"Kid Clutz, you idiot! We're all gonna die, Thanks to you!" Artemis growled as the team was thrown into a cell by the Court of Owls.
"Well i'm soooo sorry Arty. Next time you can be the distraction!"
"You little..." Artemis began but was cut of by...
"Arguing isn't going to get us anywhere!" Superboy growled.
"I agree! We need a plan!" Miss Martian exclaimed.
"A plan to escape..." Aqualad whispered as he searched to cell for exits/escapes.
"Don't bother looking there is none. Trust me I would know. The court captured me and has been torturing me for the last 3 weeks so I would join them. They don't give much food either." A voice piped up from the opposite cell. It was quiet and cracked like it hadn't been used for a while.
"Who are you?" Kid Flash yelled.
"Show yourself! Unless you're coward!" Artemis added.
"So you're the ever so famous Young Justice Team, covert for the League. It's a pleasure to meet you." The figure stated strongly as he emerged from the shadows of the opposing was a boy, a raven haired boy. He wore a black hood, with a red tunic shirt, and black pants with combat boots.
"How do you know us?" Miss Martian questioned.
"I have my ways." th boy responded calmly.
"Kid, listen up, I just got captured, thrown into a cell, and annoyed by Kid Idiot over here. So unless you want to be decapitated THIS INSTANT, you better give us some info on yourself."
"Interesting... you act like you hate each other and yet when your most hated teammate is hurt you are ready to engage into battle with the opponent." the boy stated with a smirk.
"You better Shut the..." Artemis growls to be cut of by Aqualad "What my teammate is attempting to state is that it would be beneficial for both of us to understand each others strengths and weaknesses so we can plan our escape."
"That's where you're wrong Kaldur Ahm I know enough about each of you, for me to both, take you down and work with you." he stated.
"H..how do you know my name?" Aqualad questioned baffled.
"Not only yours. I know all of yours" Wally West, Artemis Crock, M'gann Morse or Megan Morse, Connor Kent, and Kaldur Ahm. I also know all the identities of the League, bit that will take frver to name, but trust me some of their identities are pretty crappy." he finished. The team stared awestruck.
"Wait, does that mean you know Batman's identity?" Wally questioned.
"Of course, first identity I figured out." The boy stated oblivious to the Teams amazement.
"No way...not even most of the leguers know his identity!" Wally yelled.
"Trust me the patterns and stuff are pretty difficult to figure out for him, but they are still there, you just gotta pay attention." he replied.
"Yeah whell I don't think I wanna be friends with some secret figuring kid." Artemis stated.
"Are you kidding me! He can help us escape! Maybe he has informatin on the Court Of Owls, so we can escape and complete the mission!" Wally yelled in argument.
"Maybe it's cause Artemis's afraid." Renegad replied smirking.
"Afraid of...what?" Connor asked questionongly.
"Afraid...of you finding out who she truly is.." rEnegade replied.
"What do you mean?" Wally asked whil accusingly staring at Artemis. Artemis's eyes widened.
"Sadly it isn't my place to tell you... and I woudn't be so accusing towards her...all of you have secrets. Let's take that martian friend of yours...or Wally West's past of how he ended up with his uncle, heck Superboy's been in this world for less than a year but even he's keeping secrets!" Renegade replied.
"It may be, but secrets aren't good for this team...so...if ummm..." Kaldur began but was cut of entirely ny Renegade.
" are bad for a team. PERIOD. We'll go by age...youngest to oldest, you will eacg tell your dark secrets and if its not the main one i'll tell it myself. Strating with Artemis. Go."
Artemis's eyes widened but she took a deep breath and began "The truth is... im not Green Arrows neice. My father is Sportsmaster, my mother ex-con Tigress, and my sister...she Chesire."
"What!" M'gann gasped.
"My parents used to beat me so my uncle saved me at 5 and i copied the expirement and became his protoge." Walluy replied seizing the oppurtunity of surprise to state his secret but everyone heard it.
"Wally I deeply..." Kaldur began.
"I'm not a green martian...im a white martian, you've seen the pics before. so yeah." M'gann replied sadly.
"I know." Superboy replied.
"What? Since when?"
"I saw you in the kitchen transforming once after you burned yurself with the stove, it was quick, but I saw and you know what? I dont care I still like you."
'Th..Thank you." M'gann replied as she tackled Connor in a hug.
"M'gann we a'int THAT shallow. Like I could care less about Artemis's family. All that matters is she's on or side amd we're a team. So yeah." Wally sates calmly.
"I agree with Wally. We are a yteam but more importantly we are a family and we stand sid by side in battle till the death." Kaldur stated firmly.
"Group Hug!" M'gann stated adn they tackled one another.
Renegade smiled sadly...thinkink about his own team...his family. Suddenly alarms began to flare and the jail cell doors went up.
"What's going on?" Wally now Kid Flash yelled.
"Security Breach i think. They're gonna abandon the building." Remegade yelled.
"It's probably the League. We should stay put." Artemis yelled as she stopped running.
"Negative. When there's a security breach the owls abandon the building so they can blow it up. Destroying all evidence of their existance...including us." Rengade yelled. The team continued to run through the now burning building. Suddenly the roooof gave in seperating Wally and Rengade from the rest of the team.
"The exits straight ahead. Wally and I will take the one upstairs. Tell your clome friend to not attempt to break a wall! The inhibitor collar the owls put on him consumed most of his includig all your powers. You're all practiccally humans right now." Remegade yelled.
"What exit?" Wally asked.
"The one we're gonna make." Renegade growled as they got to the room.
"Pardon?" Wally asked. But Renegade had already grabbed and pushed him...to the window.
"What about you?" Wally asked before jumping. Renegade looked at him and gave a small sad smile."No! We don't leave hero's much less friends behind!" Wally yelled.
"Wally...please just don't forget me bud...it's always been my fear...of being forgotten. Batman will explain everythin to you! It's not your fault! I'm sorry!" Renegade yelled and he pushed Wally out the window. Wally screamed when he felt someone cathch him. He look up and see Superman.
"He's still in there! Stop!" he yelled but then the roof of the abandoned building crashed and he screamed "NOOOOO!".
"Wally the rest of your team is fine calm down." Superman replied as he lowered the still struggling kid to the ground. The minut he did Wally punched him, Superman pulled his hands back surprised.
"Wally!" Flash replied surprised at his nephews reaction.
"NO! You...you let him die! You should have saved him.
"Save who?" Batman growled.
But before Wally could answer he was tackled in a hug my M'gann "Thank God you're ok! Where's Renegade?"
"Who?" Batman asked and everyone noticed the choking sound.
Wally looked at him and said "Renegade... the kid...he told me you knew him...that you would tell me about him..."
"How doo you know Renegade?" Batman questioned quietly.
"He was there...told us that the Court captured him 3 weeks ago...tortured him...he refused no matter what...he was strong..." Wally ended tears streaming down his face as he looked up at Batman.
"No." Batman whispered as he fell onto his knees.
"Batman?!" Superman cried worrid for his close friend, throughout his years of working with the man he had neer displayed this much emotion with the cowl.
"How did you know this kid?" Wonder Woman asked gently.
Batman looked up and replied softly "He was my son." Everyone's eyes widened at this...there own had lost his son.
"Batman...i'm so..." Falsh staterted but was cut off by a hand as Batman's hand went to his communicater.
"Yes...tell him he's grounded...Tell him I dont give a damn about how injured he is... Tell him that I will put cash in the swear jar...ok bye..." Btamn got up and questioned monotonely "Would you like to talk to REnegade?"
"He's alive?" Wally yelled.
"Apparently. The boy has a knack of getting himself into ner death situations and then appearing dead. But at the end he'll always be foiund at the batcave injured or worse."
"Whell the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."Green Arrow stated.
aT BATCAVE
"The cave is huge!"Artemis yelled surprised.
"Agreed." Kladur, Connor and M'gann stated.
"Give it back Jason!"
"Make me Barbra!"
"Richard! Damian took my toys!"
"Did not you insolent idiot!"
"Yous od id!"
"I assure you Drake. I have better things than steal your cheao little..."
"Enough!" Btaman roared. Silent emitted the cave. Batman took of his cowl and...
"Woah. Batman's Bruce Wayne. The BRUCE WAYNE!" Wally yelled.
"Hold up that means... he got more kids!" Artemis shouted. Bat man glared at them then sighed.
"Young Justice Team meet my eldest 17 year old bratty son Damian, also known as Red X. The kid the League planned on Recruiting"
"Father!" the voice yelled accusingly as he jumped from the floor above surpriing everyone.
"He can only tell the truth." An innocent little boy replied as he appered next t his dad.
"This is Timothy, we call him Tim and he is 4." Bruce continued.
"I'm gonna be a hero soon two!" The 4-year old replied cutely all the girls gushed.
"Don't steal ALL the hot ones, Timbo." An older voice shouted as he slid down the pole in front of them.
"This is Jason thee elder 16 year old of the twins. He goes by Red Hood."
"Don'y you have a girlfriend Jay?" Damian asked.
"Nope he lost it, cause the girl figured out annoying he was in th efirst 5 minute convertaion theyhad on a date." a female voice replied as a girl flipped into view.
"Damn...she's hot." Wally stated.
Bruce glared at Wally as he shrunk back. Then he recomposed himself and stated This is Barbabra. My 15 year old daughter. Also known as Batgirl."
Suddenly a voice yelling was heard and the kids and Bruce smirked.
"You nearly got trapped in a burning building! Master Richard don't you dare walk away from me!Richardic Thomas Al-Ghul Wayne! Don't you dare show me that attitude." A groan was heard and noise of palms sliding down to the floor they stood at. A kid then appeared and nodded his ankoledgement to everyone..
"And this owuld be Richard, the younger twin of Jason, also knwn as Renegade." Bruce finished.
Richard was immedietly tackled in a hug by Wally "Dude I thought you were DEAD! Don't ever do that AGAIN!" he replied but was pushed away.
Richard turned to his father and began to move his hands rapidly, while Bruce nodded. After 5 minutes his hands fell to his side and Bruce cracked a small smile, his eyes were widened however, for some reason.
Bruce then turned to the team and league "So Richard told me that he...spoke to you?"
"ummmm...yeah?" Wally stated confused. Richard smirked at his confusion, while Bruce's eyes widened in astonishment.
"What's wrong?" Kaldur asked.
"He...he's selectively mute...he hasn't spoken since he was 4." Bruce muttered however, Superman and Superboy picked up o this quiet statement as did the others. They all stared at Richard in surprise. Richard averted his eyes from theie questioning gaze, Bruce placed a hand comfortingly on his shulder. Damian upon realizing the tense situation glared at everyone with fierce protecting, quietlt growling in his throat.
"Hey!Richo, why don't we meet up with Luke and Danny at the city park! Danny stated his girl is getting to much...and he kinda needs a way to put her down lightly." Jason replied. Richard made a few quick hand movements making all the bats smirk.
"What did he say?" Artemis asked frustartetd.
"He asked if Jason was tye guy to ask relationship advice from, considering the fact that he can't get a steady relationship for over two days." Damian responded. Everyone burst out laughing, Wally ended up rolling on tge floor clutching his stomach.
Jason rolled his eyes and stated "R, you coming or not?"
Richard rolled his eyes and waved a goodbye as he ran upstairs out of the cave following HJason. A voice yelled from upstairs "Master Jason, Master Richard I hope you're both not running in th emanor."
"We're not Alf!" Jason answered for both of them, abd their footstept slowed down. Everyone chuckled, at the fear in Jasons response which went unoticed. Bruce then turned his head to the Team and League and gained his composure as he nodded to the other kids to leave. Once the kids left Bruce turne back to the League and Team, pulling on his cowl as Bruce no Batman stated.
"You've seen him. Now leave. And don't try contacting him, or you will have to deal with me. We've never met in civikian form so don't get to comfy with . And no, Aqualad, Renegade will nt be joining the Team. There's a zeta-tube there. Goddbye." Batman growled.
10 minutes later
"Whell...that was wierd." Wally stated upon arrival at Mt. Justice.
"Agreed." Aqualad stated.
"Trust me kid, I don't think I want to know who Batman had those kids with." Barry now Flash stated as he shovered.
"I so did not need to get that thought in my head." Olver now Green Arrow maned.
"Man up Ollie." Black Canary yelled flicking him in the head.
"What about our trainig? I thought Batman would be assesing us?" M'gann asked.
"Bats called in while we were waiting for you guys to Zeta, he said that he had far more pressing matters to attend to." Clark noe Superman answered.
"I bet it was an Arkham break out." Wally stated.
"What! But Renegade is his son! How could he value a breakout over his injured kid!" M'gann cried.
"Don't assume things you can't prove M'gann he may not be at an Arkham breakout." Diana now Wonder Woman replied.
"Son, my ass. 50 bucks Arty he's stopping some criminal right now." Wally whispered into Artemis' ear.
"You're on." Artemis replied cockily.
Meanwhile
The dark knight quietly opened the window as he crept in. he shut the window to prevent any other uncalled entrances or exits as he crept over to the silent figure in bed. He slowly ran his hand throught the messy mop of raven hair as he stated "One of these days, Richard, you just may not return from these life threatening risks you enjoy. One of these days... I may just lose you." The man sighed as he closed his eyes beneath the cowl."I love you Richard. Dont you ever forget that. You'll always be my baby boy, no matter how much older you get.". The man gave a small smile at the rare peaceful state the child...no...his child was in and he then got up opened the window and got on the window sill ready to jump.
"Love you too dad."
"Why do you take these risks Richard?" The dark night asked surprised when he actually recieved an answer through words from the selctively mute boy.
"Because." The boy deadpaned.
"Richard..." The the detective pressed.
"If i don't who will?"
"Why must it be you?"
"Why can't it be me?"
"Find a safer way."
"Risks will always need to be taken on a mission dad... whether you like it or not." the boy shot.
The man sighed as he got of the crouching position on the window sill "I know but I would like it better if the risks didn't include losing you." The man stated. The boy averted his eyes. "Get some sleep." The detective stated upon realizatiin that his son wouldn't talk to him any further...and was goind to return to his selectively mute state. The detetctive then jumped and upon this realization the boy replied.
"Because i'd rather die than have to live in a world witout you." he stated closing his eyes as he drifted to sleep. Unaware... that a certain dark knight had been sitting protectively on the side of his balcony the whole time.
