Things were actually quiet around Gotham, but below the waters of the dark city, there was some trouble coming for the home of Batman. A strange ship that looked like a manta ray, but about 100 times the size of a real one, was coming into Gotham Bay.
"Black Manta, Sir; we have arrived in Gotham, just waiting for the tide to be right to leave out undetected." One person onboard the special ship said.
"Very good, we should be able to leave out in 10 minutes." Black Manta said. "Make sure everyone is ready. We must not have any interference; we are going to be in Batman's city, and I don't want any foul ups." Black Manta said.
The villain of Aquaman had a new plan to destroy the underwater city of Atlantis, but he needed tech that was housed at Wayne Enterprises in Gotham. He knew of Batman, and also knew that if the Dark Knight got on his trail, then his plan would be over before it even began.
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Deep in the sewers of Gotham, The dynamic trio was looking for a very unique and powerful rouge. The twins were staying together, while Batman was off in another part of the sewer. That's when the rouge choose to make is move. He started rising out of the water right behind the unsuspecting twins and was about to grab them when they jumped away.
"What…" The rouge said.
All the rouge received was two different, young laughs. As he started looking around for the two 12 year old heroes in training, something was coming his way. When he turned around, he saw a disc, but it was above his head. Just as he was about to laugh at the Dark Knight's aim, the disc sparked to life and the entire area was filled with blinding light.
"Ahhhhhh….. I'll find you Batman, and yours, along with your brats' bones will crunch in my jaws." The villain said as he was now covering his highly sensitive eyes.
"Sorry, Croc, but that's not happening." A female voice said, and just as Croc turned around, he was met by two roundhouse kicks right in the stomach.
Batman soon came out of the shadows, and the light disc deactivated and fell into the water. The two young heroes walked up to the Dark Knight with grins on their faces.
"Good work, both of you." Batman said to his children.
"I thought Cardinal was caught for a second there." The boy said.
"Oh come on Robin, you know I've gotten out of those spots before." Cardinal told her brother.
Just as the three protectors of Gotham were starting to leave out; a growl was heard behind the three of them. They couldn't get away in time, and Killer Croc was able to grab the twins, each by an arm.
"Let them go, Killer Croc." Batman said as he pulled a bat-a-rang from his utility belt.
"You're not going to scare me, Bats. Your kids are going to die, then you." Croc said.
Batman kept the bat-a-rang in his hand, but lowered it so as not to provoke Croc. The leather hided villain smiled, showing his crocodile like teeth and was raising Robin up to bite off his arm, but suddenly, something wrapped around his arms. When Croc looked it seemed to be water, but there was no one in Gotham that had that kind of power. As suddenly as the water appeared, it moved and Croc was pulled backward, releasing the twins.
"Whoever you are, you're in big trouble." Croc said trying to break free of the water, but for some reason he couldn't.
Nothing was said as electricity flowed along the water and shocked Killer Croc. When the villain was down, the water released him. Two figures started walking toward the Dynamic Trio and the three Gotham heroes were ready to fight, until they saw who the two were.
"What are you doing in Gotham, Orin?" Batman asked.
"Aqualad and I were following Black Manta, as rumor has been going around the seven seas that he is after some advanced tech here." Orin, aka Aquaman said.
"AquaLAD?" The twins said at the same time.
"Hello again, Robin and Cardinal." Aqualad said as he stepped into better light.
"Kaldur!" Cardinal exclaimed when she saw the face of the young Atlantean that helped her four years ago.
"It is nice to see you again. My King has told me that the two of you inspired others to become protégés." Kaldur'ahm aka Aqualad said.
"We've met both of them, but before we talk anymore, let's get Killer Croc to Ark…" Robin started to say, but was cut off when he saw that Killer croc was gone.
"He must have found a deap pocket of wather." Batman said, but as he looked at the twins, he noticed Cardinal was holding her arm, and blood was trickling down from under her hand.
"We will go after him." Aqualad said, ready to help capture the villain.
"He'd bust out of Arkham within a day anyway." Robin said after he also saw his sister's arm and started wrapping it.
"Robin's right; besides, if Black Manta's in Gotham, then our time is needed elsewhere. I will contact you if anything comes up." Batman said as he motioned for the twins to head out.
"Very well, come Aqualad." Aquaman told his protégé and the two Atlanteans headed out to patrol the waters of Gotham.
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Gotham Bay, 10 Minutes Later
In the Manta Sub, the villain himself was checking on the progress for his plan, and discovered that he needed to wait till the next night. The reason for this delay was that the last part for the machine he was stealing was on its way to Gotham and would be at the facility tomorrow.
"Turn on the camouflage, tomorrow we shall infiltrate Wayne Enterprises and retrieve our prize."
One of the henchmen complied with the Atlantis villain's order and activated the subs camouflage mode. Satisfied that they shouldn't be detected, Black Manta retired to his quarters for the night.
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The next day seemed uneventful as the Grayson twins were heading to their adoptive father's business after school so they could ride home with him, seeing as Alfred was off today. They were about a block away from Wayne Enterprises when they were ambushed by four men in stranger armor who surrounded the two 12 year olds.
"You are the children of Bruce Wayne, correct?" One of the men questioned.
He was answered when the girl tensed, and so the men closed in and quickly grabbed the two kids.
"Let us go.!" The boy said but soon he wasn't saying anything as a piece of fabric was placed over his mouth and secured behind his head.
"Dick! You guys are going to…" The girl said, but soon she too was gagged.
"Let's get out of here before someone sees or Batman shows up."
"It is too late to not been seen. I know that you are henchmen to Black Manta and I cannot let you attack these innocent children." A voice said.
Everyone's attention turned in the direction of the voice and they saw an African American, male teen who was wearing a red tank top and black pants. His hair was blonde and kept very short. On his arms were tattoos that wrapped around his arms and ended on the backs of his hands.
"Do you really think you can fight us." The main kidnapper said.
The mystery teenager reached up to what was thought to the hilts of swords but when they were fully visible, it was only the hilts. The Manta henchmen laughed but were not laughing for long as a strange, bright blue liquid came from the hilts and formed swords. The men that were not holding the twins went after the boy, but they were quickly defeated.
"I suggest you leave." The boy said as he looked at the remaining two kidnappers.
Seeing what this boy could do scared the henchmen and so they each grabbed one of their comrades and took off; abandoning their mission. The boy then walked up to the twins.
"Are you two going to be okay?" He asked the 12 year olds as they removed their gags, looked at the boy and nodded.
"I'm Richard Grayson, but you can call me Dick if you want." The boy of the twins said.
"I'm Reiena, thank you for saving us." The girl said.
"I am Aqualad, protégé to Aquaman. Those men that attacked you take orders from a villain of my home, Atlantis." Aqualad said. "I am curious as to why they would attack children."
"We are the adopted children of Bruce Wayne. This is actually normal in Gotham; as every thug and villain in town has kidnapped us for one reason or another." Reiena told Aqualad.
"Well, if that is the case, why not allow me to escort you to your destination, just to ensure those men do not try again." Aqualad offered.
"What do you say, Dick; I think it's alright." Reiena stated, looking at her brother.
Dick only nodded so the protégé of Aquaman escorted the Grayson twins to their father.
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Five Minutes Later
The twins and Aqualad entered Wayne Enterprises. The Atlantean was amazed that none of the employees were stopping the two 12 year olds.
"Dick, Reiena; it's nice to see you again, I take it Alfred has today off." The woman at the desk said.
"Yea, we ran into a bit of trouble, but this teen came to our rescue. Is Bruce in his office?" Reiena stated, then asked.
"He's been waiting for you, go ahead in." The woman said.
Aqualad did not move, but Reiena grabbed his wrist and he followed the twins. Behind the large door s was an office that matched the grandness of the building itself.
"Hey kids, what took so long, and who's your friend." The man at the desk said.
"Well, we were almost kidnapped…again; but Aqualad here save us. Aqualad, this is our father, Bruce Wayne." Disk said.
"Aqualad, I want to thank you for saving my children. I'm happy that someone was able to stand up to those thugs." Bruce said.
"I am afraid it was not any normal thugs, Mr. Wayne. The men that tried to kidnap Richard and Reiena were henchmen to my mentor, Aquaman's arch nemesis, Black Manta." Aqualad informed the billionaire.
"I'm sure you need to report this to Aquaman then. Again, I'm very grateful you came along when you did." Bruce said as he offered the young Atlantean his hand.
Aqualad took Bruce's hand, shook it, said goodbye to the twins and headed out to meet up with the king of the sea. Once the three occupants of the office were sure the Atlantean was gone, they got serious.
"With this attempt, it's safe to say that whatever Black Manta's after in Gotham, it's here at Wayne Enterprises. He wouldn't have wanted you two for any other reason." Bruce said.
"Dick and I thought the same thing." Reiena said, using hers and Dick's special way of communicating to read each other.
"So I guess we're staking out the building tonight, huh." Dick questioned.
"Yes."