I Chose This Costume Because It Was Already Tarnished...

Captain Boomerang...the current one's the son of the previous guy who bore the name. The last one was the guy who killed my dad nearly two years ago. Just recently, I teamed up with him in order to stop one of Joker's old mini-bombs from way back when from going off.

Though, Joker's comment to one of his henchmen could've been thought out better, if not humorous in a sense to begin with: "...Just plan to be on vacation in August of 2006." One of his contingency plans sent to hell thanks to the combined effort of a Titan and an Outsider.

I was civil with Boomerang for the majority of the mission, but I'm not ready to entirely put the past behind me when it comes to him. He says he's not his dad, but...something's just telling me to keep an eye on him. Not to mention, something that Rose told me back on Father's Day came back during said mission: "There's a darkness within you - a kinship between you and me - and you might not admit to having it, but deep down inside, you do. Don't ignore it." I wondered if Boomerang had a darkness within him because our fathers had killed each other. If so, he probably wouldn't admit it. Not like I would admit to it, either...not to him, anyway.


((Partial spoilers from Robin #153.))

The Brotherhood's plans were stopped...and it cost me any chance I could've had at bringing Conner back.

...To make matters worse, Cassie discovered my secret, and now that I've had time to calm down from my emotional state, I realize that she was right. Even if I'd been successful, after ninety-nine failed attempts, he wouldn't be the same. He wouldn't be the Superboy we'd grown up with.

I did something I haven't done in a long time-I told her what was in my heart, told her that I wanted Conner back, that I missed him...and then, with tears rolling down both our faces, we shared a kiss. Cassie left soon after that, shock and surprise evident in her eyes; I left my not-so-secret cave as well, but made sure the door was closed before making my way here.

I asked myself this a year ago, and standing on top of the Tower, I'm asking it again-what would Conner think of the events that just took place between Cassie and myself?


((Spoilers from Teen Titans #37))

The Tower was all but entirely empty this evening-I was it's only occupant. At least, for now. I'd gotten a call from Bruce, who told me something that I hadn't expected to hear come out of his mouth-at all.

Jason wanted to come back.

I had gone silent when Bruce admitted it to me, uncertain of how to accurately respond. I did tell him that I wouldn't leave the Tower until Jason got here.

Yeah-Jason needed to settle things with me, and wanted to do so at the same place we'd had our little coup de grace last time-the Tower. I was currently on the roof, even though I knew if Jason had anything else planned other than an explanation, I would have to try my best to avoid being street pizza-again-and try my hand at water polo.

Enough jokes, Drake. He'll be here, and you need to stay on your toes.

Bright and sunny. Quite different from last year. Though a number of things had changed in just one year. I could probably name them all with both hands, even if I didn't want to.

As the weekend came to a close, I found myself at the Gotham Cemetery, awaiting the arrival of one person who knew just what I was going through. She had gone through what I was experiencing, in one way or another.

The one I'm talking about is a very good friend of mine. I would've invited someone else, but I wasn't entirely sure if she would've been available today.

While staring at a picture that I would never get rid of I placed a few roses, thorns clipped off, next to a gravestone. I would never forget the individual who had taken her from me...!

"Happy Mother's Day, Mom..."

I hoped that my friend would actually show up, but if she wasn't able to, I would surely understand.

After a normal patrol in a stormy Gotham, I wasn't shaken up by nearly dying in a glass-shaped box set up for Batman and I by the Joker. We'd gotten out of that trap easily. No, I was more stunned by the return of Jason Todd-the guy who I replaced after Joker killed him, the guy who I fought at Titans Tower a while back, and won-even if I didn't win with fisticuffs.

Seeing him after a long absence shook me a bit; I couldn't stay in Gotham, at least not now. I had Batman drop me off at San Francisco, and assured him I would be back within a few days.

...With Jason having made his reappearance, there's no telling what he'll do, or who he'll hurt!

Whoa! I knew Cassie and I loved each other and all, but...


( Love Quiz Meme )

(silently standing on roof of Titans Tower at midnight)

.....Why?

2005...it brought about a lot of changes for me. I've had to deal with the losses of my father, Stephanie and a number of my friends. 2005 has brought me terrible pain. Yet, 2005 has also given me good fortune as well-it allowed Cassie and I to grow closer together, not just as friends, not just as boyfriend and girlfriend, but united as one.

2005 also saw a different change in me-I was adopted by Bruce Wayne on my eighteenth birthday and am now, like Dick before me, his adopted son.

2006 will see a different change in Robin-no longer will I be referred to as the Boy Wonder. Thanks to Alfred's fantastic work, I will debut the New Year in a new, updated costume-the belt, the cape, the suit...everything has been changed. The R symbol is the only thing that remains the same. After one year of protecting three cities at once-Gotham, Blüdhaven and San Francisco-I've decided to leave Blüdhaven in Dick's hands. He's got a handle on it, he knows the streets twice as well as I do, and he's made a home for himself. (grins) Hope he doesn't mind if I stop by every now and then.

(thinks) Oh, yeah-to all my friends, I wish you all a joyous and safe New Year!

Gotham's criminals had better beware-Robin, the Teen Wonder is here, and he's here to stay!