It's been a year since Richard stepped foot inside a Jaeger. A year since his best friend Wally was deemed unable to pilot after their fight with a Kaiju called Bonesquid went south. They were incredibly lucky that the titanium rod that replaced the tibia in Wally's leg was the worst they got out of it.

The reason why Richard was standing right now at the entrance to the Gotham Shatterdome for the first time in four years was plain and simple - he needed a new co-pilot. After his recovery, he started searching for someone he was drift compatible with, but it proved to be harder than he thought. Turns out just because you were able to drift with four separate people doesn't mean everyone is as insane as you.

Marshall Bruce Wayne (and also, his adoptive father) called him two days ago saying that there was someone promising he could try drifting with. A Mark IV Jaeger named 'Azure Paladin' has recently lost one of its pilots and was in dire need of a replacement. Richard trusted Bruce - has even been in the man's head a few times during their career as pilots of the 'Dark Knight' - so he didn't think twice before getting the nearest flight to Gotham.

He was pulled from his thoughts by the approaching form of his adoptive father, followed by another person clad in a military uniform partially hidden under their coat. The symbol shining on the material over their heart indicated that they were a Ranger, and the revelation made Richard's heart skip a beat in excitement. Could it be the one?

"Ranger Grayson." Spoke Bruce, all Marshall-voice and an expression on his face that demanded respect. Richard instinctively straightened his back, nodding back in greeting.

"It's good to have you back." The older man's lips lifted up in a small smile despite his stern demeanor, clearly happy about seeing his son after so long. Then, he turned to the person standing next to him, his face once again turning indifferent. "Let me introduce you two…”