Hey peeps. My username probably gives it away, but I am a HUGE Nightwing and Robin fan. Richard Grayson is just the most beautiful character ever to be incorporated into the DC universe. I love him. So, even though I am also writing a Harry Potter fanfic – The Lion's Roar (please check it out if you guys are at all interested) – I just have to write a Teen Titans/Batman fanfic because … well… there are no words to describe the awesomeness of DC.

Disclaimer – none of the characters are mine, for if they were, I would be in heaven!

So without further ado, I hope you enjoy my latest fanfic…

Rise

Chapter 1 – Light

Robin was perched upon the flat roof of what was Titan's Tower. Cyborg's masterpiece. It was a symbol. A symbol of hope that Jump City will see a prosperous future. Bright, like the sun, without darkness tainting the light like the villains in Gotham or Bludhaven. This city's future was going to be peace. That's why they were the Teen Titans. Teenagers who were developing into young adults, the future heroes of the world. One day they will have as much recognition as the Justice League. But, even now, they are just as important.

Robin sighed deeply as he breathed in the fresh morning spring air. A few months ago when he came to this city, he would have never even thought, not even for one second… that he would be the leader of the most successful teenaged heroes in the business. Young Justice had formed because of them. He was so proud. So proud of his team. They stuck with him like glue. They were comrades. They were friends. But more importantly. They were family. He had given up on his past family long ago. The life he had in Gotham… that was a past life. That life no longer belonged to him. He was not going to hide in someone's shadow any longer. Bruce. Robin sighed. He still loved Bruce. He would always love him, but he would find it difficult to say that to the man's face. Plus, every bird has to flee the nest. It had been his turn. He had been given an opportunity to stretch his wings. To find his limits. And soar. Just like his mama had told him. He was not just her Robin now. He was a symbol to the whole world. And he would not change this for the world.

A sudden ear-splitting screech sounded from below. It was accompanied by flashing red lights, as though the police were parked in Titan's Tower. Robin grinned and back-flipped from his perch, sprinting into the control room. His enthusiasm, however, was not matched by some of his team mates. He was the first to enter the room, as always. Ready and waiting. The next titan to enter…

"Booh ya!" An enthusiastic cry sounded, and a moment later, Cyborg bounded into the control room, punching imaginary enemies. "Hell yeah, let's get this show on the road. Who's it now, Mad Mod… no… no… Control Freak… oh heck it ain't weather dudes … tell me those guys are still good...!"

Robin grinned at his friend's enthusiasm.

"Let's just get this over with." Raven mumbled. The girl always hid behind her cloak. Robin knew she had incredible power within her. She may be cold and she may seem uncaring, but behind her stony façade, Robin knew there was a warm soul underneath, trying to overcome the evil from within.

"Friends." A voice rang from behind Raven. Starfire flew like a rocket towards Robin and gave him a bone-breaking hug. He struggled to keep a straight face as she laughed and eventually let go.

"Hi Star." He said, smiling. The Tameranian princess was always so happy. She was like a bundle of optimism, with flames of red hair, she was like a warrior princess from his childhood stories.

Last, but by no means least, was Beast boy… and let's just say, he's not exactly a morning person. He stumbled into the control room, dragging his feet behind him. He groaned as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

"Anyone want some tofu for breakfast?" he mumbled, as though he was still half asleep.

"Sorry Beast boy, tofu will have to wait. It's Dr Light." Robin said, pointing at the screen. "He's robbing a bank down south. Titans Go!"

"Oh man, I was having the cutest dream. I was at a prom, and there was this girl. Hey, she looked a lot like you Raven…"

Starfire sniggered as Raven's face coloured a deep scarlet in anger. She slapped Beast boy on the cheek and rushed after the others.

"As if you'll ever get a date at the prom in the first place." The girl muttered, and followed the other three titans out into the city.

Beast boy's eyes almost protruded out of their sockets from Raven's slap. He growled as his bum hit the floor and his eyes began to water. "Hey! I sooo tooo would get a date. The ladies love me!" he was now wide awake. The boy whirled around the empty control room, and then slapped his forehead in frustration. "Dang it! Hey guys wait up!" The green boy transformed into a cheetah and sprinted after his friends.

Robin back-flipped out of the way from Dr Light's incoming punch. The boy yelled one of his infamous war cries and plunged his bo-staff into the villain's side. The man screamed and tried to wriggle from under the Boy Wonder's grasp. The man eventually kicked the teen's jaw, and the boy soared into the air, landing on the street with a thud.

"Robin!" Starfire cried, flying to his aid.

"I'm fine!" Robin replied, "Get light!"

Dr Light smirked and the villain made a break for it. However, he did not get very far…

"I see you…" Raven's demon grinned as the villain broke into a sweat. Darkness caught the criminal like a net. Raven's red eye's glowed like the fires of hell.

"RAVEN!" Robin roared.

The teen let go of her victim. Her demon vanished and shock overcame her. The girl fell to the ground, a few metres from the cowering Dr Light.

"I'm sorry!" he cried out miserably, "Don't let her eat me… take me to jail…"

Raven trembled as Cyborg gently helped her up. She glanced at Robin, who, although he was slightly mad at the girl, he could not help but be sympathetic. He had mastered the darkness within him long ago, or at least, it rarely troubled him as much as it had done when he was with the Bat. Raven was still overcoming her dark side, and she needed help, and he would give that help to her.

"Let's go home." He said softly.

Beast boy glanced anxiously at Raven as she stumbled in Cyborg's arms. She took a few deep breaths before nodding in reply.

However, before they walked even a few feet, the teens heard an eerie chuckle which made the hairs on their next stand on end. Robin whirled around and saw Dr Light standing as though he had won the Olympics. A complacent smug written on his face.

"You didn't think it would be that easy, did you?" he sneered, "I fear you no more, witch. You and all of your friends are pathetic. I know. I know the villain underground is preparing for something. You will be broken." The man cackled wildly, "And I. Will. Win!"

With a cry Robin leapt in front of Light, swinging his bo-staff, the hero attacked with such ferocity, it was like watching a beast play with its prey. The villain, once so confident, was immediately on the defensive. The other titans did nothing but marvel at their leader's skills. It was like watching a dance. With every punch, every kick and every flip, it was like watching a masterpiece. After a few minutes, Robin landed a massive uppercut, and the villain flew across the street, mirroring Robin's actions a few minutes earlier. Robin marched forward to meet the wounded villain. Light looked even more terrified than before. Blood caked one side of his head and drenched his right arm. He could not move. Robin smirked,

"Lights out, Light."

And before the villain could even blink, Robin had knocked him out with his bo-staff.

"No one. I repeat, no one insults my friends." Robin hissed, and then turned to face his fellow titans.

Cheers of wonder erupted from his friends. Cyborg and Beast boy high-fived each other, and Starfire gave him another one of her infamous hugs. Raven even smiled.

Robin grinned.

He loved his job.

Miles away, in an underground labyrinth of gears and clockwork. A single eye had gazed upon the scene with much interest. The man leaned back in his chair, watching the screens with much interest before typing an instruction into a keyboard. A figure flickered onto one of the screens.

"Yes sir." The voice answered.

"Tell our associate to be ready." The man ordered, "Tell them that operation 'Apprentice' has begun. And get me Luthor."

"As you wish, sir."

The call ended just as abruptly as it had begun. The one-eyed man smirked.

"Well, Robin, enjoy your last moments with your friends. Because by the time I am through with you…" Slade chuckled, "You will no longer have any."

What do you think? Please review and if you do I will post the next chapter soon!

Love Nightwing147