A/N: though each part of the series is written so that it might be understandable as a stand-alone story, it's very highly recommended that you read parts 1-3 first so you can enjoy this story to the fullest.

The author is aware of their overwhelming use of cheap plot devices and cliches in the Re series, this part especially, but feel absolutely free to point out the things you don't like and the author would be more than happy to add those things to the existing file on their computer which details the things wrong with this series.

Thank you for your time and the author hopes you enjoy the story.

Sunday

Watchtower

The sound of failure was the series of blips that composed a short tune which, in essence, meant "Game Over". Kaldur and Nightwing were hanging around the Watchtower in case something happened. Basically, they were on duty, but not doing any actual watching or anything.

And so they were playing video games. Kaldur had been introduced to the concept by Nightwing when he began spending time with the team. He still didn't quite have the knack of it. On the other hand, Nightwing was startlingly proficient at any and all combat simulations, including video games.

The game over noise was meant for Kaldur. Nightwing had once again soundly trounced him with a computer generated character.

"And that is why you are leader, and I am not," Kaldur sighed, sitting back on the couch.

Nightwing flashed him a startled, uneasy glance, then looked at the floor.

"No. It's just an illustration of the difference between you and me," Nightwing replied "even in a game, where your team isn't real and have no lives, you are unwilling to sacrifice them before yourself. In video games, that generally means game over,"

"It is no different in the real world," Kaldur said "you are a good judge when it comes to picking who to send where, and why, not always taking the most dangerous mission for yourself,"

"Sometimes I wish I did," Nightwing admitted.

Kaldur understood the sentiment, but could not agree with it. He had seen firsthand how Nightwing would choose to endanger his team only when absolutely necessary. He had the ability to objectively weigh the value of each member of his team, himself included, and determine a course of action which would most likely preserve the lives of those most important to the mission.

What Kaldur wouldn't give for that objectivity. But he did not possess it. His one concern in battle was defending his friends, even to the cost of the mission. Needless to say, he had been greatly relieved when Nightwing chose to return.

They had never spoken of exactly how leadership had transferred back to him, there had never been an agreement that Kaldur would step down when Nightwing returned. It just happened. Nightwing had grown used to making command decisions in Kaldur's absence, and the others had gotten accustomed to answering to him. Kaldur was just as glad for that.

"So, shall we play again?," Nightwing asked "or are you scared I'll beat you again?,"

"I have no fear of that," Kaldur replied.

Indeed, it was true. He knew Nightwing would beat him. But, in a way, it was almost a confidence booster. Seeing his leader win time and again against all comers, routinely proving his superior strategy against Kaldur and others made him just that much happier that Nightwing was their leader.

Meanwhile, in another area of the Watchtower, Black Canary was watching Robin and Kid Flash spar. Even though the team now had senior members, she continued her role as combat trainer for them. No one had ever asked her to stop, or offered to take the training over.

Even if they had, she was not certain she would go without a fight. She'd gotten used to working with the kids, watching their skills grow and their fighting styles take shape. She didn't think she could even bring herself to trust anyone else to develop their skills as well as she did. She knew that most of them received training elsewhere, especially the kids like Robin, who had a mentor they regularly went out with. As evidence of that, Robin had arrived at the watchtower with a small cut on his left cheek, proof of some fight he'd been in the night before.

Black Canary wasn't sure she approved of all of Batman's methods. She had not failed to notice that Robin often stood in front of Batman, and initiated the first attack, meaning he was the first to get flattened. Like he was testing for sharks.

On the other hand, Nightwing and Robin and Batgirl were exceptional fighters, which was especially noticeable in the latter two because they were of small size and light build. Nightwing had been small for his age, but filled out nicely and now was nearly the size of The Bat himself.

Kid Flash was circling Robin at a high rate of speed, shouting taunts as he went. Robin stood in the center of the training area, entirely motionless save for his eyes, which were following Kid Flash. He held his staff in front of him as though anticipating some blow which, of course, would never come. It was Kid Flash, after all. His ability was speed, not strength.

The circle Kid Flash ran in became smaller and a substantial wind had sprung up. Then Robin moved. Swiftly for him, but not so much for Kid Flash, who dodged the oncoming staff. But Robin had a plan B, or maybe this was his plan A. The end of the staff touched down on the ground and Robin vaulted with it, coming in behind Kid Flash and catching him in the back of the head with a well-placed boot.

Kid Flash staggered, then spun off, crashing into a wall and then falling over backwards.

Robin crouched, eying him warily in case he planned to get up. Robin was panting, they'd been at it for over an hour under Black Canary's watchful gaze.

"Ow...," Kid Flash sat up, slower than usual, rubbing his head "what happened?,"

"I kicked your butt," Robin replied, flashing him a cheeky grin.

"Then why is it my head that hurts?," Kid Flash asked "what did you even hit me with?. I dodged your silly staff,"

"Thus slowing down enough that Robin could kick you," Black Canary said "sometimes it is better to retaliate than to retreat, if retreating puts you on shakier ground than you were on before,"

"The ground wasn't shaking," Kid Flash muttered, accepting Robin's offered hand and standing up.

"I didn't hit you too hard did I?," Robin asked, partially as a joke, but partly concerned.

"Barely felt a thing," Kid Flash retorted "you're a weakling,"

"So what does that make you?," Robin queried "after all, this weakling just cleaned your clock,"

"That makes me hungry," Kid Flash told him "you only beat me because I need to eat. I'm knocking off for snacks," he brushed past Black Canary, then looked over his shoulder "You coming?,"

"Sure thing," Robin replied, shaking his head and grinning.

Black Canary smiled at the two. She remembered well the first heroes who had gone by the names Robin and Kid Flash. So utterly different, yet somehow exactly the same. She hoped to see their like again and again. And too, she prayed these two would not suffer the fate of those who most recently bore their names.