Chapter 2 - First Night as Robin

The clock struck seven, and Tim knew he had to start getting prepared for the night. He pulled the drawer open where the Robin costume lay, a mix of excitement and anxiety swelling in him. He had always dreamed of this moment-but it wasn't his moment, it was Tim Drake's. He pulled it out and examined it; it was like the real Tim Drake's first-ever Robin costume, but this new Tim Drake had different plans.Shaking, he pulled out his sewing kit that he had stowed away in his luggage. The old Tim had been carrying it around ever since. Now the new Tim had the opportunity of a lifetime to put it in use. With precision, like that of a master tailor, he began to alter the costume, adding a touch of nostalgia to it from his watched Teen Titans cartoon in his world: the green brighter, the red more contrasting, the yellow trimming more obvious. He knew it wasn't exactly like the comic version of Tim Drake he had read about, but he couldn't ignore the OG Teen Titans.The material was surprisingly easy to work with, and before long, the costume was transformed into the Robin from that show with still some remnants of Tim Drake's comic book costume. He slipped it on, feeling the tug of fabric in all the right places, the weight of the utility belt around his waist a reassuring presence. He took a moment to look at himself in the mirror, his eyes widening. He had never looked more like Robin than he did in that moment.With a deep breath, Tim took the stairs down to the secret entrance leading to the Batcave. His heart raced with his words, palms sticky in the glove with a mixture of excitement and nerves. The stone stairs were cold under his feet as he went down into the chamber below. The sound of his boots echoed off the walls, a rhythmic reminder of the gravity of what he was about to do.Bruce was waiting for him, in full Batman costume, the cowl making his face invisible. Tim felt a bolt of wonder at the sight of the living legend, yet knew he was also about to stand beside him as an equal. "Ready?" Bruce's voice was gruff, muffled through the mask."As ready as I'll ever be," Tim replied, attempting to keep his voice from shaking.Bruce nodded, and together they launched themselves out into the night, leaping from rooftop to rooftop. The wind whistled past Tim's ears, the rush of fear mixed with the incredible sensation. Gotham City spread out beneath them, a sprawling metropolis of light and shadow. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced. The air was cool, carrying on it the faint scent of rain, a smell that seemed to carry with it the promise of chaos they were about to confront.As they moved, Tim used his new power to great effect. It was as if his body had become rewired to move in the most efficient way possible. He could feel the tension in the ropes as he swung from one building to another, the perfect angle of his landing already calculated in his head. Every step was precise, every leap calculated to the inch. The layout of the city was a series of problems to be solved, and Tim's body was the solution.They came upon an alley where a mugging was in progress. Tim's heart was like lightning, but for him, the rest of the world had slowed to a crawl. He could see each and every movement the mugger was making as if some kind of dancer performing a routine in slow motion. The mugger was a big man, but Tim knew exactly where to aim.Tim leaped into a jump of faith, and his body moved itself. The foot connected with the mugger's jaw with a satisfactory crunch, and the man went down like a sack of bricks. Time snapped back into place, and Tim landed delicately beside the stunned victim. The man looked up at him with fear and gratitude mixed on his face, and Tim knew he had done the right thing.Batman watched him with a critical eye, but there was something else there, something that made Tim feel like deer caught in the headlights, even more than the adrenaline of the short fight. "Good job, Robin," he said, his voice low and gruff.Tim felt a flush of pride at the praise. "Thanks, Batman," he replied, trying to keep the tremble out of his voice.But the night wasn't over just yet. A flash of the Bat-Signal in the sky cut through the gloom-a beaming ray of hope. Bruce's eyes narrowed, and Tim knew what that meant. "We've got work to do," he said, and without another word, they leaped into action.The signal led them to the roof of the Gotham City Police Headquarters. There, standing next to the spotlight, was Commissioner Gordon. His face was a picture of surprise and relief as he took in Tim in the new Robin costume. "It's been a while since I've seen a Robin." Gordon called out, his voice gruff and authoritative.Tim could see the sadness in Gordon's eyes. He knew what had happened to the last Robin, Jason Todd, and how it had affected this city. "Commissioner," Tim said, trying to mimic the respectful tone he had seen from the Tim Drake in his memories. "I'm here to help." He wondered how cringe he sounded.Gordon was continually surprised, he turned to Bruce. "I had thought you'd never take on another partner after."Bruce's voice was solid. "It's time," he said, his eyes never leaving Tim's. "Gotham needs Robin."The air was thick with expectation as they drew closer to Gordon. His eyes sought out Tim's for a flash of fear or doubt, but only found a mirror image of his own determination staring back. The moment weighed heavy; Tim was cynically aware he was filling the shoes that had laid empty for far too long, a beacon of hope torn ruthlessly from their grasp by Joker's sadistic game.Gordon cleared his throat; his voice carried a burden of his words. "It is good to see that you are not allowing the shadows to consume you. Gotham needs the light you both bring." His gaze held on Tim a beat longer, silent acknowledgment of the brave choice he had made.Bruce nodded solemnly, the weight of the cape shifting around his shoulders. "Thank you, Commissioner. But we can't ignore the shadows growing in our city."Gordon's expression turned serious. "Indeed. The False Face Society has been making waves. Led by Roman Sionis, the Black Mask, they're a gang of thieves who've become more than just a nuisance. Their numbers are growing, and their methods are becoming more. unpredictable."Bruce's eyes turned dead serious. "We need to control them before they become unmanageable. And if we can get enough evidence, maybe we can put Black Mask behind bars for good."Gordon nodded gravely. "That's what we're aiming for. We've got intel on their next heist, but we need to be careful. They're not just smash-and-grab artists anymore. They've got brains behind the brawn.""Understood," Batman said, his voice firm. "We'll need to be prepared for anything.""And you will be," Gordon assured him, handing over a file. "Everything we know about the False Face Society is here. We suspect they're going after the Gotham City Museum's new exhibit tonight."Batman didn't say a word, merely taking the file and scanning the information noted with practiced efficiency. Tim felt his excitement build. A museum heist! Like something out of a movie. But this wasn't fun and games; this was the real world, and people were depending on them to stop the criminals before they could get away with hurting anyone.As Gordon continued to talk, Batman's eyes remained on the file, nodding from time to time. But Tim couldn't help his nugget of doubt. He had only been Robin for a few hours, and he was being tossed into the deep sea. He swallowed and told himself that he had been in tough situations before. This was just another bump in the road.And then, in a flash of silence, Batman was gone. Tim's eyes were wider as his mind started to struggle. His mathematical mind took that moment and broke it down further into a series of possibilities. And then it clicked. He saw the faint ripple in the air, the way the shadows danced for a split second. Batman had used his gadgets and training to disappear. But Tim had another tool at his disposal.Tim's eyes locked onto the spot where Batman had been, and the air around him seemed to shift; the numbers and equations spun into place. He imagined his body through space, working out the trajectory of Batman's escape. With a deep breath, he stepped forward, his new costume fluttering around his body.The world seemed to have hit pause as the faint outline of how the Dark Knight had escaped appeared before Tim. Then, instantly he was in motion, his feet and hands continuing an immortal waltz with the math in his head. He followed the trail of shadows, the rooftops a blur beneath him. The wind whipped about him, yet he was as steady as a rock. When he came to the edge of a building, he knew precisely how far across to leap to grab the next gargoyle, and how hard to swing to land on the next rooftop.Batman reappeared next to him, his cape billowing dramatically. "How did you do that?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and concern.Tim smoothed himself over. "Just… practiced," he said, hoping the lie sounded convincing. He couldn't tell him about his mathematical sight - that was for him and him alone to know. "I studied your movements, figured out the pattern."Batman's eyes stared into Tim's, but the cowl was unyielding, giving nothing away. "Impressive," he said, in that voice that was both skeptical and admiring. "But be careful, Tim. The night is full of surprises."They came to the museum, a high bastion of culture and history. The air was electric with tension, and he was excited. The numbers danced around him, painting pictures of potential dangers and ways of escape. He knew every beam, every corner, every ventilation shaft, as if he had studied the blueprints.Batman turned to him, the gleaming white eyes of his cowl the only things visible in the dark. "Tim, I need you to disable the security system. It's more complex than what I usually face."Tim felt the weight of the question-he knew Batman was testing him. He had studied the security layout in his head, the blueprints a clear map in his mind's eye. "Already on it," he said with conviction, and before waiting for an instruction, he leaped into the air, his cape fluttering behind him like a banner of defiance. He landed in a crouch next to a vent, eyes scanning the area for the best entry point. The numbers and equations swirled around him, highlighting the path of least resistance. He reached into his utility belt and pulled out a pair of goggles that looked like they were out of a science fiction movie.He flicked them on and the world around him changed. The vent system was now a maze of green lines and red dots-the dots representing the security cameras. He took a moment to commit the layout to memory before he slid into the vent, the fabric of his new costume whispering against the metal. The air was stale and warm; the scent of dust and electricity filled his nostrils as he moved through the maze with feline grace, his heart thumping in his chest like a drum announcing his arrival.The vent dropped him into the security room, and he knew just what to do. He did a little gymnastics to pull himself out and landed quietly behind the unsuspecting guard. A quick disarm and tap on the head, and the guard was cold. Tim almost couldn't help but smile just a little at the success. He quickly went to work, his nimble fingers dancing over the keyboards and touchscreens. The system was a puzzle, but one he enjoyed solving. It was like a video game, but with real-world stakes. He could feel the tension coiling in his gut, but the thrill of the challenge pushed it aside.One by one, the screens flickered and went dark, the red dots on his goggles winking out. He'd done it. The alarms fell silent, the lights fading down into their emergency mode. He gave a thumbs up to the unconscious guard, who remained blissfully unaware of his heroics, and slipped back into the shadows.The security system down, Batman glided in, his cape a whisper of darkness against the marble floors. They had split up to cover more ground, but Tim's mathematical mind had already plotted out a series of escape routes and vantage points for them to converge on. He waited in the shadows of a display, the numbers and angles of his surroundings pulsating in his vision.The False Face Society burst in with a cacophony that reverberated through the hallowed halls of the museum. The boy's palms grew slick with anticipation behind his gloves. This was it, the moment he had waited for-the opportunity to prove himself. The thieves moved with a confidence that spoke of experience, their costumes a chilling mockery of Gotham's elite.Tim soon realized his mistake. The guard he had knocked out was still lying in the open, a potential target for their wrath. His mind did the mathematical probabilities of the situation. If they found the guard, their alarm would be raised, and their element of surprise would be lost. With a silent curse, he dashed back through the vent, his costume blurring the lines of the shadows.Emerging from the vent, he found the guard exactly where he had left him. Closer and closer, the echoing of feet in the corridor reminded him of the four counts of an ominous drum. Tim's scooped the unconscious man into his arms and sprinted down the hallway. His eyes darted around, looking for a place to hide them both. The numbers in his vision painted a map of danger zones, and he knew he had to move fast.Just as he turned a corner, he heard the sound of shattering glass and the yells of the museum's security. The False Face Society had announced its arrival. Tim leapt into a nearby janitor's closet, carefully setting the guard on the floor and tugging the door closed behind him. He could feel the tremble in the floor of their footsteps approaching his position.Tim's mind worked through the numbers-the time it would take for Batman to engage the criminals and the most likely escape routes they would take. He would have to be ready to move the instant the chaos began. He could feel the tension in the air, like a coiled spring waiting to be released.The moment of truth arrived as the dark form swooped from above, hurtling into the group of thieves like a meteor. Tim watched through the closet door as the Dark Knight's fists and feet found purchase on the bodies of the baddies. Cracking bones and grunts merged into a cacophony, punctuated by the unmistakable metallic ring of metal clashing with metal and Batarangs finding their mark.Tim knew he couldn't stay hidden for long. The fight was intense-a symphony of chaos and precision. He counted the moments until he could join the fray. With a final breathe, he pushed open the door, stepping into the battle like a knight into a dragon's lair.The thieves did not even see him coming. Tim's costume blended in with the shadows, only a ghostly apparition. His fists and feet flew with the elegance of a mathematician working his way through an elegant equation; every hit, every kick a perfect solution to the problem before him. The thieves stumbled backward in surprise at this sudden apparition, a new Robin."Isn't robin dead?" One of the thieves snarled; his voice was muffled by the grotesque mask he was wearing.Tim winced but didn't show it. "Not anymore," he quipped, flying fists and feet.The thieves were no match under the combined onslaught of Batman and Robin. The numbers danced in Tim's head, predicting their every move; but still, something was off. He couldn't shake the feeling that the real threat was elsewhere.As the last thug fell, the caped duo stood back to back, surveying the room. The air was heavy with the smell of fear and desperation. Batman's eyes narrowed. "Where's Sionis?" he growled low.Tim's mathematical mind had already finished analyzing the data. "He's not here," he said, his voice tight with tension. "The patterns of their movements, the way they communicated… they're just pawns."Batman nodded curtly. "I knew it. Sionis would never show his face for a heist like this."Tim watched as Batman efficiently and silently managed to secure the downed thieves with a series of practiced motions. His mind followed the numbers and patterns spinning in his vision as he tried to puzzle together what the actual goal of the False Face Society really was. The villains are caught, but there's still a young night ahead. "We need to find him," Tim said, his voice echoing the urgency of his thoughts.Batman nodded, his cape billowing around him. "I've called the police. They should be here momentarily." Tim paid more attention to the Dark Knight's tense stance and the way he was already scanning the room for any kind of clue that could lead them to Sionis.They emerged from the museum as wails of sirens became louder. The night air was starkly contrasting against the stuffy confinement within the building, a cool balm on the skin oozing with Tim's sweats. The sound of footsteps and shouts began to drift further and further away as they moved further away from the scene, melting into the city shadows.