AN: I don't own any of this nor am I trying to profit from it.
This story is a set of drabbles and short works from within the Polar Opposites Universe and will create the core of that universe. It will span a vast number of characters from across the DCU, especially the JL/U cartoons and JL comics. This universe is a meld of the cartoon-verse and the wider DCU, so many continuity errors will be on purpose. I appologize if anyone is offended by my lack of adherence to canon.
"Batman!"
The Caped Crusader froze at the sound of his name being called.
Not here, not now! He begged mentally, before turning to face the slowly decending for of Superman, aka Kal-El, aka Clark Kent.
"I'm sorry to interupt your patrol but I've got a problem I need a bit of help with." Superman didn't bother to land on the roof next to his fellow Leaguer, instead he hovered over the wide avenue of one of Gotham's largest and busiest streets.
Thankfully most of the city never bothered to look up over 50 stories at this hour of the night, or the other hero's bright attire would give away Batman's position. It was a tactic that Robin's costume also took advantage of.
Bruce froze once again at that thought. Robin! He'd lost track of the boy's movements across the parrallel rooftops when Superman had interupted his nightly patrol route. Flicking his vision to try and locate his new sidekick's brightly colored uniform, he completely ignored the Kryptonian's next statements.
"Are you listening at all?" A large "S" floated into view, cutting off Batman's line of vision.
"I'm trying to find..." Batman trailed off, unsure if he wanted to bring Clark's attention to Robin. He hadn't exactly advertised his new partner, and he was still vetting the boy's skills. This was the first time he'd taken to the rooftops alone, even though he was aware Bruce was nearby following. To allow himself to get distracted like this... It could cost the kid his life...
Superman tilted his head curiously, then jerked ram-rod straight. "A kid?" In a flash he was gone.
He returned a moment later with a struggling red, green, and yellow form.
"Please tell me this isn't what I think it is..." Superman's voice was harsh as he spoke, glaring at Batman in horror and disappointment.
"Hey! Let me go!" Robin struggled against the Man of Steel's hold, but had no chance of escaping.
"It's alright, chum." Bruce called out in resignation. "He's not an enemy."
The boy's movements ceased and his head whipped around to face Batman, a wide grin forming on his face for just a moment before dropping sddenly. "Was that a test? Did I fail? I didn't even see anyone! That's totally not fair!"
"Fair? I think that calls for a bit more training - nothing is fair, least of all criminals. You have to be ready for anything at any time." Batman's tone was dark and serious as he stared down the young Boy Wonder. After a moment though he sighed, "But no, that wasn't a test. And he's not someone you'll see until he wants you to." His lip twitched with the beginnings of a smirk. "You should introduce yourself, chum."
The boy turned to face the man whose arm he was drapped unceremoniously over, but froze when his eyes caught sight of the letter splayed across the broad chest. Eyes wide he turned back to Batman. "Is that..." he dropped his voice down to a stage whisper, "Superman?"
The twitching smirk turned into a real smile. Batman nodded.
"Wow!" The boy twisted back and stared up at the Kryptonian in shock for a long moment.
Finally he exclaimed, "I'm Robin! Batman's new partner! You're Superman right? That's so awesome! You can fly can't you? I'd love to fly, I love being off the ground, that's why my parent's call me Robin, cause I'm like a bird in the air!" The boy froze after that statement, his thoughts catching up to his mouth as he realized he needed to speak in the past tense about his parents now...
"Robin..." Batman began, wanting to comfort the boy, but unable to do so with a mask and audience.
Superman picked up on the tension however, and broke in with a cheery. "A robin huh? Well since we both fly maybe we're related?"
Robin perked up at this, and smiled shyly at the Man of Steel.
Batman refrained from rolling his eyes. "Come on now, chum. You've got a patrol to finish, and Superman and I have work to do."
"Awww, do I hafta go? Can't I stay to help?"
Batman sighed, "Remember what I said, out here things are different. The rules of the house, of our family, don't apply on the rooftops."
Robin deflated,mumbling, "But Superman's a hero too, why can't he be family?"
"He's not our family chum." Batman leveled the boy with a serious 'Don't question me on this' glare. Apparently Superman didn't pick up on that however.
"Aw, come on, Bruce! I've always wanted to be some kid's favorite uncle!" Superman whined.
The boy in his arms squirmed and practically shrieked, "UNCLE!? Can I really call you that?!"
The Man of Steel gave the small masked child one of his patented grins, "Of course you can."
"Cool! Uncle Superman!" he cheered.
Superman laughed at Robin's enthusiasm, "How about Uncle Kal while I'm in costume, and Uncle Clark when I'm not? Think you can keep that straight?"
Blue eyes widened in shock as he gaped at the Man of Steel, turning to his mentor he continued to gape like a fish for a long moment before finally leaning towards Batman and, in a stage whisper, asking, "Superman just told me his name! Did you hear that Bruce! His real name, without the mask…"
For less than a moment, Batman allowed his stone mask to crack and he smiled at the young boy, before once again giving him a stern disapproving look, "I heard chum… but maybe it wasn't a good idea for him to have done so." Both Superman and Robin opened their mouths to protest, but the Dark Knight continued on, "After all haven't I told you countless times not to call me that while in uniform?"
Robin deflated at the realization that he had called Batman 'Bruce' just moments ago, possibly risking his secret identity. (He missed the bright blush that colored Superman's cheeks when the older hero realized he had committed the same crime only moments earlier.) "I'm sorry sir," the small boy replied meekly, tears forming in the corners of his eyes.
Batman sighed, "It's alright Robin, no harm done this time. But from now on you have to work doubly hard to keep our identities secret – after all you have Superman's name to protect now too." The boy perked up at this and looked up to lock gazes with the Man of Steel. Superman smiled reassuringly at him.
"I promise I'll keep your secret safe sir, I mean Uncle Kal… I really do."
"I'm sure you will kiddo." He winked at the boy and set him down next to his mentor. "Batman, ring me when you get in, my problem can wait a little while longer. Until next time then." He nodded to Batman and waved to Robin as he took off into the night. Glancing back, the Kryptonian couldn't help but marvel at the contrast between the pair – Batman with his dark costume, glaring and scowling at the retreating figure of the Man of Steel, while next to him the bouncing and smiling, brightly clad Robin who stood like a ray of light in the darkness.
How Bruce found and surrounded himself with such a wide variety of people who were so intrinsically opposite, and yet exactly alike, Clark would never know.
