I had done something stupid. I knew that now, but what choice did I have in the matter? Wally and Kaldur were severely against it, and really they couldn't be blamed after what each of them had been through, but I knew it had to be done. Our worlds were split in half, dividing people and families with some mystical source that couldn't be defeated by brute force alone. Only magic could defeat magic, and no one was stronger than the Lord of Order.
I watched them from the shadows out in the hall, making my presence scarce. After Kaldur and Wally left the souvenir room I grabbed the Helmet of Fate and hid it in the Bio-ship. Once we arrived at Roanoke Island I made sure to leave the ship without alerting the others, and hid the helmet in the brush in case it was needed. I really wished that it wasn't, but I was only fooling myself. The fight went downhill so quickly, almost instantaneously. Connor was fighting the witch boy's feral cat, Artemis was blasted unconscious, and the others were trying and failing to break Klarion's force field. While the whole time Klarion laughed and mocked us all. To him our efforts were just a joke.
Captain Marvel, well Billy, appeared suddenly and was frantic. He had news from the adults, and almost blurted it out. M'gann quickly hushed him and alerted him of the telepathic link-up.
"It's the gem!" he said excitedly, and then he disappeared in a bolt of lightning.
That small gem was the wedge that was dividing the world. Perfect, that's all I needed to know. I ran over to the hiding spot and reached for the helmet. I put it on, and could hear the muffled protests of Wally in the distance but my world quickly changed. I was no longer in the dried brush of Roanoke Island. Instead I was placed in an infinitely dark room. Nabu, as he was called, presented himself to me.
"You are the third child to use the Helmet of Fate. I am not here for your amusement!" Nabu shouted.
"I know. I'm sorry but the world has been divided into two. I…we need your help. Can you save them from Klarion?" I asked, my words echoing in the darkness.
"I can. The order must be maintained." he declared. "But are you willing to pay the price? I will not be shut out another time."
The price? I hadn't thought about that in detail. Nabu would use my body as Doctor Fate, and I wouldn't be Robin anymore. I would be trapped here for however long he deemed necessary. I suppose I knew that already though, and I needed to save them or they wouldn't stand a chance against Klarion.
"Yes," I answered. "I will pay your price."
"Very well." Nabu said and then it was quiet.
I suspected that he was otherwise preoccupied with the fight. I knew he would save them, his magic was powerful. I've seen it when Kaldur wore the helmet when we were fighting the Injustice League, and Wally told me about his experience too. I never imagined it would be like this though, it was like being inside of a deep cavern and the exit was lost in miles of shadows.
"Nabu?" I asked tentatively. I didn't want to distract him, but I also wanted to know what was going on. I felt blinded.
"What is it, child?" He voice responded harshly.
"Is there any way I can see the fight?" I asked. He didn't reply but then what looked like a small screen appeared in front of me. It was like a movie being shot from a person's point of view. It was strange to think that what I was watching was also what my body was seeing outside of the helmet.
I watched as Klarion threw what looked like fire balls in my general direction, but Doctor Fate managed to avoid them with ease. Obviously Klarion was becoming extremely upset. I've never really seen him in battle before, but he was seriously one obnoxious person. He kept whining but Doctor Fate rarely said a word to him in response.
Doctor Fate then sent down a beam of energy at the witch boy, and trapped him in an Ankh, that looked like a different variation of the medieval stocks. He let out a frustrated growl, and Kid Flash sped through the circle and kicked the gemstone away. The magic was instantly stopped and suddenly the adults appeared in the area. The other sorcerers flopped to the ground unconscious while Batman and the heroes stood behind them. As soon as they arrived though Klarion snapped his fingers, gathered up his cat, and jumped through another portal. That stupid brat just wanted to mess with us all.
Artemis finally woke up. "Did we win?" she asked in a daze.
"At a cost," Kaldur said solemnly. He was referring to me. I put on the helmet, and he knew Nabu had no intention of letting me go.
Batman then stepped forward. "Nabu, release Robin." He demanded, his voice taking on a threatening tone, and I knew he wouldn't back down until he got what he wanted.
"No." Nabu responded. "After witnessing the havoc that has run rampant in these past hours, the world needs Doctor Fate. I will not release him."
"You can't!" Wally objected. "He has his own life to live!"
"It does not matter. The child has submitted himself to me, and I will not be hidden from the world any longer." Nabu said with finality.
"Take me instead," Batman said. "He's only thirteen. I'm stronger than he is and I have more experience."
Nabu paused, thinking over the offer. "And what guarantee do I have that once the helmet is removed you will don it?"
"My word." Batman told him, seriousness edged his voice.
"Your offer has been accepted." Doctor Fate landed on the ground, and reached up to take the helmet off. The dark space I had inhabited disappeared, and I was once again on Roanoke Island standing in front of Batman. It was disorienting and confusing once the helmet was removed.
"Batman—" I tried to speak but he cut me off. He took the helmet in one hand and the other rested on my shoulder.
He leaned in closer and whispered in my ear. "Stay strong, Dick." He kissed my forehead lightly like he used to when I was younger to comfort me from nightmares. I tensed at the motion afraid of what was coming next.
He backed away and was about to put the helmet on. "No wait!" I shouted, reaching to try and stop him. He couldn't do this. He couldn't leave me all alone. This was my fault, I brought the helmet out. I should have to be the one who serves him.
Batman took my hand in his, and pushed it aside. "Robin, don't'." He said sharply and I froze, but his features softened. "It won't be forever, I promise." He told me and then put on the helmet.
In an instant Batman disappeared, and Doctor Fate stood in his place. I could see his eyes, but there was no sign of the connection we once shared. They had turned cold and uncaring. They belonged to a complete stranger.
Doctor Fate turned away from me and flew away with the unconscious villains, vanishing into a portal. I could only stare utterly dumbstruck. My world had flipped upside down in a single moment, and I was the one who set everything into motion.
I knew I should probably try to keep up a façade that I was okay, but every wall I tried to build instantly crumbled. I was on the verge on being emotionally destroyed in one second, like an atomic bomb was set off in my mind, sending me into a meltdown. I feel down on my knees into the hard dirt unable to hold myself up anymore. I wanted to cry, but I wouldn't right now. I could at least hold out until I was alone. Wally swooped in on one side as I collapsed and Artemis came on the opposite side. They tried to console me, but it fell on deaf ears. I wasn't paying attention to what they were saying. I was too preoccupied with what I would do now. How could I lose my family again? Wasn't one time enough?
"Rob!" Wally said loudly. I looked over at him. "Dude, I know how you must be feeling right now, but you can't just shut out the world. I could see where you were headed." He said more quietly.
"Wally, what…what do I do now?" I asked, my voice cracked as I spoke. I knew he wouldn't be able to answer me, but I had to ask.
"Do whatever Batman told you to. You will get him back."
"How can you be so sure? You know Nabu doesn't give up so easily. This is all my fault."
"Come on, Rob. Don't give up so easily. Nabu might be a stubborn Lord of Order, but Batman is the steely, cold-hearted Dark Knight. No one can stand up against him for very long in a battle of will, especially with that glare of his." Wally said nudging me in the shoulder.
I couldn't help but laugh a little at the thought of Batman and Nabu having a staring contest. "You might be right."
"I know I am." Wally said with a confident smile. "It might be a while, but you won't be alone. You have friends that care for you. And I'll help you out in any way I can."
"Thanks Wally." I said and he helped me stand back up.
It hurt to think that I had started this, but I did it to help everyone. To save my team and the families that were split in the divide can now be together again, yet in doing so mine was broken up. But this was just one of the consequences of being a hero. Sacrifices had to be made despite what we might want. I had to accept what had happened, but it didn't mean I would stop fighting. I would search for a way to get Batman back, and I know even if he isn't with me he would still be watching out for me.
This was requested by FrankandJoe3. I hope you like it!
I don't normally like to go out of the canon of shows, but this was actually fun to write. Batman and Robin have such a great dynamic. I love writing them. Let me know what you think! Thanks :)