The apprentice of fear.
Fright Knight had many apprentices throughout his unlife, many of whom ended up being consumed by power and, in their arrogance, betrayed him and tried to take his place as the king's knight. Others thought they were better and, in their ignorance, abandoned their training prematurely...
They were all fools...
Fools who, although they had the potential to be great knights, were too proud, unstable, and self-destructive, and it was those flaws that killed them again...
The last time he looked for a possible apprentice, he noticed Lady Gotham's protectors. She spent her time raving about them and assured him that one of them would surely make the perfect squire. He wasn't so convinced...
But once there, he felt it...
Inside one of those protectors alived a proto-core that seemed to call out to him as soon as it sensed Fright Knight was nearby. It was small, developing, and obviously belonged to someone still who was alive, but it was strong enough to express everything Fright Knight needed to know...
Sadness-insecurity-inadequacy-fear-danger-exhaustion-longing-desire-doubt-waiting-hope...
Look for me...
Look for me!
LOOK FOR ME!
His core couldn't help but respond to the pleas of what would obviously be a very powerful future ecto-entity, an ecto-entity that seems to be connected to him... Yes, Fright Knight has made up his mind, training the young ghost to be a knight so that, like Fright Knight himself, he will become the new knight of the new king...
Just wait, young warrior, Fright Knight is coming for you!
――――
A growing hope accumulated in Tim's chest (he feels it's too literal...) and all he could do was believe in that hope. Can you blame him? It's the only thing he's ever done in his entire life. He had hope when his parents promised to come for each of his birthdays. He had hope when he decided to become the new Robin. He had hope when he found a family in Young Us. He had hope when he went to prove that Bruce was alive. Hope seemed to be the only thing keeping him going...
Everything will be alright...
He will come for him!
Things will get better...
His purpose is near!
Things with his family will improve...
His mentor will protect him!
Tim has hope...
We will spread it throughout all the kingdoms!
He will come...
He will come!
What?