So, I was thinking the other day (warning: thinking is very dangerous, don't try it at home!) about sayings and how we tend to say things out of habit. Then I also started thinking a little bit about Robin's history/heritage and noticed that while I have read many stories that talked about his past there is one thing that I haven't really seen mentioned, so I decided to do it myself. This is a one shot, so the story is complete- it actually came out a lot longer than I thought it would.
Disclaimer: I do not claim to own YJ or anything related to Batman or anything in the DC universe.
Please Read, Review, and Enjoy.
Chapter 1: Hack and Hijack
Batman hasn't assigned any missions to the young team of protégés for almost 3 weeks. The Team's residential computer genius, Robin, hacked into the League's alert system to get a heads up on the next alert before the League does. It worked like a charm, within hours the Team got an alert in Gotham. Dick knew that Bruce was out of town for a business meeting and was already familiar with Gotham, so he figured this would be a perfect assignment for the Team to hijack. What was even more perfect was that Aqualad was out helping Aquaman, which meant that Robin would be the leader in this mission.
The mission was at the headquarters of an insurance company in downtown Gotham; the Joker was holding the staff hostage. Apparently he had a score to settle with the insurance company's president, who he has filed multiple complaints to regarding the mental health coverage policies, all of which have seemed to have gone ignored. The Joker plans on holding everyone hostage until he could speak to the president face-to-face, unfortunately he picked a bad time to do this as the president was only on day 3 of a 2 week long cruise. The Joker threatened that if he didn't speak to the president within 24 hours, he would gas the whole office with a planted bomb containing enough lethal Joker venom to spread throughout the 3 story office building. Fortunately, the other office suites were separated and the people in the other suites were able to escape safely.
The Team arrived in Gotham within seconds via Zeta Tube. Robin hacked into the building's security footage with his holographic computer, which reviled a clip of the Joker using non-lethal Joker venom to incapacitate the hostages so he could tie them up and stuff them into a supply closet. Robin then brought up a digital blueprint of the building.
"Miss M, establish a mental link." The youngest member requested.
'Done.' Miss Martian confirmed mentally.
'How are we supposed to get inside without anyone noticing?' Artemis asked.
'Yeah, the place is on lock-down and the cops have the entrance surrounded.' Superboy chimed in.
'According to the blueprints, there's an outside vent on the other side that we can use to get in.' Robin informed the Team. 'Everyone, follow me.'
They ran to the other side of the building. Robin opened the vent, which was a bit narrower than some of the vents they had worked with before; but still considerably roomy for the lean Boy Wonder. Robin army crawled his way into the vent and was followed by Kid Flash, Miss Martian, Superboy, and Artemis; in that order. The line leader kept his holographic computer open for directions.
'Robin, slow down.' Superboy complained 'I know vents are kind of your thing, but some of us have a harder time squeezing through tight spaces.' Conner said, referring to his large muscular build.
'Tell me about it.' Artemis chimed in, 'These hips were definitely not made for fitting into tight, cramped spaces.'
'So what exactly were your hips made for?' Kid Flash couldn't help but comment.
'Wally!' Everyone mentally reprimanded in unison at the perverted comment of the gingered speedster.
'What?' Wally asked, as if he were innocent.
'Alright everyone, enough.' Robin said. 'We'll scold Wally for his innuendos later. Right now, we need to concentrate.'
A few moments later, they found themselves at their desired location. Robin looked up and saw the last few hostages being tied up and shoved into a closet by the Joker. When he finished, Joker strolled into the manager's office to get back on the phone to negotiate with Commissioner Jim Gordon.
Robin used this time to fill in the rest of the Team.
'Alright, team: We have approximately 67 hostages they all appear to be unconscious from non-lethal Joker venom. They need medical attention soon or they may slip into permanent comas. We need to relocate all of the hostages safely, as well as locate the bomb to disarm it. KF and I will exit the vent in an empty room to start searching for the bomb. The rest of you try to relocate the hostages; but first wait until we can make sure the coast is clear before we can safely try to get all of the hostages out.' Robin ordered before heading over to the next room to see if Joker was distracted enough to start the plan.
"I don't care if the captain doesn't want to waste fuel for one passenger!" The Joker shouted. "If I don't see the company's president, in person, within the next 23 hours, hundreds of lives will be on her hands!" He paused to listen to the Commissioner's response before retorting: "For the last time, I don't want to use Skype or facetime! What part of 'in person' do you not understand?" Just then he looked down and something in the floor vent caught his eye. "Remember: 23 hours, Commissioner. And don't call me back until you have some good news." The Joker hung up the phone as he got up and walked to the other side of the room.
The Team tried to remain as quiet as possible when the Joker hung up the phone. Suddenly, the Joker lifted up the vent cover and grabbed inside to pull out the Boy Wonder by the collar of his shirt; thus, suspending the petite boy in mid-air to look him in the face.
"Well, well, well… The Boy Blunder himself." The Joker said with an evil grin on his face. "Let me guess, old Daddy-Bats is still under the vents?"
"Not quite." Robin said with a smirk, before mentally communicating 'I need back up, now!'.
The rest of the Team came out one by one from the vents. Kid Flash rushed to grab Robin from the Joker's clutches and the Team lined up across from the Joker.
"Well, if it isn't The Justice League's little sidekicks." Joker chuckled.
"We're not sidekicks!" The whole team shouted in unison, which only brought a wider smirk to the Joker's face.
"Hit a sore spot, did I?" The Joker chuckled as the teens glared at him, with the exception of Conner who rolled his eyes. "Well, I'm a bit offended as well. You see, I'm offended that Batman and the real Justice League sent the 'Junior Justice League' instead of coming here themselves. In fact, I feel a bit gypped."
'Uh-oh.' Kid Flash said mentally, no one else understood what the big deal was; they were used to hearing this stuff from their mentor's adversaries before.
"What did you say?" Robin asked out loud in a serious tone, as his face fell into a scowl.
"That's the problem with teenagers these days; they never listen the first time." The Joker muttered under his breath whilr shaking his head, before raising his voice louder. "I said that I've been gypped because the Justice League sent the junior squad instead of coming here to take me on themselves."
'Robin…?' Kid Flash thought, hoping his best friend would remain calm.
'New plan: on the count of 3 everyone back in the vents.' Robin instructed, 'I need Kid Flash and Superboy to get the hostages out. Artemis and Miss Martian: look for the bomb and deactivate it with this." The Boy Wonder pulled out a small flat magnetic device from his utility belt and sneakily handed it to the archer beside him. "I'll distract the Joker. Once you guys get the bomb deactivated, contact me.'
'Robin, are you sure?' The Martian asked 'What if he-'
'Yes, I'm sure.' Robin interrupted the green girl 'And that's an order.'
"What, no witty back talk from the Brat Brigade?" The Joker teased unaware of their mental conversation.
'1, 2, 3.' Robin said as he quickly grabbed a smoke pellet from his utility belt and hit it against the floor as a distraction. With that,everyone followed the instructions while The Boy Wonder let loose his infamous ninja cackle.
