hung open. “What! What happened?”
“He wasn’t there for me when I needed him. He treated me as a burden, a liability, and he only let me come as Robin because Alfred told him to, not because he wanted me. We had a disagreement. I couldn’t stand living there anymore so… I left.”
Wally paced the room, burning a ring into Dick’s carpet. “B-But that’s the Batman! Dude, I’m your best friend! You can’t not tell me about these things!” Wally reached for more chips, only to discover he had already finished the bag. “Why am I the last one to know? Well, at least you haven’t told Donna yet, so I can lord that over her later.”
Dick blinked.
“You told her before me? Come on! I’m starting to question our friendship.”
Before Dick had a chance to defend himself, an alarm rang from his pocket. He launched to his feet, checking his phone. “Trouble in downtown.” His eyes scanned over the report before he made move to grab his uniform from his bedroom. “Are you coming?”
“Heck ya! My suit’s in my bag.” In the blink of an eye, Wally was already pulling up the bright yellow pants over his own. “Figthing crime just like when we were kids! I can see the comic books now! ‘The Adventures of Kid Flash and Robin’ has nice ring to it.”
…
The alley stood still. Wind picked up. Lightly at first, then old remnants of trash shifted about. Sweeping up into the air before falling back into the loop of a circle, purple light sparked between the old newspaper clippings and the long-forgotten cans. A sharp snap clipped through the air. With a bright flash, the purple formed a portal, inches off the ground.
A single black boot stepped out, then another. Once the figure was free, the portal blinked shut. Without the gust, the girl’s cloak swung forward, dragging along the ground as she stepped.
Raven glanced back at where the portal once stood. Her eyes grew watery. With the quick swipe of her arm against her face, she pushed forward. Now wasn’t the time to cry. Now was the time to run.
Clutching her cloak tight around herself, she stepped out onto the busy street.
This was earth.
The home her mother had told her so much about.
A mother she would never see again.
As she stepped down the sidewalk, she found herself getting strange looks from passersby. After a moment’s thought, she figured she must look quite the spectacle to them. Strange clothes, snow colored skin, and…
Red eyes.
She stopped with a gasp. “No, no, no, no, no.” Holding her hands to her face, she watched as they transformed to a black ooze. “Come on, Raven, not now,” she whispered to herself. With a deep breath, she attempted to compose herself. “Azarath Metrione Zinthos. Azarath Metrione Zinthos. Azarath Metrione…” The inky black receded back to her fingertips. A relieved smile spread across her lips. “Zinthos.”
After glancing around to make sure no one had seen, or anyone who had seen hadn’t cared much, she tucked her hands back into her cloak and continued on. In an attempt to bring her mind off the demons lurking in the back of her mind, she took in the grandeur of her surroundings. The sky, for one, was much warmer than Azaraths.
She frowned.
Azarath, the home she would never see again after what Trigon did to it.
Shaking it off, she reminded herself to stay positive. She had bought herself time when she had preformed the spell that had allowed her to come here. Maybe in that time, she could make some allies to help her fight her father off when he came for her.
Now, let’s not get crazy, Raven.
A warm scent stopped her steps. Turning, she spotted a fast-food place across the street. She glanced at her stomach.
…
“And what’s the name for this order?”
Raven forced a smile for the woman running the register. It hurt her cheeks. “Rachael Roth.” The fake name came to her on the spot. Part of her wondered if it was too similar to her real one, but she didn’t want to think on it too long.
The woman gave her an unamused nod before looking up from the computer. “That’ll be three dollars and twenty-seven cents.”
Raven’s fake smile dropped. Right. Money. Shoot…
“I can pay for the lovely lady.” The man behind her extended out his arm, handing the cashier the money. Raven sunk into her cloak, wishing the man hadn’t brought attention to her. Once the woman printed the reciept, the man gave her a smile before walking her to a table.
Hands tucked between her legs, Raven waited eagerly for her food. Not only was she hungry, but she was desperate to leave before the gentleman could ask her questions.
“So.” He took a spot across from her in the booth. “Where are you from little lady? You don’t exactly blend in.”
Too late. She chewed on her bottom lip, looking him over. An orange button up hung loosely to his chest, his silver hair tied back in a ponytail. And most unnerving of all, a black eyepatch was strung across his worn face. Curiosity nudged her towards wanting to know that story.
When she didn’t answer his question, he simply smiled. “Quiet one, eh?”
“Rachael Roth!”
“I think that’s yours. I can grab it for you.” She didn’t tell him to, but he did it anyways.
When he returned, he slid the tray in front of her. A simple hamburger and soda. He watched her like a vulture, causing her to be hesitant in reaching for her food. When she could no longer bare the hunger, she dug in.
Knitting his fingers, the man leaned his head on his hands. “You were really hungry, huh kid?” She ignored him, already halfway done with the food. Now that she had fed her hunger a little, she began to slow down. Her stomach was beginning to hurt with how fast she ate.
“Guess they didn’t feed you too well back at wherever that portal led.”
Raven coughed on her food, stopping. Setting the burger down, she cleared her throat. “Excuse me?” Her hand hovered over her mouth.
“Yeah, that was some neat trick out there, what with the red eyes and magic hands.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “I could really use something like that.”
Raven’s mouth went dry. It grew harder and harder to discern his words from the bustle of the restaurant. Squeezing her eyes shut, she tried to focus. Her thoughts landed on the burger. He… he poisoned it… She held her head in her hands, almost collapsing on the table.
“What are you?” His beer-stained breath pressed against her face.
And then her mind went blank.
3 weeks later…
“I would never take a bullet for you, Wally.” Fully dressed in the Robin costume, Dick fished his keys from his pocket before fiddling with his apartment lock. The two had just finished with a bank robbery and were ready to watch a movie and go to bed.
Dick’s neighbor poked her head out the door and gave them a small wave. He waved back.
“What? Why not?” Wally caught a glance at the wave. “Does that lady know who you are?”
“I have no clue.” Dick popped the door open. “Also, if I have enough time to jump in the way of someone shooting you, I’m pretty sure you, the second fastest man in the world, has enough time to move out of the way.”
“Fair point.” Before Dick had even stepped passed the door, Wally had sped inside, changed into something more comfortable, and was flipping through channels.
Once he’d shut the door, Dick took off his mask. His gaze swept over the apartment. Old food wrappers loitered about, dishes piled up in the sink, and Wally’s clothes were strewn across the front room. Setting his mask on the counter, Dick moved to stand behind his friend.
“How long did you intend on staying again?”
“Until whenever I get bored, or Uncle Barry calls me back, or something like that. The last time I talked to him was about two weeks ago though.”
Letting out a small groan, Dick plopped himself down on the sofa. His phone buzzed in his pocket just as he did so. “Please be Barry,” he said, holding it up to his eye-line.
“Hey!”
With one quick glance at the caller ID, Dick rolled his eyes and declined it. “It was Alfred again.”
“That’s like the fifth time this week. Maybe you should call him back and see what’s up.”
“Nah, he probably just wants me to make up with Bruce. I want nothing to do with him.” Tossing his phone off to the side, he let out a sigh. “I should change my number. And get a new alias too. Robin’s too associated with Batman.”
Wally opened his mouth to comment, only for a knocking at the door to interrupt him. The boys turned to the door before exchanging a look. Dick rose from the couch, making his way to the door.
“Donna? What are you doing here?”
“Dick!” Donna Troy shoved past him, made her way to the couch, and snatched the remote from Wally. “Wally, have either of you two seen the news?”
“No…”
Biting on her knuckle, she flipped through the channels. The boys stood confused in her wake.
“What is it?” Dick came to stand by her, frowning.
Once she found the news channel, she hired the volume and sat down.
“...Though not much is now right now, what we do know is this: The Justice League has gone missing.”