Hello all who dared to love my last book! (I'm well aware that many chapters and a word count in the thousands tends to scare people away). This is a sequel to my first book, Robin: Boy Wonder! Like, love, and continue to read! Prepare to see all those character who know and some new that I throw in for fun. In this book, we meet up once again with Robin who is going to take us on another adventure where we'll see how incredibly amazing he is. Some of you said that you missed some of those characters from Young Justice. Well, worry no longer because I've got something in mind for them. ;) But first, chapter 1!

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Today sucks.

It was suppose to be a good day. It's my birthday, in fact, April 1st. It's been a over year since that fiasco where the League was taken control of and I had to save the day. I feel almost as if things have fallen into a certain pattern of normalcy.

I'm Robin, by the way. Partner to Batman.

Who's going to die if he ever gets here.

We got called on assignment. It may be my birthday, but evil never rests. It's pretty annoying actually. Harley Quinn was jumping around with a mallet disrupting the peace. A huge drug heist was also scheduled to go down that night. Batman and I split up, him going after Harley, me handling the heist. It was boring actually, those guys didn't even put up a good fight.

Batman told me to go to the Watchtower once I was finished. So here I am. I didn't want to be noticed (the last thing I need is to be pestered by a Leaguer) so I moved stealthily into the library, which is where I've been for the last hour and a half. It's eight o'clock at night now, and I'm hungry and done with today.

I'm reading a book that has no title. It's an anonymous superhero memoir. I started it a little while ago, but have never gotten around to finishing it. I lean my chin on my hand as I lean forward, propping the book up with the other. The library usually doesn't get used very often. Batman claims to have read every book in here apparently, though. How, I have no idea. After all, we sort of have a busy schedule.

Fourteen, I think to myself. I'm fourteen today.

And then I think, Another year without my family.

Angry, I brush that thought aside. I have a new family now. I'm fine.

I hear a loud rushing sound. Like feet smacking against the hallway floor. I sigh I place my finger in the book to watch the door.

There's a whoosh and I see a red-headed blur appear in the doorway before disappearing. Wait for it...

Slowly, my best friend Wally West reappears, backing up slowly and craning his neck to look into the room. "Oh, there you are."

I roll my eyes, though he can't see that under my mask.

Wally's wearing his yellow and red Kid Flash uniform but he has the hood pulled down and his goggles are off. He's also got a blue wool coat over his shoulders which looks sort of weird with the rest of his outfit. He's slim but still well built, made for running, which is kind of important in his line of work. He's got dark reddish hair, bright green eyes, and lots of freckles. Classic Irish ancestry.

I, however, and pretty much the exact opposite. I'm small for my age (too small) and I'm pretty wiry. My hair is jet-black and my eyes are a brilliant blue. My skin is pretty pale and clear right now since I live in Gotham, but in the sunlight my Romani genes show and I get a wicked tan.

Wally is the only person other than Batman and Alfred who knows my secret ID. Over the past year, we've grown pretty close. We're a lot alike, actually, more than people might think. Most people pass Wally off as an idiot because he lets his mouth run and is too hyper. But he's actually a science genius. He's not clueless about people, either. A few months ago, he told me what the deal is with his parents, and why he lives with his aunt and uncle (who also happens to be the Flash). He told me how his dad would abuse him and his mom and how his mom would blame him. In a way, he's almost as world weary as me.

"Sup," I say. Unlike Wally, I've got my full uniform, mask and all on. Batman forbade me from letting anyone else know my ID (after he figured out Wally knew). So I basically wear the mask twenty-four seven.

"Dude, how long have you been here?" Wally walks into the room, frowning.

I shrug. "Almost two hours."

"Seriously! I was looking for you everywhere!" Wally crosses his arms, tapping his bicep with a finger at a rate so fast it's just a blur. "Happy birthday, by the way."

"Thanks," I yawn. "Why were you looking for me?"

Wally looks uncomfortable. "Um..." He looks around the room, his eyes falling on the book in my hand. "What'cha reading?"

"Anonymous journals from the last century," I say, not at all buying into his attempt to change the subject.

"Oh...fun..." Wally stares at the book for a few seconds before saying, "So can you come down to the dining hall?"

I close my book and make to stand. "Sure, but why—"

"In a few minutes!" Wally says, gesturing at me to sit back down. "In ten minutes sound good? Then we'll all have dinner."

"Oh, okay, fine." I know Wally's acting weird, but he always acts weird.

"Good. See you in a second." His form blurs and he's gone, leaving nothing but a rush of displaced air in his place.

I sigh and lean back, deep in thought. I haven't been around the League or their sidekicks, I haven't had the time. I wonder what they're all up to. I wonder how Raven's been doing. I wonder if Roy cooled off a little. I wonder if Kaldur got over his fear of disappointing Aquaman. I wonder if Kara's not a clueless newbie anymore. I wonder if they wonder about me.

I open my eyes. Enough of that. Sheesh, I'm beginning to wonder if wondering about people wondering causes something not so wonderful.

I get up and start to make my way down to the dining hall. It's been about ten minutes, right?

As I walk down the deserted corridors, I hear a faint rustle, so faint that anyone else wouldn't be able to hear it over their own breathing.

"You're late," I say.

"Sorry."

I turn to see my mentor, decked out in full black Kevlar with bat cowl. His black cape encloses his body, making him look like a breathing shadow.

I start walking again with him right beside me.

Batman is the first to talk. "I'm sorry, Robin. Harley led me to the Joker. And that turned out to be slightly more difficult than I anticipated."

I snort. "Please, you anticipate everything. Why didn't you call for back up?" I study him. He does a good job hiding it, but I can read him better than I can myself. His movements are stiff and he's favoring one side. "You got hurt. Broken ribs?"

"Stab wound," he grunts. "Got most of the blood out of my uniform though. Agent A wouldn't be happy if I hadn't."

I smile. Agent A is our code name for Alfred. Whenever we're in our superhero personas, we address each other in our superhero names and refer to everything from our normal lives in code. It's sort of funny though. Alfred actually was a member of MI5, British Intelligence, at one point.

"And as to why I didn't call for back up," Batman adds. He knows there's no getting around questions with me. "I thought you would be busy at your party."

I frown. "What party?"

At this point, we've both reached the doors to the dining area. I'm pushing one open as I say this, looking over my shoulder at him.

I see Batman's mouth tighten. "'What party?' You mean you haven't..." His mouth opens ever so slightly. The closest Batman will ever come to surprise. "Oh. Oops..."

Before I can register that the Batman just said, "oops," I'm suddenly aware of the light in the dining hall being sprung on, and people jumping up and screaming, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROBIN!"

I stand there for a moment, blinking at the scene before me, with Batman behind me like a huge silhouette. The entire room is covered with brightly colored balloons and streamers. The League members that know Batman best are all there, all the founding members. I even see Aqualad, Speedy, and Supergirl.

They're all wearing combinations of winter civilian clothing, superhero costumes, and party hats. Oh, it's a surprise party.

I look over at Batman who looks really out of place in the brightly lit room. It was a surprise party. And Batman, the world's greatest secret keeper, spoiled the surprise.

I start laughing. It's my signature cackle, the one that sends chills down the spines of friend and foe alike. I try to smother it with a gloved hand, but it escapes anyways. Batman ruined a surprise party.

I throw my head back and laugh even harder. Batman just stands there and glares at me while looking slightly uncomfortable at the same time.

Superman flies over. He's in his full costume with a pink party had sitting slightly askew atop his head. "Um, Robin, what's so funny?"

Well, I guess the Man of Steel hadn't been listening in. Or he's asking for everyone else's benefit.

Still laughing, I point at Batman, out of breath. "Your...face...!"

Batman growls at me and crosses his arms. He glares at Superman. "You told me the party would be happening...earlier."

Superman scratches his head. "I thought it would be. But Robin never showed up like you said he would and so we assumed you two were on an important mission or something. So we started dismantling the decorations before Kid Flash came running in and told us he had snuck past us and had been here for the last two hours."

I hold my stomach, my laughter giving me a cramp. "Ah, Bat, you...you..." I can't stop laughing.

"Well, at least you're happy about something," Batman says offhandedly, though I know he's watching for my reaction.

I roll my eyes and recover my breath, calming down. He's referring to the sour mood I always get in around my birthday. It's just it brings up all these memories about my parents...

That sobers me up quickly. I look up at Batman. "For now, anyways."

This morning when we visited my parent's grave, I definitely wasn't laughing then.

Batman and I hold eye contact for a second, communicating silently before someone else breaks up the conversation.

"Come on, Bat people," Flash zooms over, grinning widely. "No more long faces. Now that you're all here, the party can finally begin!"

I smile and allow Flash to guide me through the assembled people. People pat me on the back and wish me well, commenting on how they haven't seen me in a while and how tall I've gotten (this is a common joke among the Leaguers since I'm well aware I've hardly grown at all).

"Robin," Kaldur'am greets me, bowing his head slightly. He's got an Atlantean accent and dark skin that seems odd compared to his light colored hair. He recently got the tattoos that I know from studying Atlantis are symbolic of a male's coming of age. Kaldur just turned seventeen, and now bares black tattoos that spiral down his arms to his hands. They increase his water spell's capability, so I've been told. I wonder if they glow like his eyes do when he uses his water bearers.

"Phew, did you get shorter?" Roy Harper grins at me. His hair is a lighter red than Wally's and I can see little scratches on his chin where he cut himself shaving. He's the same age as Kaldur this year.

"Roy, don't be mean," Kara Zor-El reprimands. She's really grown up in just the last few months, and she looks more like a young woman now than a sixteen-year-old girl. "Happy birthday, Robin. Fourteen, huh?"

"Actually, I'm ten now," I say. We all laugh. It's an old joke.

"So do we get cake now that Rob's here?" Wally asks excitedly. He tries to lean an arm against Kara but she brushes him off. It's funny, my best friend thinks he's such a lady's man, but he hasn't had a girlfriend. Well, at least a real one. Kara deals with him, but I don't think she likes it.

"How have you been, my friend," Kaldur says in his formal voice.

"Same old, same old," I say, scratching the back of my neck. I sneak a look over at the Bat. He's doing pretty well acting normal even with his stab wounds. Batman would sooner run himself off a cliff than admit he was in pain. But I can read him well enough to see that he needs medical attention. I run through a few scenarios in my head for what to do when someone's suffering for blood loss. I'm pretty sure I have some hypodermic needles for anesthetic if it comes to that. Do we have a soirée to go to after this?

"Uh, Robin? You there?"

I blink and look over at the others. "Sorry, what?"

Roy rolls his eyes. "You never change. Okay, so we're going to cut the cake and give you presents now."

I wince. "You didn't have to get me anything?"

"Why not! Presents are almost as good as cake!"

"Come, you heroes!" Wonder Woman calls. "The cake is prepared to be sliced."

We walk over to the table where everyone has gathered around. I get pushed up to stand in front of the cake next to Wonder Woman. I like Diana, she's really nice, as long as you don't get her started on women's rights. One time, she cornered me and gave me an hour long lecture about how I should always treasure every relationship I have with a girl. (I get the feeling if she knew what Bruce did in his free time, it would make her toes curl.)

Speaking of Batman, someone manages to get him through the crowd so he's on my other side. He doesn't sing "Happy Birthday" along with the others, but he does give me a small smile when nobody else is looking. I grin, thinking about earlier where he and Alfred threw me a different party. Then I remember that I might have another thing tonight.

We all sit down and Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter start passing out pieces of cake using their powers. Batman declines eating any. I really shouldn't eat it either, I have a strict diet to follow and I've already had one piece earlier. But it's not like Batman's going to tell me not to eat birthday cake in front of all these people.

Wally and Flash have two cakes made separately for themselves. They dig in with so much enthusiasm, it's almost gross. Everyone else is a little more refined, making polite conversation and joking. The most powerful people in the world are in this room right now. Because they wanted to celebrate my birthday. I can almost feel my head swelling.

"Batman," I say slowly, picking at my cake. "Do we have a..." I glance around. Superman, Green Arrow, and Aquaman are closest. They aren't talking and they seem to be listening with a type of detached interest. "Do we have a...thing...to go to tonight?"

Batman crosses his arms, sitting ramrod straight in his chair. "Robin, I've told you not to use the word "thing" when another word could be used."

I point my fork at him. "That's diversionary tactics. Answer the question."

Batman sighs and says tightlipped, "Yes."

I stab my cake. "Will...she be there?"

Batman frowns deeper. "Robin..."

"She?" Green Arrow smiles widely. "Don't tell me Bats has a girlfriend."

That makes almost everyone shut up and listen to our conversation.

Batman taps a rhythm on the table in irritation. "You know this isn't the place to talk about this, Robin."

I smile impishly. "You know it's the only time I'll be able to get an answer out of you. We're in public surrounded by people who value your opinion." I stick some frosting in my mouth. "So you'll tread carefully."

"I know," he says, resting his elbows on the table. Some more people have tuned into us by now. He glares at them. "Doesn't anyone have anything else to do?"

"I think we can all agree, we find the conversations between the two of you rather amusing, my old friend," Aquaman says in his deep voice. "Robin is very much like you."

I smile at the complement before glancing sideways at Batman. "Drawing others into this won't get you out either."

Batman slides my piece of cake away from me, silently telling me he's annoyed. I shrug, I was done with it anyways.

Batman sighs. "Yes, she'll be there."

My lip curls. Bruce Wayne is dated a famous movie starlet named Kiki Lanes. She's the rudest, most obnoxious person on the planet. It's mostly just for show, for Bruce to keep up his appearance as a lady's man and for Kiki to promote her new movie with some press from dating the richest man in Gotham.

"She's a cow," I say, matter-of-factly.

Superman looks at Batman in surprise. Flash chokes on his cake just a little bit. Wonder Woman turns a crimson color.

"I know," Batman says unhappily. He doesn't like this. And maybe I'm enjoying it just a tad too much.

"I was doing some research on what she was before her...current occupation." I fold my hands on the table.

Batman flashes me a warning sign. "Robin..."

"Somebody tried to hide it and did a fairly descent job, but it still didn't disguise the fact that she used to be a—"

"Robin!" Batman snaps, his cool demeanor dropping in an instant. He almost sounds...embarrassed. I smile.

Of course, now everyone is interested.

"What she used to be?" Of course it's Wally who breaks the silence. He knows, of course, who Bruce is dating and why. But he's still playing along.

I show my teeth. "A dancer."

Batman glares at me, almost full force. "Don't you..."

"An...exotic dancer," I finish, smiling wickedly.

Superman turns almost as red as Wonder Woman. Aquaman's mouth turns into a little comic circle while Flash's falls so far open it almost hits the table. Martian Manhunter is nearly impossible to read. Green Arrow laughs with his ward. Wally had his mouth as wide as his uncle's, letting everyone see his half eaten cake. Kara is blushing furiously while Kaldur looks unsure what to do.

But none are more embarrassed than the Batman himself.

"Batman...is dating...an exotic dancer..." Green Arrow and Roy are still howling in laughter.

Batman clenches his fists. Suddenly a look comes over his face. He relaxes slightly and turns to me. "You're going to pay for that."

I scoff. "What could you possibly do? That whole event is for me, after all." It's true. It's a community ball where my birthday will be commemorated. All the richest in Gotham will be there.

Batman's voice takes on a growl. "I could make you give a...speech. And I could extend it until eleven. Including ballroom dancing."

I know I'm pale now. "You wouldn't."

"Maybe next time, you'll think twice before speaking." Batman turns his head toward me. "Is that a rule?"

I cock my head to one side and sigh. "No... Not yet."

"Make it one."

I sigh and bring up my holo-screen, adding it to my long list.

#3,458 Think twice to prevent second thoughts.

Batman reads it over my shoulder. "That's not exactly what I said."

"I know that, I took my poetic license to make it more interesting. I did that actually to most of these."

Batman frowns, not sure if I'm insulting him or not. And just for the record, I'm not. Sometimes what he says is so boring, that I can't help it.

"That one's an oxymoron," I say. "English is so weird."

"Hang on, ballroom dancing? We can't get Batman to go to regular parties, but parties with ballroom dancing..." Green Arrow says.

I shrug. "Meh, they're okay. Of course Batman—"

"Say one more thing, and I'll talk to Agent A about this."

This makes me pale. Alfred raised Bruce and he took a huge part in raising me. He doesn't deal with impetuous behavior of any kind. Bad guys think the Bat is scary, but they've never seen Alfred mad like when I broke a twelfth century, Ming Dynasty vase while running through the manor. That scolding still brings back painful memories.

I zip my lips and grab my cake, sliding it back towards me. Happy that he's shut me up, Batman turns to Superman.

"Did you make the preparations I asked you to?"

Superman blinks at the sudden change of topic. "Of course, we've been working on them forever. Everything is up and running."

I tune out their conversation and make jokes at Roy's expense with Wally for a few minutes. Even the Leaguers laugh when we talk about his little feathered hat flying off all the time and ending up in strange places.

I automatically glance at the clock. "Ten-oh-five."

Batman turns from an in depth conversation with Martian Manhunter over the mental psychiatry of criminals. He nods at me and we both stand.

"Thanks, everyone," I say, a huge smile on my face. "This was awesome."

"Aww," Kara says, "you didn't even get to open presents."

I wince again. "That's quite alright." Honestly, I'm pretty rich so I can buy whatever I want any time. I hate trying to pretend to be thankful when somebody gets me something expensive, thinking I'll like it. Especially because I know my friends don't get payed very well to be superheroes.

"At least open mine!" Wally says, throwing his gift towards me like a frisbee. I catch it easily and look at the Flash symbol stamped wrapping paper and frown. Wally might have a better idea of what I would want, but still.

"We have to leave now. Thank you for celebrating with us," Batman says to everyone, totally straight-faced. He doesn't seem all that celebratory.

"Uh, you're welcome?" Superman looks totally blown away from getting a thank you from the Bat.

"We'll see you in a few months, Robin!" Kara calls to me.

I wave from the door and Batman and I sweep out of the room.

As we walk to the zeta tubes to head home, I look over at Batman.

"Why are they going to see me in a few months?"

We enter the zeta beam and in a flash of light, we're back at the Cave.

"Ah." Batman removed his cowl, becoming Bruce Wayne. He shuts off the zeta tubes so no one can surprise us.

I take off my mask for what feels like the first time that day. I crinkle my face to get rid of the feeling the mask leaves. It's almost like a muscle memory thing, similar to how you still feel like your jumping even after getting off a trampoline. The skin around my eyes feels raw and tender without my mask. I blink my blue eyes at Bruce. I'm now Dick Grayson.

"Answer me."

"What the heck was that?" Bruce says angrily. "You can't talk about our other lives in front of them, Dick!"

"They can't make connections with all those disjointed ideas," I defend.

"I'm beginning to wonder if you're doing it on purpose. Are you doing it on purpose, Dick? Just for fun?"

I look down, kicking my steel-toed boot agains the metal walkways that suspends us over the trickling water at the Cave floor. "I am just doing it for fun."

Bruce sighs, running a hand through his hair. "I know...it's just, you're embarrassing me."

I look at the stalagmites. "I'm sorry. I didn't think it bothered you this much."

Bruce puts a heavy hand on my shoulder. "It's okay. I don't like Kiki either. In fact, Bruce Wayne and her plan to get to get into a fight tonight. She doesn't want to deal with his kid and he won't leave his son."

I smile up at him. "Thanks." Then I smirk. "Does this mean I don't have to make a speech?"

Bruce's smirk matches mine. "We'll see about that." He starts taking off his gloves. "Now go get ready." He pauses at the exit, holding his side.

"Will you be alright?" I say, frowning. "Maybe you should have Alfred look at that."

"I'm fine," he growls. "I've had worse." He gets in the elevator that will take him into the Manor. "Your outfit is in your room."

I nod and watch as the door closes and my mentor disappears.

I unhook my cape and take off my gloves putting them next to the Bat-computer. I put Wally's present beside them. I'm taking off my utility belt when it occurs to me.

I swear out loud in my original language, Romani.

Bruce managed to avoid my question. "Why are they going to see me in a few months?"

So favorite, like, follow me, and please REVIEW! Suggestions for inspiration help as well of course. I'm also considering doing something new. Hunter x Hunter...maybe Magi. Just something I'm thinking about.

Until the next chapter...

*youwishyouwerethiscool