Chapter 1: They Remind Me Of Them

A sixteen year old Nightwing walked into the Cave. The rest of team was already training when he walked in. He stood next to Aqualad, looking at their two newest recruits.

This was one of those days that he hates more than others. Even more painful than the anniversary of his parent's death. This anniversary was the day that the two most important people in his life were taken from him.

''How you doing, my friend,'' Aqualad asked.

''I'm fine, Kaldur,'' Nightwing responded. ''Why'd you ask?''

''I've known you for a long time, my friend,'' Kaldur says. ''Every year, like clockwork, you always seem down on this day. The others may not notice, but I do.''

''In their defense, they aren't you,'' Nightwing said.

''It would help if you told someone,'' Kaldur told him. ''I'm not Black Canary, but I am willing to listen.''

Aqualad was always one of the people to go to for comfort, other than . And he was right. Only Batman ever knew what this day meant to him. He'd been searching for them since he started being Robin when he was nine. That was seven years ago. He never even told Kid Flash, and he was his best friend.

''Here's not the place to talk,'' Nightwing said. ''Let's go to the grotto.''

The grotto was a place meant to honor fallen heroes. There were holographic statues of each of the heroes. Like Ted Chord (Blue Beetle), Jason Todd (Robin/Red Hood), and Tula (Aqua Girl). The two heroes stood in front of the Robin hologram.

''Tell me what's been bothering you,'' Kaldur says.

''Today's never been my favorite day of the year,'' Nightwing told him. ''You can't tell the team any of this.''

''I give you my word,'' Kaldur said.

''I have two brothers,'' Nightwing explained. ''We were supposed to be triplets, but I was born a few months before them. We were closer to each other than to our parents, inseparable. But when we were six, they were kidnapped. Taken from me by two low-lives. I haven't seen them in ten years. Today is the anniversary of when they were taken.''

''I'm sorry, Nightwing,'' Kaldur apologized. ''I didn't know.''

''Batman's the only ones that does,'' Nightwing informed. ''Not even Wally knows. Cause between you an me, he isn't the best listener.''

''At least you told someone,'' Kaldur put his hand on his friend's shoulder.

''Thanks, Kaldur,'' Nightwing said as they went back up to the training room.

And he was right, it did make him feel better. Batman had always helped with his searches, but the ever emotionless hero was not the best at comforting. Having a friend know helped him feel so much better.

One of their two newest recruits was sparing with Wally.

Garfield ''Gar'' Logan, Beast Boy. After a blood transfusion from , he gained the power to change into any animal. When Queen Bee had his mother killed, Ma'gann adopted him as her younger brother. Superboy also liked seeing him as his younger brother. A shapeshifter, martian, and a clone, not the weirdest family ever known.

Their other recruit was Jaime Reyes, Blue Beetle. He had alien tech that had attached itself to his back, giving him powerful armor. It also talked to him, but he never told anyone that. They just think he talks to himself, a lot. (There's no Robin, Wonder Girl, Batgirl, Bumblebee, Guardian, Static, Lagoon Boy, Zatanna, Rocket, or Arsenal)

''You ready for the Wall-man,'' Wally boasted, preparing to run.

''The best things come in small packages,'' Gar threw back.

''This just might be fun after all,'' Wally smirked.

He sped toward the green boy. But Beast Boy used his monkey-like movements to swiftly jump over him. He changed into an actual monkey, then jumped onto Kid Flash's head. He took the term ''monkey business'' to a whole new level.

Most of the team was bursting into laughter. Even the stern and serious Superboy and Aqualad were having a hard time keeping straight faces.

''Finally, someone's that's actually funny,'' Artemis laughed.

''That's my job,'' Wally said, throwing Beast Boy off him.

''You can't just give yourself that job,'' Ma'gann giggled. ''Especially since your idea of being funny are bad puns and cheesy jokes. They're not funny.''

''Hey,'' Wally protested.

But a BANG shut him up. Beast Boy had landed on top of him as a bear. The platform read ''Kid Flash- Fail.''

''Do you really think my sister wouldn't tell me that your weakness is that big mouth of yours,'' Gar smiled.

He ran to , who was smiling with pride. Superboy patted his head. Nightwing looked at the two boys. Their brother-like relationship reminded him of his own brothers.

*****Flashback*****

The crowd burst into applause a six year old White Grayson took his bow in the center ring. He had just finished a performance of ''Clarity'' and was tired. He went over to his brothers, who were at the other side of the ring.

''You were amazing, as usual, little bro,'' Dick complimented. ''Danny, your special effects are incredible.''

''It's just a lot of lighting, a lot of glitter, and a lot of luck,'' Danny Grayson shrugged. ''I may be a genius, but anyone could do this.''

''I just love to sing,'' White smiled. ''Mama și tata (mom and dad) always prefer us to be on the ground, anyway. You're the real trapeze star of the three of us.''

''Pros of being the oldest sibling,'' Dick laughed.

''Uh... where did Danny go,'' White asked, looking around.

''He really needs to teach me to do that,'' Dick says.

''Looking for me,'' Danny chuckled, materializing from behind White's back and scaring the living daylights off of him.

''Are you trying to give me a heart attack,'' White panted, holding his heart. ''I'm only six and I think you've stopped my heart about three times from these scares.''

Dick laughed at his two younger brothers. There was always the continuous traits that they'll always have. Danny was always a curious and adventurous spirit, the type you would want on Indiana Jones type things. White was a kind and gentle soul, the ones that you just can't help but like.

''My little siren, Ghosty,'' Dick laughed, hugging them. ''I love you two.''

''We love to, big brother,'' White said.

The two always wore the pendents he gave them for their last birthday. Danny's was a cleshe white ghost, but more adorable than scary. White's was a golden lyre, which represents a pure heart in magic.

*****End Flashback*****

''Nightwing,'' Kaldur called, waving his hand in front of his face.

''What, what,'' Nightwing says, snapping out of his trance.

''You spaced out for a second there,'' Kaldur told him. ''You seemed like you were a hundred miles away.''

''I just got lost in thought, that's all,'' Nightwing said.

''You were staring at Garfield and Conner,'' Kaldur reminded. ''Were you thinking about them.''

''Their brother-like relationship just reminds me of them,'' Nightwing says. ''I just want to know where they are.''