Bab 1: Chapter 1
**Chapter 1 : Training Day**
Adam rolled his eyes as he slumped into the leather chair in the Batcave, watching Bruce Wayne—Batman—silently move about, checking his gear, his focus sharp as ever. The Batcomputer's soft hum filled the cave as its giant screen flickered with security footage from around Gotham. Adam's leg bounced up and down restlessly as he waited for Bruce to say something—anything. It had been like this for months, the endless training sessions, the constant drills. All leading up to nothing.
He cracked his knuckles, eyes darting to Bruce's figure. "You know, for a guy who calls himself 'The Dark Knight,' you could at least try to be a little more dramatic. Maybe toss me a cape and let me leap off a rooftop or two?"
Bruce didn't look up from his gauntlet as he adjusted the tension in the grappling hook mechanism. "You're not ready."
"I've been hearing that for *months*, man!" Adam groaned, throwing his arms up. "I've done the combat training, the detective work, the stealth drills. I can do the whole Robin thing."
Bruce's head finally turned, those piercing blue eyes locking onto Adam's, and for a moment, the younger boy's quip froze in his throat. Batman had a way of staring right through you—like he could see every crack, every doubt.
"I don't need a Robin who *thinks* he's ready," Bruce said quietly. "I need someone who *knows*."
Adam slouched back, folding his arms with a pout that wasn't doing his case any favors. "You're not exactly making it easy to 'know' when you won't even take me on a real patrol."
Bruce turned away, the conversation clearly over in his mind, as he strapped the gauntlet back on. Adam watched as he tested the grappling hook, firing it off into the darkness of the cave.
"Fine. Just keep pretending I'm some helpless kid sitting on the bench," Adam muttered under his breath. "I've been here a year already…"
The echo of the grappling hook retracting filled the cavern, followed by Bruce's voice, calm and collected. "You've been here a year, but you've only just started learning, Adam. You need patience. And discipline."
"I *am* disciplined." Adam shot back, standing up now, fists clenched. "I've trained harder than any kid should have to. I know Gotham better than anyone else my age, and you know it."
Bruce stood still for a moment, letting the silence sink in before he turned back. "That's why I'm not taking you out yet. Gotham isn't just another place. It will test you, push you to your limits, and make you question everything you know. You need more than just skill, Adam. You need the right mindset."
"Mindset," Adam echoed sarcastically. "Right."
Bruce strode past him, grabbing his cowl and heading for the Batmobile. "Alfred's upstairs. Spend time with him tonight. You've got more puzzles to work through."
"Puzzles," Adam grumbled. "Great. Maybe I can learn how to find missing socks too." He caught the slight flicker of a smile on Bruce's face as he climbed into the Batmobile, but as the engine roared to life, Adam's irritation flared again.
As the Batmobile sped away, the echoes of its departure fading, Adam felt the empty cave swallow him in its cold silence.
"Of course, *I'm* not ready," he muttered. "But he was ready at my age to go out and punch criminals in the face."
He sighed, the weight of being so close to what he wanted and yet so far from actually achieving it settling on his shoulders. Alfred, with his usual impeccable timing, descended the staircase from Wayne Manor, carrying a tray of tea and what looked like some freshly made sandwiches.
"Master Adam," Alfred greeted with a warm, almost fatherly smile. "I see you've been given another thrilling evening of mind exercises?"
Adam huffed, plopping back down into the chair as Alfred placed the tray on the table. "Yep. While Gotham burns, I get to sit around and solve riddles. Fun."
Alfred's eyes twinkled with amusement as he poured the tea. "It may not seem glamorous, but the mind is your most powerful weapon, Master Adam. Far more powerful than any batarang or grappling hook. I seem to recall a certain young man being quite thrilled with his progress a few months ago."
"Yeah, because I thought it would lead to something more than staying home *every* night." Adam took a sip of tea, but the warmth did little to soothe his frustrations. "It's just… I don't get it. He trusts me enough to train me. Why not just take me out with him?"
Alfred's smile softened, and he took a seat across from Adam. "Master Wayne… is not always the easiest man to understand. He holds you to high standards because he knows what's out there. He's seen firsthand what Gotham can do to people—especially those who are unprepared."
Adam looked down at his tea, swirling it in his cup. "I know all that. It's just hard, you know? Watching him go out there, knowing I could be doing the same thing. I'm ready for this."
Alfred leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Perhaps. But remember, even when Master Wayne was starting out, he had to learn that this path isn't just about fighting. It's about control. Patience. And knowing when to act—and when not to."
Adam frowned, his mind racing as he thought about everything Bruce had drilled into him over the last year. How to think like a detective, how to analyze a scene, how to break down every detail until you could see the bigger picture. He was getting better at it, he knew that. But he couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing—some piece of the puzzle he hadn't figured out yet.
"Alright, alright." Adam sighed, grabbing the puzzle book Alfred had set out for him. "I'll give it another shot."
Alfred stood, giving a small, approving nod. "Very good, Master Adam. I shall be in the study if you need anything."
As Alfred walked away, Adam flipped open the puzzle book, skimming over the familiar riddles. He'd done this a hundred times by now—solving puzzles, cracking codes, learning to think three steps ahead of his opponents. But tonight, his mind was elsewhere.
*What does it take to really be ready?*
Adam leaned back in his chair, staring at the page without really seeing it. His thoughts drifted back to Bruce. Batman, in his second year, was already a legend. No sidekick, no Robin, just him, a force of nature moving through Gotham's streets.
*He didn't need anyone. Why should I be any different?*
The thought came unbidden, and Adam's eyes narrowed. Maybe that was it. Maybe Bruce wasn't going to let him out there because he wasn't showing the same independence. If he was going to prove himself, maybe he needed to stop relying on Bruce to tell him when he was ready.
Adam closed the puzzle book with a snap and stood up. The cave was dark, lit only by the soft blue glow of the Batcomputer. His eyes drifted to the training area—a place he knew well. The weights, the obstacle course, the targets. He spent hours here, every day, pushing himself to the limit.
*I've been holding back.*
He moved toward the training mats, a newfound determination in his steps. If Bruce wasn't going to take him out on patrol, he'd just have to be ready on his own. He dropped into a stance, fists raised, and started working through the combat forms Bruce had drilled into him. Each punch, each kick was sharp, precise.
*I don't need to be told I'm ready. I can prove it.*
His strikes became faster, more fluid, as he moved across the mat. The frustration and anger that had been simmering inside him poured into each motion. He was more than ready. He had the skills, the knowledge.
*If Bruce could do it alone, so can I.*
After a while, his breath came in heavy gasps, his muscles burning from the effort. But the fire in his chest didn't die down. He kept moving, pushing himself harder, faster. It was almost like he could hear Bruce's voice in his head, telling him to focus, to stay controlled.
"Focus," Adam muttered to himself, throwing another series of punches. "I've got this."
As he moved through the drills, his mind began to clear. He wasn't just lashing out anymore—he was thinking, analyzing. Every move was deliberate, calculated. He imagined himself on a rooftop, facing Gotham's worst, and knew he could handle it.
When he finally stopped, drenched in sweat and out of breath, he stood in the middle of the training mat, his fists still clenched.
*Yeah. I'm ready.*
He was sure of it now.
As he walked back to the chair, Alfred reappeared at the bottom of the stairs, eyebrows raised slightly. "A bit of late-night training, I see?"
Adam wiped the sweat from his brow and grinned. "Just getting ready. Y'know, for when I'm finally out there."
Alfred smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "I have no doubt that you will be, Master Adam. In due time."
Adam sat back down in the chair, staring at the puzzle book Alfred had left for him. The edge of a nagging thought had been building all evening, and now it was gnawing at him, refusing to be ignored. His mind wandered back to Bruce, already out there in the night, dealing with whatever chaos Gotham was throwing at him tonight.
Adam felt a familiar pull in his chest, a temptation that had crept up before but never this strong.
*I could do it. Just one night.*
He glanced toward the dark corners of the Batcave, where his suit had been quietly stashed away for weeks. He hadn't told Bruce about it, obviously. The idea of wearing the original Robin costume—short shorts and pixie boots—was laughable. He'd made his own adjustments. Long sleeves, armored pants, and a battle-ready aesthetic that was more functional than flashy. No way was he going to run around in the outdated costume Bruce had originally shown him. He had too much self-respect for that.
He stood up slowly, the wheels turning in his mind. Alfred was busy upstairs, likely giving Bruce updates on the city's security feeds or making some tea. He had a window—small, but there.
*If I can just sneak out, follow Bruce from a distance…*
He could feel his pulse quicken at the thought. All this training, all the waiting, and now he had an opportunity to prove himself—to show Bruce he was more than just some kid in training.
His eyes darted to the hidden alcove in the cave where his suit was stashed. He hesitated for a second, biting his lower lip. *What's the worst that could happen?* He'd just tail Bruce, make sure he didn't get in the way. It wasn't like he'd engage anyone.
*Yeah, right.*
Before he could talk himself out of it, Adam moved quickly to the hidden compartment. He punched in a code on the side panel, and the wall slid open with a soft hiss, revealing the suit he had meticulously worked on for months. It hung there, the red and green shining in the dim light of the cave, the yellow R emblem prominent on the chest.
Adam ran a hand over the smooth, armored material. It was modeled after a blend of the best suits he'd studied from the comics he used to read. A bit of Jason Todd's tactical edge, mixed with the sleeker, more practical design Dick Grayson had used. It wasn't bulky, but it wasn't flimsy either. Definitely more suited for a real fight than some circus performer's outfit.
He pulled it off the hanger and started changing, feeling the weight of the armor settle on him. As he zipped up the jacket and tugged the cowl down over his head, a surge of adrenaline shot through his veins.
*This is it. No more waiting on the sidelines.*
Adam caught his reflection in one of the Batcave's many polished surfaces, and for a moment, he had to do a double-take. With his long black hair tucked behind the cowl and his sharp blue eyes staring back, he really did look a lot like Bruce. The resemblance was uncanny—enough to make anyone think he was Bruce Wayne's son, a fact he had learned to use to his advantage.
He buckled the utility belt around his waist, the pouches and gadgets feeling surprisingly natural. He had trained for this. He knew what he was doing.
"Alright," Adam muttered to himself, flexing his fingers in the gloves. "No going back now."
He made his way over to the Batcycle, sleek and dark, parked in the far corner of the cave. Bruce had shown him the controls but never let him use it. Adam had studied it enough on his own, though. He knew exactly how to start it without setting off any alarms.
As he swung a leg over the bike, he glanced over his shoulder, half-expecting Alfred to appear out of nowhere and scold him. But the cave remained silent.
*Perfect.*
He revved the engine, feeling the power rumble beneath him. The Batcave's hidden exit opened automatically as the Batcycle detected his approach, and in seconds, Adam was speeding down the tunnel and into the streets of Gotham, the cool night air hitting his face as the city opened up before him.
His heart raced as the dark city skyline loomed above him, the towering buildings casting long shadows over the streets. He knew where Bruce would be—he'd caught a glimpse of the map Bruce had been studying before he left. The East End. Rough part of town, where the crime never really slept.
Adam kept his distance, sticking to the quieter roads, the hum of the Batcycle barely a whisper compared to the cacophony of the city. He had no plans to engage in anything—just watch, learn, and maybe show Bruce he was more than ready to be Robin.
The city felt different from this angle, out in the open with the suit on. The streets felt more alive, buzzing with danger around every corner. Every alleyway could hold a threat, and every shadow could hide an ambush. But instead of fear, Adam felt a thrill, an excitement that had been missing in all those training sessions.
He sped through the streets, scanning the rooftops, looking for the telltale shadow of Bruce moving silently through the night. It didn't take long before he spotted him, perched on a high ledge overlooking one of the dingy bars that catered to Gotham's most unsavory crowd.
*There he is.*
Adam slowed the bike and parked it in a dark alley, slipping off and blending into the shadows. He moved quietly, keeping his distance but close enough to see Bruce in action. Batman didn't need backup, that much was clear, but that wasn't the point. Adam just wanted to be part of it—to feel like he wasn't wasting away in the cave anymore.
As he crouched behind a rusted dumpster, his eyes locked onto Bruce, who was watching something in the bar below. The door swung open, and three men stumbled out, clearly up to no good. Adam strained to hear, his heart beating faster as he saw Bruce tense up.
Then, without warning, Batman dropped down silently, landing between the thugs like a shadow come to life. The fight was over before it even began. Three punches, two kicks, and the men were on the ground, groaning in pain.
Adam couldn't help but smile. *That's what I'm talking about.*
But just as he was about to retreat, satisfied with his secret mission, something caught his eye—another figure moving in the shadows, creeping up behind Bruce. Adam's breath caught in his throat.
*Wait, who's that?*
The figure raised something—was that a gun? Adam's mind raced, and before he could think, he was moving.
Adam's heart hammered in his chest as he darted from the shadows, instincts kicking in before his mind could fully process the situation. He wasn't thinking—just reacting. The figure behind Bruce raised the gun, the dull glint of the barrel catching a sliver of moonlight.
"Batman, behind you!" Adam hissed through clenched teeth, his feet pounding the pavement as he closed the distance.
The figure turned, startled by Adam's voice, but it was too late. Adam was already mid-leap, tackling the guy from behind and knocking him off balance. The gun clattered to the ground, skidding across the asphalt, and Adam rolled into a crouch, fists up and ready.
Batman spun around, eyes narrowing as he took in the scene. "What the—"
"I got this!" Adam cut him off, his heart still racing, adrenaline flooding his system. He shot Bruce a quick glance before turning his focus back on the thug, who was scrambling to his feet. "You're welcome, by the way."
The man lunged at Adam, swinging wildly, but Adam was faster. He ducked the punch and came up with a quick jab to the man's ribs, followed by an uppercut that sent him sprawling to the ground.
Bruce was already moving, grabbing the fallen gun and securing it before approaching Adam. His expression was unreadable behind the cowl, but Adam could feel the tension radiating off him.
"You weren't supposed to be here," Batman said, his voice low and controlled, though Adam could hear the frustration bubbling just below the surface.
Adam stood up straight, wiping the back of his glove across his mouth. "Yeah, well, if I wasn't here, you'd have a bullet in your back."
"I had it under control." Bruce's tone left no room for argument, but Adam wasn't in the mood to back down.
"You didn't see him," Adam argued, crossing his arms over his chest, his frustration returning full force. "You always talk about how Gotham's unpredictable, right? Well, maybe you didn't predict me being here, but I *helped*. You can't deny that."
Bruce's eyes narrowed as he stepped closer, towering over Adam. "You disobeyed me. You're not ready."
Adam clenched his jaw, the familiar sting of being underestimated flaring up again. "I'm never going to be ready if you keep sidelining me. I know what I'm doing. I just proved it!"
Batman's gaze was cold and unwavering. "You proved that you're reckless."
"Reckless?" Adam scoffed, his voice rising despite himself. "I stopped that guy from putting a bullet in your back! How is that reckless?"
"There are protocols. You need to *think* before you act." Bruce's voice was harsh now, the calm, measured tone cracking. "I've told you time and time again: patience is just as important as strength. Charging in like that could have gotten you killed."
Adam's face flushed with anger, his hands balling into fists at his sides. "And sitting in the cave doing puzzles is going to prepare me for that?"
"It's more than puzzles," Bruce snapped. "It's about building the right mindset. Learning to control your emotions, to think through every move."
Adam shook his head, stepping back in frustration. "You don't get it. You had no one when you started. You were out here alone at my age, figuring it out on the fly. Why can't I do the same?"
Bruce's jaw tightened, and for a second, something flickered in his eyes—regret, maybe? Or was it frustration? It was hard to tell with him. He turned his back on Adam, surveying the unconscious thugs with a quick, methodical glance before turning back.
"I didn't have a choice," Bruce said, his voice quieter now, almost weary. "You do."
Adam's heart clenched at that. He wanted to say something—anything—to bridge the gap between them. But he couldn't shake the feeling that Bruce was holding him back for reasons that had nothing to do with his readiness. It was like Bruce was afraid of letting him in too close, afraid of what might happen if he let Adam out into Gotham's chaos.
"I'm not just some kid who's going to sit around waiting for permission forever, Bruce," Adam said, his voice steadier now. "I know the risks. I've trained for this. I'm ready to help."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence between them stretched out, thick with tension and unspoken words. Finally, Bruce sighed, rubbing a hand across his face.
"You want to be ready?" he said, his tone hard again. "Then prove it. But not like this. You want my trust? You earn it by listening, not by sneaking out behind my back."
Adam bit the inside of his cheek, his frustration still simmering, but he could see the fight wasn't going anywhere tonight. Bruce wasn't going to change his mind—not now, at least.
"So what now?" Adam muttered. "I just go back to the cave and... do more puzzles?"
"Tonight? Yes," Bruce said, his voice firm. "You'll head back. We'll talk more about this in the morning."
Adam opened his mouth to protest but closed it when he saw Bruce's expression. There was no budging. Not tonight.
With a resigned huff, Adam turned away, heading back toward the alley where he'd left the Batcycle. He could feel Bruce watching him the entire time, like a shadow looming over his every move. Part of him wanted to scream, to argue more, but the logical part of his brain told him it was pointless.
As he revved the engine of the Batcycle and sped off into the night, Adam's mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions—frustration, anger, but also that burning need to prove himself.
*I'll show him,* Adam thought, gripping the handlebars tightly as he tore through Gotham's streets. *I'll show him I'm more than just some sidekick waiting in the wings.*
As the lights of the Batcave came into view, Adam felt a weight settle on his shoulders. Tonight hadn't gone how he'd planned. He had thought that sneaking out, following Bruce, would finally prove he was ready to be out there. But instead, it had just pushed him further away from the one person who could decide when he was really ready.
He parked the Batcycle in its spot and peeled off his helmet, running a hand through his messy black hair. The suit suddenly felt too heavy, too confining. He'd wanted to feel powerful, like he belonged out there. But now, all he felt was like a kid trying on a costume that didn't quite fit.
Adam walked over to the changing area, stripping out of the Robin suit and hanging it back in the hidden alcove. As he stood there in his civilian clothes, staring at the suit he'd spent so long customizing, he couldn't help but feel... small. Like the suit was a reminder of everything he wasn't yet.
He took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair again. "Guess it's back to the drawing board," he muttered to himself.
The cave was quiet, save for the soft hum of the Batcomputer in the distance. As Adam made his way toward the exit, he couldn't help but wonder if he'd ever really be ready in Bruce's eyes.
— Bab baru akan segera rilis — Tulis ulasan
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone