(I do not own any of the TT or YJ characters. Everything belongs to DC and their perspective creators.)
Prologue
Suspended
Gotham City
11:00 pm
January 3 2010
The assassin Deathstroke has escaped Blackwell Penitentiary yesterday along side with the expert hitman known as Deadshot.
GCPD's on high alert to recapture the escaped convicts. And so as Batman.
"Deathstroke was seen here yesterday," Robin said without looking away from the hologram from his holo-gloves. "We might find a clue here. What do you think?"
Batman didn't respond.
The Caped Crusader and the Boy Wonder stood by the rooftop of an abandoned warehouse shadowing the Gotham City Docks. The two of them has been tracking the assassin duos since their breakout from Blackwell. And since the breakout, Robin became jumpy to prove himself a true hero to Batman…
And prove that he's more on just a sidekick…
"The place was cleared yesterday as well," Batman noted. "We might as well investigate."
Robin nodded. The hologram projected by his gloves vanished.
Together, the two of them descended to the scene.
...
Deathstroke was getting away. And someone has to stop him.
When the Dynamic Duo landed, Deadshot appeared out of nowhere and fired his sniper rifle at Batman.
The bullet was easily ricocheted by the Dark Knight's cape. In a blink, Robin threw a batarang at the hitman. The projectile hit Deadshot's rifle which flew off his hands.
"Floyd Lawton aka Deadshot, you are under arrest," Batman growled. "Surrender and I'll make things easy."
Deadshot laughed.
"Batman, you are a weakling," He said. "How could you stop every villain if they kept coming back? Why won't you kill?"
Batman rushed towards the sniper and slammed him in the warehouse wall.
"And where is justice if you yourself were the one killing a man?" He yelled.
Robin tensed.
He looked above the warehouses.
Something's not right…
Before Robin could react, dozens of masked men jumped from the shadows. All of them wore orange and black uniforms.
Deathstroke's minions.
Deadshot activated his guns fixed in his arm and fired, luckily for Batman; he managed to move away as the bullet flew by. He thrust his heavy fist on Deadshot's stomach, knocking the sniper to sleep.
Robin ran to his partner's side. The minions were closing in, surrounding the duo.
"Batman," A voice said from the shadows. "We meet again."
Deathstroke emerged into the light. His face was covered by an orange and black mask except for his right eye.
"Deathstroke," Batman sneered. "Call of your minions."
"And why would I do that?" Deathstroke mocked.
"So we can end this easy." Robin answered mischievously.
"Ah, the Boy Wonder," Deathstroke mused. "Such shame you will face your demise this way. Your potential is somewhat… interesting."
"What do you mean?" Robin yelled.
"Robin, calm down," Batman ordered. "Let's end this."
"Shall we?" Deathstroke laughed.
Strike now, Kaldur'ahm. Batman said in his mind.
Out of nowhere, the Bio-ship appeared in the sky with Miss Martian and Rocket. In a blur, Kid Flash zigzagged across the ground knocking down Deathstroke's minions. Aqualad appeared by the docks with his Water Bearers ready. Superboy landed in the middle of the field throwing off balance to some of Deathstroke's minions. In the roof tops, Artemis fired her bow knocking more minions. Last was Zatanna who appeared beside the duo.
"Take them down!" Aqualad barked as he summoned the waters to propel him forward.
The Team moved with speed and accuracy. Every move was synced and well organized. Robin was proud to be a member of it.
Deathstroke wasn't surprised. He took a pair of kunai and threw it in front Batman's feet. The Dark Knight didn't seem to notice since he's fighting five minions at a time.
The kunai exploded releasing smoke.
"Perhaps another time," Deathstroke hissed in the darkness. "This won't be the last time we face, Robin."
That snapped Robin.
He rushed towards the assassin's voice with anger, knocking anyone in his way.
Robin, stay where you are! Batman said in Robin's head.
I'm going after Deathstroke. Robin yelled back.
Delay that, Batman snapped. The Team needs you here. We have Deadshot. We'll find Deathstroke after—
No, Robin snapped back. Bruce, I think it's time to prove I'm not just a protégé.
Dick, Batman tried to reason but Robin was already far away from the Link.
...
By the time Robin caught up with Deathstroke, the assassin was already boarding a helicopter.
"Robin," Deathstroke said with delight. "Come to say goodbye?"
"You're not going anywhere," Robin yelled as he fired his bat-claw at the chopper's base. "Surrender!"
Deathstroke seems to be pleased with Robin's actions.
"Lower the chopper," He ordered the pilot. "I'd like to talk to the Boy Wonder himself."
The helicopter flew lower, giving Deathstroke the height to leap down to the rooftop.
"So," Deathstroke began. "What do you want?"
"I want you to be thrown back in jail." Robin sneered.
"Fine then," Deathstroke mused. "Let's play."
The assassin ran to Robin with a metal staff ready. Robin took a batarang and threw it at the assassin. Deathstroke easily deflected the projectile with his forearm.
The two of them engaged into combat. Deathstroke lashed with his staff while Robin dodged. The Boy Wonder tried to land a kick at Deathstroke but the staff met his attack, throwing Robin of a distance from Deathstroke.
"Had enough?" Deathstroke mocked.
"No." Robin spat.
"Let me make this easy for you," Deathstroke retracted his staff and returned it back to his belt. "Hand to hand…"
"Argh!" Robin roared in frustration. He closed his fist to hit Deathstroke. "Take this!"
Deathstroke dodged the attack. Robin tried another hit but the assassin easily ducked out of the way. Robin used a kick but Deathstroke took advantage and threw him off balance.
Deathstroke attacked with speed hitting Robin in every punch. Robin collapsed in front of Deathstroke.
"You disappoint me, Robin…" Deathstroke sighed. "I hope you might stand a chance the next time we face."
He turned his back from Robin who groaned helplessly in pain. Deathstroke boarded the chopper again with smooth motion like he was not tired during their fight.
"Ta-ta for now, Robin," He said. "I'll see again soon."
Then, Robin's vision everything went black.
...
Mount Justice
10:46 am
January 4 2010
"What you did was unacceptable," Batman said calmly. "Chasing off a criminal without orders and putting the Team at risk is very irresponsible for you to do, Robin. You also defied a direct order from a League member."
The Team succeeded in defeating every single one of Deathstroke's minions which were revealed to be androids and every member is currently resting in Mount Justice: the first HQ of the Justice League.
Robin wasn't given rest though. Instead, he was taken aside by different Leaguers from Captain Marvel to Batman.
The two of them were talking in the guidance room without anyone else with them. Batman stood beside Robin who was on one of the chairs. Robin wasn't comfortable with that, though.
He hasn't spoke to any of his teammates since last night. He was beginning to feel… alone.
"What happened back there, Dick?" Batman said in disappointment. "It's like you changed when you went after Deathstroke. And the part when you wanted to prove yourself surprised me more. What did you mean?"
Robin didn't respond.
"Dick, you are not just a sidekick," Batman pleaded. "You are my son and there's nothing that could change that."
Robin glared at his 'partner'.
"Why do you treat me like a sidekick then?" Robin stood from the chair. "If I am your son: I'm still second to you. I will always be in your shadow. You never even treat me like a true partner. I know you keep secrets from me Bruce. To you, I'm just another protégé."
Batman was silent for a moment.
"Robin," He began. "The Team and the whole League has decided to put you into suspension until we say so."
Robin's eyes widened.
"You can't do that," He yelled. "You can't control me anymore."
Robin took of his mask and holo-gloves in disgust.
"From now on, I work alone…" Robin said meeting Batman's eyes. "I quit the Team and I quit your 'partnership'."
Robin turned away and walked to the door.
"Dick," Batman called out. "Dick, I order you to stand down."
Robin froze from opening the door.
"Too late," He said. "You can't control me anymore…"
With that, Robin left Batman without looking back.
*That's it for Prologue. Sorry if my fight scenes (and the argument) is kinda rusty but I'll try to fix that soon enough.*
*Next episode: Go! – Robin leaves Batman and the Team and moves on to Jump City, hoping for a new beginning as a lone hero… or is he…*
(I do not own any of the TT or YJ characters. Everything belongs to DC and their perspective creators.)
